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News from Zululand
I would like to share this little gem with you - We get this type of scam daily at the lodge, trying to get us to pay money into foreign accounts, this is the funniest example of criminal activity we have encountered so far and is unchanged from the original text we received, you just have to give them 9/10 for trying.
Hello Mr/Mrs,
I am Marc MARRONS architect , at present I am in TRIPOLI (LYBIE) for a market this year my wife and me let us have decides to celebrate in your hotel , at the time of our 11 years of marriage, I would like to make a reservation two rooms double in your hotel establishment. As from the 15/01 to the 31/01/2007 I would like to thereafter request a service near you like my wife and my daughter must join me with the hotel, my wife has just informed me that the travel agency does not have terminal for credit card, my family not having to cash pay the tickets and this being with my load.I ask you to want well output on my charts the sum of reservation + 2000 euros has to forward by mandate via WESTERN UNION to the Director the CAPITAL travel agency TRAVELS which will be used for the purchase of the tickets, since this is not your field , I would like as a thanks for the service that you will return to me to give you the sum of 800 euros like commission. I wish of any heart that you render this service to me to save the birthday of our marriage
NB:I inform you that I did not know that one could Pas emit a transfer being in TRIPOLI and there exists Of company of transfer of money like WESTERN UNION
BEST REGARDS
Marc MARRONS architect
Bush Cuisine
Maraschino cherry and Venison Kebabs
500g Venison Strip loin
1 bottle maraschino cherry (With syrup)
1 pkt. streaky bacon
2 large onions cubed
12 Kebab skewers
Marinade
½ cup Olive oil
2 tbls. Wostershire sauce
1 tsp. ground pepper
1/2 cup syrup from maraschino cherries
Method
Cube the venison fillet into blocks of 1inch x 1inch.
Mix together all the marinade ingredients then pour over the cubed venison.
Cover with plastic and set aside in the fridge for no less than 3 hours.
Individually wrap each cherry (Should have about 36) in a strip of bacon.
Once your meat has been marinated, slide the onions, cherries and meat onto your stick. (4 venison pieces, 3 cherries, 3 onion cubes)
On a hot griddle pan, brown the kebab until they are streaky. Cool the pan slightly then cook until the meat is done.
Serve hot, either as a starter or as a main with some pan fried veggies sautéed with butter and sesame seed.
Our Zulu Culture
Traditions & Hospitality
As in the western world, a visitor may not enter a house without the invite or consent of the house owner. It would be the duty of the Zulu Chief's eldest son to be the "Gate Keeper." He lives near the entrance of the yard, he appraises newcomers, and rejects those who are not welcome. He then brings the family members to meet the visitors.
If a visitor is met at the gate by the Zulu Chief himself it is something that he can feel especially privileged about.
Sorghum beer is offered to welcome guests into the homestead, though if the guest does not accept it, it would show great disrespect to the Chief. Both men and women may burp or tap their food while drinking the beer to show appreciation to the lady who made it.
Pipe smoking is another favourite in entertaining guests. Pipes are smoked late in the day, only by the respected older men. Younger men are frowned upon if seen smoking!
Tips from our Tracker
Trees
Combretum Mkuzense (tree number 541.4)
We are very fortunate to have our own combretum which is endemic to our area. Even carrying the Mkuze's name. They are limited to the northern Kwa Zulu-Natal area. This Combretum, which can grow quite large, has long slender branches, which are quite often intertwined masses. This tree is often used by White Bellied Sunbirds and Nergaards Sunbird (Another endemic species to our area) as a perch from which to display and call. The Zulu's believe that swallowing the fruit from this tree causes hiccups.
Birds
Bronze-wing Courser – rhinoptilus chalcopterus
This time of year when we get all the wonderful rain has brought about thousands of insects..... hence the yearly visit of the rare Bronze-wing Courser. We have been seeing them often while driving home at night after our evening shifts.
Sexes are alike, though the female may be slightly rufous instead of brown behind the eye. In flight the white wing bars and tail coverts are conspicuous. Under wings are white with black tips. They are nocturnal, sleeping during the day in thick bushes, coming out in the evening to feed on insects.
They breed in August to September, laying batches of 3 eggs which are Lavender or mauve. Each egg is super-imposed with blotches of dark brown and sepia black.
Funny Bones
A man finds it impossible to lie to his wife. He's tried time and time again but cannot seem to lie. Then suddenly he finds himself in a difficult predicament when he finds a mistress.
As he is just about to leave his mistress's house he hands her his shoes and says 'Go and rub these on the wet grass quickly!' And she does just that.
Upon his very late arrival at home he finds his wife waiting up in gown and slippers.
'Where have you been?' She asks furiously
'I was with my mistress' Comes the hasty reply.
'Don't lie to me' she exclaims, 'you were playing golf!'
Brain Teaser
Thank you to everyone who responded to our last brainteaser. Congratulations Graham Nevin from White River who sent in the correct answer to the riddle. You have won yourself and a partner one free night at our award winning lodge, dinner, bed and breakfast.
Last Month's brain teaser was:
A man died, leaving R10 000 000 for his widow, 5 sons and 4 daughters. Each daughter received and equal amount, each son received twice as much as a daughter and the widow received three times as much as a son. How much did the widow receive?
The answer was:
R 3 000 000
........You too could be the lucky person to win yourself and a partner a free night including dinner, bed and breakfast at the lodge. Simply solve the riddle below to be entered in our lucky draw and email us the answer to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(competition closes 15th February 2007)
There are three houses built exactly the same. One is filled with cotton, the other with wood, and the third with iron. One day an arsonist sets them all on fire. The sound of sirens was growing louder at the scene. People were screaming. Which house did the ambulance try to put the fire out at first?
News from the Lodge
The past month brought us plenty rain, the grass is lush and the animals are full of life..... Even the water table has risen. It only takes a small amount of rain for it to run.
The release of buffalo into the reserve has added to our long awaited dream of becoming a big five reserve, now only waiting for the Lion. All good things come to those who wait, but when it arrives you appreciate all the hard work that gets put in to getting it.
Bird life is fantastic and the wildebeest and impala have had many babies. Our Red Wing Starlings who have built their nest in a painted tomato box above the reception and have once again had a batch of eggs, they hatched 10 days ago. All day the parents are bringing in food for them, which offers some entertainment for guests.
Guests were pleasantly surprised this morning (14th January 2007) whilst having their coffee out on the veranda on yet another truly beautiful summer's day when a Leopard was spotted drinking in the river! True to nature he did not stay long before shyly running off into the riverine forest but did allow for a clear identification by the guests. What a lovely way to start the year and we hope that this early morning visit becomes a regular visitor!
Family News
The family enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season!! This year Thomas and Mathew were old enough to have a bit more understanding about what the festivities were about, a possible favorite being their first advent Calendar, eagerly opening the windows on the box first thing in the morning to see which chocolate awaited them. We brought in the New Year with our wonderful guests at the lodge, and reminisced about the past year. Our warmest wishes to everyone. May this new year hold many delightful surprises, special moments and all of the best things that life can offer!
Best guests comments of the month
251 bird species. We couldn't have done it without you. It was great here
Warm and welcoming staff, very cozy surroundings, nice accommodation.
Amazing place, magnificent views, warm staff, absolute to recommend!!
Love the rooms and exposure to nature
Loved the place, wildlife, hospitality, beautiful scenery. Nice rooms, away from the Hustle and bustle of city life. |
