Down Under Endeavours - Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti - Travel Experts

Down Under Endeavours at the Masters

2012-04-04T11:48:23Z

Down Under Endeavours is excited to be sponsoring a giveaway for the Ultimate Golfing Australian Golfing Vacation at the Masters. You can find us in the ClubCorp Hospitality Tent all week. So stop by and putt with us for a chance to win a trip to golf Down Under. Pictures coming soon!

My Top 10 Choices for New Zealand Golf

2011-10-28T20:19:20Z

International golf vacations run in my veins. All of my family are golfers and every year we rendezvous somewhere in the world to play a round or two and meet the locals. Of all our travels, New Zealand absolutely exceeded our expectations for golfing (and being an Aussie, its hard to admit this). New Zealand offers golf for every level of enthusiast, and more often than not, luxurious accommodations with incredible hospitality are on site or just moments away.

The most important thing to remember when golfing in New Zealand is a golf course has ten personalities on any given day, and the scenery is just as dramatic as the layout of the course. So even if your reason for traveling is not purely golf, you'll feel like you saw New Zealand, especially if you pair up with some locals.

Your greatest battle could be choosing which course to play. Here are my top 10 choices and reasons why you should play them:

1. Kauri Cliffs

Both Conde Nast and Travel + Leisure named Kauri Cliffs the best lodge in Australiasia in 2011. It has hosted The Kiwi Challenge.

2. Cape Kidnappers

The 16th Par 5 offers incredible views. The clubhouse is designed like a New Zealand shearing shed, and the onsite luxury resort makes this a complete destination.

3. Jack's Point

Located outside 'must see' Queenstown, a newer course, with the stunning Remarkables Mountains for a back drop. A great day out.

4. Millbrook Resort

Great destination luxury resort outside Queenstown. 27 holes, a wonderful spa and excellent dining on site which reflect the French history.

5. Clearwater Golf Course

Home of the New Zealand Open, plenty of trout-filled streams and a true links style. Playable year round. Five tee positions made it great for all players abilities.

6. Terrace Downs

A great stopover point in the high country South Island. Golf in the morning, and you can be salmon and trout fishing in the afternoon. Jet boating, hiking, horse riding also available.

7. Kinloch

For the historic golfer, this course is for you. It is steeped in tradition, beautiful wide open fairways. A pleasure to play.

8. Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club

A true links style and only 45 minutes from Wellington. On many golfer's bucket list. Challenging!

9. The Hills

Located outside Queenstown, a by invitation experience, of the same caliber with Leopard Creek, South Africa. Statues crafted by New Zealand artists are located throughout the course.

10. Wairakei Golf Course and Sanctuary

Located within the Wairakei Geothermal Park on the North Island, the focus on returning the vegetation back to its original state. The Pouwhenua pole carving at the entrance displays the strong Maori culture in the area.

One of the other hidden benefits about golfing in New Zealand is the fact that several of the golf courses are located in regions with amazing vineyards.

Many of our staff at Down Under Endeavours are avid golfers and love their wine. Contact them today and allow them to design you a special itinerary to the countries we know best, Australia and New Zealand!

Here is a sample itinerary:

http://www.downunderendeavours.com/itn_exclusive-nz-golf.php

And here are some more:

http://www.downunderendeavours.com/NewZealandGolfVacations.php

Read about our client Tom’s adventure golfing at Cape Kidnappers!

http://blog.downunderendeavours.com/2009/06/22/New-Zealand-Golf-Packages-luxury-golf-travel.aspx

Be gone bathroom scales be gone!

2011-10-26T17:19:35Z

I once stayed in this hotel, and much to my disgust, they had bathroom scales in the room! While glaring at these scales and pondering whether I should go speak to reception, I had the revelation that without good food you have lost a major component of an awesome Travel Experience.

No matter what budget you have there is something to suit everyone’s taste buds in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

For those folk who just want something quick to eat, try stopping into a local bakery in Australia or a Dairy in New Zealand. Pick yourself up a meat pie and enjoy ( do not worry if you are a non meat eater there are different types of pies to suit most peoples taste buds).

Nobody should ever visit New Zealand or Australia without visiting the local Fish and Chip shop. Make sure you pick a coastal town because fish and chips always taste better when sitting by the ocean, and yes, you will be the new best mate of those pesky seagulls.

Stepping it up a notch are the local pubs and surf clubs. Walk on in and check out the blackboard on the wall for the daily special. I have to tell you folks, I had the best Roast Lamb dinner ever at a pub at the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland.

When in Australia make sure you try Moreton Bay Bugs (no they are not really bugs, they are more like flat lobsters) If that isn't your style, we also have an abundance of other fresh seafood to try. Oh, and remember, we call them Prawns in the South Pacific not Shrimp!

For those folks who are venturing across to beautiful South Africa which is known for its Cape Malay Cuisine, a meal of Bobotie is a must, this dish comes in many varieties and will leave you wanting for more..

Of course for a treat once during your trip or every night! We have some awesome dining experiences.

In South Africa, The Tasting Room in Frankschoek is one of the top 50 restaurants in the world, or go and blow your taste buds away at Constantia just outside of Capetown.

In Queenstown, New Zealand, try our hidden gem “The Cow” or for something truly upscale “Wai Waterfront Restaurant”

Of course Australia is full of amazing places to eat, from Melbourne and its European Influence and underground hidden gems to dining under the stars at Ayers Rock.

If you are a true foodie let us book you on a Zest Food Tour in Auckland or Wellington, New Zealand. These are an amazing way to get a great taste for the region and meet the people behind the scenes.

The staff of Down Under Endeavours are regular visitors to the above destinations and we all love our food. For this reason, we know all the great places to eat at from the hole in the wall to the five star cuisine. Ask us for our recommendations and allow us assist you with pre-booking those hard to get into places, and remember, if you ever run into a bathroom scale in your hotel room do as I did and throw it in the wardrobe!

To drool a bit more, check out some of these tours our staff have designed on our Down Under Endeavours website.

http://www.downunderendeavours.com/itn_foodwine04.php

http://www.downunderendeavours.com/new-zealand-wine-trail.php

http://www.downunderendeavours.com/itn_foodwine03.php

Western Australia packages available on our website

2011-07-22T18:31:19Z

All the buzz surrounding Western Australia have you dreaming about taking trip to WA?

Check our website for some WA itineraries to kickstart your planning, as we give you a few places to start with:

Perth and Surrounds, Ord Valley Muster and El Questro Wilderness Park, Swim with Whale Sharks, Epicurean Delights of the West, A Wish for Fish, Oprah’s Ultimate Viewers’ Western Australia Adventure, Cable Beach, Camels and Coral Cruising.

Click Here for more information.

Win a Trip to Western Australia!

2011-07-22T18:03:15Z

We're flying one lucky winner and a companion to Perth and Ningaloo Reef to experience the ultimate Luxury Wilderness Camping Experience as well as Perth's newest Luxury hotel. You will have the opportunity to add a free stop-over in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane (air only). Value: $10,000.

Simply Like us on Facebook:

Tourism Western Australia

2011-07-21T18:48:00Z

For an extraordinary holiday, you need to go to an extraordinary destination. So if you’re looking to step into a world of awe-inspiring beauty and discover experiences found nowhere else on earth, Western Australia is the right place.

Visit the official home of travel and tourism for Western Australia here. On their site, you can begin researching your extraordinary Western Australian holiday.

Tourism Western Australia is a great partner with Down Under Endeavours, and we are excited to feature many of their spectacular locales.

There's Nothing Like Swimming with Whale Sharks at Ningaloo Reef

2011-02-17T21:02:00Z

Looking for a Extraordinary Experience? Think about NIngaloo Reef, located in Western Australia. With over 500 species of fish, pristine white beaches and luxury safari tent accommodation, it is an off the beaten path hidden gem.

From April through mid July, The Whale Shark, World's Largest fish, comes to feed and play at Ningaloo Reef. Kayak, snorkel or join a chartered day trip out and swim with these majestic creatures. Hear first hand:

See our sample package: 21 nights Australia: Off The Beaten Path

Book a package which includes Western Australia, and you will be entered into a draw to win An Australian Colour "O" necklace or Kailis Pendant. Hurry Competition ends 15 April 2011.

Rio Tinto: Australian Colours 'O' Necklace

2011-01-20T23:27:00Z

Rio Tinto's inspiration for creating the limited edition Australian Colours "O" necklace.

Rio Tinto's Argyle Diamond mine in the remote East Kimberley region of Western Australia is the world's largest producer of natural coloured diamonds including white, champagnes, cognacs, blues, greens and the rarest of all,
the pink diamonds.

Rio Tinto was delighted to take part in the 25th and finale season of the Oprah Winfrey Show, which also coincides with 25 years of diamond production from the Argyle mine. The Australian Colours necklace is a beautiful representation of this iconic product, arguably Australia's most beautiful export and the finest in their class.

The Australian Colours necklace is collaboration between Rio Tinto and Chow Tai Fook , Asia's leading diamond jewellery design house and luxury retailer. For further information on the Argyle Diamond Mine or the coloured diamonds from the Argyle mine please refer to:

Click on the links below for further information:
Champagne Diamond Center
Silver Mist Diamonds
Chow Tai Fook

Kailis Jewelery were overjoyed to create the Kailis ‘O’ Pendant to commemorate Oprah’s Farewell Season.

2011-01-20T22:54:00Z

"The design of this pendant captures the synergy between the two brands – Kailis and Oprah – exquisitely and features a limited edition ‘O’ medallion with ‘Oprah The Farewell Season’ engraving."

"The medallion hangs on a 90cm sterling silver chain, partnered with a geometric pearl pendant featuring a hand selected Australian South Sea Pearl and Kailis’ signature secret black diamonds. The result is a creation which flows, is purposeful, versatile and truly beautiful".

Kailis Jewellery has always believed in bringing joy to the wearer of Australian South Sea pearls and they are delighted to share this limited edition piece with the world.

Click here To Purchase this necklace

To learn about the Kallis Jewellery

Click here to discover Western Australia

Hawkes Bay Sunday Farmers Market: Miss it at Your Own Peril. By Guest Blogger Barbara Govednik.

2010-11-17T22:54:00Z

Normally, the thought of leaving the house on a Sunday morning is hideous to me. I prefer to make a big pot of coffee, flip through the newspapers and lay around in my pajamas as long as possible. But during my vacation in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand last year, staying in would have meant missing one of my favorite parts of the region, the Sunday Farmers Market at the Hawkes Bay Showgrounds in Hastings. And that is not something you want to miss whether you are a foodie, a foodie wannabe or just someone who gets hungry from time to time.

First off, they’ve got you covered on the caffeine and breakfast front. Sprinkled in with the vendors are coffee stalls and folks cooking up egg and cheese paninis or other breakfast goodies. A great way to start is to get yourself some sustenance, park yourself at one of the chairs in the middle of the huge oval of vendors and take it all in –smell the aroma of what’s cooking around you and the fresh ingredients for sale, listen to the busker playing his favorite song, feel the warmth of the dappled sunshine coming through the surrounding trees, watch the little kids running back and forth during their family’s Sunday morning ritual. Just be sure to leave room for a vendor’s sample or two or three.

Stomach and senses satiated, go shopping! Vendors sell everything from local, in-season fruits and veggies, to handmade jams (my mom wishes I had brought her more plum mousse), locally pressed olive and avocado oils (the latter makes the best salad dressing, fyi), cheeses, fresh bread, meats, pasta sauce, you name it. One purchase of a jar of marinara sauce got me detailed information about which vendor to buy arugula from to have with it (go see that guy over there, not the one over there) and exactly which bread would taste best dipped into it. The woman selling avocados had them arranged in three bowls: ripe to eat today, ripe to eat tomorrow, save until later in the week. Everything’s local and everything’s fresh.

We went twice while in Hastings, and I found myself loitering around the smoothie seller for longer than necessary at the end of our second trip. Yes, the smoothies were delicious, but the truth was, I didn’t want to leave. Writing this more than a year later, I still don’t want to leave. You won’t either.

Most important: Be sure to pick up a reusable shopping bag with the Farmers Market logo on it. It’s a fantastic souvenir (cheap, useful and easy to pack) and you can show it off at your hometown farmers market. Because if you can’t be smug about your travels, why bother going?

Barbara Govednik is a writer, writing coach and communication strategist who lives in Chicago, but secretly wishes she were a New Zealander. Down Under Endeavours has sent her there twice.

Featured Partner: Craig & Exceptional KI in Australia

2010-10-29T23:29:00Z

Your Name

Craig Wickham

What is your Property/Service/Activity?

Exceptional Kangaroo Island.

Where is it?

Half-way around the world, turn left.

What should a traveler do to feel like a local where you are based?

Speak slowly, drink fabulous South Australian wine, and always choose the local produce when eating out.

Top three reasons someone should stay/experience your services:

1. Up close and personal wildlife encounters with Australian animals in their natural habitat.

2. Elegant picnics out in the bush at private lunchsites accompanied by excellent wine from the company cellar.

3. Access to really knowledgeable local guides who can give you the inside story and make you really appreciate just why it is you suddenly get the feeling “At last I feel like I am in Australia!”

How would you describe your relationship with Corinne and Down Under Endeavours?

Corinne and the crew share many of the same values we do: enjoying good food and wine, seeking out experiences that are not touristy but authentic - derived from the uniqueness of the wildlife, the freshness of the produce, the timeless land, and the enthusiastic hospitality of the Australian people.

Why do you do what you do?

Because I have a choice....

What photos/website links do you want to share?

www.exceptionalkangarooisland.com/photographs.php

Featured Partner: John with Sydney Uncovered in Australia

2010-10-01T00:04:00Z

Your Name:

John Wulff

What is your Property, Service, or Activity?

Sydney Uncovered (formerly Sydney Urban Adventures). We provide Day Tours in and around Sydney, including walking tours, bike tours and the famous Rocks Pub Tour.

Where is it?

In Sydney. It can be a little tricky to find - we are located directly above The Honey Shop in the Rocks district.

What should a traveler do to feel like a local in Sydney?

• Use the public transport system to get around, especially the wonderful ferry system on Sydney Harbour.

• Ask locals for their favourite bars, pubs and restaurants - they are usually in out-of-the-way places and off the tourist beat.

• Check the local newspapers and free gig guides for what’s on around the city. They always have a comprehensive wrap-up of music, film, theatre and exhibitions currently showing.

• Get active and get outdoors - this is why the locals love this city.

Top three reasons someone should experience your services:

1. You will see Sydney from a local’s perspective.

2. You will hear stories and go places that a guide book simply won’t tell you about.

3. We offer fun, healthy and unique ways to see the city that are on a very personal and interactive scale. You don’t just see Sydney through the windows of a bus, you live it!

How would you describe your relationship with Corinne and Down Under Endeavours?

Great. We both share the passion of adventure travel and meeting the locals.

Why do you do what you do?

We operate Sydney day tours because we are passionate about this remarkable city. In fact, we all think it’s the best city in the world and we just love to show it off. Every time we take out someone new, we get to re-live that first moment all over again through their eyes. What we do isn’t just a job, it’s a privilege.

What website links would you like to share?

www.sydneyuncovered.com.au and www.sydneyurbanadventures.com

A Day in the Life at Singita Boulders, Sabi Sands, South Africa: Guest Blogger - Paul Heckel

2010-09-09T23:21:00Z

“You can sleep when you get to Cape Town.” – Kobus, Singita Boulders Lodge host, aka the magic hospitality sprite

5:30 am – The phone rings - its the wake up call. We open our eyes and shake out remnants of the vivid dreams induced by our malaria prophylactics. Nothing too intense (or violent, as some people report), but certainly more vivid than usual. We get dressed in many many layers of clothing. Pre-sunrise morning temperatures hover in the mid 30’s F.

5:55 am – A night porter knocks at our front door, ready to escort us down the wooden path to the Boulders Lodge. Guests are not permitted to walk around the property unaccompanied before sunrise or after sunset. And depending on the proximity of any game sighted near the lodge, guests are sometimes not permitted to walk through certain areas on the property unaccompanied during the day either.

6:00 am – The guests and guides congregate in the lodge. Tea, coffee, juices, cakes, muffins, etc are served…some caffeine and calories are encouraged to fuel our senses on the morning drive. All the guides in the area have already been in radio communication with each other to discuss where various groups of animals may have traveled over night and whether or not any kills were reported. The guides often pre-agree who will go in each general direction on the properties. In doing so they must consider the type of animals in pursuit so as to avoid placing an over abundance of pressure on the wildlife (potentially causing them to relocate their dens, for example). I, being a know-it-all of course, engage our guide JD in lots of conversation about nature, absorbing his vast knowledge, explaining what I can about our habitats in North America, and asking lots of questions. My safari persona begins to surface.

6:15 to 6:30 am – The guides and guests exit the lodge, venture up to the dusty circle drive, and mount the vehicles prepped by the tracker. Each guest is provided a soft sided hot water bottle (serving as a highly effective hand/lap warmer), blanket, and fleece poncho (aka Safari Snuggie). JD the guide readies a rifle with the bolt and ammunition. When asked, Phanuel (the tracker) indicated he’s never in his 20+ years of tracking had to shoot at an animal; warning shots only. Quite reassuring. Also, a machete is tucked in the front grill of the truck. JD assumes the driver seat and mans the radio while Phanuel takes the special tracker seat suspended out in front of the vehicle on the left side where he has the best possible view of game and their tracks. JD fires up the rover and we’re off into the chilly morning winter air, made chillier by the breeze blowing through the open vehicle. JD announces a general drive plan: locating a pride of lions, stalking down an elusive female leopard and her cubs, etc. The guests bundle up and expose only their cold hands to ready their cameras.

6:30 to 9:30 or 10:00 am – Morning game drive. I know everyone's looking forward to reading about all the wildlife, but I have a dedicated post on this in the queue. Stay tuned for the next installment!

9:30 or 10:00 am to 11:00 am – We return to the lodge for our “real” breakfast out on the terrace. By now the sun has warmed the humans and our environs to an adequately comfortable state. Sometimes couples elect to dine with each other, sometimes the guides join in for the meal, sometimes couples maintain their privacy. One morning our AM game drive surprisingly concluded with “breakfast in the bush.” The staff set up mobile food stations, tables, chairs, and place settings out in a quaint little clearing where the guests in each vehicle sat together to dine with the guides and trackers.

It was a nice time to get to know each other without the loud cranking of the Land Rover engine impeding conversation. Genuine conversation. I asked Phanuel about his training: what it takes to become a “senior tracker” (there are evidently only a few handful/s in the country) besides 20+ years of experience. In so-so English, he recounted one particularly memorable story of training in the bush with his tracker mentor. He found himself staring down a lion (who wasn’t at all pleased with Phanuel’s proximity) from 50 meters away. The lion growled, then initiated a “mock charge” (a fake attack). Phanuel said every fiber in his body and thought in his mind urged him to flee. But you run and you’re dead; 50 meters is nothing for a lion to make a kill. His mentor literally grounded Phanuel in position by grabbing and holding his belt. Moments passed, the lion eventually relaxed, and the pair of trackers slowly retreated. “It was terrible,” he said, using his go-to catchphrase Candice and I found most humorous.

11:00 am to 1:00 pm – Downtime. The only true downtime of the day. We usually spent this time bathing (Candice indoors, me outdoors), setting aside some laundry, downloading pictures and backing them up, recharging batteries (lithium-ion and human), and relaxing in the winter sun on the house patio.

1:00 pm – Lunch service begins. Having typically finished breakfast at 10:30 or 11 am, we opted for pretty light lunches. Again, our server Enuel greeted us on the terrace at the lodge and tended to our likings. All the meals were really terrific.

3:30 pm – The guests and guides assemble around one of the lodge bars in advance of the PM game drive. By now, many of the guests (including me, of course) have switched over to adult beverages, but others stuck with coffee, tea, juices, or sodas. Similar to the prep for the morning drive, the area guides have synced up on the day’s animal activities. Each guide has his/her general route planned, informs the guests, and we’re on our way again. The earth’s natural light at sunset (and sunrise) are superb for photography…the other-worldly golden orange glow cannot be adequately replicated by software, and can’t be adequately articulated in my words here either.

5:45 to 6:00 pm – Sundowner. Unbeknownst to many (the first night, at least), the land rover is packed with a cooler full of snacks and beverages. JD and Phanuel bust out the cooler, a small card table, some tableware, and set up shop in a clearing “cleared” for safety by Phanuel. A few small appetizers are served, along with beer, wine, coffee, or tea. As the sun goes down, many of the resident nocturnal predators begin to stir and prepare for a semi-relocation of their pride/pack/herd, etc or perhaps they prepare to hunt, so we must be cautious of where we stop the vehicle, dismount, and imbibe. The sunset in the African sky is spectacular. Just as you’d imagine it or as you’ve seen it on television. One of our sundowner spots was near a small pond providing lovely reflections.

5:30 to 7:00 pm – The PM game drive is very similar to the AM game drive except at night, the trackers really get to flaunt their skills. At night, a different set of creatures emerge. More on this in the next post covering wildlife.

7:00 to 7:30 pm – The vehicle returns to the circle drive and is greeted by a small fleet of night porters who offer lanterns and flashlights for the walk back down to the lodge. A host/ess welcomes each guest with a damp cloth to cleanse our fingers. At this point dinner service is underway, and each couple is free to dine immediately, wind down with a cocktail, or retreat to their house and return later.

7:30 pm and later - Dinner. The staff did an incredible job of making every dinner a unique experience for each couple or family as well.

After our drive the first night, Candice and I elected to go straight from the vehicle into the fire-lit dining room where the chef prepared a 100% vegetarian tasting menu for us featuring one of my new favorite dishes: Lentil Bobotie.

The second night we scheduled a pre-dinner wine tasting down in the lodge's 12,000 bottle cellar. Francois (the sommelier) had nothing specific planned and just let the group’s conversation direct his choices for tastings. One semi-gregarious female guest wanted to explore the differences between Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, so Francois obliged and our tasting took off from there. We mentioned to Francois that our next destination after Singita was the Franschhoek wine district, so he kindly provided a small pack of recommended wineries in the region. In 45 minutes we concluded and ascended from the cellar. Kobus (our personal host)greeted and informed us he prepared a dinner surprise in our house. A night porter escorted us down the walkway to #7 and we were delighted to find the house completely done up in candles, lanterns, and flowers, some jams playing on the speakers, bubbles in the bath, and a bottle of South African sparkling wine (can’t be called Champagne) chilling on ice. A slight step up from the Mexican all-inclusives featuring swans sculpted from bath towels...not to be hating on the swans. Or the Mexican all-inclusives. They rock. Anyway, in the main living area, the table was set and a fully vegetarian tasting menu presented. A few minutes later, Kobus rang the house phone and asked when we’d like to begin dinner as well as gathering our requests for any specific wines we enjoyed down at the tasting. Traversing back and forth between our house and the lodge, Enuel (our personal butler) served our dinner, two courses at a time, about 20 minutes apart. What a wonderful experience and meal. Really top class service.

Our final dinner at Singita was also a surprise. As the guests returned from the PM game drive, we all filed around the side of the lodge to a secluded area for alfresco dining complete with multiple food stations, lantern-lit trees, space heaters, and a “campfire” burning in the pit. In the middle of the meal, our host introduced an ensemble of the lodge staff who treated the guests to several traditional South African songs and dances. Enuel, who’s voice I’d describe as muppet-like, belted out his lyrics with crazy inspiration and jubilation. A young boy rocked out on his kudu horn. A few guests got up to join in the dancing. It was an original and unforgettable conclusion to our nights at Boulders Lodge.

Interested in more information on travel to South Africa? Click here.

Looking for a quote on a stay at Singita Boulders? Click here.

(Big) Five Alive: Guest Blogger - Paul Heckel

2010-08-30T14:11:00Z

Surreal. That's the first and undoubtedly the most accurate word I used to describe the experience of being in the South African bush. Of the 1300 photos we captured while staying at Singita, we narrowed it down to these 147 and I'm sure there are many more worthy of sharing but didn't quite make the cut. I assure you, this will be the longest photo album of the mini-series.

As you can observe from the first blog post (Arrival), the Boulders Lodge property is set out in the wilderness. There are dirt roads, paths, and crossings as well as an airstrip 10 minutes from the Lodge, but other than that, it’s in isolation. This fact became clearly evident when only after an hour of checking in to our #7, two mammoth Kudu moseyed down the embankment shaping the outdoor shower, grazing on the tall African grasses in their paths. Alright, this is the real deal. Confirmed. To clarify the title of this post for the uninitiated, "The Big Five" refers to the five most dangerous animals to hunt in the African bush. They are: Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino, and Elephant. Of course, most safaris these days aren't about hunting, rather just tourism, recreation, and photography. And as all safari-goers hope, we were lucky enough to see each of the big five, live!

Quite often, the first animals you'll observe on a South African safari are Impala, a smaller breed of Antelope featuring a gorgeous amber coat.

They survive in numbers, and they are visible everywhere, morning and night. Only 15 minutes into our first game drive, we encountered a small crash of White Rhinos but we weren’t lucky enough to spot any of the more rare Black Rhinos through the course of the trip. The same crash popped up a few times throughout our drives.

We also came upon a sizable herd of Buffalo creeping toward a pond for a sundowner; maybe 50 or so. Although they are a member of the “big five,” they appear comically harmless, rolling in the mud and accidentally grabbing giant wads of sloppy earth on their horns.

Moving on from the Buffalo watering hole, a tower of Giraffes intersected our road, slowly yet swiftly making their way through the bush with steady, massive strides. Giraffe turned out to be Candice's favorite animal on the trip...you'll have to ask her why.

On our first AM game drive the vehicle crept through the misty, foggy Sand River and observed a small bloat of Hippopotamuses. The river is quite shallow during the winter months, whereas during the summer (rainy season), it can be quite roaring.

The first big "wow" moment occurred shortly thereafter. JD informed us a pride of lions remained on the property after killing a buffalo the day before, so we pursued them hoping to catch a view of the kill. After a short venture into the bush, the vehicle slowed and we approached the entire pride, most of them sleeping, but a few up and about. To our amazement (and a bit of nausea), we found a young male, flanked by his whole pride, gnawing, crunching, and licking on the desolate formation of a buffalo carcass. Pretty much all that remained were the bones, ribs, a leg, lungs, and teeth.

The vehicle and guests paused sitting stationary for a while, observing these giant cats take turns gnawing on the carcass. As the sun slowly rose, the lions shifted positions to avoid baking in the emerging heat. Before we knew it, the vehicle was completely surrounded by the eight members of the pride and momentarily, we were literally stuck. After perhaps 30 minutes, the young male decided to relocate the buffalo carcass, out of the sun and out of the view of the lingering, opportunistic vultures. The sheer power required of the cat to move that thing by himself was awesome.

Once the pride rearranged and provided an exit path, we moved on to the rarest and most fortunate sighting of the entire safari: an entire den of African Wild Dogs. For several weeks, the area guides tracked the pack from a distance, all hoping the dogs would den on their property. As fortune would have it, the pack denned on the Singita property, giving the Singita guests first viewing rights. As the dogs selected a fantastically safe den location, reaching the den required JD to veer well off the vehicle path and into some intensely thick bush on the edge of a steep ravine. High with excitement, JD inched the vehicle as close as possible to the den, nearly tipping the whole deal over and down to into the ravine. "This is terrible," Phanuel warned before JD chuckled and calmly reversed us out of danger. When we arrived, we were treated to a mini-jackpot of African wildlife, viewing a pack of 10-13 critically endangered dogs. Scientific estimates place the total population at about 2000 in the world.

Upon our arrival, JD immediately pointed the alpha female was feeding the pups with regurgitated food from a recent kill; a kill likely made within the last few hours. Another adult female, the beta female, and her pups accompanied the alphas in the den. JD explained it was somewhat rare for an alpha female to allow a beta female to mate and raise pups in the same pack and den. Typically she, and she alone runs the show. But given the gravitas of their survival, you have to wonder if they know the longevity of their species is on the line. A truly amazing sight for us to witness first hand.

Retreating from the den of African Wild Dogs, we cruised past a dazzle of Zebras co-mingling with an implausibility of Wildebeest. I'm using only the scientifically correct terms (per JD) for each group of animals, you should know. Zebra and Wildebeest often roam together as their diets are are similar. The most widely accepted scientific theory explaining a zebra's stripes is that the stripes create a dizzying, kaleidoscopic effect when the dazzle is fleeing from a predator on the hunt. The predator is more likely to become disoriented and unable to zero in on an individual Zebra. That said, nobody knows for sure, and we will likely never know.

After returning from the action packed AM game drive, we decided to do some souvenir shopping at the Singita shop situated half way between the Boulders Lodge (ours) and the Singita Ebony lodge. The shop is more accurately described as a boutique selling with safari gear (vests, hats, blankets), jewelry, beautifully crafted high end furniture, and more.

Kobus placed a request on the radio and a porter arrived to drive us the 2 minutes. We didn’t end up buying anything, but on the way back, sitting at the base of a tree on the side of the road was a gorgeous female adult leopard. What an incredible looking cat; coat shining in the unimpeded afternoon sunlight. The porter/driver stopped the truck for us to observe. The only problem was: I DIDN’T BRING THE CAMERA! Why would I ever think I need the camera on what is literally a ninety second drive to the store??!! Total safari fail, but I assured myself we would have other opportunities to view Leopard so I brushed it off and put myself at ease. We'd only taken two drives so we had much to look forward to.

Turns out, the leopards creeping around the property during our three night stay felt the need to be in stealth mode. JD (the Guide) indicated he hadn’t seen a Leopard for 10 straight days and nights which is quite a rare dry spell. After we told JD about the mid-day sighting on the way to the store, he was hell bent on tracking down a leopard for our group; more specifically, the elusive female leopard who slyly appeared for us while I was unprepared.

I relayed this story to JD, and on the following PM game drive, he and Phanuel went to work. The video clip from the previous blog post is our immediate departure from the lodge to track and spot her. The guides and trackers use a number of factors in order to locate various animals on the vast property. As I mentioned, the guides from several lodges communicate via radio and provide updates. General intuition is at play when thinking about each animal’s typical movements each day. The trackers are able to identify each native animal’s tracks in the sand and approximate a general direction and time of movement. And of course, if you’re tracking a predator, you observe the behavior of its prey.

Phanuel and JD collectively put us right in her general proximity. This was obvious because the Impalas in the area were barking their alarm calls, communicating to each other the imminent presence of danger. We were in pursuit of a leopard on the hunt. You can hear the alarm calls in this short video (sorry about the "back of the head" action in this one):

In these instances, tracking from two spots is better than one. Phanuel hops down from his seat, pulls the rifle from its case, and clips a portable radio to his belt. He glances down at the tracks in the road, looks up shading his eyes from the sun, and then turns back at the guests in the vehicle. “See you,” he says.

JD advances the vehicle in the opposite direction and we cruise around, all the guests eager to get this done! The pursuit lasts a good 45 minutes, impalas alarm calling all over the place, but despite all our efforts, we weren't able to locate her. We rendezvoused with Phanuel and resumed our game drive. We circled her location several times and were so unlucky to not view a kill as she was definitely hunting. So close, yet so difficult to spot when they want to hide.

Almost as soon as we pulled out of the immediate vicinity, defeated, a breeding herd of 20 some elephants slowly emerged from a tree line into our clearing. As they lumbered through, JD rattled off an inspired plethora of interesting facts: 22 month gestation period and 20 hours a day spent eating were the highlights. Additionally, elephants are pretty much the only animal in the South African bush that can die naturally due to their size; even the fiercest predators don’t attempt to down an adult Elephant.

As I mentioned in the last post, the tracker’s skills really shine (no pun intended) after dark during night spotting. Depending on your game sightings in the day light, the night spotting typically is typically done during the last 45 minutes of the PM drive. On one drive, Phanuel spotted a gorgeous owl. Another, a tiny black scorpion. But the most amazing piece of night spotting skill came when Phanuel spotted a chameleon perched in the low hanging branches of a tree on the side of the road. Mind you, the vehicle is moving at maybe 15 MPH and Phanuel is moving a single flood light left to right, up to down in search of these night creatures. His ability to spot a single chameleon near the ground in pitch black was wildly impressive.

The AM game drive on the second to last day was on the slower side with one notable exception. JD transported us over to a known den of spotted hyenas.

Hyenas, being nocturnal creatures, are seldom seen in broad daylight. But on our arrival at the den site, we pulled into direct view of a mother hyena, snoozing at the base of the den with two pups, alternating between moments of play and rest while circling, ascending, and descending the dusty mound of earth they know as home.

In between the AM and PM game drives on our second to last day, Candice and I decided to flop ourselves down on the house patio and close our eyes for a short outdoor nap. A troop of nine or 10 monkeys had other (spiteful) ideas. One by one they appeared, first emerging in the tree directly above the outdoor shower, then seemingly from every corner of the property. And these little suckers are not shy about their desires: 1) food, 2) beverage, and 3) gaining entry to the house in pursuit of 1 and 2. One moment I'm lounging on the porch, pondering our glorious accommodation, enjoying a fine, cold, golden can of Castle Lager, the next moment Candice is whipped up in a fever of panic, pleading with me to return to the safe confines of the house. I got a couple of (crappy) photos and then acquiesced, slinking back inside to capture these videos:

On our final go round, a morning drive, we revisited the same pride of lions previously finishing off the buffalo. As it was first thing in the morning, they were just winding down their night and getting ready to rest. If you know cats and their behaviors and tendencies, it won't surprise you at all to read they were lounging, playing, and otherwise jacking around, like these dimwits attempting to ascend a small tree:

While viewing the pride, JD received some promising cat spotting news on the radio: one of the other guides had solidly located two leopard cubs on the property and marked the general vicinity on the road with a small fallen branch. Ever persistent, JD prioritized this for us. It was our last shot, so he and Phanuel got after it. The other guide located the cubs near a dry river bed, so we cruised up and down, backwards and forwards while Phanuel tracked on foot. After encircling the area two or three times, we thought to ourselves we were surely outmaneuvered once again. The vehicle proceeded up the hill and halted to collect a half-smirking Phanuel. "There," he said, pointing down at a male leopard cub laying in a thick area of grass about 10 feet away, "Now the pressure's off." Even after pointing him out, it took the guests several seconds to lock on to this beautiful creature with our naked eyes. Being a young little dude, the cub was not entirely comfortable with the presence of the vehicle, and as such, picked up and trotted off a few times, but even though we were somewhat antagonizing him, JD assured us the cub was better off getting accustomed to the vehicle and learning it introduced no harm. Due to the leopard's stealthy modus operandi, our photos of him aren't the best, but we captured what we could.

To avoid unnecessarily distressing the cub, we bid farewell and pulled away. JD parked the vehicle on the edge of a valley for a coffee and cake break. Gazing out across the valley, a solitary giraffe stood out among the trees. In a nearby clearing, a troop of Baboons frolicked about. Knowing we were soon to depart from this most incredible piece of the earth, we made every effort to absorb it all one last time.

Upon return, many people asked me, "what was the singular coolest thing you saw while down on safari?" The intent of this question is undoubtedly to keep my answer brief, most certainly the antithesis of this blog series. My answer would be something about our proximity to the wildlife. I couldn't possibly imagine we'd be able to park a Land Rover literally in the middle of a pride of Lions feeding on a Buffalo kill without fearing for our lives. While I took a good number of the photos with a 55-200mm zoom lens, it doesn't subtract from the immediacy of the experience.

Up next, the magnificent little Western Cape wine district named Franschhoek!

Interested in more information about travel to South Africa? Click Here

Looking for a quote on a stay at Singita Boulders? Click here. http://www.downunderendeavours.com/contactus.php

Didn't win our ultimate New Zealand Food and Wine experience at the Aspen Food and Wine Festival?

2010-07-19T18:54:00Z

Here is your second chance to win.
Book our 9 day Classic New Zealand Wine Trail package before 30 September 2010, travel within the next 12 months and you will be entered into a draw to win your trip for free.

9 Days Classic New Zealand Wine Trail
as featured at the Aspen Food and Wine Classic 2010

From $3,999.00 per person

Enjoy incredible food and wine, meandering along at a relaxed pace, with unique touches every step of the way. Whether you prefer whites or reds, fresh fruits or succulent lamb, this trip will encompass everything your appetite desires. No other company offers the value we do, or will go above and beyond to make sure this is the perfect Epicurean vacation. From the secret waterfalls, to dinner reservations, to hidden seal viewing spots only us locals know about...let us create the perfect trip for you.

Click here to view the full itinerary details

Read one travelers throughts of Hawke's Bay

View a sample of a New Zealand and Fiji Vacation

A Secret Foodie Paradise: Exploring Food and Wine in Tasmania

2010-07-09T10:46:00Z

Located just a short, direct flight from Melbourne or Sydney, Tasmania has long been a well-kept secret among the Australians. After spending a week there, eating and drinking my way through the island state, I understood why they would want to keep it to themselves. Not only does Tassie (as the locals call it) have pristine wilderness, amazing wildlife and some of the cleanest air and
water in the world, it also hosts some of the best food and wine experiences in Australia.

While it is really known for its delicious cheeses, crisp white wines and sumptuous oysters, Tasmania also serves delicious salmon, beef, whiskeys and beer. All products are locally grown and produced, of course! Here are some of the best food, beer, wine and cuisine-related experiences you can enjoy in this beautiful state!

-Dine on delicious oysters at the famous Barilla Bay, just outside of Hobart.
-Tour and sample local beers at the rival breweries in Tasmania: Boag’s in Launceston and Cascade in Hobart.
-Take a cooking class at the Agrarian Kitchen, 25 minutes outside of Hobart. Classes are led by Rodney Dunn, former apprentice to the head chef at Tetsuya in Sydney, one of the world’s top restaurants.
-Sample handcrafted, award-winning wines at the quaint vineyard, Velo, located in the Tamar Valley.

One of my absolute favorite food and wine experiences, however, was dining under the stars in the Tasmanian bush. The “Bush Tucker Dinner” is hosted (and cooked) by Craig Williams, an Aussie who has been camping in the wild since he was eight. Using herbs and spices that are indigenous to the surroundings, he prepares a feast fit for a king.

Though the menu changes daily, you can usually expect a Tasmanian cheese platter (the wasabi cheese is heavenly), trout with native spices, venison burgers and wallaby tenderloins. All this is washed down with some delicious cool climate wines, while listening to the sounds of the animals stirring for the evening.

One of the true pleasures of travel is the opportunity sample local foods and beverages, discover new tastes and flavor combinations and be on the receiving end of the most gracious hospitality. And there’s no better place to do that than Tasmania, Australia. Once you eat and drink your way through its bounty, you’ll have a hard time keeping it a secret, too.

Click here to find an Australian Travel Specialist
Click here for customized Tasmanian Packages

Auckland Favorites: Hotel deBrett and Flat Whites

2010-07-02T19:43:00Z

Hotel deBrett in Auckland, New Zealand is the hottest new hotel in the city, according to Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure (three times!) and Vogue Magazine , and we couldn’t agree more. Perfectly located in the center of downtown, it’s a boutique hotel with just 25 stylish rooms. It was the city’s first hotel that was used commercially in the 1840’s. Now new management has restored Hotel deBrett to be the ultimate in contemporary and retro urban décor but with certain touches of salvaged heritage remaining.

But of course, no trip to Auckland would be complete without a trip to a café. New Zealanders, much like Europeans, meet at cafés to catch up with friends, conduct business meetings, and experience family outings. However, New Zealand cafés are unique to those in Europe for the types and versions of coffees offered. Within a short taxi ride of Hotel deBrett is my personal favorite New Zealand café – Circus Circus – located in the neighborhood of Mt. Eden. Opening early and closing late, it’s perfect for hipsters and families alike with its toys, books, light seasonal menu (such as warm orzo, mushroom and walnut salad, bagel towers, lime and chili chicken, and rhubarb apple crumble) and to-die-for coffee drinks. Make sure to try New Zealand’s national coffee drink, a flat white, which is somewhere between a latté and a cappuccino but with foam so smooth and thick it coats your lips. The New Zealand word for “coffee” might as well be “flat white” because they’re so popular (although one of our clients prefers a “long black” every times she’s there – an espresso with hot water or what’s commonly called an “Americano” elsewhere.) Despite all this, the best part about Circus Circus is its décor, with old circus statues, vintage diner bar and plenty of neon to light up the night.

Spending time at a café on holiday is a great way to slow down, feel like a local, and drink like a local – if you order a flat white in New Zealand.

Circus Circus is my favorite café. What’s your favorite world café?

Contact a New Zealand expert to plan your trip today
Check out some New Zealand itineraries
Read more about gourmet food in New Zealand
Click here for a gourmet food and wine trip to New Zealand!

Fijians: The Friendliest Folk You'll Ever Find

2010-06-11T22:27:00Z

And I do mean “folk.” Conde Nast Traveler just named Fiji the Friendliest Place on Earth, and for good reason. Visiting Fiji is like seeing members of your long-lost beloved family. Not just the hotel staff, everyone you meet smiles at you, raises their arms and greets you with a big “Bula!” (The word for Hello, Welcome, Greetings in Fijian). It’s not uncommon for them to ask you where you’re from, how your trip is going, and whether or not you’ve seen the local sights. With very little crime in Fiji, the locals have learned to trust and accept strangers in their midst, no matter how foreign.

During my most recent trip to Fiji, this point was hammered home in a typical Fijian moment. I was in a large tour bus filled with Americans snapping photos, barreling down a dirt highway, leaving a cloud of dust behind. I watched as we approached an old farmer with a machete slung over his shoulder, limping along the side of the road. “Oh no,” I thought. “We’re practically going to run him over, and surely fill his face with grit.” But as we got closer, he turned to look at us, stumbled into the wild bush on the side of the road, looked right at us through the bus windows, waved his hand, and shouted, “Bula!” Needless to say, I was stunned at his welcoming nature towards what surely would have been seen as a nuisance to most locals around the world. We weren’t stopping to purchase anything from him, or even slowing down to accommodate his presence on the side of the road. He simply felt the need to make us feel warmly received.

One experience not to miss during your trip there is visiting a traditional Fijian village or school. There is no better way to experience first-hand the friendliness of the Fijians than by shaking the hand of the village chief, hearing islanders sing songs just for you, or watching young schoolchildren perform songs and dances that they’ve rehearsed not only for learning purposes, but also just in case some inquiring foreigners come by. At the very least, smile and thank the locals who inevitably greet you upon arrival at your resort with a song and guitar.

It’s not even so much that the Fijians are friendly, but that they open themselves up, heart and mind, and want to share their lives with you. With Down Under Endeavours , we will make sure you have this experience on your next trip to Fiji. Contact us now to find out how!

And click here to see our June Special, this time for Fiji, at a resort with a wonderful local school nearby!

Go Back in Time, 60,000 Years to Be Exact

2010-06-04T17:54:00Z

The Australian Aboriginal culture is the oldest on the planet. Dating back some 60,000 years, these are a people full of rich histories and stories. Now when you travel to Australia, you can also do a little time-travel by taking part in the Daintree Walkabout tour in northern Queensland.

What’s so special about the Daintree Walkabout tours? For one, you can experience the beauty and wonder of this ancient culture, first hand.
Your local Indigenous guides will demonstrate traditional plant use, identify bush tucker sources (food found in the native Australian bush), share their dreamtime legends, explain the history of cave paintings and provide an enchanting narrative of the rainforest and their special relationships within this unique tropical environment. All this set amongst the beauty of one of the world’s oldest rainforests, the Daintree.
This tour also includes a delicious Barramundi lunch, with beautiful views of the Mossman River, followed by a cruise on the Daintree River, which is home to birds, tree snakes, unique plants and the estuarine crocodile.
I have sent a lot of clients on this tour in the last year and they have raved about the lush forest and the knowledgeable and friendly guides. It is truly a one of a kind experience.

For a look at what you would experience on this fantastic tour, click here.

Ready to go Down Under and back in time?

Call Down Under Endeavours to plan the exact trip you want.

Featured Partner: Ray with Boutique Wildlife Tours in Australia

2010-05-15T23:34:00Z

Your Name:

Ray Andrews

What is your Property, Service, or Activity?

Boutique Wildlife Tours.

Where is it?

90 minutes south of Sydney.

What should a traveler do to feel like a local where you are based?

You should absolutely enjoy the "Cook your own steak for dinner" option!

Top three reasons someone should experience your services:

1. To see Australias unique animals in the wild amidst beautiful sandstone escarpments.

2. Track down Australia's Big 5 animals.

3. See some real Australian Bush!

How would you describe your relationship with Corinne and Down Under Endeavours?

Sensational! We are part of a mutual admiration society.

Why do you do what you do?

I love to show off the amazing plants, animals and landscapes that make Australia so fascinating to our international visitors.

What photos/website links do you want to share?