Hello from the
SOFT SAFARI
capital of the world.
During my protracted stay in Pretoria South Africa I kept hearing about
a fabulous resort to the northwest of the capital that promised easy wild
animal encounters sandwiched between comfortable nights in Las Vegas-like
hotel rooms. The two-hour bus ride out to the resort gave me time to think
about how little I knew of the place. And, it is a good thing I didn't
learn more ahead of time because I never would have gone! That would have
been a big mistake.
The resort is surrounded by desert and hills, little vegetation. An
artificial oasis carved out of inhospitable terrain creates an unexpected
fantasy world in the middle of nowhere. Outside: bare and desolate.
Inside: luxury hotels nestled among tropical rain forests, streams, lakes,
even an artificial lagoon complete with wave machine all connected by a
monorail sky train. It strangely reminds me of DisneyWorld and Las Vegas
combined. The inter-city bus is met by the eager "reception
staff" at the entrance to the Entertainment Center located in front
of the Cascades Hotel where the bus stops. Those with reservations are
escorted off to one of the four hotels in the complex. Walk-ins like me
are rare and no one seemed to know quite what to do with me.
Eventually I made my way to the adjacent Cascades Hotel reception desk
and asked for rates. "Sticker shock" is too mild a term for my
reaction to being told single rooms would be $150 to $309 per night. Even
flashing my obsolete travel agency affiliation business card got me a mere
20% discount. The very polite staff member suggested I check with another
of the four hotels as each has its own rate structure.
The four hotels are strung along a connecting road about 2-300 meters
apart, easy walking distance for a serious hiker like me. Psychologically
prepared for the worst, I assumed my most professional demeanor, combed my
hair and asked for the sales manager at the second hotel, the Sun
City.
Presenting my Theos Travel Services business card describing the defunct
Travel Treasures CD-ROM project I had started several years ago to Theo,
the recently promoted assistant sales manager, gave us both a chuckle and
comments on the similarity of names.
When he asked how long I might be staying I replied "That depends
on the rate I'll be paying and based on what I've been quoted so far I
might need to turn around right now and go back to Pretoria!" His
smile broadened as he turned his attention to the terminal screen and
remarked: "Well, let's see what we can do." In a few seconds he
continued: "I can get you in for $92/night..." My spirits
stirred slightly. "No, I can do better than that, if you can stay
three nights." I nodded and he added: "$105 for the first night
and $70 per night for the second and third. It's on the Winter Warmer
promotion. Will that work?"
I smiled, trying to sound nonchalant: "That will work fine."
After registering I discovered I had checked into the second level of four
affluence levels. At the bottom sat the "The
Cabanas" catering to
families with rack rates starting at around $90. My level offered standard
rates
starting at $130. The first place at which I had inquired had rates
starting at $150 and the top level "Palace of the Lost
City Hotel" offered the
ultimate in luxury with rates to match: $400 to $2000 per night!
The four hotels each have their own attractions. Mine, the Sun City
Hotel faced the golf course and housed the resort casino. The
"cheapie" basic accommodations offering sat near the lake with
its water sports including a paraglider ride and a variety of features
designed for tiny tots. The Cascades Hotel had an artificial rain forest
at its back door, adjacent to the artificial lagoon with its mechanical
wave machine. The opulent Palace of the Lost City Hotel is integrated with
an extraordinary "amusement" park. All hotels have their own swimming pools,
restaurants and shopping arcades. That part feels very much like Las
Vegas.
In addition to the frequent gourmet buffet meals ($12 for lunch)
offered in all hotels, there is a Food Fair catering to every taste... and
cheap. I ate there a lot... pizza, hot fudge sundaes, hot dogs all added
to my cholesterol count (or as I learned on my return, depressed it!). Near the Food Fair are two movie theaters,
cavernous video game rooms and extensive conference-exhibit facilities.
Most of the resort exuded excitement, bombarding every sense with enticing
inducements to enjoy the moment. Only the Palace Hotel flaunted its quiet
elegance, something its well healed mostly senile residents no doubt
demanded.
I spent two days exploring the entire complex, several times thinking
I'd seen it all only to discover another unseen path leading into yet
another major feature of the resort. I'd compare the extent and complexity
of the resort to Disneyland in California. Eventually I did exhaust the possibilities
for serendipity and turned my attention to the twice-daily game drives
through nearby Pilanesberg Game Preserve. Each drive costs about $19 and
lasts about three hours. My first drive started at 08:00 and gave us
glimpses of numerous herds of animals. Unfortunately, we never got close
enough to really appreciate them. At one point we joined four other
vehicles stopped by the side of the road to watch a "lion" in
the grass. Occasionally the king of beasts lifted his head high enough to
make ONE ear visible to the throngs staring at his hidden resting place
twenty meters away.
The day before I left I decided to take one more drive, but in
the afternoon. All the herds cooperated this time and we moved to within
meters of nine elephants walking near and across the road. Rhinoceros, a
large troop of Baboon, Zebra, antelope of several kinds and others
entertained us with their close presence as well. I managed to get a few decent pictures this time out.
During the four relaxing days I spent in the Sun City Resort I managed
to read the first of the Harry Potter books: The Philosopher's
Stone. It is easy to see why it has become a best seller, even with
adults... perhaps especially with adults!
Peace,
Fred
Bellomy 4 August 2001
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