We've travelled extensively - overseas and within our own country and its neighbours.  Alone, together ... and with children (of various ages).  Through running our lodge (closed end of 2005 after 13 years), we met & made many awesome friends and got to take care of many wonderful people.  

We are passionate about our country - its magnificent people, magical places and awesome scenery.  We're always trying to find those special places, absolute gems and hidden treasures ... so that we can share them with you.

And throughout this site, we've really tried to do our homework - trawlled the 'Net, magazines, TV, papers, radio and the insides of cereal boxes to bring you real, honest info and special and unique products that we have no hesitation in recommending to you ...

Remember too that things can change (eg new management), people can have their off days (a fight with their mother-in-law) and a visit from Murphy (dryer's broken down in the wettest season since the Rinderpest and the repairman's climbing Kili!) 

But we've found that often people are the magic ingredient in the travel 'recipe'. And by being receptive and friendly to people you meet along the way, you're rewarded with the most incredible times and memories ... that money just CAN'T buy!

Here are some of the comments people have kindly said about us & our service.  Just names & dates are provided - but we can gladly verify these emails if you should wish (without compromising their privacy in any way):

Hi Alison

Thanks for all the information it’s very helpful. Will have a look at all your suggestions.

Regards
Karen
02.02.10



Hey there

You are a star! I have been in touch with xxxxx They are able to assist( jipee)

Take care and hope you enjoy your evening.

Kind regards
Fran
07.01.10



Thank you thank you thank you! And thank you again!  All I can say is WOW and I would definitely write back to you on the highlights of our trip and how great you have been in everything, even down to tending to my silly quirks and queries! 

Alison, I really can't thank you enough, I've never known someone to put in so much effort in helping us like you have and the way you've anticipated exactly what we're looking for has been uncanny!  Thank you for all your understanding and sticking by us.  I'm really looking forward to this trip even though it's going to be a real squeeze!
 
I'll ponder on a few things over the next couple of days and let my sister surf the websites you've suggested and then get back to you :)  Again, I am very grateful to have met you :)  It's like have a spy on the inside! And a really kind one at that!  ;0)
 
We'll be in touch :)
God Bless
Lv Sandals
01.12.09


Hi Alison

Many thanks for getting back to me so quickly and will check out the link, and the places you advise.

Cheers
Sarah
17.11.09


Hi Alison!

Thank you very much for your travel info and suggestions. I very much appriciate it. I'm sorry about the Rockey's, I had heard some great recommendations.

Best regards
Sandra
28.08.09


Hi Alison,

Thanks for your interest in our blog and thoughts on South Africa, and thanks for letting us know that we have been "published"!  Our experiences in South Africa really were amazing, although we feel we barely scratched the surface, and we would love to visit again someday.

Cheers,
Mari 
02.08.09


Dear Alison,
 
Thank you so much for responding to my email.  I am truly grateful for your wisdom and for your feedback.
 
I am sorry to learn that Rockey's of Fourways has closed but chin up!  Thirteen years is a good run and it looks like bigger and better things are on the horizon.  I had read about Rockey's of Fourways in the Lonely Planet Southern Africa book and they said very nice things about the establsihment and the staff. 

Now you have progressed to an excellent and informative website.  Hopefully you are doing a lot of traveling while writing the stories!  Then you would have the best of all worlds:  to write, to photograph and to travel.

Thank you Alison for your time and for your feedback.  I look forward to hearing from you again.
 
Many blessings to you,
Mary
29.07.09
 



Ah, I am sorry to hear that you have closed. Best of luck with the future.
 
Many thanks
 
James Cussen
Director
09.07.09




Hi Alison

Thanks for your e-mail. That's a great bunch of very useful information. I really appreciate it. May have more queries so could be in touch again.

Thank you

Regards
Sarah
07.07.09

Hi Alison
 
I really do appreciate all your efforts, and I am dying to do this tour.
 
Thanks so much for everything.

Cheers
Jo

21.01.09




Thank you so much for your reply. That does help! Thank you!

Nicole

19.01.09
 



Thank you so much for your kind assistance, we really appreciate it!

Regards

Veno
15.12.08




Alison, I did not expect that you will go as far as this for someone, I really appreciate the effort, trouble and assistance you are giving to me.  This is what we call in my culture “UBUNTU”

I will check sleepliner maybe the dates that I want are not fully booked and there will be someone to meet them at Park Station.

Once again, thank you

Wendy
25.11.08




Thank you so much for your response; I wish you all the best in your current development.
 
I will look at your website and make contact the tour company as you suggested.
 
Once again, thank you and best regards,
 
Belinda
25.06.08



Thanks a million Alison!  I really appreciate all your
help facilitating this tour.  

-Sarah
7.12.07



Hi Alison and Evan, I wish to personally thank you for your kindness and warmth you gave to both Josh and myself during our stay.  It's always nice to end a long journey on a memorable note.  I wish you both good health and all the success in the world.  

Terry
3.12.07



Fantastic! Thanks for your comments, feedback and support, Alison.

Warm regards,
IAN MACDONALD

Online Editor // www.sagoodnews.co.za
28.11.07



Hi, Alison.
 
Thanx for the confirmation and all your help.  Also I contacted this company myself and they never gave me a reply but thanx to you I'm going to this hostel!
 
Zainab
23.11.07



Hi Alison

Thank you so much for your quick response!

Regards
Garth
15.10.07



Super, thank you!

Kind regards,
Marian
15.10.07




Hi Alison,

Thank you very much – exactly what I needed !!

Have a nice day

Dries
17.05.07



Thank you very much for your hard work.. i will use this info..

thanks again, yours sincerley

Chase le roux
4.05.07



Alison,
 
The group thought the trip was absolutely fantastic.  They all said the guide was very informative, lots of knowledge, and an excellent hostess!!!
 
They enjoyed the meal and I have to thank you for making this a very special day for all of them!
 
Thank you once again!
 
We will certainly keep your address and use you again in the future with other groups that we bring to SA.
 
Greetings and warm regards
 
Josie and the Canadians!
16.04.07



Alison, you are really on the ball.  Thank you for your reply and I sent that mail late last night - so no apologies needed.  

Thank you!
Josie
15.04.07



Thanks a million for all your help!!! Truly amazing service.
 
Chat soon

Wendy
19.10.06



Awesome thanks!  I’ll get hold of them, and I’ll remember you for my next travel down your way.

I wish you all the best!

Peter Rodda
12.09.06


Thank you so much for all your input - we find it quite hard to get info on private accomm and the mainstream hotels are expensive for us povo!
 
Best wishes for your establishment on the Garden Route!

Regards
Leila
16.08.06



Alison I really want to thank you, you've een [sic] amazing.
And Jason has contacted me he's amazing too.
He's not going to charge anything, but do it as a favour!
Once I am back I think it will be good you get in contact both with this tour group so maybe you can work with them more often but do real business instead of favours!! ;-)

 
Thank again and I will let you know how it goes,
Cecilia
11.08.06



Hi Alison,

Wow, thanks for the great service and all the tips!  I have lived in SA for 6 years but do not particularly know the Garden Route area so your help is precious.  Will see what suits to our indeed hectic travelling schedule and will definitely say that you recommended them.

Will be in touch with you should I need anything else.

With kind regards,

Pascal
08.08.06



Alison,

You da woman. Thanks so much.

Sincerely

Riley
31.07.06



Alison,

This is the most thorough advice I’ve ever received from anybody!!  Thank you so much for taking the time to refer me to these different places.  I’m sad that Rockey’s of Fourways is closed as I am now convinced it would have been a great place to say!

I will check out the names you provided and will get in touch if there is anything else.  


All the best and many thanks again!
Geeta
21.07.06



Thank you so much Alison, I really appreciate that!
Jonathan
3.07.06



Hi Alison,

Many thanks for your prompt replies.I will contact Peacehaven and,of course,mention your name.

We have been to Kruger before and prefer to be independent so I will arrange car hire in Jo'burg and then see the park again.Thoroughly enjoyed it last time.

Again,many thanks and good luck for the future.
Peter.
01.06.2006



Hi Alison,
 
Boy oh boy, do I wish that Rockey's was still open!  We are having some problems with XXXX ...
 
All the best,
Kelcey
15.02.06



Hi Alison

You are an absolute wonder star.  Thank you so much.

Will definitely give you feedback.

Sorry to hear you guys have closed down, heard it was really an awesome place you had.

Thanks again, your help is really appreciated.

Keep well.
Best wishes

Carol
15.02.06



Hi Alison,
 
I'm so disappointed to hear you closed down....the place looked so lovely!
Anyway...is there a website that I can look into for XXXX? Cause I need a double bed...
Its Valentines day...tomorrow!!!

And I haven't bought my fiancé anything yet! So I'm just trying to do something nice for him.
 
Kinds Regards
Janine
13.02.06



Hi Alison,

Thank you so much for your response,its unfortunate that you have closed
down as I was told you were one of the best.

Please kindly give me details for any place in Fourways,I will also try the
others.

All the best,
Kind Regards
Nokuthula
31.01.06



Thank you for your e-mail and everything of the very best for 2006 to you as well.
 
Yes, extremely sorry that you are no longer operative in Fourways I really enjoyed my last visit with you folks but I'm sure that your new place on the Garden Route is just as good.
 
Thank you for supplying me with these additional alternative accommodations and I'll certainly make use of one of there services.
 
Everything of the very best in your new venture which I'm sure will be as successful as Rockies, will retain your Garden Route in mind for future trips.
 
 
Kindest Regards  
 
Theo Bailey       
4.01.06