Bob Travel

Many wonder what Mauritian Sega is.  It is both dance and song combined.  There are many instruments that accompany the dancers including the ravane, the maravane, and the triangle.  The ravane is a drum, covered with the skin of a goat and very wide and thin.  The maravane is also a percussive instrument, like a maraca, it is a box filled with stones and musicians shake it created much the same sound.  And the triangle is that standard metallic ‘triangle’ used by many bands in many countries.  Singers sing songs that span the spectrum of emotions.  Subjects and stories from everything to the funnier happenings in life, to songs about the difficulties in love and other relationships.  The singers are the only melodic aspect of the songs, as all of the instruments are instruments of percussion.

The dance is a shuffle, a series of steps with no set choreography nor patterns.  The arms are stretched and the hips are swinging.  This resembles a dance of courtship as the dancers move around each other, then come together, face one another, and then move to the floor, sitting.  They then bend back and forward, towards and away from each other.  Many companies perform for tourists in the resorts and best hotels. Mauritius nightclubs often accentuate the eroticism and the air of suggestiveness in the performances.

This is all not set in stone, as the versatility and diversity of the African tribes is immense.  Occasionally the music is performed by guitarists or trumpet players, or sometimes with no musical accompaniment at all.  Or, just anything, any object that will make noise, and old can, sticks, or a coin tapped on the side of an empty bottle.  That is usually how the Sega beach parties begin.  And although this is sometimes thought of as a dance of sensuality, families participated as well.  This is an African tradition that is participated in during festivals, weddings and birthday celebrations.  This has become part of the cultural identity on the island.  Sega began on the mainland, and was transported to the island via the slaves during the colonial period.  This was a form of expression for those homesick for their homeland.

The government of Mauritius unveiled a 6 month plan a few days ago, a plan to bolster the faltering economy.  The Minister of Finance stated that there must be a balance that will stimulate economic growth as well as controls on spending, in order to prevent the acquisition of a deficit that is in danger of hitting levels low enough to prove unsustainable for the island nation’s economy.  Growth on the island has continued at the rate of approximately five percent in the last four years.  Many companies had been thriving due to the immigration and to the tourism industry such as the five star hotels.  Mauritius relies however on business and trade from Asian and other European markets, which have not escaped the effects of the worldwide economic depression.  Inflation has slowed from almost the ten percent that it was at the end of 2008, to about eight percent the rate it is currently, and is predicted to fall to four percent by the end of the year.

Many businesses have begun diversifying in order to survive.  Once the economy had relied on the production of textiles and sugar, however the island has now begun to expand into the industries of banking and tourism.  This has resulted in Mauritius becoming one of the prosperous and stable economies in Africa.   And the forecast suggests that this will provide beneficial to the yearly incomes of Maurtians.  Tourism has been affected however.  Just about two thirds of those traveling to the island are from Europe, and during the past few months of 2009 the number of arrivals has fallen close to ten percent.  Stocks had fallen for the various hotel and resorts chains as well.  However, these two industries have been marketing aggressively with the hopes that this will soon change.  This island is the perfect vacation destination, with palm tree lined beaches surrounded by the beautiful Indian Ocean, and hopefully the second half of the year will prove to be financially more successful than the first half of the year.

Visitors to Johannesburg will be at once electrified by the vast array of things to do. It is a city with a large, and complex, heartbeat, and there are more events happening in one night than any one person can experience. The overwhelming sensual impressions will take the traveler for an exciting ride through this, South Africa’s largest city. For luxury hotels, Johannesburg is well-positioned to help the world-curious guest find a lovely rest in the middle of an amazing cultural experience. There are fabulous amenities for guests to relax before they explore the cultural events in Johannesburg.

One of the most lively arts in Johannesburg is the music. The mix of styles and rhythms has long-established Johannesburg’s position as a global force in the music industry, and the past ten years have seen many evolutions and revolutions in the local music scene. Innovation and tradition are coupled here, as evidenced by the popularity of Bongo Maffin. This musical trio came of age under the generation of young musicians who got their chops in the post-apartheid era. They combine many forms, including reggae, rap, and hip-hop, but their main influence comes from the floors of dance clubs. This type of house music is known as kwaito, and Bongo Maffin are the unique world ambassadors. Their album, “Bongonation,” established them as a force who create music as a rallying cry, and an annunciation.

Using their bodies and voices to create rhythms, they pay honor to the last generation’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and highlight their position as unique entities and historical forces on the world music stage. They play at concerts and festivals all over the world, but the favorite place in their hearts is always their native Johannesburg. After one concert in Spain, the members of BongoMaffin were so homesick they left their luggage behind in a hurry to return home.

Bangkok is a city that is extremely proud of its heritage and has many monuments and cultural icons to demonstrate this. In addition the city has approximately 184 museums that are dedicated to Thai history and culture as much as they are to great works of art. Many of the museums are palace oriented and reflect the great royal history and its prominent characters. The Suan Pakked Palace Museum is an excellent example of this. It is the former home of Prince Chumbhot and his wife  Rajawongse Pantip. Tourists visiting Thailand and staying in 5 star hotel Bangkok have a difficult time navigating through all the wonders and many museums of the city, though these royal palaces are by far one of the most popular places to start.

Under the management of the Chumbhot Pantip Foundation the palace was converted into a museum in 1952. Originally, this consisted of 8 traditional Thai houses that were dismantled to be moved to its present location. The houses are joined by corridors, which makes it seem like it is one large building. The newest addition was added in 1996 and was constructed specifically to house the enormous Bang Chiang collection. The collection contains numerous artifacts and relics dating back to 3,600 BC. This ancient civilization is known for its cultivation of rice before the development of bronze tools and ceramics. It is considered to be one of the most important prehistoric sites in Southeast Asia.

Each of the 8 houses of the palace contain specific themes and collections. House one displays artwork from the Ayutthaya period as well as ancient swords, spears and muskets. House two shows traditional hand fans and mother of pearl trays. Banjarong Porcelain in its five principle colors is displayed in house three. House four shows a formal dining area and has a fine collection of Buddha statues. House five displays Udon Thani pottery and jewelry. House six contains carved figurines representing characters from traditional Thai Khon dance. House seven holds a rare sample of Sukotai ceramics. And house eight contains the formal dinnerware of Prince Chumbhot.

Today, May 9, 2009, the country of South Africa held the inauguration ceremony for the newly appointed president, Jacob Zuma.  Zuma was involved in a few scandals, sex scandals and charges of corruption.  But he overcame those allegations and is now holding the highest office in the country.  His campaign was based on the desire and the promise to fulfill the hopes and the dreams of the people of his country.  As he ranks in popularity second only to Nelson Mandela, many went to the Cape Town car rentals offices, in order to find means of transportation to the ceremony.  All those in attendance shouted their approval as Zuma walked to the stage, and he was honored by the praise singers in the traditional way of South Africa.

Zuma is the 4th president of the country in the last fifteen years, since the end of apartheid.  He has known what it is to struggle in life.  He was in the army and was the Chief of Intelligence for the African National Congress.  He has survived many difficult circumstances, including the allegations mentioned above, and the events surrounding the power struggle between the members of his own political party.  Zuma secured his presidency last Wednesday, when he won the election.  Many of those living in the country look to Zuma as a man who knows their aspirations and who has experienced their struggles, much as the way President Barack Obama is viewed by the American people.  These are two men who are loved by the people of their countries.  In Zuma’s address to the public he stated that the sacrifices and struggles experienced in the life of South Africans will no long hold them down, but will now serve to inspire and to allow them to look towards the better life in the future the country that has been gained through the past hardship and bloodshed that has been endured.

Golf is immensely popular in South Africa with many courses in major cities and tourist centers alike. In Sun City, northeast of Johannesburg, the Gary Player Golf Course is world class. The easiest way to travel to Sun City is by air from Johannesburg. It’s a short plane ride and local transfers are easily available. For a variety of luxury hotels, South Africa dominate in this fantastic resort area. The Nedbank Golf Challenge, formerly known as the Million Dollar Golf Challenge, is an annual event and is a highly anticipated competition. The tournament is played in December, which is summer in South Africa, and is attended by local and international golfing stars alike. Because of the unique course design, the challenge is serious. Fortunately for spectators, there is excellent viewing for most shots. The 18 hole golf course with a par of 72, offers a real challenge to both amateur and professional golfers. Because the course is flat, there are many cleverly designed water hazards and hidden bunkers that compensate for the lack of ascent and descent. The course, a manicured parkland is framed by many trees and wild kikuyu grass swaying in the breeze. There are steams and a bit of wildlife! It’s clear that South Africa has become one of the world’s top golfing destinations and deservedly so. The beautiful weather and the natural beauty of the African bush combined with the world class golf course, all work together to create an excellent golfers holiday.

The course is open seven days a week. Some of the services which make this course an excellent destination are, the driving range, a covered driving range, private Instruction, group classes, clubs and Cart Rentals. There is a restaurant and a bar, a pitching green, a putting green and a pro shop. On the course rest rooms s are conveniently located. There are many types of beverages available on the course as well. Back at the Country Club there is a spa that can be used anytime. There is good parking available. Naturally credit cards are accepted.

Johannesburg is the largest financial, commercial and industrial city in South Africa. However, the once prosperous central business district is now an area of abandoned office buildings. Very few of the original buildings are still standing. The central area is worth visiting, if only as a history lesson about the government of Apartheid. Despite Apartheid’ demise, Johannesburg is still for the most part, a segregated city. The center of the city and the closely neighboring suburbs are home to a black urban population. They inhabit a condensed area of overcrowded hi rise apartments where poverty and crime are prevalent. Despite significant and often successful efforts in recent years to make Johannesburg safer, it’s still not wise to go anywhere on foot. It’s suggested that one visits the city with an organized tour (most likely in a bus). The city’s thriving and mostly white suburbs are situated close to the main highway, the M1. In the hills, north of downtown Johannesburg is where you’ll find rows of mansions, well tended gardens and shopping malls. Seemingly out of place is the amount of security around the properties. You’ll find razor wire, guard dogs, guards and armed intruder alarms. The suburbs are a great deal safer than downtown Johannesburg and this is where you’ll find your choice of accommodations and many of the South Africa five star hotels, especially in the towns of Rosebank and Sandton. Many of the sights, shopping malls and entertainment complexes are in the suburbs, so there’s little reason to venture right into the city to find something to do. Melville, Parkhurst and Parktown are the new “trendy” suburbs where most of the more popular restaurants and nightlife are to be found. The train station and main bus terminal are easily accessible, but on the whole, it’s safer to stick to radio taxis or to rent a car. Johannesburg is a city where you really do need to have a car to get around.