Reasons to be Happy in SA :)

[HR Solutions]

* Sa is ranked 2nd out of 183 countries for good banking practice in protecting both borrowers and lenders when obtaining credit for business.
* SA is ranked 34th out of 183 countries for ease of doing business in 2012
* SA is ranked among the top 5 countries in the world in tourism growth
* Capetown was named the top tourist destination in the world in the 2011 Travellers Choice Destinations awards
* Capetown is the 9th most loved city in the world in 2012
* Table Mountain was inaugurated as one of the New 7 Wonders of the Nature World in 2012
* SA is the 2nd country in the world to have hosted the Cricket, Rugby & Soccer World Cups
* Vilikazi Street in Orlando West is the only street in the WORLD to house 2 Nobel Peace Prize winners !!! - Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu

[Blurock]

South Africa has to be the country with the most diversity in the world. No matter what you want to see, culture, rain forest, desert, savanna, desolation, bustling world city, mountains, oceans, we have it all.

We must have some of the best holiday destinations in the world. We have sunshine, we have snow, we have everything. Pity the politicians are doing their damndest to stuff it up and embarrass us in the rest of the world!

[HR Solutions]

Yes the politicians do sometimes put a spanner in the works. But SA is a fantastic country. As much as we complain about SA, the grass is not as green on the other side. It is a wake up call to see poverty, crime, squatter camps, muggers etc etc when travelling overseas, we are up there on the ladder with most 1st world countries.

[adrianh]

We should also celebrate because we have the second worst president in the word and not THE worst (Uncle Rob is the worst)

[Blurock]

Any South African that has not travelled extensively within our borders and also to neighbouring states are missing out big time. Why go overseas if you have not seen your own country yet? From Etosha in Namibia to Cape Agulhas, Kosi Bay to Langebaan, Putsonderwater and Hotashel, you have to experience South Africa before you take that boat cruise or Disneyland trip.

If you need some ideas, I found this magazine an excellent guide to those off the beaten track places; http://www.countrylife.co.za/

[ians]

My wife had decided many years ago that she wanted to go to the USA for her 40th, until a couple of months. She has changed her mind and we are going to Cape Town instead for 10 days, flying down, hiring a car and travelling around the Cape sight seeing.

I have been spoilt with my work, I have travelled many kms in KZN, PE and Cape Town, but never really got to visit places on holiday.

While in the SADF I got to travel a lot in Namibia and Angola.

Fresh water fishing has opened up a whole new look on KZN, we fish dams which some only get to see in pictures, but what always blows mind, is places like Shongweni dam which is so close yet still so protected and isolated. When I drive down in the early morning, you see wild animals walking across the road it is picture perfect.

[ians]

I should take Neville fishing with me, so he can get some awesome pics. like this.

I took this while fishing at Shongweni dam. Maybe I should start a fishing pic thread, NOT, I will leave that for Neville

[Neville Bailey]

Speaking of which, next week I will be taking a drive from Durban to Cape Town via the Garden Route and then back via the Great Karoo - all over a period of two weeks.

Of course, my camera will be by my side, recording the beauty of my travels through these wonderful areas of our country.

Can't wait!

[Blurock]

You must both enjoy your trips. I am also fortunate to travel to Cape Town this weekend.

[ians]

Unfortunately we are flying down due to time constraint, but I look forward to seeing pics and tips on where to enjoy our time in the Cape.

[Blurock]

Watched the sunset at Camps Bay yesterday while indulging in sushi and good wine. Saw a whale at Hermanus and did the 3 passes route via Villiersdorp and Franschoek where we had tea & scones at the Huguenot monument. Weather was perfect and we could not have asked for more to view the majestic mountains and vistas.

[adrianh]

To be happy in this country you have to be a frog....(in boiling water)

There are many nice things and many not so nice things, I think that one should keep an eye on both sides...

@Blurock - Cape Town ROCKS~!

[pmbguy]

Cape town is beautiful, I like the mountain and Kommetjie side

I love the wild coast. Msikaba, mboji, le Plat (waterfall into the sea), port st Johns, coffee bay, whole in the wall+++++++. Some of the most Beautiful places I have ever seen...

Adrian, did you laugh over the bergie joke?

[HR Solutions]

Capetown is awesome, quite a diverse culture. Something for everyone. We love being able to walk on the Seapoint promenade anytime at night after after a hard days work, dinner at a nice Restuarant.

HAte having to come ack to Jhb, but really enjoy our time down there and are fortunate to be able to work from both cities.

[tec0]

I myself have never seen the Cape or Durban or any other holiday destination. Normally if I go anywhere it is work related. We don't get time to play really. I would imagine if one has the money then the world must be a less boring place.

But I have hoped to touch the sea one-day or gaze at it's vastness they say it is incredible. I do have memories of the sea back in 1980's but I cannot remember much of that time. I have a few photos but no real memories.

I never saw the big five... so they will probably be dead long before I will ever get a chance to see them. Again they say the sight is breathtaking. I suppose so...

See this what you get if you work your whole life to get ahead but in the end you are always behind. I never had the time to start a family of my own, never had the time to fall in love or even experience a smile. It is just always have been 4 walls a computer or a industrial site with no windows.

The kindest face I got to see is a picture or the like. Upon my final fall I discovered how much I missed out on and how much time I have lost. Why? To please an employer a customer or a friend. I never had time to simply live.

So I am happy for those who got ahead in the world, happy that your blessings allowed you to have so many great memories and that you get to see so such wonders this world have to give.