home
subscribe
advertise
contact
nelson mandela bay's family lifestyle
author:
clair arthur
four girls & a bush lodge
photography:
zuko, lifegate photography
issue:
9, easter 2009
Four girls from Kingfisher FM were invited to spend some time at Thunzi Bush Lodge. Zuko of LifeGate Photography went along to capture their moments and the exquisite beauty of this travel destination. Clair Arthur shares the story of what she calls “an unforgettable time”. The invitation came at the perfect time. For all of us the year started with a “bang”. At first we thought “this is just wishful thinking”, after all, how would it be possible to get away from work long enough to travel all the way to the bush lodge and still have a weekend of relaxation. I've had those before – the Friday rush to finish everything before five, hurrying home to get everything packed and arriving at your destination, completely flustered, shortly before midnight, only to be tired all day Saturday, rush back on Sunday and be in need of a week's recovery. With Thunzi Bush Lodge our experience was completely different. The luxury lodge is a mere 30 kilometres from Port Elizabeth. We left work at four, went home to pack and arrived at the lodge before the sun even considered setting. Situated on a magnificent 44 hectare property, filled to the brim with indigenous vegetation, wetlands, exquisite bird-life and coastal forest, Thunzi Bush Lodge accommodates only eight guests, at any given time, in three secluded chalets. We opted to all stay together in the largest of Thunzi's chalets, “Turaco”, an exquisitely furnished two bedroom cabin with the most fantastic oval bath in the full bathroom, as well as a separate lounge and fabulous view. I would imagine it to be perfect for a family's stay as well. Greer, the lodge manageress, organized a scrumptious dinner for us in the comfort of our own private balcony. The friendly staff set the most beautiful table with candles and lanterns. It was the perfect start to what promised to be a fabulous weekend. On Saturday morning we were woken by a symphony of bird-song announcing two days of freedom, nature and a revitalizing bush experience, with our every need catered for and even a few unexpected surprises. Sometime during the night the fairies had cleared the supper table and laid out the most delicious breakfast imaginable. Soft warm scones served with butter and homemade jams. Fruit juice, an assortment of fresh fruit, organic yoghurt and the most amazing coffee I've had in a long-long time. As we were sipping coffee Trenwyth Pledger, co-owner of Thunzi Bush Lodge came by with the first fabulous surprise of the day. Thunzi's beauty therapist was on her way and each one of us would get our turn to be pampered in the privacy of our chalet, with a relaxing spa treatment. We gave Sanett the first go, selfishly postponing the enjoyment for a while. Shelley headed off on “Babaan’s Walk”, Ntombi went down to the bass fishing dam and I took my diary to a secluded spot. The weather for our weekend was just perfect with only a slight ocean breeze making sure it never became too hot. As midday came we all congregated at Thunzi's award winning rim-flow pool to cool down, read some and share our friendship. The exclusivity at Thunzi is incredible. Although a German couple was staying in Narina, one of the luxuriously furnished single bedroom cabins and a French couple occupied Heron, the remaining cabin, we felt as if we were the only people around and every effort of Thunzi's staff was dedicated to our enjoyment. We had some snacks, swam, laughed and whiled the afternoon away at the pool-side, before heading back to our accommodation. All the while Greer's staff seemed invisible, magically appearing with drinks and treats, almost as if they sensed exactly what we may need. Back at our cabin, the second surprise awaited us. The complimentary fruit bowl was freshly stocked with organic fruit and on our beds rested delicately made invitations, enticing us to first enjoy cocktails at the pool-side and then a “mind-unwind”-experience with a private moonlight dinner at Thunzi's forest clearing. The excitement was electrifying. We did the girly-thing and dressed-up in the most stunning cocktail dresses. Greer and her staff brought some cocktails down to our cabin and then accompanied us to the pool for the most fabulous sunset, over luscious green valley and wetland views. Trenwyth joined us and we discovered how Thunzi came about. She and husband Mark, met at Woodridge where they were both schooled. Later, for more than six years, they worked all over Africa in the civil industry, often spending time-off at lodges in Tanzania, Malawi and Botswana. “It was during this time that the dream of owning our own lodge was born,” Trenwyth explained. “We never imagined having it here, so close to where we both grew-up. We always thought of Botswana or Mozambique, but then we were down here on holiday and saw the property and fell in love. It was this completely unspoilt piece of land and we've tried to keep it that way. Mark constructed the cabins, we furnished them together. Every path, walkway or forest clearing is something we’ve created together. Five years down the line we have history here, we see our three children growing up on this land and our family sharing many memories along the way.” A year ago triplets were born to Mark and Trenwyth giving them the family they've always wanted, since forever. After cocktails we did a change of clothes and leisurely strolled down to the forest clearing where a beautifully set table, cozy fire and scrumptious food was readied for us. The silence was broken only by the sounds of frogs, wood owls and the wind rustling the leaves of the milkwood canopy. Trenwyth and Greer entertained us with wonderful stories of Babaan who grew up on this land, travels in Africa and Spain and foreign guests who've come to love this fabulous place. This was one of those evenings I'll return to many times in days to come, remembering friendship shared and burdens set down, never to be carried again. As we thought the evening was coming to an end, Thunzi's nature guide introduced himself and we shed our high heels for an unforgettable guided forest walk. We saw bushbuck, various owls, a family of bushpig, a porcupine and other nocturnal creatures; too many to remember. It was a mystical evening which ended at the bass dams with a warm mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows. The most wonderful part of waking up at Thunzi on Sunday morning was the knowledge that we had an entire day ahead of us. All four of us were extremely relaxed, basking in the glory of a Saturday that was filled with valuable memories. Over breakfast we agreed that this day would be a day of getting to know each other. Shelley and I went for a walk. Ntombi and Sanett spent time together on our cabin's deck. Later we enjoyed another swim, we read some more, Shelley wrote the most beautiful poem and Sanett entertained us with the funniest stories. Those who visit Thunzi Bush Lodge will never be at a loss for ideas of how to spend their time. African Moon Horse Trails offer guests peaceful and scenic forest rides over hilltops and deep into indigenous vegetation and onto Sardinia Beach. If you're brave enough you could try your hand at bass fishing and in the evening Betty, Thunzi's Xhosa cook, will prepare your catch for supper. The lodge's close proximity to the sea allows guests to enjoy a diversity of extra activities such as snorkelling, sand boarding, yacht trips, whale watching and canoeing. For us, however, the tranquil peace of Thunzi was enough. We lounged the Sunday away, enjoying lunch in Thunzi's restaurant, discovering each other, deepening our friendship and having a bit of time to consider where we are, how fortunate we are and how to proceed into the rest of the year. Late Sunday afternoon, as we were driving home, Ntombi commented on how wonderful it was to spend time with her friends. Sanett complemented Trenwyth and Greer on the scrumptious food and perfect service. Shelley remembered the quiet peacefulness and I couldn't choose. For me the weekend at Thunzi Bush Lodge was an unforgettable time, filled with spectacular moments that naturally flowed into each other. This is a gift you can freely give yourself, your partner and your family.
| articles
| homes
| life
| art
| sport
| well-being
| travel
| education
| food
| relationships
| money
| motoring
| fashion
| gardening
| horses
| books
| kids
| faith
| community
| NGO directory
