Archive for June, 2008

Canyans, Knysna

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

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(*edit*) Canyans has closed and is no more. Mark is opening Prime Cut Grill where Casa de Gahlina used to be

A semi-new place to eat out in Knysna is Canyans Restaurant, in Market Street, formerly the Market Street Grill but has since changed name and owners. Canyans gets busier every week thanks to the owners who make it their business to take good care of all guests and play Knysna’s main host for rugby Saturdays by offering tender and juicy steak roll and chips type specials for R30 with an overhead projector screen as well as 2 other LCD tv’s in the bar area so all patrons can have top view.

The ala carte menu finds quality steaks, calamari, fish and burgers prepared to your liking with a variety of side options, simple yet well prepared palette to fill your need not to stay at home and cook. The family atmosphere plays a large part as they offer an entire room with a TV set for kids to play in and have their fun while parents eat and relax. There is a veranda looking onto the road with large tables for those warm evenings and a large bar area to cater for the less hungry patrons who prefer to meet up with friends for a few drinks as Knysna offers few of these in town and the centralness is perfect for everyones travelling concerns.

Canyans caters for the Knysna locals and visitors, their decor is modern yet inviting and comfortable, you feel like you are in a smart-casual yet hip place, play dress-up or come as you are – it wont matter, and stay for dessert and many irish coffees as you may be lucky enough to enjoy a night of guitar entertainment from the owner, should he not be too busy cooking or entertaining.

I hope Canyans will be well supported as Knysna truelly needs a place like this for added value eateries in town, an upmarket place up Market Street where you can meet friends and family and make this place your own.

Knysna Oyster Festival Special : 6 medium cultivated oysters, 6 queen prawns with Island cocktail dressing on a bed of crispy lettuce – R60.00

Elephant Hide, Knysna

Monday, June 16th, 2008

Deck

A family-run 4-star lodge in Welbedacht which boasts vast lagoon and fynbos views from each suites bedroom or bathroom, allows guests to indulge at their own lodge before setting out to explore Knysna or surrounding areas. The suites are made from wood and stone to bring an earthed theme to the lodge. There is a rim-flow pool for your summer leisure where you can enjoy a cocktail or drink on the deck while watching a sunset, otherwise Elephant hide offers a shuttle bus to escort the guests safely to Knysna’s many touist or local site offerings.

Rates are R545 in low season and R675 in high, per person per night sharing.
All suites have
- Wireless internet
- ensuite bathrooms
- air conditioning
- under floor heating (bathroom)
- twin beds or
- double beds
- tea and coffee
- 100% percale bedding
- honesty bar
- private deck
- panoramic views
- TV mnet, Movie Channels
- Dressing room

Elephant Hide offers a warm, homely & indulgent stay for family or couples alike & I highly recommend this lodge for your Knysna holiday accomodation.

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Who is America’s next top President?

Wednesday, June 11th, 2008

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We are experiencing History in the making in the USA as we speak, first the tight tug of political war for the Presidency of the Democratic Party and now, after Barack Obama has won against Hilary Clinton, we all eagerly await the last vote counted in this years American Presidential elections.

Being a feminist at heart, I have to irriterate how overjoyed I have been for the Clinton Crew but sort of knew that Obama winning the elections is representation for a new future in a country which needs a higher hope at this time in their political and war-feared lives, afterall, the majority of American people must be thrilled just to see the back of Bush-head for good, good riddens!

Barack Obama is up against John McCain, from the Republican party, but the votes look set to be tipped on the Obama side of the scale as his foresight and naturaly positive leadership abilities have taken the Americans hearts. Obama is also young and energetic, always smiling and his humbleness is felt in his presence. He is a steadfast family-man with 2 children, which can assist him in every role and decision he needs to make for an entire country. Being African-American will also play to his advantage and disadvantage so the American voters will have to decide whether Obhama’s well educated and extensive travel expertise can be enough for their new American President.

John McCain has been campaigning and served for the Senate in the early 1980’s. He has also campaigned for American presidency from the year 2000, his experience in American politics is a definite advantage in his court. His service to the military as a naval aviator has been duelly noted after he survived 2 plane crashes and a collision with power lines, he is one tough force to be reckoned with. After these close encounters with death he went on to serve in the Vietnam war. In this war he was captured and imprisioned after he escaped an A4-E Skyhalk bombing and was met with by a crowd of Vietnamese soldiers who proceeded to attack him, crushing his shoulder and bayoneting him, ooouch. He was transported to Hanoi’s main prison where he was interrogated and his wounds unseen to, it was only after the Vietnamese military found out that McCain’s father was a top admiral did his wounds get seen to and his capture announced. He was then transferred to another prison in Hanoi and placed in solitary confinement for 2 years, where only 2 other American soldiers were being held. He was a captive for 5 and half years after refusing to sign any anti-American propaganda treaties with the Vietnamese until finally released from captivity and sent back home, where he was an instant celebrity.

McCain is also known for his extra-marital activites which cost him his marriage but he went on to marry the lady he began an affair with and who remains his greatest fan, Cindy McCain. Soon after he returned from Vietnam McCain ended his military career to begin running for Congress. McCain is undoubtedly head and heart strong but will his possible election in the Presidential seat see pro-military action or will McCain stand for an insightful wise man who is pro-peace and growth?

The 2008 election marks the first time, since the 1928 election, in which neither an incumbent president nor an incumbent vice president is running for their party’s nomination in the presidential election and the first time, since the 1952 election, that neither the incumbent President nor incumbent Vice President is a candidate in the general election. The incumbent President, George W. Bush, is serving his second term and is barred from running again due to term limits in the 22nd Amendment to the United States Constitution. Vice President Dick Cheney chose not to seek the presidency this year – very interesting.

If elected, John McCain’s birth (in the Panama Canal Zone) would be the first presidential birth outside the current 50 states. A bipartisan legal review as well as a unanimous Senate resolution indicate that he is nevertheless a natural-born citizen of the United States, a constitutional requirement to become president. McCain would also be the first president from Arizona. Obama would become the first president born in Hawaii and the first African American president. Also, if inaugurated in 2009 at age 72 years and 144 days, McCain would be the oldest U.S. president upon ascension to the presidency and the second-oldest president to be inaugurated (Ronald Reagan was 73 years and 350 days old at his second inauguration).

The rest of the world awaits America’s electoral decision this year as it takes front page on world news, so all that is left to say is : May the best Man for the job win and God Bless America.