Sure Travel Journey Vol 3.3 Winter 2017 | Page 4

journey NOTE FROM THE CEO Departure Lounge N ever before has the human race had such a need to be connected – to each other and to information and knowledge. We live in an always-on world, especially in travel. The value of a travel specialist cannot be underestimated, not just for purchasing a commodity – an air ticket, hotel room or rental car – but for the knowledge, communication and the need to be connected to someone who can get you in, and out, of challenging places and situations. People in travel know things; they are linked to global networks, and perhaps even to extraterrestrials! There is fantasy, imagination and wanderlust in all of us. In this Winter 2017 edition of Sure Travel Journey we venture to the best hiking trails in Europe (page 46), ski the slopes of Lesotho (page 42) and take a look at cold water cruises (page 24). Later this year I am planning to travel with Gerrie Pretorius to see the amazing aurora borealis – the Northern Lights – moving across the Arctic sky. Why not join us? (See back page for details.) Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, suffered under military rule from 1962 to 2011. It remains one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia. In 2009 actor and activist Richard Gere highlighted the very dire situation there in a film called Burma VJ. In 2010 a government was democratically elected and on 6 April 2016, Aung San Suu Kyi, one of the world’s most prominent political prisoners who was under house arrest for 15 years, became State Counsellor. Myanmar ranks very poorly in the World Economic Forum’s NRI index, which rates the level of a country’s development of information and communication technologies. So, if like ET, you need to “phone home” on WiFi, that could be tricky. But for intrepid travellers like Richard Holmes (page 36) it is a fascinating destination. The joy of a new season is revitalising. In the Ultimate Guide to a Wild Winter on page 32, Ami Kapilevich suggests seven ways to turn your winter holiday into an unforgettable one. And if you’re an extreme winter enthusiast, Fiona McIntosh gives you great advice on what kit to pack in a Snow Pro’s Guide to Winter Gear on page 52. Winter in the Western Cape is our green season; rain, glorious rain. Stay water wise and remember this African proverb: “Do not empty the water jar just because the rain is coming.” We look forward to connecting with you. Happy Travelling! Vanya Lessing, CEO Talk to us! Email the editor on [email protected] Published by Bonzai Media for Sure Travel Editor: Melany Bendix 082-200-7088 [email protected] Associate Editor: Will Bendix Contributors: Franki Black, Lucy Corne, Rebekah Funk, Richard Holmes, Natasha Johnson, Ami Kapilevich, Rebekah Kendal, Fiona McIntosh, Huw Morris, Kuhle Mthembu, Obie Oberholzer, Dan Smith, Alan van Gysen, Craig Wilson SURE TRAVEL (Pty) Ltd Chief Executive: Vanya Lessing Marketing Coordinator: Martin Janse van Rensburg GENERAL ENQUIRIES [email protected] SOCIAL MEDIA [email protected] ADVERTISING & CIRCULATION [email protected] 021-410-5727 WHERE TO FIND US 8th Floor, Zeeland House 7-9 Heerengracht Street Foreshore Cape Town 8001 Tel: 0861-47-48-49 Website: www.suretravel.co.za PRINTED BY Facebook SureTravel Twitter @suretravel Blog blog.suretravel.co.za Linkedin Sure Travel (Pty) Ltd Pinterest Sure Travel Instagram @suretravelsa LIKE US @suretravel