SkinnAreena - January 2012              

Our new year’s party theme was “black white and wear a wig”, although many guests where reluctant to don a wig, the office staff was not shy and went bright and bold. Leading by example were Ed in a funky purple wig sporting a ponytail and Karen trying out the curls in a fantastic Red. A great time was had by all and a fantastic spit braai was the feast of the evening. Grateful thanks to Willie and Hayden who were the spitbraai chefs and Areena Quays for providing a great spread for us all to enjoy. The Viljoen family won the best dressed family of the evening sporting “pirate attire” and hair do’s to match.

It was a brave day for all who sailed the Larga home from her moorings at the East London harbour. I am sure many guests at Areena and the Kwelera Mouth where surprised to see the yacht navigating up river 

to her new moorings at the resort. A great day “at the office” for the crew who were able to bring her safely home, with Ed at the helm and an escort of dolphins at sea.

It was also a very bad trip for our GAP year student, Marno, as he got sea sick and almost slept the entire way from the harbour. Everyone had their own idea of a remedy, from looking at the horizon to having a beer. But seemed to work best was to sleep all the way from the harbour, which meant he missed almost everything that happened, from Ed’s favourite hat that was lost to the sea and to the dolphins welcoming us back.

As soon as we hit the mouth of the Kwelera River he began feeling better and soon had to jump over board to help the Larga when it got stuck in the sandbanks. As he stepped foot onto the sand the colour returned back to his face and a healthy young man ready to work hard again was reborn. It was a fun trip for all except maybe Marno who still has to work on his sealegs.

The newest addition to the fallow deer family is the cutest little Bambi look alike.  Proud mum is showing off her new baby to all at the resort. While keeping close to its mum this shy little one is learning the ropes and where to find the juiciest grub – which means some bodies’ best loved and tendered plants.

Why not say “I love you” and bring your sweetheart to Areena Quays this Valentines eve and book a 3 course dinner for 2 with welcome drinks at R180pp. Situated on the banks of the Kwelera River a more romantic venue you will not find. Bookings essential 043 734 3005

Stepping Stones leaders enjoyed a great weekend of camping and adventure activities under the watchful eye of Tagan. The group learned how to work as team, listen to each other’s ideas and then put what they had learnt into practice. A lot of fun was had when they got to foefie slide over the dam and put their trust in the team and complete a trust fall off a platform. The raft building was a challenge for the team and when Tagan got to do the testing, the mere fact that bamboo floats was his saving grace.

Marno has joined us for 2012 in his gap year as his baptism by fire, arriving and diving head first into our busy December activity holiday programme. He has managed to have firsthand experience in Emu wrangling, ostrich farming, and jetty building and of course giraffe taming with our Abby, adventure guiding and maintenance as well as sailing a yacht and he has only be here just over a month. Most importantly he has learnt to run fast when snakes are near. Come and visit and find out what else he has learnt and the misadventures he has had along with Jarred our permanent Adventure guide.