South Africa is gearing up for the "Festive Season" and is approaching the Southern Hemisphere "summer Solstice" and longest day. (exact opposite to the Northern Hemisphere). In Knysna here on the Garden Route on the south coast, nights are staying light till about 20.30h and that's about our longest day.
Most people take their annual holiday (leave) and the Christmas break together and as South Africa will be in the heart of summer, this gives a most people around a month off so from about the 15th December to the 15th January it is "Holiday Time" and sleepy Knysna comes out of hibernation and plays host to half of Johannesburg.
The Kids have their long Summer holidays too.
All the Hotels, B&B's and restaurants at holiday centre's will be full and at last will be receiving revenue which they will store like squirrels store there food, for the long hard off season months.
The foreign tourist season is spread throughout the year but mostly from November through to March and there is a good spread of visitors with Germany and America leading the field.
We were in Cape Town last week and the Victoria and Albert Waterfront Mall was packed with foreign visitors. This shopping and visitor centre is at the heart of vibrant Cape Town and the visitors were enjoying the excellent current rate of exchange with a currently weak South African Rand shopping in internationally known shops and stores.
We took our off Road camping trailer to Kommetjie (commikee) on the tip of the Cape about 30k from Cape Town, the weather was great and on a trip to Stellenbosch a University Town, in the heart of the winelands the temperature hit 35c.
The Ostrich Industry is short of stock at the moment but with prices rising, this should encourage the farmers to rear more stock. The shortages however, have enabled large stocks of certain products to be reduced and fashion industry feathers are now at a premium.
The high prices haven't stopped Rio buyers seeking the finest products ready for the next "Rio Carnival," they've been in SA seeking out the best and sexiest feathers whilst enjoying South African hospitality.
As with most things, there is a growing Chinese interest in all things Ostrich and wine here in South Africa with lots of exports of both but in particular wines.
Have a great Festive season
Go Well
Alistair