TRAVELLER'S TALES
Rambling in Africa with giraffes at hand and a detective novel in hand

By Sarah Richards
Hawai'i Theatre Center executive director

Q. Where have you had your best vacation?

A. We try to take one terrific trip each year, and in 2003 we went to Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, which was an amazing three weeks.

Q. Why choose Africa?

A. I've always wanted to go — and the trip offered a variety of experiences: Cape Town, Khwai River Lodge, one of the oldest safari lodges in Botswana, Lion Sands Game Park near Kruger National Park (www.botswana.co.za/khwai-river-lodge-botswana.html). We also took a fabulous journey aboard a restored steam train from Swakopmund, a perfectly preserved 19th-century German Hansa town (picked up from the Baltic and set down in the desert of Namibia), to Pretoria. (www.travelbeyond.com/trains/rovosrail.htm).

Q. What were the trip highlights?

A. Being so close to the animals was truly wonderful. My absolute favorite were the giraffes, but we also saw lots of elephants, leopards (a little more rare), hippos, water buffaloes, zebras, wonderful orcs, springboks and baboons. Cape Town is gorgeous, as is the wine country and vineyards outside of the city, which has beautiful beaches where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, Cape Dutch architecture and fascinating people (www.cybercapetown.com). But the high point was definitely visiting the game parks and seeing how remarkable the trackers were, that by looking on the trail early morning they could identify which animals had gone by — for example, one morning, a mother lion and her cubs. That was very special.

Q. What is your perfect day on vacation?

A. Generally, to see geographic or cultural wonders; to learn about and experience a different culture firsthand. Specifically, in Africa, it was the days out in the bush with the animals, getting a sense of what happens in the countryside.

Q. What do you never travel without?

A. My camera. Also, I prepare for a trip by reading a travel guide beforehand to get a sense of the history and culture of the region. This helps me converse with people there. I also like to read a novel about the place during my trip. For my Africa trip, I took along Alexander Smith McCall's "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" (Anchor, paperback, $11.95) series about Precious Ramotswe, which were great fun to read, especially in Botswana.

Q. Final word on Africa?

A. Just go there; it is fabulous.

Africa is a long way away, and it is wonderful to see that part of the world. South Africa, in particular, has serious problems. Yet I felt the attitude was very hopeful; I did not see bitterness between blacks and whites, I saw people trying to work together.

Q. Where next?

This year, Tuscany!