TravelStream™ news feed for member soekershof on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/soekershof en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:55:09 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1209472140/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1209472140/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1209472140/tpod.html Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:55:09 -0400 A journey into a weird but passionate world in the Western Cape, South Africa

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Robertson, South Africa

Yes, something is going on here (as usual). At the moment Eulalie Baudet from France is busy designing a formal French Garden with succulents. The new rockery ar the entrance is getting shape (but is never ready) and we're bringing 'lining' in the informal gardens. This provides a more tranquil atmosphere.


Soekershof is everything a garden should be; a place of relaxation, humor, education and contemplation.


]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1194957360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1194957360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1194957360/tpod.html Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:49:51 -0500 A journey into a weird but passionate world in the Western Cape, South Africa

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Robertson, South Africa

Media release of the day:

Rocking the world

Robertson (Western Cape); November 13 2007 - Soekershof Walkabout, Mazes & Botanical Gardens, commenced excavagation works for two rockeries which will the 'growing ground' of approx. 1000 succulent species from around the world within two years. These new species are in addition to the 2467 registered different succulent plants in the existing succulent gardens.

The gardens of Soekershof Walkabout distinguish themselves from those of other botanical gardens in South Africa with all plants under the open sky (not under roof or shade cloth) and all plants are organically cultivated without the use of fertilisers and other chemicals. Furthermore is Soekershof Walkabout the only botanical garden in South Africa which is certified by Fair Trade in Tourism in South Africa (http://www.fairtourismsa.org.za/).

Both rockeries are near the entrance; one will be the 'growing ground' of caudiciform plants (f.e. 'bottle trees', including several baobab species, from Australia, Madagascar and Southern Africa) and the other one will mainly consist of American succulent plants such as cacti, yuccas and agaves next to Brazilian ceiba trees (Choriosa speciosa). Most plants of the new collection are home grown from seeds and hardly or not on display elsewhere in South Africa.

The investment in the new rockeries is the first phase of a three year program during which all 'gaps' in the existing landscape of 10 hectares will be filled with different sphere gardens. In the beginning of next year excavagation works are scheduled for a very formal layout of sample gardens for the own nursery customers and the extension of the Langeberg Garden (in fact a maze without dead ends and home grown indigenous trees and shrubs).

Since the official opening in December 2002 Soekershof Walkabout is increasingly attracting (amateur) horticulturists, garden societies, botanists, etc. from around the globe. Locally Soekershof Walkabout is mainly known for its Klaas Voogds Maze which is regarded as the 'largest hedge maze in the world'.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1193328720/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1193328720/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1193328720/tpod.html Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:17:11 -0400 A journey into a weird but passionate world in the Western Cape, South Africa

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Robertson Wine Valley, South Africa

Irresponsible tourism is often associated with destinations.
Sometimes it different.
This is just an example ..............

It's now official: Soekershof Walkabout is boycotted!!!

Being controversial has its rewards!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1193234580/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1193234580/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1193234580/tpod.html Wed, 24 Oct 2007 10:06:04 -0400 A journey into a weird but passionate world in the Western Cape, South Africa

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Robertson, South Africa

Ever been to Robertson in the Western Cape, South Africa?
Prepare yourself well; especially in case you intend to visit certain, locally less known, venues.
Even desk staff of most of the wine cellars are not really tourism minded.
During the Wacky Wine Weekend many visitors were given wrong directions when they asked for Soekershof.
We are used to it. Today, for example, a family from Worcester has been travelling (sightseeing) for more than 2 hours in and around Robertson in order to find their way. The deskstaff of not a single wine cellar along the main road could tell them neither could pedestrians, traffic cobs, etc. or they just said something; maybe too ashamed of not knowing.....

Tip: read the website thoroughly and you will find the proper accurate road directions (from all angles); the tour times; opening times; admission fees and even links to accommodation and other activities.

But don't ask locals.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1192264560/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1192264560/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1192264560/tpod.html Sat, 13 Oct 2007 04:54:36 -0400 A journey into a weird but passionate world in the Western Cape, South Africa

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Robertson, South Africa

Picture in the Klaas Voogds Maze:


]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1192263780/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1192263780/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1192263780/tpod.html Sat, 13 Oct 2007 04:34:43 -0400 A journey into a weird but passionate world in the Western Cape, South Africa

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Robertson, South Africa

A few pics:









]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1192261080/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1192261080/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/soekershof/soekershof/1192261080/tpod.html Sat, 13 Oct 2007 03:50:54 -0400 A journey into a weird but passionate world in the Western Cape, South Africa

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Robertson, South Africa

We, two Dutch, are the proud owners of South Africa's own Primary Unusual Attraction.
Not a mass-tourism attraction, or tourist trap as some migh call it, but the real thing; plain, pure and without the banter of craftshops (Made in China), coffee corners and restaurants.

Soekershof Walkabout is situated in Klaas Voogds West; 8 kilometres East of Robertson along Route 62. Turn into this gravel road. After one kilometre there is first a cactus nursery and 200 metres further is the entrance of Soekershof Walkabout. Visitors are welcomed by two elephants.

We grow and cultivate succulent plants fully organically without the use of fertilisers and chemicals. Our gardens are the only ones with more than 2400 different succulent plants from all over the world under the open sky and not under cover of a roof or shade cloth.
Locally we are best known for our Klaas Voogds Maze; with 13,870 square metres net surface the largest hedge-maze in the world. Not a usual maze in which to have to get lost but one with stories visualised with objects towering above the hedges and each representing local folklore. Get to know the real South Africa!!

And, for the concious traveller, Soekershof is one of the 30 tourism businesses in South Africa with a certificate of Fair Trade in Tourism in South Africa.

After travelling all over the world we decided to make our own world and you're invited for the unexpected.
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