Newsflashes

FIFA WORLD CUP 2010, HOST CITY DURBAN

FIFA WORLD CUP 2010, HOST CITY DURBAN

Posted Date: 13 Jul 2010
Read More
We welcome all visitors to this amazing South African city, located at the warm Indian Ocean. By now the whole world will know Durban, or “Durb’s” as it is known here in South Africa.

I had the great privilege to attend the Semi Final match of the tournament here at the magnificent Moses Mabhida Stadium, South Africa’s most beautiful stadium.

A day before the match I picked up Mr Waldemar Schwendemann and Mr Juergen Schmidt from Germany, arriving at new King Shaka International Airport in Durban.

Waldemar, represents the Handicap Fanclub Fuβball Nationalmannschaft e.V., being the Vice President of the organisation in a wheelchair himself, he attended all matches of the German National Team for the duration of the World Cup 2010.

We were treated as VIP’s, parked directly in stadium, escorted there by the Durban Metro Police. Waldmar made it happen, we were interviewed LIVE by the ZDF German TV, on Durban’s new extravagant Oliver Tambo Parade, FIFA Sport Journalists, a prominent referee of the German Bundesliga (German Premier League), FIFA and UEFA.

Just before the game another TV Station interviewed us. The atmosphere was outstanding, we met so many important people during these two days here in Durban. Mr Schwendemann, attends every German match played by the National German Team worldwide. He knows Mr Beckenbauer, Mr Blatter, Dr Zwanziger and has already drank a few glass of wine with the German coach Mr Joachim Loew.

We had the privilege of receiving Press Tickets for the game. Germany vs Spain in Durban last Wed 07.07.2010. The match was very good, I have to admit that from the beginning Spain had the upper hand and won in the end Germany 0 : Spain 1, people say it had to do with the octopus called “Paul”, perhaps it had an influence, who knows?

But never the less for me it was an experience of a lifetime, being at a Semi Final during a FIFA World Cup match in my city Durban. With so many people of various nations, who came here as strangers and leaving now as friends. Even today, the World Cup is over and some people are still in Durban, all are saying it was one of the best FIFA World Cup’s ever held to date.

Thank you South Africa, Thank you Mr President Zuma for your supporting speech on Monday 12.07.2010. Thank you very much Madiba for being at the final match and for being influential in bringing the games to South Africa. Thank you fellow South African’s for being a great Nation and people, Thank you all members of the media, international visitors from Africa and beyond. Thank you Durban, and its Major’s for hosting amazing matches.

Durban you are the winner now, for you were not mention much before, but after the World Cup the whole world knows this beautiful city on the shore of the Indian Ocean. Come and see for yourself, what Durban has to offer you. The playground of: A World in one Country, South Africa.

Signing off : Ralf Doepke
Hamburg

Hamburg " Zu Gast bei Freunden"

Posted Date: 13 Jun 2010
Read More
Yes that was the slogan for the FIFA World Cup in Germany, 2006

Yesterday, I went shopping, for me one of the best shopping areas in the world, the city of Hamburg.

Along the amazing river Alster, I took a walk through one of Hamburgs oldest shopping street, the Colonnaden.
Just behind the world famous Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten one of the top hotels in the world.

It is right here, where I found an excellent wine shop/bar.

DER BOCKSBEUTEL, owned and run by Linda Harm-Reber a friend and fan of South Africa.

Linda, has visited South Africa where she got to know one of the finest wines the Stellenbosch and Paarl wine region has to offer.

Now for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Linda had amazing idea, to bring South Africa to Hamburg.

The wine shop has an inside viewing area for all the games, it has a cosy atmosphere surrounded by in and outside tables with South African flags hanging down and South African friendly hospitality right here in the heart of Hamburg.

Zu Gast bei Freunden - To be with Friends, thats what you are when you visit Der Bocksbeutel.

We had wines from the Stellenbosch Estate Kleine Zaltze and the Du Toiskloof Estate in Paarl, the finest white, rose and red wines the estates have to offer. Even the famous Pinotage, South Africa's own special vintage is sold here.

With the wines you can eat ostrich, kudu and springbok sausages. Very tasty and nicely spiced.

What is South Africa without Amarula?

Linda, serves this special South African drink on ice, its as tasty as back home.

We had a great time at Linda's Bocksbeutel, met amazing people from Hungary, Tunesia, other parts of Germany and of course Hamburg too.

We had wine, we had fun and seasons in the sun.

Hamburg is called the "Gateway to the World" and it is a true saying. Here you find some of the finest shopping centres, shops, exclusive outfitters, theatres, jewellers, top 5 star hotels and excellent restaurants and wine shop/bars.

Thank you Linda for your hospitality in Der Bocksbeutel

Signing off from Hamburg

your
Ralf Doepke





Breath of Africa opening an office in Kunming, China soon

Breath of Africa opening an office in Kunming, China soon

Posted Date: 28 May 2010
Read More
We have great pleasure in annoucing that Breath of Africa will be opening a representative office in the city of Kunming in South Western China soon.

Yesterday, we established new trade relations with a local supplier of one of China's most famous products TEA.

TIANYUNPUER CHA is our local partner to export this famous tea of the Yunnan Province world wide.

We will start off with the import of black tea into South Africa and Europe.

What is so special about this tea?

It is a product that has been used for medical reasons and as a beverage for thousands of years.

It has been used in chinese traditional medicine and is reported to lower blood pressure and other conditions to mankind.

To make it attractive for our customers this tea is the perfect gift for your family and friends.

The packaging is uniquely designed and it fun to have in your home.

We got all nessecary reports and certificates from the Chinese Government departments responsible for the testing of high quality and health clearance for the export of agricultural products.

Enjoy a new dawn of China's tea export in your supermarkets, shops, hotels, tourist venues and homes.

We will be bringing PEARLS OF ASIA, in the classical form of tea into South Africa and beyond.

Contact us for more information about this amazing new product China has to offer.

Greetings from Kunming
Breath of Africa - with a Breath of Asia

Ralf

Breath of Africa Launch of Global Import and Export Trading House

Breath of Africa Launch of Global Import and Export Trading House

Posted Date: 25 May 2010
Read More
I am writing to you from the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa on my way to Shanghai in China. After a successful meeting with business associates this afternoon we developed a strategy for Breath of Africa to become a global organisation in international trading.
We concentrate on the following areas:
Product sourcing from local South Africa small to medium sized business with potential export opportunities for the global market.

Promoting of emerging South African entrepreneurs in the Sound and Media industry, with aim to be part of the ever growing South African Entertainment industry world wide.

Sourcing of products internationally

Offering International Business Liaison to clients who like to expand there business onto the world markets.

Hosting and arranging of trade delegations to meet potential suppliers and buyers not only in South Africa but globally.

Breath of Africa Import Export cc has got business connections in China, Africa and Europe and is your reliable and trustworthy partner in conducting your international business interests.

Contact us for more information we are offering to our clients.

One of our goals is that we network with various industries in tourism, entertainment, trading, media, medical, wine makers etc in order to create wealth to help and assist previously disadvantaged peoples group, to train and to became part of this amazing new network globally.

Join us and make it happened to be successful, even if the whole world talks about a global crisis!

Together we can do and change it! Trust us

Reporting from Shanghai

Breath of Africa
Ralf
WE STOPPED SUPPORTING TOURISM TO ZIMBABWE

WE STOPPED SUPPORTING TOURISM TO ZIMBABWE

Posted Date: 01 May 2010
Read More
Greetings to you from Durban, the host city of the INDABA Tourism Fair 2010. The Showcase for tourism in Africa.

We regret to inform all our loyal readers and supporters that with immediate effect BREATH OF AFRICA will not be promoting tourism, sending tourists or supporting in any form of aid etc the nation of Zimbabwe.

The reason is:
Last month we took a group of Swiss tourist for a day trip to the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. After crossing the Zambia / Zimbabwe border, paid our US$ 30,00 day visa fee and went to visit Zimbabwe sight of the Victoria Falls. The guests were excited and very happy.

Then the problem started, on our way to lunch at the VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL, we just left the parking area at the falls, co called \"police men\" stopped our 2 busses with altogether 32 passengers and demanded our Swiss and German passports. The reason for this; apparently an illegal visa was stamped into our passports and we need to pay US$ 30,00 again.

This is not the first time this kind of corruption happened to us in the past 3 months.

We told the driver to turn the busses around to go back to the border and leave the country.

In the meantime the \"police men\" got nervous and asked our guides and drivers to drive us to the hotel for lunch.

We said no, back to the border and never again to enter Zimbabawe.

The police men said no we have to carry on to the hotel for lunch, so we went for lunch. Had a very fast not enjoyable lunch and returned an 1 hour 1/2 later to Zambia.

That afternoon Breath of Africa together with Wirz Travel Switzerland made the decision not to promote Zimbabwe again, but infact to report the incident to the Zimbabwe authorities in Berlin and Bern and to publish it in various European Newspapers.

It is a disgrace to have corruption and intimidation of this kind by the so called members of the Zimbabwe police force.

Unless there is a change in Zimbabwe that will asure the tourist an enjoyable stay, we will never promote and visit Zimbabwe again.

We will in future expand our business to Zambia, Malawi, Botswana and Namibia.

Ralf Doepke
Greetings from the Great Victoria Falls in Zambia

Greetings from the Great Victoria Falls in Zambia

Posted Date: 24 Apr 2010
Read More
We are here in Zambia at the mighty Victoria Falls. They are in full flood now, like never before in the past 100 years.
Zambia is an amazing country that has so much to offer and with the kind of tourism Breath of Africa is doing, we are very interested in establishing more relationships in tourism and NGO work.

As you know, Breath of Africa is not only taking tourists to a nation to see the beauty of that nation, but also to look behind the curtain that so many tourists don\'t see.

We are getting actively involved to improve the life of people in need, may it be education, medical or spiritual. Breath of Africa is there to help and we are using tourism as a given tool to achive our goals here in Zambia.

If you want to know more about our work in Zambia. Please contact us and we gladly inform you accordingly.

Have a wonderful day and remember where ever you might be that there are people, out there, like you and me that need our special attention and care only another human being can give to them.

Speak to you soon again.

Ralf Doepke
Namibia the Jewel of Africa

Namibia the Jewel of Africa

Posted Date: 28 Nov 2009
Read More
My dear faithful readers of the Breath of Africa News Flash.

Yesterday I arrived on BA from Durban via Johannesburg in the Windhoek the wonderful capital of Namibia. I spend the night at a very nice hotel the Hotel Safari Court, a very good address to start your tour throughout Namibia.

Today the fun begins, my group from Dehn Reisen, Neumuenster near Hamburg arrives with 20 exciting guests.

We are having an amazing itineary 13 days from Windhoek to one of the natural wonders of the world the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Today we are staying in Windhoek and exploring this beautiful African capital surrounded by the Auars Mountains and bedded on the Khomas Highveld approx 1650 m high.

Tomorrow we start our tour from Windhoek via the Gamsberg Pass to the oldest desert in the world, the Namib. A visit to the famous Sossusvlei and the Seriem Canyon is on programme.

From the desert we are moving on to German colonial beauty Swakopmund at the Atlantic Ocean. We relax here and carry on 2 days later into the amazing Damaraland to the geological wonders, highlights San paintings and pretrified forests.

We are leaving the beautiful Damaraland and travel to the Etosha National Park, on of the animal Eden in the world a must for every visitor to Namibia, herds of sprinbok, zebras, gnu, elephants, giraffe and even lion can be seen. Famous also the black Rhino.

After Etosha we visit various projects of the San people and be guests of the Himba tribe in the north of Namibia.

The Caprivi is a new destination explored by tourist,it is an amazing highlight of Namibia,border to Zambia, Angola and Botswana, subtropical climate, old trees and wonderful wildlife. The Kavango and Zambesi are found here, not far the Okavango in Botswana. We can watch the beautiful plentiful birdlife, herds of elephants and crocodiles on safari by boat and land rover.

A visit to the world famous is Chobe National Park is part of this tour. The guests are very excited of what Africa has to offer in this 3 Nation tour. The Jewel of Africa, Namibia, the plains and amazing wild and birdlife of Botswana and the majestic Victoria Waterfalls in Zimbabwe, the most beautiful and longest water curtain in the world.

You can be part of this tour, check our website and contact us we would like to take you to the wonders of this amazing tour in African style and luxury to make it a dream of old to become true.



Exciting New Tours for 2010

Exciting New Tours for 2010

Posted Date: 20 Nov 2009
Read More
Greetings to you from our Germany office in Korbach. We are here to plan affectively the best tours we can offer to you our valued customers worldwide.

The new exciting Tours that will be available are:

Our complete new tours to Thailand and Cambodia, we offer
not only a classic cultural tour but also a new spiritual tour to this fantastic destination.

Amazing are also our new tours to \"Down Under\" and New Zealand. It will be a beginners special to give you the highlights of Australasia.

South America, the jewel of the America\'s, mucic, tango, flair, beautiful landscape\'s and wonderful people, will be part of this 3 nation tour of Brazil, Argentina and Peru. See for yourself.

The USA will not be forgotten either, with an amazing tour from New York to Miami via New Orleans and Memphis, experience the old tradtional colonial touch of \"Gone with the Wind\" and the swinging music capital of the American Jazz - New Orleans and Memphis the home of past music icon Elvis Presley.

Visit the Golden West of the USA, this tour takes you through California, Arizona and Nevada. Brilliant landscape\'s, Los Angelos the home of famous Hollywood and San Francisco and its amazing flair. National Parks, Canyon\'s and outstanding coastlines. A must for everyone.
Come and see the USA with us.

Classical Europe, we take through Italy on a cultural, historical, spiritual and gourmet tour.

Bulgaria the land of beauty and contrast an experience in South Eastern Europe is combined with a tour through ancient Greece.

A new highlight will be a luxury train ride on the Trans Siberian Railways from Moscow to Vladivostok. A visit of Saint Petersburg and Beijing is possible.

We welcome you on these new tours which you can find on our Breath of Africa page soon.

We look forward hearing from you soon again.

Yours

Ralf Doepke
WTM - INTERNATIONAL WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS IN GROSVENORS HOUSE, LONDON

WTM - INTERNATIONAL WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS IN GROSVENORS HOUSE, LONDON

Posted Date: 10 Nov 2009
Read More
It was the second time I was invited to attend the World Travel Award as a member of the press this year on the 8th of November in London.

This international gala award ceremony is desribed by the Wall Street Journal as the Oscars of the global travel and tourism industry, revealed who are the best in the world. The Grand Final ceremony concludes the 2009 regional tour which has taken the World Travel Awards to Dubai, South Africa, Mexico and Portugal, celebrating the achievements of the leading lights of the travel and tourism industry.

The most spectacular final in the 16 year history of the Awards featured ALL 120 Miss World 2009 contestants from the most prestigious of all international beauty pageants.

This year was exciting for us, sharing the table with Miss England - Kat Hodge and Miss Japan - Elza Sasaki, members of the international press and VIP\\\'s from Dubai.

Greetings from London, have a wonderful and great day.

Ralf Doepke
Visit the Commonwealth Games in Delhi 2010

Visit the Commonwealth Games in Delhi 2010

Posted Date: 09 Nov 2009
Read More
Greetings from the WTM in London. Breath of Africa in co-operation with India Vision invites you to an incredible experience of a lifetime in one of the most beautiful nations of the world INDIA.

See for yourself what we mean, by taking you to the most exciting destinations of Incredible India has to offer:

Spiritual Tour
North and South India Tour
Wildlife Tour
Wellness and Spa Tour
Luxury Trains and Tours

We offer these packages from 1 person onwards, using only good middle and deluxe categories of hotels and resorts. The transport and the tourist guides are of a very high standard. We offer these tour in any language of your choice.

We look forward to welcoming you and showing you India, an amazing and unforgettable holiday you would like to cherish lifelong.

Have a great day and Shukriya,

Ralf Doepke and Ajay Thakur, WTM London
Breath of Africa off to WTM 2009

Breath of Africa off to WTM 2009

Posted Date: 05 Nov 2009
Read More
Almost Airborne by Ursula Brown ... and we're off..Our objectives are to launch our brand new website, re-connect with established travel-buddies and source new ones who offer those tours that our guests are looking for.

Breath of Africa offers world-wide tours with a lien to carefully targetted niche markets -spiritual, wellness, religious, farm and cultural tours. Included are fascinating world-wide wonders, undiscovered corners of the globe with exciting complemetary suggestions in each area - Gems of Africa, Pearls of Asia, Stars of America, Treasures of Europe.

Keep your eye on the ball and we will keep you posted either enroute or when we return.