An experience that changes perspective
A bus full of blind people, a great tour schedule and a camera equals an unforgettable experience that will definately change your perspective on life.
NELSPRUIT – One of the tourists described it as an unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime experience and, no matter how cliché it sounds, a blind tour by Ntwanano Tours truly is just that.
The difference between this and a normal one, is that most of the tourists are blind. It therefore gives them an experience that would otherwise be impossible and as a result their world is instantly expanded. The group comprised tourists from Pretoria and Johannesburg, some locals from White River and me, the journo.
The tour started at the Lowveld Botanical Garden, where the group was one of the first to walk its recently established trail for the blind. Ms. Lou-Nita le Roux, the gardens’ interpretation officer, welcomed the group and told them that the trail had been sponsored by the Lions Club in March. They learned that each story board had a Braille sign and one for sighted people.
They could then follow the guide pole to the next spot where they could touch each plant. Le Roux explained that they were in the process of adding an audio option for people who couldn’t read Braille. The sighted people then took them by the arm and guided them, carefully avoiding branches and poles, into the garden.
The trail is clearly marked by a rope that enables blind people to follow it on their own and at their own pace. The group split off, some with sighted people to help them or keep them company or in my case to take photos to show a son at home. The smiles on their faces were evidence of how much they enjoyed being outdoors and one of them remarked that he had learnt a lot about new plants.
When everyone had completed the trail, it was time for the highlight of the tour – interaction at Elephant Whispers in Hazyview. During the drive there, the minibus echoed with light-hearted banter and excited chatter. One of the men remarked that he never thought he’d experience something like touching an elephant. “It is the experience of a lifetime,” he said, a broad smile on his face.
Upon checking in at Elephant Whispers, the tourists immediately peppered the staff with questions about rules and safety, clearly worried that they might upset the elephants and cause an accident. After being assured that it was safe if they followed the staff’s directions, they were taken to meet the jumbos. Mitwa, a young male of about 20 years, was introduced to the tourists. Each person could touch his trunk and feed him a handful of pellets.
The elephant was then ordered to lie down and tourists could run their hands across its back and feel the different textures of his skin and tail. The skin felt somewhat like leather covered in bristles, a strange, unbelievable sensation that made them either want to touch it again or rub their hands to get rid of the sensation.
As Themba, an older and larger elephant was brought over, staff told them about elephants’ habits and their nature. It was pointed out they always had three feet on the ground and one up when walking, as they needed three legs to support their enormous weight.
After they were photographed next to Themba, the Ntwanano tour group moved on to their next stop. Rottcher Wineries at Casterbridge near White River permitted the group to taste some of their wines. (I recommend that people not used to alcohol take a responsible driver with them, as the wine, although delicious, goes straight to your head!) The wine is fermented, bottled and labelled on the premises by a qualified wine- maker and other staff members. It is made from orange pulp mixed with water, sugar and yeast, and tastes similar to Old Brown Sherry. There are four types of dessert wines: Avalencia, Avalencia Dry, Ginger and Chilli, as well as Limoncello Liqueur. The wine-tasting concluded with a toast to a successful tour and the group boarded the minibus, looking forward to their last stop for the day, the Kruger National Park.
I waved to them as the vehicle full of cheerful, unusual tourists headed off and I went home thinking that everyone should experience this tour. It provides a change of perspective, makes you appreciate the gift of sight and makes you realise that a little kindness could mean the world to others.
For more information on the blind tours and other interesting offerings from Ntwanano Tours and Travel, call Sertorio Mshotola on 082-970-9188 or visit www.ntwananotours.co.za
