Gauteng Guides Association

We have moved up a notch in Gauteng with this new bullet train that we have and it certainly makes life a little easier for guides (and empties your pocket remarkably quickly too).

This World Cup was a time of opportunity for all of us and I am sure that there were as many different experiences around the World Cup as there were people doing different jobs or having a good time during the event.

Personally, I had the experience of a lifetime – nothing could have prepared me for the tumultuous and happy time that started off so quietly and built up momentum giving me access to so many different facets of the occasion.

The World Cup has come and gone and we guides are back to the everyday job of surviving, and catching up on affairs at hand. And so it was that I, after many attempts, have finally an update on this torrid affair.

What a tome! It must have taken eons to put together but is really a huge bonus for our province so kudos to all those who put in so many hours getting this together. The listing is really well thought out and I really like the breakdown into regional, national, language and site guides. Enables those looking for guides to navigate the listing easier. Now we need to collectively promote it!

Good stuff and well done to all!

Since my last blog (Beware of the Weirdo), I have found out that I am not the only one who has suffered a verbal attack in public by this "tour operator" / unregistered guide. If you have been on the receiving end of her coarse and vulgar tongue, kindly mail me with the details (date and circumstances, place etc) as well as the names of anyone witnessing the incident as well as proof of any reporting of the incidence either to Gauteng Guides or GTA. Even if you didn't report it, still contact me re the details. Appreciate it and let's see if we can get some action on this unsavoury situation.

I mean this really sincerely, watch out for a "guide" or operator called Mandy working in Soweto. I have just recently had an altercation with her which leads me to think that she is a serious threat to tourism in our province and country and is an unstable character.

The time just flies by and various tours have been accomplished with some interesting things cropping up. It is very interesting doing tours for new companies and getting to know their modus operandi and also learning to be just another number in the great machine of the larger organisations. The smaller operators are all seemingly disappearing into the abyss of the larger groups and this is a pity. There is nothing better than working with a family run organisation (obviously providing that the folks are all normal and there are no great egocentric owners).

Good people make a trip so easy and a pleasure to guide! And it doesn’t take much, just plain old good manners and an understanding and experience base that comes from much travelling around. And being English also helps!

Some of the best things experienced on a tour are very difficult to describe but the highlights are also found in the most unlikely places and also where you would least expect it.

We have to work closely with Coach drivers all the time so when we get guys who are good at their job, it is only fitting that we complement them.