Penpals magazine by Pentravel

Talent wins games,

but Teamwork and Intelligence wins championships

HikingConstantiaberg

Desi,

Ola' Pentravelers

Desi, Desi…. Is our new Mayor!

Straight out of Pretoria, our biggest lover of Horses and someone who has the biggest heart … Congrats to our brand-new Mayor, Desi Fourie. You are a beacon of resilience, smart work, leadership, kindness, integrity and undeniable caring for many!

Travel is the onlY

expense that make you richer

Fun fact? I read this interesting article [Top 5 happiest countries] and it got my mind racing.

I believe we have the top 1 happiest country. By way of example, my sister Suzy and hubby Nev, reside in Florida, USA for the past four years. They always so homesick. Every year, instead of choosing their adopted home [USA]- they choose spend their holidays in Joburg and Cape Town. 1. Buitenverwagting wine is their ﬁrst stop directly from the airport. 2. They go hiking up mountains and enjoy being in nature. experienced our beautiful wildlife in Pilansberg. 4. With Suzy, Luca also completed his ﬁrst Park run at Greenpoint, our pretty city park.

I digress, please ﬁnd the “so called” self-reported happiness between countries globally. Conde Nast polled self-assessments of their own lives by placing themselves on the Cantril Scale, [basically assessing where you would put yourself on a ladder of self-satisfaction = the top of the ladder is a 10 and while the bottom of the ladder, or 0, would be the least happy you can be.

5. Netherlands

Largely thanks to the country's very high rankings for "generosity". Although, you will stand a high chance of actually getting run over, Hit-and-Run by the multitude of bike riders. That aside, Amsterdam has long been hailed as a great place both to live and travel to, packed with culture in the form of world-class galleries and museums, cobbled streets to explore by foot or bike or bike or by bike. Just be on a lookout .

Personally, I feel this is a hugely underrated Country with the most breathtaking scenery. When I landed, there were two types of travellers: Type 1 carrying mega zoom cameras and Type 2 carrying professional walking gear. So, either you Type 1 or 2, it is clear what you are going to do in this unforgettable country. It has one of the lowest Geni co-efﬁcient in the world i.e., lowest inequality, so a Doctor and a Shop Keeper salary gap, will be the smallest compared to than most other globally. Iceland will stun YOU!

In closing, we may not be in the top 5 happiest countries, but SA is my happy place. We really do have it all! We spoilt by having on average 312 days of sunny sky days per year. That is roughly - 311 days more than the UK.

Big sunny hugs

4. Sweden

Sweden, a Nordic country that ranks highly in areas of governance, strong social support, and healthy life expectancy.

The country also is known to be one of the progressive countries nations when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights and safety

2. Denmark

Nordic countries, the top three countries in this report are all within this region. Although Danes have one of the highest tax rates in the world = that results in high-quality public services which results in its population consistently ranking as one of the happiest in the world.

1. Finland

If you YT search < Kimi Raikkonen funny moments >, it will be very hard to see him laughing. As F1 World Champion, he was never the happiest and seldom had a smile to share. He is a great driver though! the happiest country generosity… (in Finland, people highly likely to expect lost wallets to be returned), income, freedom of choice and life expectancy can explain why this country keeps coming out on top.

pen2024palace

Pretty KZN and inspirational Rachel!

What can we do to make it better??? This is the biggest challenge as our premier highlight event, PenPalace in KZN – we always STRIVE to make it extremely memorable for every single one of YOU.

1. Recognizing YOU and your SUCCESS,

2. Celebrate YOU with all your peers Pen Peeps

3. Award YOU – with the most generous prizes and travel opportunities,

4. There was the crowning of our new Mayor Desi and then we had Rachel, Rachel and Rachel ---What an honour and pleasure to have such a SA icon, caring Mother, smart entrepreneur, sharing philanthropist to needy and an all rounded Special Human… There was 200 of us at PenPalace --going to guess more than 200 selﬁes were taken and patient Rachel, had a huge smile for every single one of YOU.

#PenPalace2024

Sweden

Oh what a night

3. Iceland – [ underrated and stunning scenery]

WHO’S NEW Z

Liv Mhlanga Rosebank

Heike Coetzee Brooklyn Sharndre Presence Online

Kholiwe Khambule Clearwater

Mbalenhle Zulu Rosebank

Marisa Davel Garden Route

Kareena Naidoo La Lucia

KananeloClearwaterLitheko

Heinre Drude – Creative

Soheil Ramsami – Accounts

Travel Tales & Timeless Wisdom: A Q+A with our Travel Queens Karen & Kathy!

What inspired you to join Pentravel 30 years ago, and how has your motivation evolved over the years in the travel industry?

I had just left another local Travel Agency where I had to walk miles through Durban CBD to get ticket issues, and the opportunity arose for an interview with Rob Crankshaw. He nearly didn’t employ me because I had a gap in my CV where I had chosen not to include some of my employment failures, like working for a dodgy man who never paid me. But he eventually gave me a chance and after a few months, was happy he did as he began to recognise my potential.

I love what I do and over the years there has been so much opportunity for growth and new challenges within Pentravel, that I have never felt unmotivated or uninspired.

What is the most unusual request you have received from a client while planning their trip?

Um, probably a marriage proposal from a client who I ended up marrying in 1994 (my ﬁrst husband).

If you could have dinner with any historical ﬁgure, who would it be and why?

Queen Elizabeth as she ushered her Kingdom through difﬁcult times, challenges,and changes, yet as a Role Model she still maintained the love and respect of the World.

What has been the most challenging booking you have worked on, and what did you learn from it?

There have been a lot, but probably the most challenging were calculating round the world fares from a PTM (passenger tariff manual) in the early days of my travel career. I learned that every challenge brings new opportunities for growth and learning.

Can you share a standout moment or achievement from your career that you are particularly proud of?

My most standout moment was the day I was employed by Pentravel. There was ﬁerce competition, I found out later that when Rob Cranckshaw interviewed me he had already ﬁlled the shop. I was determined to get the job so when he walked me out I told him I would kill for the job…. Needless to say if you know Rob he asked me who I would kill for him. He made a position for me because he saw something in me, took a chance and what an amazing company to work for!

What is the funniest or most unexpected thing that has happened to you during your time at Pentravel?

2006 My manager at the time shouted at me because I never told her I was going to London on a Pentravel Ed the next week and she only found out when they sent my ticket to her – I only found out I was going to London when she shouted at me – I had a blast though!!!

From timeless wisdom to travel tales – Kathy’s got it all!

What is the strangest food you have tried while traveling?

How many countries have you travelled to for work, and do you have a favourite adventure that stands out?

A lot! At least 20 over the 31 years and every Country has been amazing. BA Top 10 in the late nineties when I was managing Musgrave, took us to New York for a weekend, ﬂying London / New York in First class and New York / London on the Concord. To have been able to experience travel on the Concord now that it no longer operates, was an experience I treasure. Another amazing trip was a China Experience ed to China. Getting to walk on the Great Wall of China was a true highlight!

What is a guilty pleasure you enjoy that would surprise your colleagues?

Can you share a memorable experience from your travels that made you laugh or left a lasting impression?

I am the must unadventurous eater ever! The strangest food I have ever eaten was the Durian fruit in Malaysia and we ate something in Netherlands that I was too scared to ﬁnd out what it was, i just cut it into little squares and swallowed it whole.

I want to write over R200 000 in ﬁgures, have a fully staffed store and have the airlines bend to my will. What is one item on your bucket list that you still want to accomplish?

If you could travel anywhere in the world for free for a week, where would you go and why?

If I could travel anywhere in the world for a week I would want to go to South America, we don’t send many people there and I think it is one of the most interesting places in the world – you don’t know that to expect.

I have a very sweet tooth, so if I could eat the whole dessert buffet, I would!

What is one trend in travel that you are excited about?

The future ….. so much is changing with modern technology that I’m excited to see future upgrades to aircrafts and cruise ships. If Richard Branson can send people to space, what next?

Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self when you ﬁrst started your career?

World traveller, storyteller, and all-around legend – It’s Karen!

Take every opportunity you can get and learn from the experiences. What doesn’t kill you, will only make you stronger.

There have been so many memorable experiences, but the funniest one is Managers Conference 2023. It was the first time I had travelled since 2019; you would have thought it was the first time I had been let out the house. The first night was quite late and there could have been some 2am swimming in our clothes. On my way back to my room I tripped and fell into the garden, Angela from Thompsons and I were laughing so hard I just got up and carried on to my room. The next morning, I realised I had dropped my shoes in the garden when I fell and my bag with my other shoes was zip tied closed and I had no way of opening it – do I go to the conference barefoot or do I wear the slippers?….. So I decided to go look for my shoes – only found 1 in the garden. When I got to breakfast Paulo approached me with a photo of a shoe lying in the road – apparently the dogs like shoes in Mauritius. I had to admit very embarrassed that it was my shoe. The next night after some red wine all the managers were dancing and I got this bright idea, If I only had 1 shoe I am going to take 1 shoe of theirs. I voiced this epiphany to some of my fellow managers and suppliers – next minute I had shoes from everywhere being hidden in my bag. Again, I woke up and realise I have all these shoes in my bag how the hell am I going to dig myself out of this one – so childish Kath! I arranged them in the garden took a photo and said if any of these shoes belong to you, I found them and you can come grab them from me at breakfast. This is what is called “Acting your shoe size” and you are never too old to have fun!

What advice would you give to someone just starting in the travel industry?

For someone just starting in the travel industry I would say “It gets better!” You need to be curious and read a lot about many different places – essentially you need to be a sponge! Amadues will become like a ﬁrst language to you. You will meet the most amazing people that make your job worth while, don’t let the handful of miserable people throw you off course (Phone me I will help you through it).

I want to leave a positive lasting impression on everyone I have worked with – inspire and motivate people to be their best! What do you hope your legacy will be at Pentravel after all these years?

Cape Town

A Day of Fun, Connection, Memories, and Lots of Pink!

Our Cape Town Family Day on 6th October at Lat Wai Farm was unforgettable! After worrying about rain, the sun blessed us with perfect weather. The theme “A Pink Affair” (thanks to Royal Caribbean) had everything— pink outfits, decorated gazebos, and loads of fun! The best part was meeting everyone’s families and putting faces to names. The kids had a blast with the petting zoo, party treats, and a waterslide that saved the day. We also enjoyed competitive human-sized foosball, games, music, delicious food, and refreshing ice lollies. Huge thanks to the Pentravel team, Gayle, Barry, and Royal Caribbean for making this day so special. It was a perfect reminder to take time, have fun, and create memories with those who matter most.Thanks to everyone who made it a day to remember! - Tam

Gauteng

Kitted out in pink, it was amazing to gather with family, friends, and loved ones once again. It was great to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones (including identical ones ��), and see the kids having fun! We were joined by Angela and the Cruises International team. After a relaxed start, we kicked off with games like the Octopus race, duck races, and the water bucket challenge (kids had a blast spilling the water). There were slip and slides, jumping castles, and more for everyone. Thanks to Cruises and Pentravel for a fun day with great memories! - Jen

George & PE

After our Cape Town family day, we headed to George first, where we were hosted by the awesome Ruitenbosch Pretplaas. The weather was perfect—not as hot as Cape Town, but still warm with beautiful blue skies. The food was out of this world, and the kids were entertained the whole day! There were so many laughs, and we had such a great time together. Of course, Pentravel peeps didn’t need a second invite to hop on the tractor ride with the kids—so much fun! From George, we road-tripped to PE and met up with the lovely team at Grass Roof. What a day—another stunning venue and more good vibes! The kids were off playing the entire time, leaving us free to relax around a big family table and catch up. The massive burgers were enough to keep us full for days and we were even joined by “Sparkle”. PE and Garden Route, thank you for spending the weekend with us— It was really special to meet the people who mean the most to you all and to share this time with your families! They say that the best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been, and the memories we’ve made along the way, and I couldn’t agree with that more! That’s a wrap from the Cape Region….. Until the next one! - Tam

A magical and ‘mist’ical day spent in KZN, whilst taking in the breathtaking scenery that the beautiful venue had to offer... #blessed. This was a day where we got to mingle with the ‘driving force’ behind our consultants and many of our consultants ‘WHY’. A time to create some everlasting memories..., where even the rain couldn’t stop some of the kiddos from living their best lives.

Thank you to all that joined and shared in this memorable day, and a special thanks to Cruises International and Pentravel for making this possible. Until next time xxx

- Nadine

KZN

Our ﬁnal day at the Kruger Gate Hotel was ﬁlled with memorable activities and surprises. The early morning departure for a game drive rewarded us with breathtaking sights: elephants in the river and a glimpse of a leopard with her cubs.

true highlight was our farewell boma dinner, where we were greeted by wandering elephants and a curious hippo, all while looking stylish in our leopard print attire.

Congratulations to Elmien for winning the coveted Dark Duck Trophy! Above all, we were reminded of the importance of being leaders who inspire and support one another.

Our bingo cards came in handy as we identiﬁed various mammals and birds, soaking in the fresh air and the spirit of the Kruger.One highlight was a special site inspection at Shalati –The Train on the Bridge – where we enjoyed a hosted high tea.

Together, we are committed to greatness – for every consultant and for Pentravel.

Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Brilliant.

Social media was buzzing with our posts, capturing the magic of the experience. The day wrapped up with drinks at the Skukuza Golf Course – yes, a golf course in the Kruger! But the evening’s

Monique

Air Mauritius

RISING STARS 2023

VICTORIA FALLS ADVENTURE: A Journey to Remember

by Tam

Achieving Rising Stars in 2023 was no small feat. It required a combination of passion, perseverance, and a willingness to continuously learn and grow. These amazing humans embraced every challenge with determination and enthusiasm, exceeding even their own expectations. Their hard work and dedication truly paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder, so it was ofﬁcially time to celebrate!

The countdown had begun, and before we knew it, we were jetting off to Vic Falls! Our trip was not just a journey though, but rather an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. The sheer power and beauty of the falls, coupled with the vibrant culture and warm hospitality of the Zimbabwean people, created a memorable African Adventure.

From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the beauty of the falls and standing at the edge, looking out at this magniﬁcent natural wonder, there is only one word to describe it…..goosebumps! It’s indigenous name, “Mosioa-Tunya”, meaning “The smoke that Thunders”, perfectly captures the experience of witnessing this majestic wonder ﬁrst-hand. Of course, we wanted the full experience, so we left the ponchos in our bags and got drenched from head to toe, and we honestly didn’t think in that moment that it would get better than dancing under the Vic Falls Rain… But we were wrong, because it wasn’t just the natural beauty of Victoria Falls that made this experience so memorable. Some of the other highlights that contributed to our incredible trip included a Bridge walk to get our adrenaline pumping followed by a jaw-dropping helicopter trip over the falls. We also got treated to a heart-warming experience, while walking in the bush and seeing the world “through the eyes of an elephant”, before ending off with a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River. We couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace and tranquillity while we watched the stunning sunset. It was another goosebump moment that we will never forget. The whole trip was a goosebump adventure that reminded us of the incredible power of nature, and of course the power of travel. It’s an adventure that will stay with us forever, and one that we are grateful to have had the opportunity to experience! Thank you Pentravel and Thompsons.

To the inspiring Rising Stars of Pentravel for 2024, remember that the journey is as important as the destination. So, in the face of your own challenges this year, make sure you ﬁnd your strength, and in moments of doubt, discover your resilience. Let every setback be a lesson, and every triumph a celebration. Always dare to dream, explore, and above all, dare to be extraordinary, because it will be worth it! You’ve got this! #risingstars2024

AIRPORT SELFIE! THANK YOU PENTRAVEL. FOREVER MEMORIES.

VIEW FROM THE TOP. VIEW FROM THE SIDE. TOUR LEADER.

THE RISING STARS STRIKE A POSE

ELLIE < 3

The Prestigious Beachcomber Top 10

by Elmien Viljoen

The name of the event says it all. This is one of the most prestigious events in the travel industry, the Oscars of Travel. Beachcomber is the only operator that recognises and celebrates the sales of agencies nationwide.

This event is not just any event, it is the trip of a lifetime and once you have had the chance to attend the Top 10, your only goal will be to go again!

I have had the privilege of going on a Beachcomber Top 10 twice now and even while I was there, I was already making plans on how to qualify for the next year. It is addictive! They spoil you with bottomless wine and Aperol Spritz, food for days, you party until the sun comes up (ask Paulo!) and you are treated like a VIP.

the product with pictures and experiences. I might be called a lazy travel agent because I Beachcomber does everything for me when I book my clients on a holiday with them.

Selling Beachcomber to our clients is the easiest thing to do because we know our clients will have the best experience and even if they are brand new clients, they will become repeat clients.

Honeymoons lead to babymoons and then they upgrade to family moons and that is how it goes on. Beachcomber loves Pentravel and, as a result, love our clients. We have such an amazing relationship with them, and they really do give our clients the best service and first choice. Imagine if the whole Top 10 could be Pentravel stores! What a party that will be.

Everyone in Pentravel should have the opportunity to dance on a catamaran with Paulo and Ettienne, enjoy a few glasses of wine and laughs with Jo next to a pool at a villa, or dance in a Zumba Class with Gary.

We all have the amazing tools and training. Beachcomber has one of the easiest online booking systems of all operators and they have amazing videos and brochures to use to sell

Herearemytop10highlights (innoparticularorder)atTOP10! ReceivinganinvitetotheBeachcomberTop102024 ExperiencingthenewlyrenovatedParadisandtheviews fromourJuniorBeachfrontRoom! MassagesandPooldaysataDinarobinVillajustforus! ZumbaClasses,watersportsandDrinksatParadis NauticalClub RoomDropSpoils SunbathingandpartyingonaCatamaranforaday Top10GalaDinnerandaFireworksshow PartyingwithalltheotherPenGirlsandPaulo EnjoyinganafternoononthebeautifulParadisbeach MeetingandgettingtoknowGarythenew BeachcomberCEO

Beachcomber Top 10.

12-19 Nov 2024 12-19 Nov 2024

Becoming a Minion: A once in a Lifetime Trip!

By Tamlyn Maritz

Getting to qualify for one of the most anticipated trips of the year—the Minions incentive trip—is nothing short of magical. This year, I had the privilege of joining the Minions on this unforgettable journey, and let me tell you, it truly was a super special experience. What made it even more special was that for some in our group, this was their very first international trip. Watching their excitement as we took off with Air Mauritius and landed in stunning Mauritius was such a highlight.

Our adventure kicked off with the warmest welcome from Mautourco, our incredible guides for the trip. They weren’t just guides— they were storytellers, comedians, and allround legends! Their knowledge of Mauritius was second to none, and they brought so much humour and energy to the experience. From the moment they greeted us, we felt like we were in for something unique. Mautourco ensured every moment was memorable, from sharing fascinating history to ensuring we soaked up every ounce of Mauritian charm.

We started our trip with two luxurious nights at Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort and Spa, and wow, what an absolute treat! From the breathtaking views to the fantastic service, it was nothing short of paradise. While at Paradis, we also hopped over to Dinarobin, which was equally as stunning. Next up was Victoria Beachcomber.

We loved it’s new rooms and lively entertainment. The energy there was contagious! From Victoria, we headed north to Mauricia Beachcomber. This gem caught us all by surprise. It’s so underrated and deserves way more credit for its charm and vibe—it completely exceeded everyone’s expectations. Then came our two nights at Trou aux Biches, which quickly became everyone’s favourite. We were spoiled beyond belief, and the absolute beauty of the property left us speechless. Of course, our trip wouldn’t have been complete without visiting Canonnier, Shandrani, and the majestic Royal Palm as well —where we all felt like royalty! It was heartwarming to see how involved the hotel GMs were in the Minions theme—they truly got into the spirit, making us feel even more special.

The activities? Unbelievable! From a Minions-themed cocktail-making competition to a rhum tasting at La Rhumerie de Chamarel, every moment was packed with fun and laughter. The Minions treasure hunt had us making some very … interesting decisions, let’s say! And how can we forget the sunset cruise from Trou aux Biches? It was pure magic. We even did a Minions drawing competition and an unforgettable snorkelling trip at Shandrani.

This trip was the perfect mix of fun, luxury, and more importantly connection. It’s hard to pick one standout moment because every day brought something incredible. A huge thank you to Pentravel and Beachcomber for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thank you to

all the minions who made this trip truly memorable, and to all our new consultants, let this be your motivation to work hard, aim high, and make it to Minions next year. Here’s to the next group of Minions—may your journey be as unforgettable as ours!