LIFE, ABOVE ALL

Oliver Schmitz brings Allan Stratton's best-selling novel, Chanda’s Secrets, to the screen in the heart-rending Life, Above All. Everyday life in a South African township near Johannesburg is meager but serene for 12-year-old Chanda (Khomotso Manyaka in a stunning debut), a hardworking student with a bright future that is derailed when her baby sister dies, her mother becomes severely ill, and her drunken stepfather leaves her to care for her siblings. The neighbors turn distant and gossipy. Chanda suspects the cause but no one will tell her the truth. Unthwarted, she bravely faces a deeply engrained, unspoken taboo... Laemmle Theatres presents From Britain with Love, new British films. Call for times. Included: Africa United, the story of three Rwandan children who face glorious, dangerous, hilarious, and bizarre situations on a 3,000 mile walk to the World Cup in South Africa; NEDs (Non-Educated Delinquents), in which a young man finds a chance at redemption; and A Boy Called Dad, about a boy who becomes a father at the age of 14.

South Africa was named one of the world’s friendliest countries in a recent survey and I recently set out to test the honor, flying on the “gateway to Africa,” South African Airways (SAA), which connects to nearly 20 destinations within South Africa, and more than 25 cities across the rest of the continent. New Yorkers can fly directly or, as I did, leave from Washington Dulles (with a stop in Dakar, Senegal). If you’re lucky enough to take Premium Business Class you’ll enjoy flat-bed seats and enjoy meals designed by a team of celebrity chefs and complimented by sublime South African wines. But even economy is a pleasure as the seats have more legroom than those on competing airlines and every seat has its own on-demand entertainment systems, plush pillows, cozy blankets, and amenity kits. It’s a long haul so it’s worth a splurge to enjoy the ride and arrive rested and ready to go. I’ve never flown so far with so little jetlag (800-722-9675 or www.flysaa.com).

Get to Dulles on VIRGIN AMERICA, voted “Best Domestic Airline” in the World. You’ll understand why when you sink into your roomy leather seat and watch movies on the seatback touch-screen, enjoy the first-of-its-kind digital shop and an on-demand menu — order a cocktail or a fresh, healthy meal on demand. You can even place a complimentary call within the United States. To get in on the fun, check out www.virgin america.com or call 877-FLY-VIRGIN. If you’re one of the three million Americans with peanut allergies, peanut butter is off the table for you. We weren’t aware of any decent substitutes until we discovered gluten free BARNEY BUTTER on our flight. Widely available, it’s made from Premium California almonds, comes crunchy or smooth, and requires no stirring or refrigeration. Before flying out, spend the night at the WASHINGTON DULLES AIRPORT MARRIOTT, where you can enjoy the recent $9.3 million renovation based on Eero Saarinen’s modernist design of the airport’s main terminal while you relax in the new lobby bar.

 In Joburg Our first (and last) stop was the drop-dead gorgeous SAXON, originally built as a luxury home for businessman Douw Steysn in a posh suburb of Johannesburg. True to the architecture, interior designer, Stephen Falcke, incorporated African art and culture into a clean, modern design with indigenous African landscaping and a double reflecting pool that mirrors the façade. The dining area opens out onto an indigenous tropical garden adjacent to a heated swimming pool. What was once the owner’s master suite is now the Mandela Room, where he stayed while he edited his autobiography ‘Long Walk to Freedom.’ Bill Clinton, The Black Eyed Peas, U2, Shakira and Will Smith stayed here, too. So did Oprah, who has a dedicated corner, and Chris Rock, who loved the décor so much he hired the designer to do his own home. The Saxon recently added three new standalone villas, each with its own pool, terrace and lounge and we were delighted to find that the spa had recently added three new Saxon Signature Treatments.

Elemental Massage Therapy is inspired by the four elements of life: Earth and Fire, Water and Air, expressed through Rhythm Massage that uses music to re-energize and stimulate the nervous system; Rain of the Gods to soothe and calm, ending with an African mud wrap enriched with extracts of marula oil, baobab oil, mafura butter, mangongo nut oil and Kalahari watermelon and completed with olive and sea butter. It’s such a delicious experience you may be able to skip dinner. Not that you’d want to, given the new Chef’s Table, where you watch 34 chefs and 15 stewards prepare your six-course dinner under the watchful eyes of Head Chef John Smith and sommelier Francis Krone, who recently won first place in a competition by the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Dishes such as beetroot cured sea bass; foie gras tasting; shellfish risotto; lamb wellington; and spice seared duck breast might be followed by gateau opera, a cheese tasting, and a tour of the wine cellar.

People who check into Hilton and Jacqui Loon’s SABI SABI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE at Kruger National Park in hopes of having close encounters with the ‘Big 5’ – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard – find that even the bush can be luxurious. Travel+Leisure magazine ranked them one of the best hotels in the world and Earth Lodge is the best of the best. “Earth Shelter Architecture” from the Middle Ages inspired the design, with buildings excavated into the slope of a site and vegetation placed on the roofs. Furniture sculptures made from flood-washed trees and pushed over by elephants were designed by South African artist Geoffrey Armstrong. The laid-back luxury and lavish touches include a splash pool for each suite, butlers, glass fronted bathrooms with stone baths, alfresco showers with views of a water hole and an underground wine cellar. You’ll hardly have time for the library, art gallery, wellness centre and Zen garden because you’ll be busy exploring in open Land Rover and walking safaris led by a team of rangers and Shangaan trackers who point out wild dogs, cheetah and all species indigenous to the area, plus extraordinary birdlife.

A plane ride away is Cape Town, the oldest city in South Africa and one of the most beautiful anywhere. It’s backed by the massive sandstone bulk of Table Mountain, which is often draped in clouds. Nearby, pristine beaches line the coast. Fertile valleys are carpeted with vines, and the occasional zebra or wildebeest graze unperturbed by the adjacent hubbub. Cape Town is separated from the rest of the continent by mountains, and it’s unlike the rest of Africa with its hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is a real working harbor and a mecca of shops, restaurants, brewpubs and entertainment. In the evening, head to the sidewalk cafés, restaurants, galleries, bookstores and chic boutiques that line trendy Long Street downtown.

After two years and over $69 million the original South African Reserve Bank and Temple Chambers buildings have been turned into the TAJ CAPE TOWN, called the city's oldest new hotel because of the historic buildings it occupies. Together with the adjacent Mandela Rhodes Place and St George's Cathedral, it is in the middle of a historic precinct that links St George's Mall, the Company Gardens, the Slave Lodge and the Houses of Parliament with the Groote Kerk, Grand Parade and City Hall. The area is steeped in history and alive with art, culture, cuisine and entertainment. Its two entrances, the porte-cochere on Wale Street and the South African Reserve Bank entrance off St. George's Mall, both lead to a lobby that was once the main banking hall. The heavy grills and doors at the pedestrian entrance still bear the South African Reserve Bank's lion heraldry. A wooden staircase leads from the lobby to the first floor of what was the Temple Chambers and later the BoE Building, dating back to 1896. The Bombay Brasserie offers authentic Indian flavors in contemporary dishes modeled on its London namesake, a top kitchen in the UK.  Jiva Grande Spa draws on ancient Indian Ayurveda healing practices and uses all natural elements, from organic cotton to sunbleached fabrics and oven-baked pottery, bamboo fiber, soy cotton and more.

Twenty minutes from the center of town is STEENBERG VINEYARDS, the queen of the Cape Winelands, which shares its grounds with a boutique hotel with Cape Dutch architecture that features high ceilings and louvered shutters between bedroom and bathroom, and a championship golf course with some of the best views in the country. Constantia is the oldest wine growing area in the country, the first vineyards having been planted in the late 17th Century. Michael Olivier, who writes the Nosh News newsletter, swoons over Steenberg’s sublime Merlot, bright sparkly Sauvignon Blancs and Nebbiolo. Sauvignon Blanc is currently the flagship wine. Of the 33 000 cases produced annually, about half are exported around the world. Catharina is the fine dining restaurant and the newly opened casual Bistro Sixteen82 features Chef Brad Ball’s modern Bistro food at breakfast and lunch daily, with snacks available throughout the day from a Raw Food Bar, and a Tapas menu in the late afternoon. It sits amidst the vineyards at the foothills of the Steenberg (Stone) Mountain. Here you can drink and eat in style when you are not exploring the mountain passes and quaint villages of historic buildings and shops.

Contact PRODUCTION TRAVEL & TOURS, a leading member of The Africa Travel Association, to plan your next trip to Africa: 818-760-0327 or www.adventureplanners.org.

Remember when people were so afraid of the traffic during the Olympics that they all stayed home? Something like that may occur during carmageddon, the 405 shutdown. Escape the madness at the LA STREET FOOD FEST at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl. The organizers, SauceLA, are providing complimentary private shuttles and tickets include all food, drinks, cocktails, beer gardens, ice cream social, music, entertainment, giveaways and even parking at any of three tasting sessions. Buy through Eventbrite or pre-sale only at http://lastreetfoodfest. com/buy-tickets/ ($60: Test Kitchen Luxe Lounge $75). The smart young company behind the event offers the vendors skills (food handling, marketing skills, creating sustainable business models) and donates a portion of proceeds to a local charity, in this case the Downtown Womens Center.

LIVE & DINE LA happens at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel on July 24. Guests at the VIP reception mingle with the chefs prior to the Grand Tasting of luscious bites and award winning wines and spirits. The silent auction benefits P.S. ARTS, bringing arts education to underserved public schools. Chef Ray Garcia of FIG at the Fairmont Miramar will bring together farmers from the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market. Who’s coming? Chefs from Culina; A-Frame; The Royce; Tavern;

Public Kitchen; First & Hope; Bagatelle; Red Medicine; Ray’s & Stark’s Bar; Spice Table; Sotto; Savory; Night + Market and more. ($95 or VIP $150). Info 310-576-7777 or http://media.modernluxury.com/liveanddinela.

GOURMET TOUR OF INDIAN CULTURES & CUISINES Sept 15 – 30, 2011. Carol Selva Rajah is a chef, consultant, writer, teacher and guide. On this trip she will be your hostess as you learn about the spices, vegetables and herbs used in Indian cuisine at the source. You’ll sightsee in a luxury coach, sunning on the pristine beaches of Goa, admiring the elaborate architecture of Charminar in Hyderabad, delving into the historic intrigue of Mumbai and the soothing backwaters of Cochin. Taste Moghul dishes from Hyderabad, rice Biriyani and Kurmah, the many cuisines of Mumbai, including Parsi (Persian) and Jain (vegetarian), learn to recreate street snacks such as chaat puri, and sail to the 8th Century Elephanta caves. In Kerala you’ll dine on just-caught fish and walk through ginger, cardamom and cinnamon groves, sleep on a houseboat and indulge in Appam rice cakes and fresh coconut water martinis as you watch spectacular sunsets. End with a detox program of Ayurvedic massage and herbal diet. Email carol@carolselvarajah.com.au.

Happy summer! Safe travels! ▼