I returned from my trip to South Africa on Monday – and what a trip it was!

We began our time in Johannesburg where we were guests at the home of some friends of my date for a couple of nights. Next stop was Sun City! We drove there and I was slightly uneasy driving through the townships. It was a bit of a shock to be honest to see the conditions these people were living in. We observed lots of children coming home from school and couldn’t believe how immaculately turned out they were!

Anyway, on to Sun City. This is an amazing complex that I can only compare to a smaller version of Las Vegas. It’s big, it’s brash, it’s bold but you can’t help being impressed by the magnificence of it. We stayed at the Palace of the Lost City, which is the best of four hotels in the resort. It was an extraordinary place, a bit like a fairy tale palace.  The interior of the Palace features mosaics, frescoes and hand-painted ceilings, as well as some impressive sculptures of South African animals. It was a shame that they appeared to be all out of sun while were there. The weather was terrible with rain and thunderstorms. We had booked a balloon trip one morning and had to be up at 3am. I had just got myself ready to go when we received a phone call to say it was cancelled due to bad weather. Boo hoo! A balloon trip has always been on my list of things to do. Maybe another time…

One evening we went to the Casino and spent the grand total of £30 on roulette but it was great fun! I did notice however, that most people appeared to be taking it all very seriously. It was a complete contrast to the atmosphere I remember in Las Vegas where everyone was very chatty and friendly.

We spent two nights there and then we left for Madikwe. I tell you, if you ever go on safari, I can highly recommend Jaci’s. This place was amazing! The whole setting, the lodges, the staff, the food. All excellent. It is truly a luxurious place and much, much better than I was expecting. This was my first experience of safari. Jaci’s is in a private game reserve. Once you enter the reserve you have to drive yourself to the lodge, where you are met by staff. As we tried to find our way to the lodge, we encountered a large bull elephant who was in must. He was coming towards our car flapping his ears madly. It was a very frightening experience. How was that for a welcome? Anyway, we had two game drives a day, one in the morning (5 am start!) and one in the evening. We saw so many different animals Impala, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Warthog, Kudu, Rhino, Hippo, Elephant, Lion, Buffalo and many, many more. But it is not just about the animals, you learn about flora, fauna, insects, birds – so much to take in! The sunset we experienced on the first evening was spectacular. That’s a pic of it above. Another scary moment was when we encountered a lioness with two cubs. She was not very happy and kept growling at us – only about 10 yards away! It was soon time to leave and we felt we had made some good friends while we were there.

From there we left for Cape Town. We stayed at a beautiful Victorian Villa, where again the staff could not do enough to help – it was so refreshing to experience such good service. Thankfully the weather was much kinder to us in Cape Town so it was blue skies and sunshine every day. You would think 6 days would be enough to do all the touristy things in Cape Town wouldn’t you? Not on your life! You need so much more time than that. We did Table Mountain, the drive to Cape Point, a tour of the Winelands, Robben Island, V&A Waterfront. I loved Camps Bay, a small bay with some very cool, chilled out bars. It was a great spot for a sundowner and to watch the world go by. Cape Town is such fantastic place.

The Winelands Tour was very entertaining. We visited the Muratie estate at Stellenbosch where I purchased a bottle of Amber Forever 2008, a dessert wine, which was first produced in the 1930’s. The name Amber originated from both the colour of the product as well as the novel “Forever Amber” written by Kathleen Winsor in the 1920’s. The novel is the story of a high class girl who kept some of the British upper class gentleman happy and content in the 1920’s. The picture far left is a portrait of the lovely Amber with the lovely Amber! The label actually quotes “Softly, voluptuous, Amber’s sweet fruitiness lingers long after the last goodnight”. Remind you of anyone?.

We also visited Franschhoek for more winetasting and lunch. On the way back from the Winelands we went to a Cheetah sanctuary where I was able to stroke three baby Cheetahs!

Of course you can’t go to Cape Town without experiencing its culinary delights. I had some excellent seafood. However, two particular meals stood out way above the others – we had lunch one day at the best restaurant in Cape Town – La Colombe. The service was impeccable, the food there was exquisite – and the setting! Simply beautiful. It certainly lived up to its expectations. We also had a champagne high tea at the iconic Mount Nelson Hotel. So indulgent, so decadent, so English, so mmmmmmoreish! Yum!

The night life of Long Street was fun. We had some great laughs in the Dubliner Irish Bar. Long Street was the only place where I really experienced proper integration of whites and blacks.

Two weeks seemed fly by, but at the same time, I felt I was away for ages. If that makes any sense. Anyway, we nearly missed our flight back and just made it back after a hair-raising car journey to the airport! Phew!

The pics below are left at the Mount Nelson Hotel and right in the garden of La Colombe.

It was a great trip and, if you get the chance to visit South Africa, jump at it – you will not regret it. The culture, the people, the weather, so many memories. Thank you to my lovely travel companion – excellent company and the perfect gent – who definitely got the true girlfriend experience on safari. Little moi sans make up and my au natural wavy hair lol! it was very special experience.

I am been whisked away to South Africa for a fortnight from tomorrow and won’t be available for Escort dates in  Manchester until 2 February. Aren’t I a lucky lady? I am spending a few days at Sun City in Johannesburg, then going on Safari, then spending the remaining time in Cape Town.

I was slightly concerned when I heard about a man being killed by a Great White Shark in Cape Town a few days ago. I think I will be staying away from the sea lol! I do have another concern. I always like to do my research before I travel to a foreign country. I love Tripadvisor and was reading about the accommodation I will be staying at while on Safari. It looks gorgeous. However, one couple wrote that they were woken up by a giant snake in the bedroom one night. Oooer. Better watch out for that one lol!

So my bag is just about packed and I’m off to stay at Manchester Airport Hotel tonight as it is a very early check in.  I’m soooo looking forward to my next big adventure!

Here’s a little excerpt: “Everything everybody says and her pictures show, gorgeous, petite with an everpresent grin and twinkle in the eyes. Always dressed dead sexy. Makes heads turn. I must confess I have seen Amber many times and am a big fan. We, as ever had loads of fun. Always fantastic company, with a great sense of adventure.”. Thank you Henry the Tiger! I’m looking forward to our next tryst already.

The date took place at Mottram Hall Hotel, a country house hotel in Cheshire. Personally, I wouldn’t bother going back but our date was great fun. Not so much fun trying to get our cars out of the snow bound car park the next day. Read it here Punternet Field Report.

I went to see Nowhere Boy last evening. It is a film based on the teenage years of John Lennon in post war Liverpool just before the Beatles went to Hamburg. The Director is the artist Sam Taylor-Wood and it is only her second film. Her artistic background is very evident in the film, with her use of colour.

Lennon is played by Aaron Johnson. His Aunt Mimi is played by the brilliant Kristin Scott Thomas and his mother Julia by Anne-Marie Duff.  The contrast between the two women is remarkable. Aunt Mimi is genteel and middle class, Julia, his mother, is flighty, flirty and feisty.

John was brought up believing his Mother is really his sister. He re-establishes contact after years apart and Julia introduces him to music and, more importantly, rock and roll. Their intense relationship is portrayed as almost incestuous.

I felt that Johnson’s performance as Lennon was overshadowed by the two much stronger females. However, he did get Lennon’s sarcasm, insolence and wit across very well and his accent wasn’t too bad either.

John is depicted meeting a rather young looking and cherubic McCartney (Thomas Sangster) and he later joined the Quarrymen. Julia is shown at the front of each concert, embarrassingly, clapping and whistling louder than everyone else and flirting with the other band members.

The film is not about the Beatles, in fact, the name Beatles is never mentioned in the film. It is about a young boy struggling to find his identity in spite of his turbulent upbringing.

I loved spotting Liverpool landmarks such as at the beginning of the film when Lennon is running through the columns of St George’s Hall.

It is a very warm, emotionally charged and likeable film and one I recommend you see, Beatles fan or not.

I love this quote taken from the official John Lennon website:

“If John Lennon had only been one of the four members of the Beatles, his artistic immortality would already have been assured. The so-called “smart Beatle,” he brought a penetrating intelligence and a stinging wit both to the band’s music and its self-presentation. But in such songs as “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown),” “Rain” and “In My Life,” he also marshaled gorgeous melodies to evoke a sophisticated, dreamlike world-weariness well beyond his years. Such work suggested not merely a profound musical and literary sensibility – a genius, in short — but a vision of life that was simultaneously reflective, utopian and poignantly realistic.”

I spent most of New Year’s Eve day pampering myself for the big party -  nails, hair, etc. I wanted to make an extra special effort to bring in 2010. I bought my sexy red corset dress about a month before but saved it for New Years Eve. I accessoried it with some red and pink sandals and the cutest little Lulu Guiness clutch bag in pink, shaped like a pair of lips. Pity it didn’t come out too well in the pics. Another one of my lovely pressies was a perspex necklace and earrings set which was edged in red. The gent concerned had no idea it would go so well with my chosen outfit. As it was a chilly evening I added a little fur stole to complete the ensemble. I definitely made a grand entrance and turned more than a few heads!

The function was in Chester where we started the evening with champagne and canapes. We were then entertained by a live band while we dined on scallops, beef wellington and panacotta (and of course more bubbly) – the food was prepared by Heathcotes and was divine. Everyone was in a very jovial mood and banter was exchanged across the tables, which almost never happens in a restaurant on a normal evening.

Just before midnight, my party and I decided to move next door to  a night club as Boy George was bringing in the New Year. That was a bit of a disappointment as he was on stage for approximately 5 minutes and we were surrounded by beer monsters pushing and shoving us. Incidentally, I was told the next day that Boy George was on Jools Holland Hootenanny. No, that can’t be true I thought.  Jools Holland is always live on New Year’s Eve. Right? Wrong. I did a bit of research and found out that the show is recorded the week before! Can you believe it? What a swizz – all those people pretending it is 12 o’clock and jumping around like idiots.

Anyway, we decided to return to the more sedate environment next door and were treated to a fabulous fireworks display on the way back. The second band was now on stage and playing some really cheesy disco music so, of course we all hit the floor and partied the rest of the night away until the wee small hours. We returned to our nearby hotel exhausted but happy. Definitely a night to remember. Bring on 2010!

Well Christmas has been and gone. I had a lovely quiet Christmas and Santa was VERY kind to me. My two most favourite gifts were a gorge pair of Louboutin thigh length suede boots and a lovely poem and a picture, which I have been given permission to publish on my blog so watch this space. Thank you gents! I hope you like this pic of me on my post Xmas lunch walk in a Manchester Winter Wonderland.

I’m off to prepare myself for a posh dinner dance tonight. I love to bring the New Year in in style!

All that is left is to wish you all the best for 2010. I wish you all health, wealth and happiness.

lots of love Amber xxx

I just wanted to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and best wishes for 2010. Thank you to all the lovely gents I’ve met this year for such fun times.  I for one will enjoy spending the next few days with family and friends. Off to defrost the turkey …

PS Did you hear about the man who swallowed a Christmas tree?

He got tinselitis! Ho Ho Ho!

Please Santa may I have this dolly for Christmas. I’ve been a very good girl …. YES I HAVE Verbatim!

Well I am finally ensconced in my new place and very cosy and intimate it is too! I even have some Christmas decorations up now. I’m looking forward to a Dirty Martini or two tomorrow evening, followed by a full body massage on Sunday morning mmm!

Here is a pic of me from my recent trip to Edinburgh. My companion for the evening took me for dinner at Tigerlily – a lovely restaurant and well worth a visit if you are in the area.

So all I have to do now is wrap up all my Christmas gifts and look forward to a lovely Christmas Day with family and friends. I just hope Santa knows where to find me on Christmas morning …

I’m back from Edinburgh and moving into my new incall place, plus attempting to organise Christmas. Please bear with me if I am not able to answer emails and phone calls as promptly. I am still available for escort bookings but just VERY busy. Normal service will resume as soon as possible lol! Aaargh!