Getting a group of women journalists and media people together to visit a tourist destination is the preferable way to do it for one high-powered Joburg PR who says the girly bonding time makes for good friendships and happy memories.
Theresa Gibbon, who specialises in travel public relations, says while men can be good company on an outing to one of her client’s venues, there is something remarkable about a girly weekend.
I was a little nervous when I spied on the itinerary that after we had done an inspection of the hotel we would be immersing ourselves in the steaming jacuzzi on the deck of the cottage.
Um – well – I don’t actually own a costume. It’s true – since my daughter was a toddler I stopped swimming. I felt too ashamed of my post-baby bod and that was many years ago. It was a relief to find that we all shared this trepidation. No, I did not submerge beneath the bubbles in my birthday suit.
I sat on the edge with my legs gently bubbling and absorbed the gorgeous country scenery. There was something mystical about the winter countryside on our doorstep. The parched yellow grass on the fields and the steam rising around us.
It was heavenly. A mixed group of ladies – most of us in our forties and fifties, except for the birthday girl who was about to hit the big 30. We may not have been the prettiest posse to visit the cottage – but we were the merriest. Spurred on by champagne bubbles and delicious pink gin and tonics, we began to let down our defences.
Women are a little bit like cupcakes – there is the hard icing on the outside, often decorative and sweet – this is the armour we wear daily. But inside we are soft and gooey, mainly.
When strange women get together it is easier for us to share our real feelings. To admit to insecurities about body image and relationships, to chat about children and work struggles. For a brief moment in time, all judgement is suspended and we become our authentic selves.
When you don’t know someone well you veer away from silly gossip and focus on other things far more important – like handsome tennis stars and their legs, school memories and travel experiences.
Some of us went for a walk the following morning in the country beauty of the Blue Crane reserve, surrounded by gentle Brahman cattle and natural forest. I admit that I had made a disastrous choice in footwear and went hobbling back to the cottage – fat and unfit.
I then found a beautifully warm spot on the sofa and I slept. Perhaps it was the revenge of the pink gins but my head was a little delicate. Oh to just be… what a treat! No school run, no home emergencies – just the all-encompassing quietness of the surrounding nature.
Our next stop was the beautiful spa for hours of pampering. Maybe I did not work out before the spa pampering session, but I was not going to miss out! The others came in hot and sweaty… my babelaas (hangover) had subsided nicely.
But it had been an age since I had done anything this luxurious. The Brahman Hills Spa is surrounded by rows of lavender bushes. The smells inside were just as exotic. One can choose an essential oil to suit your body’s needs. Some are designed for relaxing and others for rejuvenating tired minds.
Closeted in a treatment room you can submit to the gentle pressure of a massage. For me, it felt like an out of body experience as I allowed my mind to wander. To round off the experience we had a manicure and pedicure and we felt like queens. There is nothing like soft silky hands and feet to make you feel beautiful on the outside. Wherever we walked we were trailed by the exotic scent of aromatherapy oils. The Brahman Hills Spa has a special bridal room for a bride and her retinue and while they are pampered for the special day they are served fresh healthy snacks and champagne.
The spoiling did not stop at the door to the spa… we were invited for a special three-course meal at the stunning 89 on Copper, this restaurant is situated underneath the foyer in the basement – the designer has used shiny copper pipes as accents against the rustic stone and wooden textures. It feels like a secret – tucked away under the hub of the hotel.
It is an intimate space that oozes luxury and style, the perfect spot to have a birthday celebration, or even a great backdrop for a romantic proposal. Pairing their top wines with a three- or five-course meal is a treat.
A simple mushroom soup starter was unforgettable, followed by a vegetarian lentil and chickpea cougette, and a tender lamb shank. We ended our sumptuous supper with a chocolate brownie and meringue combo. After this veritable feast, our tummies were full and the beds calling.
But over dinner, we got more serious and discussed our life-changing moments, our dreams and ambitions and suddenly it was not at all awkward to confess to wanting to be a famous artist or hoping to contribute to a noble charity. I have learnt that as we get older we keep these dreams and hopes close to our chests, possibly believing that they may never come true. But the less we say them aloud the more they remain buried under layers of fears. To voice your dreams in a supportive environment is to give them life. It is a cathartic experience to share with a relative stranger and allow them a brief glimpse of your inner soul. On the surface, it was just a girly break in an idyllic setting but for all of us, it was a connection to each other.
On our return to the cottage there was a warm candle softly glowing in the lounge and while the stack of games and magazines were inviting – we called it a night. It was sheer indulgence to sink into the huge bed. We were sated and relaxed.
What a wonderful break away and we left with minds, bodies and spirits restored!
Thank you to Theresa and our hosts Brahman Hills for allowing us to share this visitors experience at Brahman Hills. To my fellow travellers – Theresa, Angie, Tess, Tracey, Victoria and Pearl… I enjoyed getting to know you a small bit. May we remember to celebrate our power as women and our connection to each other.
Fact file about Brahman Hills:
Brahman Hills offers accommodation in their hotel rooms, B&B and self-catering cottages.
They host weddings at their waterside chapel and have facilities from 10 to 380 guests at the reception.
They also have a top-class spa venue for pampering, perfect for guests and also for bridal parties needing some spoiling (also open to the public)
Guests can enjoy fine dining at the three restaurants on site (these are also available for non-resident guests)
Conferences can be held at the hotel or in the Agility Hub.
Guests in the self-catering cottages can order meals from the hotel or they can get takeaways from the nearby Midlands Kitchen complex offering 16 different types of cuisine.
Brahman Hills is situated near Nottingham Road in the KZN Midlands.
Written by Trish Beaver, www.trishbeaver.com.