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130 entries.
wrote on June 27, 2024
at
12:51 pm
Dear Alan, dear Swans and future Swans, our time here has come to an end and we both cannot really believe that this adventure is already over. But looking back at the two months, we know it wouldn't have been the same without you, Alan! Gathering people around the dinner table to meet, laugh and enjoy each other's company is only one part that makes Swanage a home for all of us. You take care of every soul that joins the family. Thank you for that! And thank you for being probably the most underpaid travel agency in South Africa. Kruger - Tamboti camp four overnights and night drives in the South of the Park. Garden route - Robberg Nature reserve 9 km walk with seal and whale watching and the Pilanesberg Safari ++++ So whater your plans are and you need some inspiration --- ask Alan. He might just get you to enjoy watching birds in National Parks and look them up in books he lends to you. Trust us, looking for eagles while having lunch is amazing. We could fill pages with places to visit here but most importantly we always looked forward to come back to Swanage. So while we had our last cup of coffee this morning, we finish this entry with the same words we said goodybye. See you in a few months for a big Safari. Anso and Georg
wrote on June 4, 2024
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1:07 pm
Dear Alan, As it happens, I did indeed come back from Sudan and here's the second note that I shall write in just one year (perhaps thats' a record to beat somewhere in this book). Your kindness and joy in hosting many students like myself is truly valuable and I truly wish you all the best in continuing to make this place available for future swans. Thank you for going out of your way to organise a Safari to the Pilanesberg and making it possible for us to see the lions, but of course people beat animals and that was the biggest joy of being on safari. With your impending PR status in SG your'e always most welcome. I applaud your efforts and the work you do in spiriitually nourishing your swans and know that it is truly valuable. Contine being pulmonoloigst, priest, pianist and park Ranger and do what you do best ::)) Till we meet again. Christen from Singapore
wrote on May 31, 2024
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4:27 pm
Dear Alan, Swanage and all future Swans . Writing here to say good by, or in Chinese this means see you again. Thanks for being such a good host/friend/and a role model to look up to. Thanks for all your effort to calm my nerves to come here, to a new continent. Also thanks for answering all my philosophical questions. This placement has been amazing, pilanesberg was fantastic, the restaurant Fahrenheit memorable, but I think what I will miss in South Africa the most is you. Thanks for all the kindness again, I shall come back, Volunteering, ATLS Fellowship. Please reserve a room for me because I will be back. Ronald Nam
wrote on May 31, 2024
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6:16 am
Dear Alan I will start with your suggestion, Veni Vidi Vici, these four months at Swanage have been wonderful and you and the Swans have been family to me. Swanage is a place of happiness, a place where to go back after a tough call at Bara, a place where we can organise a huge farewell dinner knowing that everyone will feel welcome, a place where everyone can cook food from their country to share with each other. I know you are gonna miss me "your swan leader" but be strong, you will survive ! If you ever need advice I will be available! You have done an amazing job here and I'm sure that you will keep doing that
I will miss this place.
Ari
wrote on May 18, 2024
at
6:33 am
Dear Alan and all future swans
Swanage is truly an amazing place! I do not beleive there are many others who could create such a warm community spirit. What you do here giving us all a home away from home ( for great value too) is incredible Thank you for hosting me and for all the of the memories. Sleeping out under the stars on safari or sharing experiencews with other swans in Bara, the variety and contrast of SA is confusing but with Alan's education programme covering the reproductive talents of Pilanesberg thrrough to growing up in Aparthei from both sides I leave with more than a few pre conceptions challenged. Remember, It's a ptient ....not a chest drain opporunity. Look forward to my next visit Leo..
wrote on April 15, 2024
at
8:25 am
Dear Alan my two and half months in South Afrcia sadly come to an end, but I leave with so many memories. My highlight was definitely the awesome community we had here at Swanage. it made my stay so wholesome and I enjoyed every minute of it. The two safaris to Pilanesberg and Drakensberg trip., the dinners at cheap and good places to eat or just hanging out at Swanage were just a few of these countless nice days I spent here. And we Swans can have this nice time because you do everything to make us feel like home. Thank you also for taking me back and forth to Bara and even to the post-intake round. Swanage really became my home in SA and I hope I can find my way back here soon one day. Mit besten Grube, Michael aus Deutschland
wrote on April 1, 2024
at
7:33 am
There are two things you can really rely on in South Africa, Uber and Alan.
Dear Alan, you made my time here in Joburg very very enjoyable. You provided a safe and nice home away from home and included me into the Swanage family. I will never forget our awesome Safari experience in the Pilanesberg and I still believe the leopard 5m away from us was a paid actor you hired. That was ubelievable !!! Thank you so much for everything. This was a FIVE STAR RATING, liebe Grube,
Jan from Germany Let me know when yo uare around Frankfurt or Cologne.
wrote on March 29, 2024
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1:40 pm
Dear Alan. It has been an amazing time for me at Swanage. We are so grateful for your warm hospitality. For the last four weeks, you have provided us not only with shelter, but also a home. I really enjoyed exploring the city and catching glimpses into life in Johannesburg, and I wish I could have had more time to do so. Thank you for sharing your secrete cafe with us and that wonderful star gazing spot and the all-you-can-eat shushi. Next time you are in Vancouver, I must take you to one as well. I loved hearing your stories and experiences and I wish I had gotten to know you even better. You do so many great things for the community and are truly a saint. Please keep in touch and we must meet again next time I am in South Africa. I wish you and the other Swnas all the best.
wrote on March 29, 2024
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6:47 am
Dear Alan, I've had a wonderful time staying at Swanage. Thank you for your warm hospitality. We've felt so welcomed and safe here. And thank you for all the times you gave me rides to Bara, listening to your stories and experiences is truly eye-opening and I've leaned so much ! (including financial planning).
I really appreciate you introducing us to the awesome restaurants Joburg has to offer. Overall, we've had a really amazing time here in the city. I also learned so much from my elective and gained a lot of skills, I wouldn't have a chance to learn back home. It's exceeded all my expectations !
Let's definitely stay in touch Alan! I hope you can visit Vancouver again some time. Wishing you all the best, Judy.
wrote on March 10, 2024
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5:55 am
Dear ALan. It has been a pleasure to stay in your wonderful home. You are truly an amazing man with unwavering patience, compassion and insight that you give to all your swans. Just looking back through this guestbook is enough evidence to show how many young lives you have impacted and inspired. I have had a fantastic time here in Joburg and it has been an experience that I will never forget. A large part of it has been the community around Swanage where I have met many amazing people and shared some wonderful experieces with them. It felt really easy to get invovled and make friends as soon as I arrived, and I can only thank you for having established this community. Lastly (and possibly the hardest part of leaving) - an ode to the C7 (Yamaha grand piano). Little did I know when I arrived that this beautiful instrument would be waiting for me, hearing you play gave me such joy and has inspired to to continue learning and most importantly, to make enough money so that I too one day could own such a fine piano. I am sure that I will return one day, and perhaps you will have even upgraded to the C9! (Do it !) Thanks again, and wishing you all the best for the future, Luca (Oxford England).
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