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Tea (rec.drink.tea) Discussion relating to tea, the world's second most consumed beverage (after water), made by infusing or boiling the leaves of the tea plant (C. sinensis or close relatives) in water. |
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Dear Tea friends this tea story was written couple months ago. Here is
the post with my final touch. Enjoy... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kingdom Of Swaziland a small landlocked Southern African country. The entire country is surrounded by Mozambique and South Africa. This is one of the most beautiful, green, colorful, mountainous country in Africa. The king is the ultimate power but the country is pretty much like South Africa- GNI per capita $1,700 but still some people are poor. modern roads, modest medical system, good British education system exgist. The main problem is 45% population believed infected with HIV, pretty scary. English language is widely spoken and English style life style is also very interesting to observe. You guys already know about my free three nights gift voucher in Royal Swazi Sun Hotel. The hotel is situated a beautiful mountainous area call- Ezulwini. The area surrounded by couple of mountains, beautiful bush trees and flowers. Perfect example of near to heaven. Royal Swazi has 18 holes golf club, one of the most beautiful golf club in the world, Wonderful afternoon tea-coffee areas just next to a huge swimming pool with a beautiful fountains. Wide selection of cake, pastry, finger food. While I was driving and enjoying beautiful wide open view, mountains. Southern Africa is beautiful, green and colorful. The negative news about Africa we heard of is central, sub-Sahara Africa. The area I was driving call Malini, suddenly I saw a sign board "TEA". I was excited, after a 2 and half ours drive, I wanted to stop and relax. The shop is small, a flower nursery( I can't even remember how many kinds of flower plants, orchid I have seen), small play corner for kids, many African handicrafts and musical instruments. All the people are drinking tea were European. Launch time, the tables were full of tourist. This part of Africa is full of rich European tourist, retired with heavy bank balance. Traveling Southern Africa is expensive for traveler who want to explore with style. This group of traveler also come to collect precious stones, animal skin, ivory etc. Africa is full of resources and that is another reason why Africa will continue to suffer for corporate greed. Anyway, I was wearing shorts, my favorite "Myrtle Beach" baseball hat, T-vas sandal- a perfect example of typical American tourist. My dress up was too easy going compare to those senior European with light color suited gentlemen and flowery English skirt dressed gentlewoman. Who cares, I took a corner where only one small chair was waiting for me without any table for resting my arms. Anyway, I am used to with rough and tough journey and I am fit in any kind of environment. Indeed, my dress up was not very welcomed in that environment so the waiter came to me late and asked me "Sir, we have no extra table but if you want you can wait and have a cup of tea." I asked for a cup of black tea and wanted know their selection. He was most probably European-African with heavy accent and tried to shit with me about their tea selection. I asked for their best black tea blend. He said their blend is very rare and custom made of Chinese, Ceylon and South African black tea calls "Swazi queen". I just didn't like his body language. He came back with a tea pot and cup filled in with so-called Swazi Queen. I took a sip and called him to me and said "When did you start making up story about your blend." He looked at me with surprise and say "Excuse me". I said no excuse as long as you are not telling me the truth. This tea is pure South African black CTC which produce little black tea. It is not smooth at all, the rough and full bodied distinctive taste easily remind me of Transeki tea. He looked at me and start shouting why should he lie with me. Other people start moving their head to our conversation. I said I am also wondering why should you lie with someone who know something about tea quality. One English lady came to us and asked the guy why he can just bring the blend to us. His face became very red, I understood now he is in trouble. He start shouting to me and say Sir why don't you drink your tea rather then challenging my tea quality. Swaziland is a peaceful quiet country and the royal petrol police always intervene with any small dispute. They came front of us and I felt they were tilted to their fellow citizen who was challenged by a foreigner which is not good for their tourist industry. They asked my identification such a way than I was a criminal. I gave them my passport and the funny thing start happening. First of all they salute me for my diplomatic pass and asked if I need a ride to Ezulwini. I said, look guys I am here to eat and visit your country not to be dominated by a hot headed man who doesn't know anything about tea or trying to bluffing me. The policeman apologies and asked the waiter to give my money back. By this time other people became very interested in our conversation and a 30's gentlewoman invited me to have launch with her. According to her gentle offer was to learn more about tea. She though the waiter was very unfair and I deserve some rest and peace. Well, I never consider myself as an special person rather then a citizen of the universe. This is very interesting to see how some people still respect people who dare to face the truth. I end up with a bunch of European to present a small lecture about tea, then culture and politics. The majority people were going to spend Royal Swazi Sun Hotel and we end up our journey with a little convoy. It was fun to be with this group of European. I want to give you a little background why Americans are so influential and respected in Swaziland. Swazi king maintain a lavish life who cares a little about HIV problem. Couple years ago he wanted to buy a private jet which package would cost the country $25 million. The money was really needed for their social development project. All the foreign donor disagreed with his plan but no one tried to stop him. After all Swaziland doesn't depend on foreign aid like other African nation. Swazi citizen were very upset with his decision. The US government came with the real threat if he proceed with his plan then US government will stop all foreign aid(for your information our expert and peaceCorp is working very hard to control their HIV problem which helps them to have some sort of control to spread HIV disease) and will declare the king as an unwanted guest to the United States. The threat was not official, it was delivered to him privately. That threat was enough to stop the king to drop his royal plan. After that Swazi people respect Americans even more. Anyway, it was almost dark when we entered to the Ezulini valley. Oh what a scene. I was stunt by the beauty of the valley. That night we were invited to a cooking competetion. They choose eight different group of people who were provided raw meat and spices and had to cook their dish and share the food with each other. The prize was to stay in the hotel's Royal suit for three nights. My group got the responsibility to cook lamb curry in a South African porkey pot. For your information, Porkey Pot is a huge iron pot which needed to be cultured as Yixing tea pot. The cooked food get a different taste for the pot. The pot need to be set inside a hole which is full of hot charcoal. It was so much fun to be with different people from different countries, we danced, we exchange our views, we drank some top quality South African wine include a new wine call Green wine. The taste is in between white and sparkling wine- very smooth, fruity and round flavored. After cooking and eating session we had good English style tea. I also steeped my Lord Ripon's blend and gave away my stock to other people. They liked it so much, I even had to receive some order from some of my new friends. As always I never accept money to share my passion. One Dutch woman was so fond of my blend, she gave me a little elephant bone statue as her gratitude. The world is so beautiful. I don't understand why some of us still don't understand, exchange of knowledge and tea can change some of our political tension. I think all we need is to sit together and exchange dialogue. Next day, I went to visit world famous "Ngwenya Glass Factory". Everything is 100% recycled glass and handmade with quality human touch. The famous Dutch glass craftsman Peter Bremer visited this glass factory and praised their quality work. They make beautiful, elegant glass decorative bowl, plate, flower vases, napkin rings, drinking glasses with African design. Things can be expensive to moderate price. I have seen a lot in my life but this is one of my favorite place where I have to come back again. I bought a lot of crystal napkin rings and some decorative bowls which were designed in Netherlands. I am always curious to learn about art and crafts. My Dutch friend who I met during my afternoon tea adventure, helped me a lot to understand the secret of glass art and the glass art culture in Netherlands or Holland. The factory compound also has a small craft market which offers African weapons, artifacts and crafts, unique ceramic product, crafted rocking horse and curved wooden statues. This glass factory is Africa's most prestigious glass factory. The British Royal family collected a lot of pieces to decorate some of their castle and palaces. I can write a book about this beautiful factory. Interested people click on this link please http://www.ngwenyaglass.co.sz/ After the trip we had a wonderful cup of Ceylon tea in there Cafeteria with some interesting people. They also have a beautiful chocolate store who import raw chocolate from Belgium and shape them in many African animal design. First time in my life, I had spicy chocolate which they mix with a little crushed dried chilies. Their Hazelnut chocolate was a real treat. The chocolate is forms in animal shaped design in their factory and served little hot and fresh. This taste is totally different then the one we buy from our super market. The great advantage in Swaziland is the country is small and you can go to any corner of the country with 2-3 hours drive. The roads are wonderful quality and the traffic system is very standard. The country is full of beautiful hotels and resorts. I have been to Mbabane river, Big game park, Mantenga falls, weaving village, enjoyed fishing in Usuthu forest lake, the nature reserve of Lubombo, Pine valley(very German rural looking), caving, rock climbing and enjoy typical Swazi Sibhaca Dancing performance. It was a memorable trip and I will go back to this small beautiful African country again and again. It is just three hours drive from Maputo, Mozambique. If you like quiet, natural beauty, high land, green mountain, animal life and culture Swaziland is a perfect country. I recommend highly to visit Swaziland. I hope you enjoy my post though it was more about culture rather then tea. Have a nice tea day. Ripon Maputo, Mozambique |
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