Guest Feedback: Visitors comment and evaluate their Giardino experience

Unser Aufenthalt in "Sam's Giardino"
From: Dieter Hager - Germany
Sent: 20 September 2008 09:16 AM

Hallo Herr Egger,
eine Woche nach Rückkehr aus Namibia möchten wir uns noch einmal ganz herzlich für die sehr angenehme Zeit in Ihrem Hause bedanken. Alles, was Sie auf Ihrer Internetseite versprechen, haben wir "vor Ort" in authentischer Form erlebt.

Besonders beeindruckend fanden wir - neben Ihrer offenen Art und dem persönlichen Stil der Betreuung - die Art und Weise, wie Sie Ihre Mitarbeiter führen. Eine Besonderheit, die zur Wohlfühlqualität in Ihrem Hotel nicht unerheblich beiträgt. Auch die wohlerzogene Ornella leistet natürlich das ihre (bitte ausrichten).

Wir werden "Sam's Giardino" in bester Erinnerung behalten und jederzeit gerne weiterempfehlen. Sofern wir Sie in bestimmter Form unterstützen können, hören wir gerne von Ihnen.

Mit den besten Grüßen aus dem herbstlichen Fichtelgebirge Deutschlands
Malin, Linus, Marianne und Dieter Hager
COACHINGPROINNOVATION
www.coachingproinnovation.de

Expert Africa Feedback

Mrs Clare Moore & Party from the UK visited Sam's Giardino in August 2008

"Another warm welcome, with Sam's personal attention to all our needs even our smallest question was answered. We ate in on two of our three nights, Pierre ably hosted our first evening, and both meals were enhanced by Sam's wine suggestions. The location was great for getting around and seeing the sights. As ever the staff were friendly, happy and efficient."
Location: Excellent / Rooms: Good / Service: Excellent / Food: Excellent / Facilities: Excellent / Overall, they voted their stay here as: Excellent

Expert Africa Feedback

Mr David Graham & Partner from the UK visited Sam's Giardino in May 2008

"One of the first things we liked about this place was that it was the only double bed we had during our whole stay! (Everywhere else it's two separate mattresses pushed together).
Sam was a charming and very attentive host, his service during our evening meal was first-class. We ate one of the best meals of our stay here thanks to his culinary expertise, entertaining and outstanding service and great wine. He knows just what wine will go with each dish, so just let yourself be guided by him! What we found really charming was that he would sit down with his guests and talk to them - in English, French and German with equal ease! He has a very extensive knowledge of wine, especially from South Africa, and will happily share it with you. He has trained his staff to very high standards and it shows. Our room here was fine, as was the location, maybe 15 mins' walk from the town centre. Breakfast was also very good."
Location: Good / Rooms: Good / Service: Excellent / Food: Excellent / Overall, they voted their stay here as: Excellent

P. S. from Sam: We are glad that some guests favour our double beds. There are however only 2 rooms in this configuration. The remainder of rooms have twin beds, as described by Mr. Graham. So please advise us with your booking, which you prefer.

In A Room, Next To A Garden With A Bamboo Roof ....

From: Hadi El-Tonsi, Ambassador of Egypt to Namibia
Sent: 23 May 2008 06:43 PM

DEAR SAM
-----
IN A ROOM NEXT TO A GARDEN WITH BAMBOO ROOF, I WAS AWAKENED BY A FEELING CALLING ME TO WRITE...LIGHTING A SIDE LAMP, I FOUND A LEATHER COVER TITLED 'EINSTEIN BOOK' WITH EMPTY PAGES INSIDE WAITING FOR MY REFLECTIONS.
THIS TIME, EINSTEIN WAS A DOMESTICATED MOUNTAIN DOG, HUGE BUT CUTE, PASSIONATE AND LAID BACK, WITH A KIOSK NAMED AFTER HIM, IN A GARDEN SURROUNDING THE PLACE.
THE HOTEL, SIMPLE AS IT WAS, EMBODIES HIS OWNER'S CHARACTER WITH FINE ELEGANT DETAILS IN ALL CORNERS AND PLACES; CANDLES ON TOP OF DINING TABLES, A WINE CELLAR, A SITTING ROOM ACCOMMODATING GUESTS AT EVENINGS BEFORE OR AFTER DINNERS, WATCHING WORLD CLASS DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT WILD LIFE AND NATURE IN NAMIBIA, SAFARI, ELEPHANTS CROSSING DESERTS, CLOUDS ALTERNATING WITH SKY CHANGING COLOURS.
A COMFORTABLE SOFA IN A ROOM UPSTAIRS, WITH A TABLE IN FRONT TOPPED WITH TOURISM AND CULTURE BOOKS, WITH BREATHTAKING SCENES, AND A TEA CORNER WITH A COMPUTER BESIDE.
THAT WAS THE FORTH TIME TO CHOOSE THE HOTEL AS REFUGE FOR DAYS. YOU FEEL THE OWNER IN EVERY PLACE, BUILT WITH LOVE, DEDICATION, CARE AND ACCURACY, BREAKING HIS SOUL'S LONELINESS, REACHING OUT OPENLY, CALMLY, PEACEFULLY AND KINDLY AT FIRST CHANCE, SHARING WITH GUESTS CONVERSATIONS AT DINING TABLES, PRESENTING AND COOKING TASTY MEALS. OVERWHELMED BY COSINESS AND WARMTH, THEY SHARE COMPLIMENTS AND TALKS IN DINING, SETTING AND TEA ROOMS, CARESSING ORNELLA WHO SEEMS TO TAKE AFTER HER OWNER'S CHARACTER, CATCHING ATTENTION AND CARE, AS IF THE GUESTS GREET THE OWNER FOR HIS SILENT LOVE AND CARE WITH DETAILS THAT SPEAK ABOUT HIM, CHALLENGING THE GUESTS FORMALITY, SO THEY COME BACK TO HIM OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
NO NEED SOMETIMES TO SPEAK, IF THE ALTERNATIVE WAS A PERSISTENT LOVING EFFORT, OPENING HEARTS, AND FILLING THEM WITH CONFIDENCE, AND GRATEFULNESS, EVEN SUBCONSCIOUSLY, FOR AN INTEGRATED SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS MADE WITH SELFLESS GIVING.
IN THE CITY OF SWAKOPMUND AT THE NAMIBIAN ATLANTIC COAST, YOU CAN BE OVERWHELMED BY BEAUTY, CALMNESS, SAFETY, THE OCEAN BREEZE, THE ABUNDANT SPACE AND TIME, AND THE EASY GOING PEOPLE TO HARBOUR THE BEST FEELINGS, TO CONNECT TO OTHERS AND LIVE FOR A HUNDRED YEARS. SO LISTEN TO YOUR SENSES, SHARE OTHER PEOPLES FEELINGS, BREAK THE EGO'S PRISON WITH TRUE LOVE 'GIVING FEARLESSLY YOUR ENERGY TO LIFE WITHOUT RESERVATION, LET US BUILD LIFE WITH GOODNESS AND PURITY, AND MAKE LOVE A NON-STOP GIVING WITHOUT GUARANTEES, SO WE RECEIVE THE UN-AWAITED FOR OUTCOME, TO LIVE THE HAPPINESS WE DIDN'T ASK FOR BUT THAT CAME TO US WHEN WE BECAME SELFLESS.
HADI

Expert Africa Feedback

Mr Robert King & Partner from the UK  visited Sam's Giardino in Apr. 2008

"Excellent food, wine and company, in a friendly relaxed environment. As far away as possible from a standard hotel.
Little Switzerland in the desert, not for those looking for lavish hotel services."
Location: Good / Rooms: Good / Service: Excellent / Food: Excellent / Activities: Good / Facilities: Good / Overall, they voted their stay here as: Excellent

Grüezi ... to all Swiss citizens living abroad - in German:
Man fand sogar Sam's Giardino im fernen Namibia!
Wir reichen dies gerne weiter - wer macht noch mit?

From: info@wirauslandschweizer.ch
Sent: 20 February 2008 03:20 PM

Sie & 645 009 Schweizerinnen und Schweizer leben fern der Alpen.

Am 1.1.2008 ging das Internetportal www.WirAuslandschweizer.ch ins Web mit dem Ziel, Treffpunkt der Auslandschweizer/innen aus allen Ecken der Welt zu werden.
Ein solcher Treffpunkt hat bis heute gefehlt.

- Auslandschweizer/innen persönlich
- Vereine, Vereinigungen, Interessegruppen, usw.
- Handelskammern, Berufs- & Geschäftsvereinigungen
- Schulen, Lehrer, Künstler, usw.
- Firmen / Geschäfte (klein bis gross) von Auslandschweizer / innen

sind eingeladen Einträge auf dem Portal vorzunehmen.
Ohne Mitgliedschaft und kostenlos.

Schauen Sie vorbei und bauen Sie mit am Portal das Auslandschweizer/innen verbindet - www.WirAuslandschweizer.ch

Mit freundlichen Grüssen,
Christian Lindecker
Baar / Schweiz

Expert Africa Feedback

Mr Edwin Truman & Partner from the UK visited Sam's Giardino in Oct. 2007

"We travelled to Swakopmund by Cessna from the Kulala Airstrip. Super deja views of the red dunes and then of the abandoned diamond mines and the coast, Walvis Bay and then a landing at the small Swakopmund Airport. Our only hitch of the planned itinerary Failure of our rental car to appear. It was sorted by the next morning so we cabbed into town and walked the town's grid pattern of streets. A solid community
contrasting with the desert on its doorstep. Shops enough and an obviously self sufficient population with its own activities and amusements as well as the attraction of the seaside beach.

Sam and his welcoming Guest House are both very original!. Sam is an ex pat Swiss with experience back home in the large hotel business who had a dream to create his own very comfortable establishment some nine years ago. It is very relaxed and he will spend time talking with you about life in Namibia and particularly in Swakopmund with its core of long term German and Swiss residents. He takes great pride in his creation and his loyal team of staff. He has plans for further development of the property. he will provide an in house five course meal with excellent accompanying wine.

He has just suffered the loss of Mr. Einstein, his PR asst. Mr. Einstein's comfortable kennel house and water garden are to be taken over by a younger female companion. The tributes to Mr. Einstein continue to pour in.

Trips from here to Walvis Bay and Cape Cross are recommended. Try to get to Cape Cross (approx one hour drive) by ten in the morning to beat some of the bus trippers. Amazing sight of thousands of fur seals, all active or lolling on the shore within easy view. Do not be put off by the warnings of the stench. Soon forgotten when this special animal place seduces you to simply stay and stay and keep watching!"
Location: Good / Rooms: Excellent / Service: Excellent / Food: Excellent
Overall, they voted their stay here as: Excellent

Einstein
From: Marion Brown
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 7:43 AM
(We shortened this email from the breeder of Einstein and Ornella)

Dear Sam
I am so sorry to hear that Einstein has made his last journey to the Rainbow Bridge. It gave me a lot of happiness to know that he was living with you and having such a wonderful life as your Marketing Manager and I think that Ornella will also miss her "Big Brother". Thank you for caring for Einstein so well and I know that he will be looking out for you to join him again one day.
...
Here is something in memory of the beautiful Einstein:

"LIVING LOVE"

If you ever love an animal, there are three days in your life you will always remember:

The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your young new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may have asked numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a breeder. Or, perhaps in a fleeting moment, you may have just chosen that silly looking mutt in a shelter--simply because something in its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore, and claim its special place in your hall or front room--and when you feel it brush against you for the first time--it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the many years to come.

The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later. It will be a day like any other. Routine and unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will look at your long-time friend and see age where you once saw youth. You will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy. And you will see sleep when you once saw
activity. So you will begin to adjust your friend's diet--and you may add a pill or two to her food. And you may feel a growing fear deep within yourself, which bodes of a coming emptiness. And you will feel this uneasy feeling, on and off, until the third day
finally arrives.

And on this day--if your friend and God have not decided for you, then you will be faced with making a decision of your own--on behalf of your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest Spirit. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you-- you will feel as alone as a single star in the dark night.

If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you.

But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul--a bit smaller in size than your own--seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come.

And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, you may feel something brush against your leg-- very very lightly.

And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lay--you will remember those three significant days. The memory will most likely be painful, and leave an ache in your heart--As time passes the ache will come and go as if it has a life of its own. You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache.

But there will be, I assure you, a fourth day when--along with the memory of your pet--and piercing through the heaviness in your heart--there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love-- like
the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted, this Love will remain and grow--and be there for us to remember. It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live. It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave, perhaps to join our Beloved Pets--it is a Love we will always possess.

- Martin Scot Kosins -
from "Dogs Never Lie About Love", Geoffrey Masson

With kindest regards

Marion

Teversal Bernese Mountain Dogs, South Africa
www.teversal.co.za

Visit of Alex, the Wine Traveller
During his 2007 trip around the world to visit famous wine regions in the Southern hemisphere, Alex, a young wine connoisseur from Cardiff in the United Kingdom spent some time with us. He's written a very informative and entertaining Blog about his travels and dedicated the better part of the following page to his stay at Sam's Giardino:  http://winetraveller.wordpress.com/2007/10/07/a-week-in-namibia/

Thank you, Alex, it was a great pleasure meeting you and we hope to see you again when next in our part of the world. All the best for the "northern round" and for whatever will come next! Sam, Ornella and the Giardino Team

Sad news

From: Mike and Linda Scott, UK

Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 10:04 PM

Dear Sam

Just heard from a friend, Alex who stayed with you recently about Einstein.  Was so sorry to hear this sad news.  Had he been unwell?  He was the picture of health when we stayed with you in May and we have some nice photos to remember him with.  He was a much loved pet who will be sorely missed by all who met him.

With best wishes

Expert Africa Feedback

Mrs Sarah Dixon & Partner from the UK visited Sam's Giardino in Sep 2007

"Sam is a first class and charming host; quietly organising you whilst giving you a lot of information on the town. We attended 2 wine-tastings and found them very informative and pleasurable. He made our stay in Swakopmund special and we would definitely go back."

Location: Good / Rooms: Good / Service: Excellent / Food: Excellent / Activities: Excellent / Facilities: Good / Overall, they voted their stay as: Excellent

Since we only introduced this Guest Feedback Page in Sep 2008, comments dating back more than a year were omitted.
We valued them just as much for the many ideas they provided for our upgrade & improvement activities around the Giardino.
So ... thanks so much again for your feedback and suggestions and please keep writing to us. We'd love to hear from you!