Zensa Lodge is an oasis in a hectic world. Situated in the sleepy village of Scarborough, bordering on the national park of Cape of Good Hope; you feel yourself transported to another world. Zensa’s pools, sauna and jacuzzi are all there to relax you, make you forget the every day worries. The thundering ocean always audible, the mountains surrounding you, the millions of stars at night and the pristine, luxurious rooms; Zensa Lodge has it all. And all this at just an hour away from the vibrant city of Cape Town.

OPTIONS

We are able to cater to most desires you would have: a massage, a ride to Kalk Bay for a lovely lunch, an hour in the sauna or just sitting with a book next to the pool. A weekend at Zensa Lodge will give you a real sense of being in a world far removed from the hectic life of the big city.

CULINARY

Our chefs would be delighted to pamper you during your stay at Zensa Lodge. Lunch with fresh products from our garden; a lavish dinner with excellent wines accompanying it. Breakfast at the time of your choice, fresh orange juice, fruit salad, home baked bread and delicious coffee. Take your time, read a bit of the newspaper, and listen to some soft jazz.

SCARBOROUGH

Scarborough, the most Southern hamlet on the Atlantic coast, is a world in itself. A conservation village with no shops, with a rustic restaurant that has not changed the menu for a decade, the ocean in front, surrounded by the mountains of the National Park. No street lights and gravel roads set Scarborough apart from any other place in the Southern peninsula.

Get out of town - breath in some fresh air. No parking hassles, no hooting horns or sirens. The ocean on your doorstep, no streetlights only an endless starry sky. A weekend away - nothing to worry about. Pampered, slowing down the pace.

And from Cape Town you don’t have to travel far, no airplane to take, no traffic jams. In just under an hour you can arrive in Scarborough, that forgotten village, nestled within the national parks of the Cape.

Arrive on Friday, any time you want. A lovely dinner at night, a digestif at the fire place. A energizing breakfast on Saturday and the day all to yourself: drive to Kalk Bay for lunch and nose around the many antique stores, linger around the gardens of Zensa Lodge, stroll to the beach. Saturday evening with a lavish dinner, accompanied by superior wines. Sunday sleep-in late, a healthy breakfast, a spa treatment, including a full body massage, a late lunch, check-out whenever you want and leisurely drive back to the city.

Special rate: from R 2 250 p.p. (2 nights, all meals, a bottle of wine per couple per meal and the massage are included in this special offer)

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4 day reiki course given by Reiki Master Jose Figueroa Garcia.

Details will follow soon!

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Come to one of the most magical places in the world to work with a dream rhythm section for a week to record your demo. Seven singers from all over the world meet three wonderful musicians to work with on repertoire, timing, groove, tempo and lyrics. Music and being in a special place will give you an unforgettable experience and you will take home a valuable musical souvenir.

Imagine working day after day with Hein Van de Geyn, former bassist for Chet Baker, Dee Dee Bridgewater and many, many others. Think about rehearsing every day with Karel Boehlee, pianist of Toots Thielemans, arranger, producer and one of the best pianists in the field. Work with Hans van Oosterhout, drummer for numerous artists, deeply experienced accompanist, versatile and flexible.

During the final days of your stay you will record 4 tunes with the trio. Chris Weeda, engineer for hundreds of successful jazz recording will be there to make the recordings and will do the mixing and mastering in Amsterdam. Afterwards a promotional CD will include 2 tunes of each singer, and will be made available through the network of Challenge Jazz Records.

This seasoned trio (my "dream team" - Toots Thielemans) will work with you in all kinds of settings during the 10 days you spend in Scarborough. Working on harmony, timing, lyrics, blend and improvisation. But also: visit the Cape Point National Park, go to a concert in Cape Town and see the whales. Great food every night, a luxurious room in a wonderful guest house, learning, singing, listening and in the end recording, and taking home a valuable musical souvenir of an unforgettable week.

Ten days of learning, developing and at the same time experiencing the magic of South Africa.

HEIN VAN DE GEYN

Hein has been traveling the world as one of Europe’s leading bassists. He performed and recorded with legends like Chet Baker, Toots Thielemans, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Philip Catherine and Enrico Pieranunzi. But the list of musicians he associated with can easily be a who-of-who of jazz. Besides this performing career, Hein has taught extensively; headed the jazz department at the Rotterdam conservatory and has been writing educational books on the bass for several years now.

KAREL BOEHLEE

Karel is one of the finest pianists in the field today. A humble man, yet a powerful improvisor with a piano sound that takes your breath away. Karel’s impeccable sense of harmony, his flawless rhythm, his musical taste are his great qualities. He is one of the true accompanists around today, and it is for that reason that legends like Toots Thielemans, Meredith d’Ambrosio, Toon Roos have Karel so high on their list.

HANS VAN OOSTERHOUT

Hans van Oosterhout has been the favorite drummer for numerous great artists. From Enrico Pieranunzi to Toots Thielemans; from Philip Catherine to Dee Dee Bridgewater. Hans is known for his versatility, his joyous way of playing, his impeccable technique, but mostly his deeply musical approach. Hans can be heard on around 100 recordings, has a full schedule as a performing artist, but has been a passionate teacher for the last 20 years as well.

CHRIS WEEDA

Chris might be Europe’s number one jazz engineer. His sense of how to make the music sound true and natural is breathtaking. Almost 20 years of experience on stage and in studio - specialized in jazz - make him the most in demand engineer for jazz recordings in a large radius. He recorded over 400 CDs, of which several were award winning. For the last years Chris has been doing live sound for the legendary Toots Thielemans all over the world.

download the detailed programme

Special rate: R 12 500 p.p. (10 nights, all meals, local transport, education and recording are included in this special offer)