The Cape Getaway Show will take place from 23-25 March 2012 at the Lourensford Wine Estate. Join us -
Exciting new video of Chelaya
We have recently added a lovely video of Chelaya for your information. Please take a look and experience this wonderful lodge. After watching it, I’m sure you will be excited to take the opportunity of visiting.
Latest comments from guests about Chelaya
“Thank you for everything – what an absolutely wonderful place!! “ Kayla
“Thank you for a fantastic space and place to relax. Beautiful! “ Jeff
“Dear Harriet & Mike, We enjoyed so much your wonderful home & gardens and really appreciated your hospitality! Looking forward to the next time we can return. Best Wishes” – Wayne
“Wow! What a wonderful “home” during our stay in Cape Town. Thanks!! 
” Juliette
2nd Blogging 101 and Module 2 workshop to be held at Chelaya in February
Due to popular demand, the second “Blogging 101″ workshop will be held at Chelaya and facilitated by Sophia Shuttleworth.
Sophia has been blogging for 8 years. Through several of her blogs she has become a respected blogger on numerous subjects. She will use her experience and lessons learned, so that you do not have to start out by struggling to learn every blogging lesson the hard way.
Blogging 101 Workshop
Why blog??? if you are using Twitter, Facebook, and other Social Media.
You would Blog…
• To share a passion
• For self-expression
• promote business
• Share your knowledge
What will a blog do for you?
• A blog is your home base
• Twitter, Facebook and other social media are the “satellites” or “outposts”
• The “Satellites” can lead fans or prospective clients to follow you home (Your blog)
• Your blog will allow them to really get to know you through more in depth information, product profiles, or editorial letters.
• You are not in control of what happens on Facebook and Twitter but you can be in control of your blog.
What you will learn at “Blogging 101”
• Step by step guidance to setting up your first blog.
• To write your own posts
• How to grow your readership
• Introduce you to basics of blog writing
• Commenting
• Blogging terminology
• Platforms
• Copyright and promotion
If you are thinking about setting up a blog, or are blogging already but do not know how to go forward, this workshop is for you. Besides sharing information blogging will also teach you a lot about yourself, your niche, and technology.
When: 4 February 2012
Time: 14h00 to 18h00
Where: Chelaya Country Lodge
Cost: R280.00
Bring: a laptop if you have one, but not essential
Space limited so book soon
50 % deposit to secure your space
Module 2 – If you would like to go more in depth, and learn how to optimize your blog, then join this module.
By now you should have set up your basic blog, and started your first blog entries and will be ready to take your blog to the next level. This part of the course will include:
- SEO and Visibility
- How do you create content? What should be in the content? How do I get people to read my content?
- “Nobody ever comments.”
- Linking and Guest blogging
- Re-Purposing Blog content
- Modify Blog Settings and customizing
- Editing
- Tags
- Widgets/Categories/Plug-ins
- Website Analytics
- Resources for Bloggers
When: 11 February 2012
Time: 14h00 to 18h00
Where: Chelaya Country Lodge
Cost: R280.00
Bring: a laptop if you have one
Space limited so book soon
50 % deposit to secure your space
Time: 14h00 to 18h00
Where: Chelaya Country Lodge
Cost: R280.00
Bring: a laptop if you have one
Space limited so book soon
50 % deposit to secure your space
Posted in Events
Tagged advertising, blog, blogging 101, content, editing, marketing, selling, SEO, tags, visibility, website analytics, widgets, writing
2 Comments
Recent guest comments about Chelaya
Peaceful and tranquil. A chance to connect with nature and a great place to unwind. John & Adrian
Very relaxing and hospitable. Thank you so much. Maggi
Thank you for a very comfortable stay. Will not hesitate to recommend your pad! All the very best, Regards Aloma
This is a very special place and thank you all for making everything so lovely and enjoyable. I really hope to come back again. God Bless. Elizabeth Russell
Chelaya has captured the Old World Charm and elegance of the Cape beautifully. Thank you for a very special holiday experience. Best regards Anne H.
Posted in Chelaya News
Tagged hospitable, nature, old world charm, peaceful, tranquil
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News from Chelaya
Hiring of cars at Chelaya:
As from the new year, we will be offering guests the option of hiring three cars at very competitive rates. A Mazda Soho, Honda Ballade and a Toyota Prada. We will also offer transport to and from the airport, should it be required.
Out of Season:
Long term stays available in Sunset or Garden Cottages out of high season! Our Sunset and Garden Cottages offer everything you would need to stay for a longer period of time if you are between houses or for any other reason. The Garden cottage sleeps 4 people and Sunset 6.
Animal news:
The goose population has virtually tripled in the last few months. Starting with our three families of 2, we now have 24 goslings. They are extremely protective of their offspring and let anyone passing know who happen to pass too closely to keep their distance. The wonderful thing about the geese is that they are great lawnmowers and keep the grass on the lower half of the property neatly trimmed.
The one chicken was found to have a gammy leg. We found her a safe space in the back courtyard where she is being fed special food and having some peace from the other chickens. Needless to say, she seems to have realised that this is a good spot to be as she is receiving all the attention. Josie, the family dog is not impressed as she thinks that her job is to keep chickens out of the courtyard.
7 ducklings were born on the weekend and were removed from their mother to be hand reared as they become targets for hawks. They will be re-introduced when they are able to fend for themselves in about 6 weeks time.
Mike noticed that there was a new bird down at the bottom dam with two chicks which haven’t been seen at Chelaya before. We have identified them as moorhens. The mom keeps very close to the reeds to protect her chicks, while they are very brazen, nipping out and exploring the surrounds, but the minute she calls they shoot back to her side.
The Giant Kingfisher which has not been seen here for awhile was sited yesterday. It must find Chelaya a wonderful feeding ground with all the dams teeming with tilapia fish. If you are lucky, as one of our previous guests was, you may see him swooping down to catch fish in the courtyard pond while enjoying breakfast in the diningroom.
Carefree, Emma’s horse is possibly going to be leaving the farm for a new, loving home as the family children have gone their own ways.
Visitors:
We have a full house this month and are looking forward to seeing the lodge operating at full capacity and meeting some great new friends.
A lovely morning at the”Twitter – taking it to the next level” morning
I attended the coffee and twitter meeting at Avontuur this morning with Bettina Horvath. Bettina has great experience with social media and gave us some great tips and input as to how to use twitter. It has taken me awhile to understand the benefits of twitter but I now realise that it is a great tool to meet new people who have similar interests from all over the globe. I met some wonderful people as well, which made the morning even more enjoyable. Anyone wanting to join Chelaya on twitter can go to @chelayalodge.
Is there anybody out there who has some great tips to share with us with regards to Twitter? We would love to hear from you.
Chelaya and Riaan Manser
Mike and Harriet met Riaan while he was doing his paddling adventure around Madagascar and formed a friendship with him. He often visits Chelaya, which is his preferred place to stay in the Helderberg. Chelaya, Madagascat and Africa by Africans have been following his adventures closely and his latest one, which is now being aired on SABC 3 on a Sunday, 18th December, at 18h00, is his paddle around Iceland with Dan Skinstad. He is planning some great new ones, so watch this blog for latest news. If you are lucky, you may meet him at one of his visits at Chelaya if you are staying here.
Twitter – Taking it to the next level
Chelaya is attending this morning to learn about how to connect more with friends and fans.
If anybody would like to join, see the info below:
Join us for coffee and muffins at the beautiful Avontuur Restaurant to discuss Twitter and its advanced uses in business.
Compare best practices.
Discuss what works – what doesn’t.
And of course network with fellow Twitterers!
Come prepared with any advanced Twitter questions you have, your phone fully charged 
(and or your laptop also fully charged & internet access).
R50 at the door.
Join the Conversation on Twitter! Use this hashtag when you tweet:
#SWTW
To book: Go to -
http://twtvite.com/SWtwitterati