Luke Powers is a passionate traveller, always keen to explore new destinations. But mostly he enjoys exploring his own back yard: greater Cape Town. He loves a slow road trip on backroads, with plenty of time to meet the locals and take loads of photos. He lives in Cape Town and revels in every detail of this popular layered city, especially the City Bowl and surrounding mountains. He is a bit addicted to running, especially on trails. What else? He has a fascination with junk stores, flea markets and left field collectables. He is constantly searching for the perfect cup of coffee and croissant.
What is it that you do exactly?
I am the Managing Director of Africa Bespoke. This means that I am involved in the day to day operations of the business. This includes sourcing new business,dealing with some enquiries, managing and updating the website, blog and socialmedia aspects, marketing, plus going site inspections and educational of our preferred properties. Never a dull moment.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Planning travel for our clients: plotting the trip, pitching it perfectly, matching it tothe persons likes and needs, plus putting it together so that the result is seamlesstravels. I also really enjoy dreaming up exciting new journeys by combining interesting destinations and activities. Africa has so many unique aspects toexplore.
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
Rovos Rail -I recently took this legendary luxury train from Victoria Falls to Pretoria. Whata treat! It really is a superb experience, with every detail thought of, incredibleservice, fine cuisine and the most scintillating wine list one can imagine. Hard tobeat just whiling away the hours in the Observation Car reading a novel, talking orplaying backgammon to the rhythmic clickety clack of the train.
Jinja, Uganda -Lived in a tent overlooking the White Nile River for 3 months whilst working for ariver rafting outfit. We live a simple life on the equatorial forest-lined river bankswith the mighty Nile flowing past below, red earth in between my toes. Good beerfantastic people, great memories.
Sabi Sabi Selati Lodge -The Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve is hard to beat. Legendary for its Big Fivesightings, it delivered my Big Five dream: a world class leopard sighting. We wereguided by a ranger who charming raconteur with and unsurpassed knowledge ofthe fauna and flora.
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
Tough question as I love my food and restaurants, plus we are lucky to have somany good ones to choose from in the Cape. I would have to say wild boar huntingstew and roast pheasant in Italy, near Rome. Cooked by my Italian cousins andeaten in a medieval village atop a hill. Hard to describe the authentic vibe andtastes.
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
A few years ago in Brazil we were in a small surfing beach village near Salvador,called Itacare. There were very few travellers around, so every day we shared thebeach with a small band of English speaking travellers, which included a coupleof good looking girls. English speaking girls were a rare find in Brazil, so thesingles amongst us got a lot of flak for not chatting them up. No brainer, right?Nothing happened of course, until a couple of days later when the penny finallydropped and we suddenly realized it was none other than Charlize Theron, StuartTownsend, Kate Bosworth and Orlando Bloom! Our single mates were thenforgiven for not attempting their best chat up lines on these Hollywood A listers.
What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?
Nepal – for some incredible trekking and whitewater kayaking.
Thank you for taking part in our interview, Luke. Your responses make for an enjoyable read.
