travel Archives - MDNtv

Tragedy in Kenya: Plane Crashes Near Kwale, 11 Tourists Feared Dead

Tshepiso Mofokeng — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:22:08 +0000

A tragic plane crash occurred early Tuesday morning in Kenya’s coastal region of Kwale, claiming the lives of 11 people who were believed to be foreign tourists.

The aircraft, a small Cessna Caravan, was flying from Diani to the Maasai Mara National Reserve when it went down in a hilly, forested area about 40 kilometers from Diani airstrip. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion before discovering the wreckage engulfed in flames.

Local officials confirmed that all 11 people onboard were feared dead, though their nationalities have not yet been released. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.

The plane reportedly crashed just minutes after takeoff, leaving behind a charred wreck. Mombasa Air Safari, the airline operating the flight, said it is cooperating fully with aviation authorities as the investigation continues.

The Maasai Mara National Reserve, the plane’s destination, is one of Kenya’s most famous tourist attractions, known worldwide for its spectacular wildlife and the annual wildebeest migration.

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Flights Resume Between India and China After Five-Year Break

Tshepiso Mofokeng — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 07:05:27 +0000

Direct flights between India and China are set to return this month after being suspended for more than five years.

The first route will reconnect Kolkata and Guangzhou, with IndiGo airlines beginning operations on 26 October. The move is being hailed as an important step in restoring ties between the two nations, which were severely strained after a deadly border clash in 2020.

Since then, both governments have been working to ease tensions and rebuild relations. Officials from both sides have met for multiple rounds of talks, and recent agreements have included measures to de-escalate along the Himalayan border and to reopen opportunities for religious pilgrimages and trade.

High-level visits and diplomatic exchanges have also signaled a renewed commitment to cooperation. In recent months, leaders from both countries emphasized the importance of seeing each other as partners rather than rivals, pledging to gradually normalize exchanges across trade, travel, and culture.

The resumption of direct flights is expected to boost people-to-people connections, expand tourism, and strengthen bilateral ties, marking a cautious but hopeful turn in India-China relations.

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Dust Storm Sweeps Across UAE, Halting Travel and Reducing Visibility

Tshepiso Mofokeng — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 18:29:46 +0000

A powerful dust storm blanketed Dubai and several other parts of the United Arab Emirates on Friday, shrouding the skyline and making travel difficult. Visibility in some areas dropped to less than two kilometers, affecting key airports and disrupting daily routines.

The storm, driven by strong morning winds, is expected to last from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Authorities have urged drivers to slow down, keep headlights on, and remain alert. Residents, particularly those with breathing problems, are being advised to limit outdoor activities until conditions improve.

Dust storms like this are common in the UAE’s summer months, when hot, dry air and gusty winds carry sand across vast distances. Officials continue to monitor the situation, and emergency teams remain ready to handle any incidents caused by the weather.

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Red Sea Reverie: Delays and Discoveries on the Road to Israel

MDNtv — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 18:14:13 +0000

Dear Journal,

June 28

We got a little off track yesterday. We were supposed to arrive in Israel earlier in the day, but there was a holiday in Egypt, and the border crossing was closed until after sunset. So, we stopped at a very nice resort on the Red Sea.

Believe it or not, the Red Sea is not red. It’s clear and beautiful, and the water is warm. We had a buffet lunch and just hung out on the grounds until it was time to leave. They also had a pool, but no one had their bathing suits easily accessible, so we waded in the sea and that was it. Later in the day, the true business people started getting antsy, so we requested access to the bus so we could grab laptops and plug in at the lobby to be productive.

It was well into the evening before we got through customs and found our way onto the bus on the Israel side of the border. When we got to the hotel, we were a bunch of weary travelers, not really excited yet that we made it to Israel.

The breakfast buffet at the Ramada was just what we needed to put us in the right mood to venture out. We were on our way to see some religious sites. Time would not allow me to tell you about all the different sites. What shocked me was that Israel is quite desert-like, at least the old city where we stayed and traveled.

I was also surprised that so many of the sites had been overlaid by some orthodox church. The only way to see the “original” site was to go downstairs or peer into a darkened hole. What happened was that the church wanted to protect the location and built a structure on top of it to commemorate the spot. The tour guides provided brilliant information about each location. It was definitely crowded, with people from many ethnicities lining up to view the sites. Many took pictures in front of the buildings or next to the openings.

I particularly enjoyed going to Elisha’s Springs (2 Kings 2:19-22). It was a small area where people sat and took their shoes off to step into the fountain. The simplicity and serenity of the place were refreshing.

2 Kings 2:19-22 (NIV) describes a miracle performed by the prophet Elisha:

19 The people of the city said to Elisha, “Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive.”

20 “Bring me a new bowl,” he said, “and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him.

21 Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.’”

22 And the water has remained pure to this day, according to the word Elisha had spoken.

After this, we headed back to the hotel. It was a long day of walking, and tomorrow brings the excitement of the International Leadership Summit. I can’t wait to see what insights and experiences lie ahead.

This is part 4 of an 8 part series.

#RedSeaViews #JourneyToIsrael #UnexpectedAdventures #MiddleEastTravel #BiblicalSites #TravelChallenges #ExploringIsrael #CulturalDiscovery #SpiritualJourney #FaithInTravel #TravelJournal

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At the Crossroads of Faith: Mount Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery

MDNtv — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 07:07:22 +0000

Dear Journal,

June 27th

I am taking a few minutes to check in with you before we are back on the bus heading to our hotel in Israel. Right now, I am sitting in a little hotel at St. Catherine’s, very close to the base of Mount Sinai in Egypt. We arrived here yesterday and had dinner.

There was an option to take the midnight climb to the top of Mt. Sinai to see the sunrise. Participants would hike to the 7,497-foot (2,285-mt.) peak in the predawn darkness, witness the first light illuminating the mountaintop chapel and mosque, and then descend to the 6th-century Monastery of St. Catherine, built where Moses is believed to have seen the Burning Bush. I did not pack the clothes or shoes to make such a climb, nor did I have the will to climb that long in the dark. Instead, I appreciated just being near the mountain and admiring its beautiful peaks. The testimonies of those who made the trek were inspiring. They spoke about the diverse nations represented there and the worship songs groups sang in their native tongues.

My memorable moment was taking a small tour of St. Catherine’s Monastery after breakfast. The hotel is only a few miles from the monastery. As our bus dropped us off, it was also picking up people who were coming down the mountain.

Saint Catherine’s Monastery, officially the Sacred Autonomous Royal Monastery of Saint Catherine of the Holy and God-Trodden Mount Sinai, is a Christian monastery located in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. It was built between 548 and 565, and is the world’s oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery. Built by orders of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, it encloses what is claimed to be the burning bush seen by Moses. Centuries later, the purported body of Saint Catherine of Alexandria was taken to the monastery, turning it into an important pilgrimage site and eventually renaming it after the saint.

Controlled by the autonomous Church of Sinai, which is part of the wider Greek Orthodox Church, the monastery became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002 for its unique importance in the traditions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The site also holds the world’s oldest continually operating library, with unique or extremely rare works, such as the Codex Sinaiticus and the Syriac Sinaiticus, as well as possibly the largest collection of early Christian icons, including the earliest known depiction of Jesus as Christ Pantocrator.

It is a small area to walk around, but I was most fascinated by Moses’ Well. North of the catholicon, there is preserved to this day the well at which Moses met the seven daughters of Jethro, as recorded in the scriptures (Exodus 2:15-22). The water is still used by the community, by means of a pump. Imagine standing where Moses encountered the next season of his destiny after he had fled Egypt.

We returned to the hotel only to grab our things from our rooms and wait in the lobby for the next destination. We will be crossing the Israel-Egypt border soon. Egypt has been amazing, and I know we haven’t even seen everything. I will need to return again.

This is part 3 of an 8 part series.

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In the Footsteps of Pharaohs: Unveiling Egypt’s Timeless Wonders

MDNtv — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 14:20:56 +0000

Dear Journal,

June 26th

Good afternoon! Right now, we are on the bus heading toward the border between Egypt and Israel. Let me catch you up on everything that has happened since we arrived at the hotel early Sunday morning.

I was in a deep sleep when I awoke to heavy pounding on the door. The group was already on the bus, ready to head out. I was so exhausted that I said I would catch up in an hour or two, grabbed some more sleep, and then took a taxi to meet them at this perfume gallery.

The group was seated in an open room, listening to a gallery staff member explain how the oils are mixed. Members of my group were daubed with several different fragrances from intricately made glass bottles, which we were told are used in some of the world’s most famous perfumes. The air was filled with delightful scents as we sampled the various options.

I was welcomed with a refreshing drink called kakade, made from hibiscus flowers. The cool, tart beverage was a perfect respite from the heat. The boxes to hold the perfume bottles were beautifully crafted, adding to the charm of the experience. We even had the opportunity to mix our own scents, creating personalized perfumes to take home. It was a delightful blend of tradition and luxury, and a memorable part of our journey.

As lovely as it was, I was most anxious to get to the pyramids. On the bus, as we drew closer, I felt like a little kid. They were so big. Once registered, we snaked through the line and eventually were set free to stare and take pictures. And marvel. I thought about how the children of Israel had to make bricks without straw. I wondered if it were these bricks that were used to make these pyramids.

After the excitement of a long day, I was glad to head back to the hotel for dinner and a sound night’s sleep.

After breakfast, we checked out and headed to the Papyrus Institute. The institute is an incredible place where the ancient art of papyrus making is preserved and showcased. Watching skilled artisans demonstrate the traditional process was fascinating. They harvested the papyrus plant, peeled it, and laid out the strips in a crisscross pattern before pressing and drying them into sheets. This method has been used since around 3000 BCE, highlighting the ingenuity of the ancient Egyptians.

The institute also displayed beautiful artworks painted on papyrus, featuring motifs and hieroglyphs that tell stories of daily life and religious beliefs. It was amazing to see how these ancient techniques are still alive today. I even bought a small piece of papyrus art to take home, a tangible connection to this rich cultural heritage. This visit deepened my appreciation for the craftsmanship and history of Egypt.

So now we are on the bus heading toward crossing the border into Israel. I’ll catch up with you later. I am sure I’ll have more experiences to share.

This is part 2 of an 8 part series.

#PharaohsFootsteps #EgyptianHistory #PyramidsOfGiza #PapyrusArt #CulturalImmersion #AncientEgypt #TravelWithPurpose #BiblicalConnections #ExploreEgypt #TravelMemories #LeadershipSummit #traveljournal

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Embarking on a Sacred Journey: The Road to Egypt and Israel

MDNtv — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 13:48:50 +0000

Dear Journal…

June 24

Sitting right here in JFK Airport, I can feel the excitement building up. In just a few hours, I’ll be starting a 26-hour journey to Cairo, Egypt. This will be my very first time exploring a country in Africa, and the thrill is truly overwhelming. The tour is set to lead us through sites of great significance in the Old Testament and the life of Jesus. Just think about touching the Red Sea waters and standing on ground steeped in biblical history. Egypt, with its ancient marvels and deep historical importance, is eagerly waiting.

Next, we’ll venture into Israel, a small piece of land that has been fought over by ancient families and tribes for centuries. I’m curious if I’ll be able to sense the history when I arrive. Could modernization have erased the landmarks and culture of those times? Perhaps. Yet, I’m hopeful to catch glimpses of the past as I stroll through those historic settings.

I haven’t had the chance to meet anyone from this group face-to-face. Our interactions have been limited to apps like Clubhouse, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Soon, I’ll get to share a cup of coffee and sit beside them on the bus. The idea makes me feel a mix of nervousness and excitement. This tour isn’t just about sightseeing; it also involves a leadership summit for a day and a half, along with an international dialogue in Israel. I still can’t believe the incredible experiences awaiting me.

This smiling face was greeting me as I landed in Cairo

I’m pondering about what I should focus on remembering the most: the landscapes I’ll be traversing or the diverse cultures I’m about to encounter. Perhaps both. Every step will be a learning opportunity, every interaction a tale to remember. And of course, I really hope they serve good coffee.

—

June 25, 3 AM, Cairo

I’ve made it here, but I’m feeling so exhausted. We’re currently waiting at the airport as the bus hasn’t arrived to pick us up. One person in our group lost their luggage, so we have to wait for them to complete all the necessary paperwork. The hotel is quite a distance away, and they’ve mentioned they won’t make two trips, so we’re all in this waiting game together.

Right now, all I crave is a quick shower and a comfortable bed. I managed to find a bench in a corner to catch a nap while waiting. Despite the fatigue, there’s a sense of togetherness forming as we bond over these travel hiccups. The sounds of conversations and laughter surround me, providing comfort in knowing we’re all sharing this experience.

6 AM

At last, we’re enroute to the hotel. It’s still dark outside, so there isn’t much to see at the moment, but honestly, I’m too worn out to mind. The bus journey is quiet, with everyone too tired to engage in much conversation. The city lights of Cairo swiftly pass by the windows, silently introducing us to this ancient city.

The hotel is unassuming on the outside and yet gives off a peaceful oasis vibe after my long journey. The shower was hot and just what I needed. The breakfast buffet was amazing, and the wall of glass windows let in all the sunshine from the rising sun.

I’m getting excited just thinking about all the adventures that await me after waking from my nap. Standing before the Great Pyramids, one of the ancient world’s marvels, is going to be an incredible experience that I can hardly wait for. As I drift off to sleep, envision the amazing journey that lies ahead. This is only the start, and already, it looks like this trip will be full of unforgettable moments.

This is part 1 of an 8 part series.

#SacredJourney #EgyptAdventure #TravelDiaries #BiblicalLandmarks #LeadershipSummit #ExploreAfrica #CulturalHeritage #MiddleEastTravel #HistoricalSites #FaithAndTravel

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#MdntvExpose: Alleged Dark Secrets of Shazmin’s Luxe Patisserie Restaurant in Nelson Mandela Square

MDNtv — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 02:58:46 +0000

Mdntv uncovers the alleged shocking truth about Shazmins Restaurant in Sandton’s Mandela Square. Former employees allege severe mistreatment, harassment, and exploitation, enduring grueling hours, inadequate pay, and a toxic atmosphere.

They faced unauthorized salary deductions, forced tip-sharing with the owner, and verbal abuse, often punished for minor infractions and pressured to work while ill.

Lacking contracts and essential resources, employees were left vulnerable in an unregistered establishment, fighting for their rights and unpaid wages.

Join us as we hear powerful testimonies from former staff, the restaurant’s responses through their lawyer, and investigate how The Bargaining Council plans to intervene in this unfolding crisis.

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT on the mdntv android app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tvstartup #mdntv #southafrica

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Unmissable: Hear what our amazing Leadership Summit Speakers Have to Say!

MDNtv — Wed, 03 May 2023 11:59:36 +0000

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Lunar New Year tourism hopes fizzle as Chinese stay home

MDNtv — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 10:05:34 +0000

BANGKOK (AP) — A hoped-for increase in Chinese tourism in Asia over subsequent week’s Lunar New Year holidays seems set to be extra of a blip as most vacationers choose to stay inside China in the event that they go wherever.

From the seashores of Bali to Hokkaido’s powdery ski slopes, the hordes of Chinese typically seen in pre-COVID days will nonetheless be lacking, tour operators say.

It’s a bitter disappointment for a lot of companies that had been hoping lean pandemic occasions have been over after Beijing relaxed restrictions on journey and stopped requiring weeks-long quarantines. Still, bookings for abroad journey have skyrocketed, suggesting it’s solely a matter of time till the business recovers.

“I think the tourists will return around the end of February or early March at the earliest,” stated Sisdivachr Cheewarattaporn, president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, noting that many Chinese lack passports, flights are restricted and tour operators are nonetheless gearing as much as deal with group journey.

COVID-19 dangers are one other large issue as outbreaks persist following the coverage about-face in China, he stated in an interview. “People are possibly not ready, or just getting ready.”

For now, the Chinese territories of Macao and Hong Kong look like essentially the most favored locations.

Just days earlier than Sunday’s begin of the Lunar New Year, iconic vacationer spots within the former Portuguese colony, like historic Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul’s, have been packed. Gambling flooring at two main casinos have been largely full, with teams of Chinese guests sitting across the craps tables.

“I’m so busy every day and don’t have time to rest,” stated memento store proprietor Lee Hong-soi. He stated gross sales had recovered to about 70%-80% of the pre-pandemic days from practically nothing simply weeks in the past.

Kathy Lin was visiting from Shanghai, partly as a result of it was simple to get a visa but additionally as a result of she was involved about dangers of catching COVID-19. “I don’t dare to travel overseas yet,” she stated as she and a good friend took images close to the ruins, initially the seventeenth century Church of Mater Dei.

That fear is retaining many would-be trip goers at home even after China relaxed “zero COVID” restrictions that sought to isolate all circumstances with mass testing and onerous quarantines.

“The elderly in my family have not been infected, and I don’t want to take any risks. There’s also the possibility of being infected again by other variants,” stated Zheng Xiaoli, 44, an elevator firm worker in southern China’s Guangzhou. Africa was on her bucket checklist earlier than the pandemic, however regardless of craving to journey abroad, she stated, “There are still uncertainties, so I will exercise restraint.”

Cong Yitao, an auditor dwelling in Beijing, wasn’t anxious about catching the virus since his entire household has already had COVID-19. But he was postpone by testing restrictions and different limits imposed by some international locations, together with the U.S., Japan, South Korea and Australia, after China loosened its pandemic precautions.

“It looks like many countries don’t welcome us,” stated Cong, who as an alternative was planning to move for a subtropical vacation spot in China, like Hainan island or Xishuangbanna, to take pleasure in some heat climate.

According to Trip.com, a serious journey providers firm, abroad journey bookings for the Jan. 21-27 Lunar New Year holidays have been up greater than five-fold. But that was up from virtually nothing the yr earlier than, when China’s borders have been closed to most vacationers.

Reservations for journey to Southeast Asia have been up 10-fold, with Thailand a best choice, adopted by Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Indonesia.

Travel to different favourite locations, just like the tropical resort island of Bali and Australia, has been constrained by a scarcity of flights. But that’s altering, with new flights being added day by day.

“You will see an increase, certainly, compared with last year, when China was still closed, but I don’t think you will see a huge surge of outbound travelers to different destinations within Asia-Pacific, let alone Europe or the Americas,” stated Haiyan Song, a professor of worldwide tourism at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Tourism Australia forecasts that spending by worldwide vacationers will surpass pre-pandemic ranges inside a yr’s time. Before the disruptions of COVID-19, Chinese accounted for nearly one-third of vacationer spending, practically $9 billion.

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport has elevated staffing to deal with greater than 140,000 arrivals a day in the course of the Lunar New Year rush, although solely particular person Chinese vacationers might be coming for now — group excursions from China have but to renew.

As a superb orange solar set behind historic Wat Arun, beside Bangkok’s Chao Phraya river, a Shanghai man who would give solely his surname, Zhang, posed with a companion in colourful conventional silken Thai costumes.

“It’s very cold in China, and Thailand has summer weather,” stated Zhang, including that he knew many individuals who had booked tickets to get away from his hometown’s chilly, damp climate.

Still, for a lot of Chinese, the attract of world journey has been eclipsed, for now, by a need to move to their hometowns and meet up with their households, practically three years precisely for the reason that first main coronavirus outbreak struck within the central metropolis of Wuhan in one of many largest catastrophes of recent occasions.

Isabelle Wang, a finance employee in Beijing, has traveled to Europe, the Middle East and components of Asia. After three years of a slower-paced life in the course of the pandemic, her precedence is to be reunited along with her household in Shangrao, a metropolis in south-central China.

“There’s still a lot of time remaining in our lifetimes, and there will certainly be opportunities to go abroad later when we want to,” she stated.

___

Leung reported from Hong Kong and Macao. News assistant Caroline Chen in Beijing and Associated Press journalists Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Tassanee Vejpongsa and Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul in Bangkok, and Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.

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