Adventures of an Expat in South Africa
As an expat, I often reflect on which qualities make a good expat. But what is true for expats is also true for travel companions. The hilarious travel memoir "What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding" elaborates on a certain less-than ideal travel companion and gives excellent advice in form of a list "you use when interviewing your next potential trip partner."
Zimbabwe is often maligned for its political situation, but it is a wonderful travel destination that stands out with beautiful and diverse scenery as well as incredibly friendly people. There is much more than Victoria Falls to see in Zimbabwe, so make sure you plan your trip accordingly. Here are some insider tips by guest blogger Simon Massey.
When I recently came across a copy of Ticket to Timbuktu by Joe Lindsay, I jumped. The next best thing besides traveling to a place is visiting it by proxy when reading a compelling travel memoir. I was not disappointed. Ticket to Timbuktu is nothing fancy, nothing overly dramatic, but a very honest account of one man’s trip from his home in Scotland to Timbuktu and back.
Frankly, I feel like our 3-year stint in South Africa was one giant nonstop adventure. I mean, you could already get a nice jolt of adrenaline by simply driving from Joburg to Hartebeespoort Dam and passing the first "hijacking hotspot" warning sign. But I suppose you are reading this because you're looking for another type of adventure. Here is a list to get started.
"Hi, I have recently moved to Johannesburg and will be here for couple of years. Would it be possible for you to share the top 10 must visit places in SA with me. Thanks in advance!" - Find the answer to this question from an expat on Joburg Expat.
Namibia is a great place to visit, but do not take a road trip through Namibia without planning ahead. You should make sure you rent a 4 x 4, or, if you bring your own car, you should make sure you have one or two (or, really, three) spare tires with you. I speak from experience. The good news is, our teenagers learned how to become expert tire changers on that trip.
If you should ask me about my favourite part of South Africa, my answer would likely be the last place I have been to. But there are some very special places that I always dream of going back to. One such place is the Northwest corner of South Africa, the outermost edge of the Northern Cape Province bordering Namibia. I love the simplicity of miles and miles of – nothing.
we may just have hit on the perfect American equivalent to our beloved safaris, featuring all the elements of our forays into the bush: A remote location, endless drives on bumpy paths, an abundance of wildlife, cheeky tree-dwellers stealing your food, and gorgeous sunsets. Introducing a little Africa in America: Dewees Island in Charleston, South Carolina.
Have you ever had the crazy thought of touring Europe by rail for three weeks with four kids in tow? Are you thinking of doing this without your spouse to help heave suitcases onto luggage racks and drag overtired kids out of bed in the mornings? If yes, and especially if Paris is one of your travel destinations, you might benefit from these valuable lessons learned.
There was a reason I had put Amsterdam near the end of my Europe tour. Whatever stress I would surely have accumulated after crisscrossing Europe in a succession of trains and buses and however much whining to the power of four I would have been at the receiving end of, the one thing that would cure me of all these ills, would be a visit at an Amsterdam coffeeshop.