Uncategorized Archives - TRAVELBUCKET

SCHREINER: KAROO WRITERS FESTIVAL

by Inge Triegaardt Earlier this month we were invited to a festival that would normally be frowned upon in our household. Why? Well, I honestly do not have an answer for you. Maybe because we don’t see ourselves as being on a high enough level (whatever level that is) or we simply would not want to attend, because reading books for a couple of days and listening to people reading books is straight out boring! Oh how wrong could we be! This is the perfect place to be in the middle of winter, all snuggled up in an old Victorian Hotel in the middle of the Karoo, with winter woolies and fires crackling in the background. Yes, we braved the cold and headed to the Karoo town of Cradock for the weekend of 17-21 June to attend the Schreiner: Karoo Writers Festival. Upon arrival we soon bumped into the likes… Read more >

BRITSTOWN AND BEYOND

On our flash pack trip in February, we travelled along the N10 that stretches all the way to Upington and beyond to the Namibian border. Britstown is more or less a dot on the map that is never an option for us to stop in. Although it was a flash pack trip, I quickly Googled to see what comes up on Britstown and ta-ra-ra there you go! Something new that I discovered so we had to stop to take the picture before we moved on. Britstown was named after the local farmer J J F Britz (with a Z), better known as Hans. Now what made Hans so important that a town was named after him? Hold your hats! The platteland never disappoints and always come up with some interesting facts and stories. Hans Britz met the Dr David Livingstone, who visited his father-in-law, Robert Moffet, when he was on… Read more >

BEST TRAVEL TIPS TAKEN FROM 20 YEARS OF TRAVEL

About 25 years ago we set out on our first overlanding trip. We were newbies and not a lot of friends was into overlanding and they actually thought we were off our rockers to go and wander beyond the South African borders to explore Africa. Looking at those old pictures we were something to look at (I do not want to use the word spectacle, because that sounds a bit like a circus, but over the years we have refined our travel kit and way of travelling that suits us. So, what did we learn over 20 years? Travel with an open mind. First and foremost, do not expect things to be like at home. That is why you travel. To experience different places, cultures and perspectives. Be flexible. Being flexible can save you some money. It is costly to change pre-booked activities or flights. Costs which can go towards… Read more >

A KAROO FARMHOUSE WITH THE PERFECT LOCATION

by Inge Triegaardt If you ever find yourself daydreaming about the beautiful Karoo Landscapes, the bare mountain ridges (sometimes capped with snow), the warmth of a fire in the winter or the cool shade of the big ‘stoep’ around a homely Karoo cottage, dream no further. Snap out of it, NOW!! Pack your bags and hit the road, we will meet you at our favourite Karoo Farmhouse. It is situated at the foot of the majestic Towerkop Mountains a mere 15km from Ladismith on the famous Route 62 that dissect the Klein Karoo. In the fertile Dwarsriver Valley where the most sophisticated wines are being developed from lush green vineyards, Arusio Farmhouse @ Towerkop awaits you. Driving on a well maintained gravel road, admiring the beautiful views, you might think that you have left the Karoo landscape behind when you turned off the R62. Here you will soon switch your… Read more >

BATHROOM NIGHTMARES

This is one place you cannot avoid on a camping trip. When you have to go you have to go, but it can be a pleasant or a horrific experience. We came up with a routine that works for us when we are camping, but yet again this is something that you more or less have to work out what is your family’s needs. We choose not to pitch our tent to close to the ablution blocks for mainly two reasons: there is a constant foot traffic to and from the ablution block past your camp and well, unintentionally so, there emanates a bit of a smell from time to time. These are things that bother us, but other families may have other needs for the choice of pitch. Off to the bathroom then. Over time I have come up with a plan to avoid dirty surfaces on my bathroom… Read more >

5 EASY TO FOLLOW RULES FOR SOLO FEMALE TRIPPERS

Solo travelling may not be for everyone, unless you like your own company and enjoy everything by your own-some lone-some and do not want to consider anybody else. If this describes you – go for it! However, there are a few things that you need to get in place to make the trip, not only for yourself but also those that you left behind, easier and comforting. Sticking to these five easy rules can make a huge difference to a solo trip experience. Read on! Rule 1: Start off on a good foot or will that be a good tyre? Before you spread your wings and leave home base, check your car’s tyre pressure. This can easily make or break a trip. It is also a good habit to form to check the overall conditions of your tyres on a regular basis. Rule 2: Keep hydrated, especially during summertime. Know… Read more >

THE TALE OF THE SACRAMENTO

Like many old artefacts there is a story behind the story and so does the Sacramento canon also have a back story. This canon was on the deck of the Portuguese galleon Sacramento when it ran aground on 30 June 1647 off the coast of Port Elizabeth – for those of you who do not know Jan van Riebeeck only arrived in 1652 in the Cape of Good Hope so five years prior to old Jan setting foot ashore at the Cape of Good Hope. What caused the disaster and how many people were aboard the Sacramento is unknown, but 72 made it to shore. After 10 days the group decided to walk from Port Elizabeth to Maputo – which is about 1 300 km away by the way – from where they planned to get a ship to Europe. It must have been hostile and wild country back then… Read more >