TRAVELBUCKET

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SUDAN

When hubby went to work in Sudan (before the divide into Sudan and South Sudan) I had to grab a map and look closely where exactly in Africa it is located! Then I started to Google all the lesser known but interesting facts about Sudan. As the temperature rises to 50 degrees Celsius in summer time the first thing that strikes you as you get off the plane in Khartoum is the oppressive heat whether it is early morning or late at night and then the different culture and way of living due to the extreme temperature where the tarmac melts during midday. However the Sudanese people are very friendly and always willing to share what they have at their disposal even if it is just cup of sweet tea or a glass of water. Everywhere you will find clay pots on the street where people can have a… Read more >

SUNRISE AND SUNSET

I salute every beautiful sunrise with a praise to my Almighty God and thank Him for another day on this earth to enjoy and appreciate. Words and pictures are not always enough to reflect on each day’s unique beauty. What an awesome place we live in – absolutely spectacular.

AN EPIC JOURNEY WITH A 1962 LAND ROVER

A classic 1962 Landy was an item that was on hubby’s bucket list for a very long time. So it happened that while he was working somewhere in Africa he bought this old lady over the internet and had to pick it up at O R Tambo on his homeward journey. So off I go on a Kulula flight to O R Tambo to courier the necessary tools, several other items as well as some warm clothing that (we thought) would be needed for this epic journey after the late snow falls that had the country buzzing. A bit of TLC here and there and we set off on a 1 200 km road trip to take her home. All went well until just before Kroonstad where our first of 42 unplanned mechanical stops started. With a speed of about 20 kmph and a stuttering Landy we arrived at the Shell… Read more >

BETOWERENDE BOTSWANA

Ons kom Botswana binne by Ramatlabama Hek (06:00-22:00) en kies koers in die rigting van Gaborone en dan oor Serowe na Khama Rhino Sanctuary waar die Botswana regering ‘n teëlprogram het vir swart renosters. Hier by Khama Rhino Sanctuary kwetter die voëls in die bome en die bokke kom loop sommer mak hier om jou staanplek rond in die aand terwyl kos aan mekaar geslaan word en die son rooi sak in die Weste. Gepantser teen die koue en met groot opgewondenheid neem ons my 76-jarige ma, wat nog nooit op ‘n aand game drive was nie, uit in die veld! Wat ‘n belewenis was dit nie vir haar. Absoluut die moeite werd om die rit aan te pak en ouma bo-op die wildkyk voertuig te kry. En soos wat dinge nou maar is, is die geluk nie aan ons kant nie, want as gevolg van ‘n wildtelling aksie wat… Read more >

A WEEKEND IN MONTAGU

An all girls weekend wandering took us to Montagu in the Boland region. The town was named after the former secretary of the Cape Colony, John Montagu. It was also known as Agter Cogman’s Kloof. With its picturesque setting Montagu is famous for the mineral springs nestled on the verge of the town, impressive rock formation as you drive westwards on the R62 towards Robertson, outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and rock climbing, good food and local wines and of course the Montagu Dried Fruit Company. We used Paul and Shirley’s Koo Karoo Cottages as our base and explored the town and surrounds. Our first wandering took us to the Old English Fort – declared a monument in 1999 – perching on top of the “tunnel” in Cogmanskloof about 4 km from Montagu as you drive towards Ashton on the famous R62. The fort was built by stonemason William… Read more >

A VISIT TO BANGKOK, THAILAND

It is holiday time – where shall we go? So I bought the tickets, meet up with hubby at OR Tambo and off we go via Doha to Bangkok to do a double take on this – see some family and see where the road leads us for the next 28 days! As we were picked up late at night at Bangkok airport by the relatives you realize that you are in for a hot and humid couple of weeks. Luckily we packed light. Bangkok is a big sprawling city which is literally sinking away a couple of centimeters every year – or is it the sea level rising? – with a lot of bling that is constantly in your face. As we were staying in Rangsit we set off by bus, train, taxi and a long boat to explore downtown Bangkok with a local resident. The shops are… Read more >

THE LANDLOCKED COUNTRY IN THE CLOUDS

We have visited Lesotho a couple of times before, especially the eastern side coming up with Sani Pass from KwaZulu Natal, but this time round we visited Malealea Lodge in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho and entered from the more developed western side at Wepener. Arriving at the border post at Van Rooyen’s Gate (hours 06:00- 22:00) near Wepener all was quiet the day after Christmas and the formalities were done without a glitch and off we go. Our plan was to camp at Malealea Lodge and explore the vicinity during the last week of the year. Since our previous visit to Lesotho we noticed that the main road network improved a lot, but as soon as you get onto the gravel things are still the same = the further from civilization the worse the roads. The roads are potholed and maintenance non-existing. After all this is why we come… Read more >