My Bucket List - Why every person should have one!

I am a dreaming doer

Last night I had friends over for supper, as the conversation went on we hit the subject of travel.  After a few sentences I realized that it was not top of their list of things to do in this lifetime.  “Mmmm… travel” he muttered “it’s nice, we’ll consider it”.  Nice can be used to describe a sub-standard meal when you are really trying to be polite, but to call travel nice is an insult to an experience that can stretch you, change the way you view yourself and the world.  This left me with 1 question.   Has this person been exposed to travel opportunities?   From his unenthusiastic answer I figured he had enjoyed very little travel growing up, given our South African history;   Group Areas Act and not being allowed to visit any area except the ones you were colour coded to, I could understand where he was coming from. 

How do we as South Africans of colour get into the habit of travelling when the most travel we are  accustomed to is going back home to KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo  or the Eastern Cape?

I started with a bucket list of places and experiences that I wanted to have in my life. I wanted to interact with more people, to understand their cultures and find out what makes them who they are.  To have real interactions that go beyond my assumption and to challenge the rational that has kept me from doing things.

 I started with the area I live in what had I not seen yet?  I wanted to LIVE and know my city, whether my friends wanted to come along for the ride or not I was ready.  I went about ticking them off and adding New things as well.

 I Don’t wear Labels I do Me and Travel.

Lets venture into this sea of uncertainty before we hit that bucket

J If there are must see places you have been to please share them with us in the Comments section. 

Gauteng/Mpumalanga

1. Learn how to dive:  I live in Jo'burg learning how to dive seemed like a foreign conecpt where would I learn with no ocean?
 

Done! I qualified in February, chilling with my buddies and instructor.

2. Take Yoga to Soweto and Diepsloot: Ekasi Yoga - this was the toughest challenge for the year, I particularly love yoga because it’s my coping mechanism and I am proof of how well it works. 15 years on and I am still doing it every day so why not share this joy with everyone?    There were venue issues, rude boys and other small things but overall well worth it. The interesting this was it was this project that led to me seeing and meeting some high-profile people like Obama.  This is a ongoing project like our page and keep up with what is going on if you are interested. 

3. See More Places I have not seen yet:

In no particular order but these are just some of the places I have not seen in the Gauteng, Mpumalanga areas.

Magaliesberg- just 45 minutes away from Jo’burg, I’m yet to discover this place of beauty.  Done! read my post about it.

Bronkhorstspruit & Dullstroom – famous for its trout and the Buddhist temple, I need to make my pilgrimage to Dullstroom.  It’s less than 2 hours out of Jo’burg so why I have not been there leaves me dumb-founded as well.  

Bela Bela- Passed it on my way to Limpopo several times but I have never turned in.  I have no reason except that the name implies it could be beautiful.

4. Share a meal with someone New: Over the past year I have met over 30 new people I would not have met in my daily life.  2013 started on a rough note and with this I remembered the saying “if you feel like you are drowning, do something for someone else”   I then opened my couch to strangers for a day or two using the Couchsurfing Network. AMAZING people! Each one, I have learnt something from, some have been zainy, some have been salt of the earth but I have laughed with each one, shared a moment of confusion and been that somebody for another somebody. Ongoing 

At the towers, did the freefall in the tower... Intense

5. Do more “crazy” stunts: Hi My Name is Michelle, I’m an adrenalin junky. Self-confessed, I get pleasure from falling off of places. Moses Mhabhida Staduim, Soweto Towers both have been ticked off my list. Now I just have to do Bloukrans and Macau. Still gathering the courage

6. There are many places I still want to see in KwaZulu-Natal, I visit often but I stick to the side where I have family members now I need to fulfill some old promises that I made to people on the South side. 

South Coast: from Margate to Port Edward, I am yet to see the Wild Coast. 

Kosi Bay: I’ve never gone into Mozambique through that side.  I like seeing places from a different angle.

Aliwal Shoal: I want to dive with the sharks there.

6. Value, Cherish, Love & Let go: I have learnt the value of being thankful for the people who have shown you love, kindness and sincerity. It is important to let people know you care, sometimes they need to hear it.  This year I been saying a lot of goodbyes, to a lot of people I might not have necessarily wanted to say goodbye to but when it is time, it is time.  Towards the end of April 2013 I had to fly to Durban, the day before something felt heavily amiss I thought I was going to die, I thought something is so wrong but what is it? At 7am in the morning,  2 days after I was feeling like death was on its way, it arrived my yoga guru Ingrid had moved onto the next life.  Thank you, I love you and you have shown me Kindness, resilience and love.  These words take nothing away from you, say them more often. 

Eastern Cape - Coffee bay en route to hole in the wall

7. Eastern & Western Cape

Transkei: I want to go to Bulungu backpackers and stay there with the community and live the slow life. Take in the beauty of this rugged coast line.

Garden Route:  I want to see Knysna, Plettenberg , I have seen the pictures, heard people wax lyrical about these places.  I want to experience them for myself.   I also heard there are some amazing spots for Bungee jumping and you know how I feel about jumping.

Kenton-on sea

Kenton-on sea: Google it!

Grahamstown: Purely for the art festival.

Ceres: Morning live once did a broadcast from there and I was in love, reminds me of farm living and freshly baked pot bread.

Sedgefield: The slowest town in South Africa, I want to see how slow I can go.

Mosselbay: Sounds cool, so I must go.

7. Northern Cape:

I want to white water raft down the Orange River, see the flowers in bloom in Namaqua land.  Sit in the Karoo and just let time pass.

8. Have my own TV travel show: it has not arrived yet but I did act in Abangani as a nurse.

9. Travel SADC: I want to see the whole of Southern Africa; meet the people, dance, watch amazing sunrises, do yoga at Lake Malawi and be at peace. 

We dancing on Mandela Bridge at Midnight with Poch now see why I want to see him again.

10. Visit Poch In America: Possibly one of the coolest people I have ever met! This guy knows how to have a good time! His just that guy.

11. Go back to Asia: I am Asian, it might sound delusional but I am. Love the people, love the beauty it’s a must experience.

12. Visit Cuba with my pops: Now this would be super awesome they say at least once in your life you must travel with your parent.  My dad loves the road as much as I do, it would be really cool to go to Cuba with him.  

13. Visit Yemen:  You might be thinking "She dun’ lost her mind" but google Yemen and see how beautiful it is the architecture alone is amazing!

14. Visit Turkey: with my eldest sister Marion, because I know we would have fun and I would most probably give her grey hair with my zainy ways but overall we would have the time of our lives.

15. Get lost in Morocco: I just want to get lost there, it seems like an interesting place to be lost in and I don’t mind being lost.

16. Visit Lagos for Carnival: I received the coolest Nigerian Mix tape, which really inspired me to want to head for the Carnival in December.   2014, I’ll be shaking it on the streets of Niger.

17. Visit Tunisia: we have all seen them lose their minds at the soccer stadium but after Luna shared some pictures with me and her stories from there.  I was ready to pack my bags and go.

Keep on checking the list out as it grows every week...

What  do you have on your bucket list? I would love to know.

I would appreciate any feedback on places to see, eat at and just breathe in the beauty. Just leave a message in the comment box.  Thank you

Beyond borders - Travel Mozambique

 


Inhaca Island, Maputo

I cannot remember a time I did not have a passport.  My first out of South Africa trip was in 1998, a road trip to Zambia with my folks.  Once I had made my maiden voyage, I was in love with the African continent what a beautiful and diverse place.

Now whilst Zambia is a bit far out to do over the festive season that’s if you only have a week off. Mozambique though is right on our doorstep and a fantastic choice for New Years. From Jo’burg it’s a 5 hour trip depending on the amount of congestion on the roads on bus it’s an 8 hour trip.

The first time we decided that we would visit Mozambique (Moz) we were at coffee bay, after a day of learning how to surf we decided that we were brave enough to head to Mozambique to celebrate New Year’s.  We sealed the deal with excited giggles and a toast to our new found Freedom.  

With no prior experience about planning an out of South Africa trip, we took to the internet, nothing cousin Google cannot help with.

Tasked with planning the trip, finally she could rest and let her hair down.

Planning the trip: 

We decided one person would be solely responsible for the planning of the trip. This is a lot of responsibility and you need to plan ahead if you are travelling with people as not everyone lives on the wild side. Communication is key as you have to be clear on the budget, expectation and reality of where you are going.

#RoadtripTravelTip: Make sure that each person is responsible for something from the having a medical kit to road snacks.  Everyone has a role to play.

Transport:  Getting out of South Africa was very easy we decided that we would take a Greyhound to Maputo.  This meant that we didn’t have to worry about car insurance and the additional safety requirements required by the Mozambican road officials.  The trip was safe and very festive the passenger’s where 95% Mozambican and a lot of chit-chat takes place, therefore if you  have any high hopes of getting some peaceful sleep on the bus forget it.

#RoadTripTravelTip: The bus does not always leave on time we were 2hours behind schedule, we intern missed our transfer to the backpackers. When you hit the border buy a starter-pack and airtime if you do not have roaming. It will at least allow you to call ahead and let them know you are running late. 

Cost of Greyhound Bus Currently: R700- R800 return trip

Getting around in Moz

Maputo was a great city to walk around in we, we walked everywhere in fact we covered 25 000 foot steps on average per day.  We were staying at Fatima’s backpackers in Julius Nyere street, a central location.

They also have zippy tuk-tuks if you are not up to walking, these are generally cheap and a good way to get around. After a long lazy lunch this was the best option to get back to our lodge.

#MozTravelTip:  knowing some Portuguese is an added benefit when you want to purchase take-away’s, negotiate prices at the market.

Paradise, no cellphone,just palm trees, coconuts and lots of goodness.

Accommodation

If you are not looking for any fuss and frills then backpackers are a great option. We booked a whole room for ourselves so we were not sharing with anyone else. We had no en-suite only communal bathrooms if you find this uncomfortable best you book into a hotel.

#MozTravelTip:  It gets hot, keep hydrated and try out the Laurentina, a local beer that really does a good job of quenching one’s thirst.

We also found out that we were only allowed 1 bath a day due to water restrictions at the time so if you cannot live without bathing twice a day you might find yourself in a rather sticky situation.

#BackpackersLooTip: Carry you own sanitizing wet wipes to wipe the toilet seat and some air freshener goes a long way if you are afraid of others knowing your business.

Communal Bathrooms

There is no set standard for communal bathrooms, some are awesome and some are just down right special and that’s putting it mildly. In Moz they were clean and sufficient but depending on the other travellers and how tidy they are you can encounter some interesting scenarios.  This I why there really should be a guide for all travellers on a basic standard of behaviour for communal toilets and bathrooms.  I had a really crazy encounter when we stayed at an Island resort; they had these outside showers that had a tiny latch and a shower curtain to keep the rest of the world out.  I was butt naked, covered in soap suds as I stepped in to the water I turned to look towards the door, only to find a large burly man standing in the doorway staring at me.  I had not closed my shower curtain only latched the outer door which clearly was not enough as I found myself starring into this strangers eyes.

I let out a scream but he just stood there staring.  I have never in my life felt as exposed as I felt at that moment.  What do you hide? What do you do?  When he finally came out of his daze he slammed the door shut and disappeared.  To this day I cannot tell you what his face looked like because shock will do that to you, all I know was that he was big, white and just as surprised as I was.

Nothing like a coconut cocktail - drinks island style

What to do in Mozambique

-          Rent a bout out for the day and visit one of the islands the rubber ducks are generally cheap to rent out and get the job done.

-          Go snorkeling; there are some amazing things to see under the water.

-          Meet people, the locals can be lots of fun.

-     learn how to Kizomba a sensual dance that definitely turns the heat up.

-          Eat lots and lots of Seafood.

-          I had some of the best caprinha’s I have ever had.

-          Have fun you are in a place where no one knows you let your hair down and have some fun.

Travel outside of your Comfort zone its possible.

7 Rules for Communal Bathrooms

Don’t you hate it when you are travelling and you are dying to have a shower only to arrive and find that the space is a mess and instead of feeling clean you are left feeling as if you should bathe in Dettol disinfectant solution.  Here are a few tips to keep in mind the next time you are sharing such spaces with other travellers.

1.       Be clean and tidy, do not leave you hair all over the sink, wash your shoes in the basin and leave all the soil lingering around the basin.

2.       Can we be extra careful when we share space with others? Use your slops just for showering, don’t use the same slops you walk the streets with in the showers.

3.       Can some Americans please refrain from brushing their teeth in the Kitchen sink!  We use that sink to wash the dishes.  I have only ever encountered Americans doing this, I don’t know if it’s the norm back home but in South Africa it considered onbeskof (loosely translated in means highly unbecoming/crude)


Trash is not cool, the bins in the bathroom should only be used for tissues and other bathroom related trash.



4.       If you tinkle on the seat kindly wipe it off. Nothing worse than running to the toilet and as you are about to place your bottom on the seat you notice urine. At that point your bladder is on fire and you cursing the stars for people who do not check after they are done on the pot.

5.       If it’s yellow let it mellow but if it’s bordering on looking like an African sunset set please just flush it away.

6.       Make sure that you flush properly; I don’t want to know what you had for supper yesterday.

7.       Leave it tidy and clean or at least as you found it.

Do you have any communal disaster stories to share or really helpful tips, do share them with us.

Thursday Travel Inspiration: Durban on a R100 to R10 000 Budget



November is in full swing, the H word is on everyone’s lips. Holiday season is here, just what everyone has been waiting for, after a long and demanding year!  Whilst some of us have already planned our holidays, some of us are still trying to figure out if we should even attempt to go on holiday.  The economists are warning us about saving and clearing debt, can we really afford to be taking a holiday?  Today on Thursday Travel Inspiration we explore why you should go on holiday and how you can take this much needed break on a tight budget.

How much money do you think you need to go on holiday?  For the next 4 weeks we will explore different local destinations and what budgets from as little as R100 – R10000 can afford you.



Durban the Friendliest City in South Africa.



This week we will focus on Durban, possibly the most accessible of all coastal cities compared to Cape Town and the Eastern Cape.  If you are travelling from Johannesburg you are looking at a 50 minute flight time and 5-6 hours by car on the national Highway.  I love Durban for its year round good weather, accessibility, Warm Ocean, great food and how my skin feels when I am there.  Rated by CNN as one of the must see cities to travel to in the world, why not make it your holiday destination?

When I was a student I often had minimal cash on me, but it never stopped me from trying to get away. 

Let’s see what we can get for R500 – R1500.

Yes you most probably giggling now and thinking "yeah right!" but you could seriously travel with this amount of money and I will tell you how.

Transport Options

Taxi: Depending on how much you have, you can take a taxi to your destination its still the most widely used form of transport or a city to city bus which is safe but is a very basic bus so do not expect a reclining seat or  much leg room.  

Girls Road Trip

Catch a lift with a friend:  Find out if any of your friends are heading to Durban and offer some cash towards a tollgate or fuel.

Travel cost: R0 - R250 per trip

Accommodation

Backpackers:  The backpackers in Durban come at a reasonable price, from as little as R60 a night for a bed in a Dormitory.  The social life at most backpackers is excellent and will leave you with some fond memories.

Hanging out, playing some pool.

Camping: There are many camping sites around Durban, these camping sites will offer you safety and if you are travelling in a group, camping can be fun! Make a note of rules and be aware of the noise hours and limitations before paying up. Alternatively you can camp at some of the backpackers which offer you a student/traveller vibe which could be more fun, especially if you like late nights.

Learning how to use Chopstix with Couch Surfer JJ

Couch Surfing: This one is my particular favourite; it’s an easy and interesting way to meet locals in the area and spend little to no money at all on accommodation!  Visit the site and set-up your profile, no one has to assist you but people are often very willing.  Choose your couch carefully, read the profiles and make sure you match yourself up with the right couch suited for your needs.

Staying with relatives:  depending on the type of family you have this can be Amazing or an Epic Fail! There are a few rules of thumb, always clean up and help in the cleaning up.  Don’t  forget that this is your family your failure to keep them informed on your 48hour hang out with cool people you met at the beach can lead to a police search.  So always be helpful, communicate properly if you will not be coming back for the night/ afternoon and remember to bring some food and contribute in some form or way, buying small stuff like daily loaf of bread earns you brownie points for your next stay.

Accommodation Costs: R0 –R120 per night

Activities – under R100

Go to the Beach: always a source of great entertainment and therapy for the mind, the waves are for free and often there are lots of free activities on offer during the festive season.  Pack a lunch so you won’t be hungry and spend the whole day enjoying the fanfare.

Go to the Beachwood Mangroves Reserve:  open over the weekend, this is a informative educational centre about Mangrove trees and the species that inhabit this reserve.  I love learning so this hit the spot for me.

Go Drumming: looking for a creative release? Why not go drumming?

Check out this list of cool Things-to-do-in-Durban under R100

Budget: R2500- R4000

Transport:

Bus: Fancy a weekend away? Nip off to Durban on the latest in couch luxury,  the Greyhound Glam-Line. Unlike the other uncomfortable busses I have encountered at Greyhound,  I have to hand it to them this line is way better than my previous busing experiences with greyhound.  I chose the most basic option and it was worth every cent. Comfortable, bigger seats and even a blanket.  

Travel costs: R 1100 – R1300 for two people

Bus Travel Tip: Travel at night instead of during the day, you get more time out of you weekend. If you take the 10pm bus out of Johannesburg you will arrive in Durban in time to see the sunrise at 5am.  * Kindly not Glam line is only available at 8am and 10pm departing from Johannesburg*

Accommodation:

B&B’s: online there are plenty of reputable Bed & B’s find one that is closest to where you would like to be for the majority of the time so you do not spend to much on cab-fare.

Hotels:  if you are a frequent traveller with Tsogo Sun make sure you sign up for frequent guest program.  These points come in handy and saved our bacon the last time we were in Cape Town for a girl’s holiday. Discovery also has some benefits for their clients at certain Hotels.

Travel Agent Deals:   Travel Agents are often seen to be expensive but if you shop around you can actually find great deals and they can save you a lot of frustation and time. I found this really cool travel deal with BEE AFRICA Travel! For Only R1,360 per person sharing you will stay at the contemporary Docklands hotel for the weekend,  included in this package is a iVenture card that will allow you to visit Ushaka Marine, Phezulu in Valley of a 1000 hills and a few other cool places,  for more information contact  Briony at info@beeafricatravel.co.za in with NomadicMichelle Specila in the subject line.   

Activities:

Oh sky is the limit when you have a good budget I would recommend the following:

Go for a Horse ride on the Beach: whether you have ridden a horse before or not this is always a wonderful experience, my favourite time is at sunset, its you, your horse and the ocean.  Pure magic!

Go Jump of the Big Swing: If you love heights and the feeling of adrenalin running through your body go for it!

Go for Drinks at the Oyster Box : No trip to Durban is Complete if you do not have drinks at the Light House Bar.  Classy bar snacks from roast corn to caramelized cashews teamed up with a crisp, cold glass of white wine  as you overlook  the Indian Ocean,  what more could you ask for?

Its a fact Durban Certainly ROCKS!

Budget: R5000 – R10 000

Please why are you still reading!?! Just Kidding -  For a stress free, fuss free holiday, spoil yourself and call BEE AFRICA TRAVEL they specialize in Holidays in KwaZulu Natal and Southern Africa. Briony will give you morning calls and all those other perks of having someone plan what can only be an awe inspiring all round amazing trip.

 Ask them to create a personalized Holiday for you be specific about the following:
 - amount of days.
- let them know what type of person you are so they know from the start who they are dealing with. 
- whether you would like to be chauffer driven (which really puts the H in Holiday).
- what you would like to experience and most importantly what you are willing to pay for Experience.

This is your holiday, dream Big, have Fun and Rock Out!