The complete list of South African National foods.

"Travelers always make an effort to taste the
local, 'national' foods in each country they visit".

 

South Africa's National, unique foods:

-Pap (maize meal -  'the staple food')
-Baboetie (meat and egg dish)
-Bunny Chow (bread and stew)
-Boerewors (sausage)
-Samp and Sugar beans (maize and beans)
-Marogu (African spinach)
-Vetkoek and Mince (bread and meat)
-Koeksister (sweet)
-Potjiekos (meat stew)
-Biltong (dried meat)
-Droe wors (dried meat)
-Sosaties (meat and fruit/ veg on a stick)
-Skilpadjies (lambs liver in net fat)
-Mielie brood (maize bread)
-Oma Rusks (dried bread)
-Milktart (sweet)
-Snoek with Apricot jam (local fish)
-Peppermint Crisp (chocolate, sweet)
-Chakalaka (sauce)
-Pronutro (maize and soya cereal)
-Pro Vita (bread/biscuits)
-Mrs. Ball's Chutney (sauce)
-Waterblommetjie stew (pondweed flowers with lamb)
-Rooibos Tea (drink)
-Rooster brood (grill bread)
-Mosbolletjies (bread made with fermented grape juice)
-Skuinskoek (sweet, sticky cookies)
-Mageu (fermented maize, drink)
-Amasi (sour milk, drink)
-Amarula (alcohol, Liqueur, drink)
-Appletizer (apple soft drink)
-Mampoer/ Witblitz (home made alcohol)
-Van Der Hum Liqueur (alcohol)
-Morvite (sorghum porridge)
-Guava Roll (rolled dried fruit)
-Monkey Gland Sauce (BBQ sauce and tomato sauce mixed , no monkeys used)

Add a comment, maybe I forgot a few items.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance. Do you really need it?

                                      
                                 Travel without it, may be risky.

Most say it's important to have travel insurance.
Lonely Planet recommend travel insurance.
And we all wish, we never have to really use it.

The bad aspect:  The 'Bad' traveller
The truth is, one reason we pay alot, is because of all the bogus
/false claims that the insurance companies have to deal with
 from 'bad travellers'. It is weird that there are so many people
out there that feel they must make a claim, (a false one) during
or after there trip.


Fact: -When travelling, the chance of illness and your
           risks, increase by 50%.

There are many companies, all offering different 'cover'
options, out there today. So, do some research.
Your local medicare, does not cover you in other countries.
Many countries, now require you to have health/ medical
travel insurance, before you may enter.


- It offers peace of mind, that you are covered
   in an emergency, on/during your trip.
-Medical costs in a foreign country can be very costly.
  Check at your bank, they offer a 'Top Up' cover
  on top of your normal cover.
-There is also 'special backpacker' round the world
  travel insurance available for a whole year.

Basic cover: - medical expenses
                     - 24hr emergency evacuation

Other options:- baggage cover, camera, passport
                       - car rental accident (not covered)
                       - extreme sports (not covered)

What are you covered for?

Oh yes.. and don't forget to make sure your tetanus shot
is up to date. Once every 10 years for adults.
 

Travel safely tips.

Safety and security when travelling is important!

Fact:- On holiday, the biggest risks is 'you'.

- Over 50% of injuries/ problems when travelling are self-inflicted
   and could be totally avoided.

 -Ignorance is dangerous
 -On holiday one tends to do silly things
 -Taking part in risky activities

Please don't go for a hike on the Iran/ Iraq border and try not plan a
hike on the North Korea/South Korea border.
-Be sensible and stay clear of war zones.

Safety Tips during travel:
- Be sensible
- Know your limits
- Hide your camera
- Dress plainly
- Lock what you can in the safe
- No jewelery
- Don't attract attention
- Use a money belt

While travelling, be aware of:
-Fellow travellers (70% of theft in hostels are your fellow travelers.)
-Spiked drinks
-Bogus cop's

Check the book:  'Around the world in 80 Scams' by Peter John

World facts.(Blog post no.2) Build your general knowledge.

Build your general knowledge.




Mt Everest

- Highest mountain in the world?  Mt Everest
- The number of corpses found on Mt Everest?  120 bodies
- The tallest mountain in the world, (base to summit)?
    Mt Mauna Kea, Hawaii

- The worlds highest international airport?  La Paz, Bolivia
- Highest country in the world?    Lesotho
- Lowest country in the world?     Holland
- Largest Continent in the world?   Asia
- Largest country in Africa?     Algeria
- The USA is larger in size, than China.
- Brazil is larger in size, than Australia.
- Most isolated, secretive country in the world?    North Korea
- Least densely populated country in the world?  Mongolia

- Largest spectator sport in the world?  NASCAR, USA
- The warmest sea in the world?   Persian Gulf
- The Ave human eats 35 tons of food in their lifetime.
- The worlds largest wine producer?    Italy
- The worlds largest gold producer?    China
- China is the worlds largest 'trading' nation, 2014, the USA dropped
   to No2 position.

Add a fact or comment if you like.

Modern adventurers inspire.

yarets.com

I bumped into Vladimir Yarets (Russian) in Cape Town 2010.
Being both 'deaf and mute', he was on his record RTW trip
with his motorbike.

Interesting sites to check:
- www.talesfromthesaddle.com
- www.maxadventure.co.uk
  The London to Cape Town world record by car was set in 1963
  in a Ford Cortina. It took 13 days, 8hrs.
  This world record stood for 50 years.

- Old world wandering.facebook

- www.alastairhumphery.com
  He cycled for 4 years round the world.

- www.11000km.nl
  Robert Knol (Dutch) Cycled from Cairo to Cape Town in
  a world record 71 days.

Africa overland

You don't need a 4x4.
I drove though 6 countries in Africa in a old 84' Ford Escort.
Don't forget that an 'old VW Beetle' has
driven from Cape Town to Cairo, with no GPS!
It's now generally tared roads from Nairobi to Cape town.




Augrabies falls, N. Cape, South Africa

Social birds nest, Kalahari

- Plan your route.
- Get used to the local 'rules of the road'.
- Fill up your tank at every opportunity.
- You can 'selfdrive' in many major Nat. Parks.
  (e.g: the Kruger Park has 2300km's of road you can use.)
- Border crossings can be tough/challenging
  (Ave 2 hours at border crossings)


Must have: - Correct car papers
                   - Good maps + extra water
                   - Jumper cables
                   - Tow rope (extra strong and long)
                   - First Aid kit
                   - Basic tools + Spares
                   - 2 x Red triangles
       
Check out: www.cape2cairo in a beach buggy.

Make tracks to explore Africa.

Before going somewhere, do research! Read up. 

Djenne, Mali.

Thinking of exploring Africa?
Well it's ever changing and definitely not a boring Continent.
The picture above is great, but sorry, Mali is a complete
no go area for now (so not recommended).

There are many good books and web sites around.
 Here are some of the great modern explorers
 to google/read up on:-

- Phil Harwood - Canoeing the Congo
- Kingsley Holgate
- www.riaanmanser.com - Around Africa on my bicycle
- Mike Copeland - Just add dust, Cape to Cairo
- And a useful site: www.getaway.co.za

Make tracks, road trip idea.

Be adventurous, plan a road trip.
An overland road trip is the 'best' way to see a country
and one of the most rewarding ways to travel.
When staying in a country for a while, one option is to buy an
old a car and be really 'independent'.
Drive across the country for 2/4 months and sell it again.
The trip will be unique.

Check, roadtripamerica.com 

Eg: In the USA its possible to buy a 'classic runner' for
       less than +- $2500USD.

Travel challange: - try drive the whole 'Route 66'.
End of the trip, sell the car back to the dealer, or scrap yard.
One can even give the car to charity.

It can cost +- $1000.00USD just to rent a car for one week.
The USA is just an example.
It can be South Africa, Australia,etc.
Use hostel notice boards, offer rides and they pay for the gas.

Make Track - Backpacker travel kit idea's. Rule No 5...

Travel rule No 5:
- "Never travel with stuff you can't afford to lose".

Your backpack is your home, so a good backpack is important.
Your kit must never be to flashy, you don't want to attract attention.

My backpack is a 70L Backpacker Co, Columbia.
Made in South Africa. 20 years old, still strong and used on every trip.




Some stuff you don't really need on a round the world trip:
- A GPS
- Electric shaver
- Leave the make up and jewellery at home
- Beach towel (A sarong is best, light and dries quick.)
- Shaving foam/cream (Normal soap works just as well.)
- Water filter (Generally, I boiled the water.)
- Small propane stove

Important to have a 'Home Base'.

Travel is a journey of self discovery.
Learning what you what in life and where you what to settle down.
Where do you want to settle down/ put in your roots?
Every traveller needs a 'Home Base'. A place to call home.

Small cottage, cost R70,000 to build.

Putting in 'roots' does not mean its the end of the world.
Try not be a Renter your whole life, living in someone
else's house. Owning your 'own place' does not mean you are
stuck, its actually the opposite. You are free and not out like a
renter who could be out on the street tomorrow.
Having your 'own place' means you are still free to travel
and have a place to come back to that's yours.
Invest first - travel will always be there.