Travel camping, Kit idea No # 6

Camping pillow idea....

A pillow is a luxury.  You could just put a folded jacket under
your head instead, but you may not sleep well.

I've tried many camping pillows, the small 'fold-up in a bag' type,
the blow-up air pillow and you just don't get proper head and neck support.

                       The
              no snore pillow








This new design gives you better support. Memory Foam.

Just cut a 1/3 of a piece off.
This 1/3 piece is all you need, or cut it to the size that you want.
Remember you only need enough for your head and it must be small,
so it fits in your backpack.

Tip: Make a small pillow slip/cover, that's easy to wash.

Portugal is 'a must see'.

 

Portugal should definitely be on your list when visiting Europe.

 

 A small 'easy to travel' through country with terrific history. 

Very colourful streets, friendly people and great food.

I found it very safe and with good campsites right across the country.

 

 

Castelo de Almourol. You go buy boat to the Castle on an Island

Porto, a UNESCO world heritage site

 

 

The medieval fortress villages of Marvao and Obidos

are on the '1000 places to see before you die' list. 

 



The medieval streets of Obidos

How green are you?

Green and Eco are 'new words' thrown around very easily today.
We all need to think of the environment and play our part at home and when we travel.

An 'off the grid' home with wind, solar and rain water tanks.

How green are you at home? -
-Are you off the grid or on the grid (dependant on Eskom)?

 People are appliance hungry, using a microwave,
 dishwasher, fridge and electric kettle, etc, We cannot build
 power stations fast enough to keep up with demand.

-Do you use a solar hot water heater or use an electric geyser?
 (Your electric geyser is around 40% of your electricity bill)

-Do you have a gas stove or cook with an electric stove?
-Are all your light bulbs in the house, energy saving bulbs?
-Do you have rain water harvesting tanks, to be less dependant on
 the chemical processed municipal water.

-Do you make sure you have no alien invasive plants on your property
 and only plant indigenous.(Indigenous plants use and need less water.)

-Do you have solar panels for electricity?



When you travel: - Green tips on the road are the same for at home.
-Leave only footprints behind. Walking is the best way to discover a place.
-Rent a bicycle
-Use less plastic and buy local
-Try recycle
-Use the same water bottle, and just refill it with tap or boiled water.
-Save water. Shower instead of bath
-Do a beach 'clean-up'
 (Smokers your cigarette butts belong in the bin)
-Eat less meat and seafood

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