Travel flight saving tips. Post No #3

-Remember flights around Xmas/ holiday times are double the normal price.
 (Try plan trips before or after these busy peak periods.)

-A flight on a Mon, Tues, Wed is normally cheaper than
  a flight on a Fri, Saturday or a Sunday.
-A return ticket is normally cheaper than a one-way ticket.
 (Check out both options.)
-Buying a ticket many months in advance will be cheaper than buying it
  a few weeks before you go.
-Be careful, if you must change a ticket, it can cost money.

Travel 'saving tips'. Post No.1

Travel saving tips.

Before you go:
1# If you need an 'inner sheet' for your sleeping bag?
    -Don't buy one. Just take an old cotton sheet, fold it to the size
      you need, cut and sew it up yourself.
    - The inner sheet, keeps your sleeping bag clean inside.

2# It's a good idea to have a small mosquito net.
     But hey are not cheap -Try making your own.
     Maybe you come up with a new great design.
   
  

Cut your water bill, buy up to 100%. Install a rain water tank.

A great DIY project.
Save money and reduce your dependency on Government.
- No house should be with out a rain water tank.
Cut your water bill by between 50 - 100%, just by putting a rain water tank
or two, under your roof.

Place tank on a flat base. It helps having a 'good, clean' roof and Clean gutters.
(Round-type plastic gutters and round down pipes are the best.)

Your rain water will not have the added chemicals the municipality
puts in the water to get rid all feces/excrement.


FACT: Most Municipalities in the world are struggling to supply every home.

A plastic 5000 liter tank is around R3000.00.

Connect the gutter, down pipe to the tank lid and after one good rain
your tank is full.            Cut your bills and save water.

The Desert Tour. Self drive Karoo and Namibia, Dec 2013

South Africa and Namibia. Dec 2013, We took a road trip through the Great Karoo to the
Kalahari and then to the Namib Desert and Fish River Canyon.
A photographers dream.

                              Above, the Namib Desert near Aus, Namibia.

                                          Ja, it's real...   a commune just south of Upington

                                         Above, Fish River Canyon, lunch time.

                                                               Karoo jacuzzi, Williston

The dirt roads in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Nat Park and in Namibia
are generally great.                   Wow!,. its hot.
Only once you've felt the 'real heat' here do you have true respect
for the region and the people who survive there.
The swimming pools in most of campsites, saved us.

Around the world in Rocky Sandals. Travel kit #10

I bought my first pair of Rocky Sandals in South Africa, 1992

They've lasted over 20 years and have walked with them in over 25 countries.

1st pair on the left, now finished.   The new pair (right)  R360.00  in 2013

They may be called 'Aqua sandals' and I used them in mud, water etc.

Great for hiking. Very light and they dry quick.

Mystical Ireland

Summer in the Republic of Ireland, June 2013

                       Photo: Tralee Bay area

A small country with a very long history.
I think one could virtually drive around the whole of Ireland
with only 1 tank of fuel.
At first, we got 'lost' in Dublin, then drove across Ireland and
spent time in the 'Ring of Kerry' area and then went along the South
and East coast.
Camping in Ireland can be tough, but we did it.
I was pleasantly surprised - campsites everywhere,
very organized and safe. It's hard to believe, Ireland even has
'beautiful white sandy beaches' with surfers.. yes, its true.




                                     Photo: A pub in Dingle

Be prepared. Every traveller should have..... Kit ideas No.#9

"The better prepared you are, the more enjoyable your trip."


Every traveller should have a small First Aid Kit and a small Sewing kit.
That said, I've meet many young guys who can't sew a simple button on a shirt.

No picture of a sewing kit with a small pair of scissors.
WHY?   They get confiscated at most airports by airport security.

(Airports around the world have 'tons' of confiscated scissors /Swiss Army knives.)

NB: Check what you are allowed to carry on you, in your carry-on bag and
in your check-in bag when flying.


It's important to have your own small First Aid kit.
Tip:- Don't buy a first aid kit. Make one-up one your own.


-Every car owner should have jumper cables and a strong tow rope in their car. 
 Most people don't.

I respect the 'Preppers and Survivalists', laugh at them if you will, but they are
organised and have half a plan, which is more than most of us can say.

How many of us have a 'Bug out bag' or a '72hr emergency kit' in your home?
This is the ONE bag you grab when there is a fire/emergency etc.

International Red Cross, Fact 2013: - In disaster situations world wide,
it takes an ave of 72 hours before a rescue team can get to you.

Check-out sites like 'Bug out' and 'SHTF.'

To 'check-in' your luggage or not? Kit idea No. #8

I'm looking into the idea of flying with 'carry-on' luggage
only and not having any 'check-in' luggage at all.
Please note that rules and laws do change.

For carry-on luggage on international long distance flights
you are allowed to also have a laptop bag and a hand bag with you.
Check out a site called www.onebag.com, for some good ideas.




The best size carry-on backpack would be about 45liters or less.
Any larger and it will not comply with the 'carry-on' measurements
 

Though it is true that stuff from your 'carry-on' luggage is also
 stolen, in the airport, at security or even during the flight.

FACT: A report from leading air carriers shows that:-
- An ave of 1 in 3 passengers on every flight will have
  their 'check-in bags' lost, pilfered or damaged.

There are some problems with having only 'carry-on' luggage.
- Every airline has different 'carry-on' rules.
- Each airport has a different set of security rules.

Prohibited items you may not take in your 'carry-on' bag: -
-NO bottles of water
-No gel-insoles in your shoes
-NO matches, nail file, multi-tool, scissors
-NO small pocket knife, pliers, tools or screwdrivers
-NO liquids or gels or toothpaste over 100ml
  all liquids/gels must be stored in clear 100ml containers,
  kept in a 'clear zip plastic bag' and then security checked at customs.
(You are responsible to make sure you have the clear zip bag.)

-You are allowed to carry large sewing/knitting needles. (Weird...)
-Oh, you may carry your own spoon and fork.

Colourful Portugal

The wonderful sights and colours of Portugal.

 

 

I believe that Portugal has more castles and
restaurants than any other country in the world.

The medieval streets of Obidos

 

 

  

Obidos

Go off the main track and discover some 'secret places'. South Africa.

The Northern Cape.
South Africa's largest, undiscovered and untouched Province.
-Totally overlooked by the local and international tourist.

The Northern Cape, the 'real secret' province.

Some highlights include:-

1. Visit the diamond town of Alexander Bay.
2. See the 300.000 plus seal colony, at Kleinzee.
3. See the worlds largest desert floral garden. (July and Sept)
4. The Windmill Museum, at Loeriesfontein.
5. Riemvasmaak hot springs, next to Augrabies Falls Nat park.
6. Verneuk Salt Pan, near Brandvlei.
7. Kalagadi Nat Park, one of South Africa's best self-drive, safari parks.
8. Lamberts Bay, The crayfish capital and famous bird colony.
9. The Richtersveld Nat Park, South Africa's most remote Park.

The famous Quiver Tree forest

Karoo Jacuzzi, Williston.

The Northern Cape is a photographers dream.

Most tourists only drive up and down along South Africa's Southern
and Eastern coastline.
They totally miss the West Coast and our real desert areas
in the true heart of the country.
The people who survive in these parts are extra tough.
Try visit the town of Hotazel, comes from the name 'Hot as Hell'.




Not a UFO. A social weavers nest.



The worlds largest post box, Calvinia