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.

Independant/ Budget travel now easy.

'The magic of travel is, it takes you out of your comfort zone'

Small clothing shop with Internet café

There are many reason and factors that make independant travel easier now
than ever before...

For example:


- Money changing offices and banks very accessible
- ATM/ Cash machines in most places
- Debit cards/ Visa accepted almost everywhere
- Local buses and shuttles to every attraction
- Internet access and WiFi almost everywhere
- Hostels/ Backpacker accommodation now more prevalent than before
- Day trips are booked by hostels to anywhere
- There are 'Hop on, hop off' buses in many countries
- Most major airports around the world offer cheap shuttles/buses to and
  from the airport

What to pack? - Travel kit post 4.

You are what you carry. Being prepared is important.

There are some things backpackers can never be without.
An espresso coffee maker like this, is a luxury.
You don't really need, but: - Its small, 2 cups
        - Not heavy and goes on an open fire or stove
        - Carrying your own tea/coffee can save you alot.


Stuff which comes in handy when on the road:
- A sense of humor
- Plastic passport cover
- Travel, neck pillow(blow-up type), for planes and buses
- Duck tape
- Toothbrush cover
- A wash line and 10 pegs
- Travel plug

Backpacker travel gear. Kit idea's post No.3.

"What you carry with you, reflects the way you travel."

International travel rule No7:- Buy your 'kit/stuff' only on sales.
(Buy the way, very expensive kit also gets damaged when on the road.)

In France I found a great outdoor/camping shop called
Decathlon. These prices are from May 2011.

A 50Liter backpack for 50.95Euro. A 60L for 60.95Euro

The ultimate tent: -2 Man, 'one pole only', weight 2kg. Only 90 Euros.



A good raincoat/all in one jacket for 14.95Euro

A tent can help you save on accommodation cost's in expensive countries.

Europe is hard to beat

When it comes to history and culture, it's hard to rival Europe.
'Mindblowing' is the best word to describe the overall experience.

Fortified city of Carcassone, France

Inside the Vatican



The high speed trains are scary.

St Peter's Square, Vatican

One has to mention the food.
Food is a major part of culture.

Cheese, Basque region

Catalan delicacies

    

                             




Wow, and we thought we know about 'meat' in South Africa.

One section in a supermarket in Andora

Back from Europe

Just arrived back in South Africa, from Europe.
Did 5 Countries in 24 days. April/May 2011
- Italy, Vatican City
- France, Spain and the beautiful small tax free Andorra.

  Europe = History around every corner.

Carcassonne, France  

Only 2.00euros a photo, the Colosseum, Rome

Paris

Vatican

Inside the Vatican

Andorra.

Food - A journey of taste, South Africa.

"Food is one of the most important aspects of travel."

'Food is the foundation of a culture and defines a country.'
So, always make a effort to taste local/National foods in each country you visit.
There are may countries where 'the highlight' is the food.

Some National food's of South Africa:-
                                                                                                                         

Pap

If you have not tasted 'pap'
you cannot say you have
been to South Africa.
It's like going to China
and not eating rice!



Pap (maize meal) is the staple food of South Africa
and the staple food for many other countries in Africa.



Biltong, dried meat

Boerewors, sausage

It's sad how may tourists I've met, that did not

taste the 'real local' food while in South Africa.
When you travel, be adventurous and try new things, like a 'Bunny Chow'.
Check out the complete South African National SA food list in a post, above this.
 

Pap & wors with sauce