It's official. Next week Thursday our family, together with another family who are very near and dear to us, depart on a tour of the Eastern Cape/Garden Route, in ......wait for it...A CAMPERVAN!!!! Now I know some will be thinking "RV (with Robin Williams)", but no - this girlfriend will not be using porta-loo nothing (eeuw), and will be residing in a beautifully kept little van, done in creams and blues, with mock "beechwood" interior (nogal)! We have deliberated, agonised, and thought long and hard about this trip, and the various ways of doing it, but have come to the conclusion that opportunities like this don't come around every day, and life is here to be lived, so it's all stations go!Our friends that we are travelling with are friends with whom we already share some wonderful memories, including our children growing up together, as theirs are the same age and gender as ours.
I am DELIGHTED that Sabrina and Dominic are going to have this opportunity to see more of what this beautiful country has to offer, just as I did as a child. In my twenties I was very fortunate to travel domestically and internationally for a living, and having seen what this country has to offer as a child, I was always able to put the beauty I saw in the rest of the world, into perspective. So many of the stunning landscapes and picturesque sceneries abroad, reminded me of what we have here back home, right on our doorstep. Sadly, people the world over, very seldom explore what's in their own territory.
The children are beside themselves with excitement, and will keep a diary of what they see and experience on our trip - to them it's like going to another part of the world altogether! We will be practising Victoria Moran's "vacation principle" in a big way, and for the sake of the children do all the touristy things we can.
I have been looking online for some ideas on what the locals get up to, but nothing, so if anyone can offer any advice on lovely places to go and things to do, please comment!
Have to admit to being an extensive local traveller. We've travelled extensively through southern Africa, having lived all over the place, and it's amazing the local knowledge and appreciation that my family has for different cultures and places. The exchange rate is a nightmare for us all so look locally for what you want. If you want cold, blustery seascapes, go to the Skeleton coast, if it's desert you can't beat the spectacular Namib, quaint villages, the Eastern Cape. You can even ski at Tiffendale! Have a fab holiday and remember, local is lekker!! PS. Roared with laughter at your post on Ollie. Anita
ReplyDeleteAs a child we travelled a lot round South Africa and I love it. How about: bungy jumping, canopy rides, knysna elephant park, monkey land, ostrich farm, cango caves. Enjoy and I look forward to the blog updates on your holiday.
ReplyDeleteBee I am sure you are going to have an absolutely AMAZING time gf and I am so looking forward to reading about all your wonderful adventures....you are AWESOME parents and are giving your children the opportunity of a lifetime!
ReplyDeletexxx
A
You must enjoy the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route. I was born and grew up in the Eastern Cape and its still the most serene Province for me. Will retire there any day. Hugs from Desire
ReplyDeletefan-flipping-tastic what a privaledge to tour the country as a family - slowly taking in anything and everything - glad you going to record it all - will be praying all goes smoothly and that you have fun fun fun
ReplyDeletelinda andrew