Around Cape Town: The most thrilling day I’ve ever had

Posted on May 19, 2013 by The Travel Analyst

My heart is still racing after the most exhilarating day I’ve ever had. I feel I’ve been living my very own Planet Earth documentary and I can’t wait to experience more.

My first stop with my new friend and guide, Thomas, was at Hout Bay where we took a boat ride to Seal Island.

The laziest seals hang out at Hout Bay where they are assured a meal from the humans

The laziest seals hang out at the docks where they are assured a meal from the humans

Then we meandered our way to a penguin colony in Simonstown, stopping for pics along the way. I couldn’t get enough of the scenery!

But for me, the Cape of Good Hope was the most thrilling experience. Powerful wind currents, an invigorating walk up to Cape Poing Lighthouse, and one of the most stunning views I’ve ever seen left me breathless and speechless.

Hi Thomas!

On the way back to Cape Town, we ran into a family of baboons. I got out of the car and one of the females forced me back inside. (I hear that baboons can get quite violent and didn’t want to find out for myself).

I guess life is hard for a baboon

All in all, I had an amazing day and can’t wait to find out what’s next!

If you’re ready to experience Cape Town for yourself, feel free to contact me!

Johannesburg: A Phoenix Rising from the Ashes

Posted on May 17, 2013 by The Travel Analyst

Old Power Plant (Soweto)

For some, Johannesburg is seen as a South African stopover, a gateway to sunny Cape Town, the boozy winelands of Franschoek and Stellenbosch and the untamed wonder of Kruger National Park. For others, it’s a destination in and of itself. Perhaps not the prettiest of South African cities, but certainly full of dramatic history. After all, Johannesburg was ground zero for the apartheid movement which strangled the country racially, politically and economically.

Jo’burg is worth a 1-2 day visit to bring images read about in newspapers and history books to life. If you do decide to stop through, then Soweto is a good place to start. Standing for “southwestern township”, the South African government forced blacks to move there in 1948 to prevent racial mixing. (Interestingly, there was a vibrant black community called Sophiatown before the Apartheid Act was passed, but it was obliterated as the government felt it was too close to the white areas). The government built “matchbox houses” for Soweto’s inhabitants to move into; tiny shacks with no running water or electricity. To add insult to injury, Soweto’s residents were forced to pay rent.

Refurbished matchbox house

Today there are still a few shantytowns within Soweto that house the poor, but there are even more private homes and infrastructure that makes Soweto look and feel like a neighborhood in any suburban city. For this reason, there are many South African blacks that are proud to call Soweto home. Out of the ashes, a phoenix is rising.

Kids walking home from school

I was quite moved by the way Soweto’s inhabitants are able to live with the scars of its violent past. My guide, Thokozani of Wilro Tours, spent the day sharing with me all that happened and his memories and feelings about it. Of all of the accounts, the Soweto Uprising is the one that sticks with me because it was a period when 500 were killed (mostly children) when students decided to peacefully protest against the introduction of Afrikaans as the official language in schools. I spent several hours in the Hector Pieterson Museum reading about the lead up to and the aftermath of the uprising. Being in the very spot where everything happened was powerful and moving beyond words.

I also visited the first house President Nelson Mandela purchased when he moved to Soweto, the Apartheid Museum and Regina Mundi Catholic Church (important because it’s where groups gathered during the apartheid struggle. First Lady Michelle Obama visited last year with her mother and daughters. The staff there were so proud to say they met her).

President Nelson Mandela’s chair – The people of Soweto leave it empty hoping that he will sit in it again one day

Black Madonna and Jesus at Regina Mundi Church – check out the peace sign

Sitting under the first tree planted by President Mandela at his home. The umbilical chords of all children born to the family get buried here

Sitting under the first tree planted by President Mandela at his Soweto home. The umbilical chords of all children born to the family get buried here

It’s easy to feel sad when thinking about the weight of Johannesburg’s history, but I don’t feel that way at all. Instead I have a deeper understanding of what happened there and a personal connection with some of the amazing individuals that I met. I do hope you’ll visit so that you can experience the same!

Are you ready to visit Johannesburg? There is so much to see and experience. I’d love to help you plan your trip!

Is Traveling with Friends a Good Idea?

Posted on April 26, 2013 by The Travel Analyst

A couple of months ago, a friend and I decided to take a trip together. The hardest part was determining where to go and we threw out a number of countries; Guatemala, Sicily, Hong Kong . . .The possibilities were endless and we became paralyzed with indecision. We ultimately decided on Sicily, and then couldn’t decide on dates. To date we still haven’t planned our trip.

When planning trips with friends, it’s common to get stuck on a number of issues both before and during the trip. Disagreements may arise over the destination, travel budget, activities to partake in, you name it. We travel with friends to strengthen bonds, yet I’ve heard tale after tale of friends who have gotten into major fights while on a trip.

With a little foresight, conflicts can be avoided. Read below for 4 things to consider when traveling with friends.

Should you be traveling together in the first place? Years ago I decided I would only take trips with friends I’m travel compatible with. This means we must like to travel in the same way. For example, I don’t like rigid schedules while on vacation. Instead I like loads of free time to meander, nibble goodies in cafes, and leisurely take the city in. I also love interacting with locals and taking a lot of pictures. The friends I travel with are similar. As a result, we accommodate and complement each other which makes for a beautiful travel experience. How do you like to travel and which of your friends complement your travel style?

Be up front about budgets. While some of us want to splurge on a holiday, others prefer to count their pennies. There may be light discussion around this issue (i.e., “I’m broke so I can’t spend a lot of money.”), but how many friends sit down and put an actual number on how much they are willing to spend? Set expectations early by explaining your budget (particularly if you’re on a shoestring) and suggest activities that can accommodate everyone. If you have more money to spend than your pals, it’s about lovingly understanding that they might not be able to participate in all that you want to do and accepting that you may have to compromise on some things (see below). And if you’re the one on the tight budget, it’s about being okay if others want to do more costly activities without you. Just make sure you spend some quality time together.

Compromise. Why do we take vacation? To relax and rejuvenate so that we can return home with less stress. Why do we vacation with friends? To bond with our friends while also relaxing and rejuvenating so that we can return home with less stress. The problem is, each of us might have our own idea of what it means to relax and rejuvenate. When vacationing with friends, it’s not all about you. Make sure everyone has equal opportunity to choose activities, restaurants, etc. When it’s your turn to choose, fully enjoy that you’re doing what you want; then pass the baton and fully engage with what your friends want to do. You never know, they might get you to do something you never thought you’d try!

Schedule in free time. While you love your friends, you may inevitably come to a point where you want to go in one direction while your friends want to go in another. That’s totally okay and ideal for everyone’s sanity and happiness. If you desire to break away from the crowd, by all means do it. And if one of your friends decides to break away from you, lovingly accept her need for space. Just be smart about things. Agree on a time and place to meet up and make sure everyone has important information such as the hotel address.

So is traveling with friends a good idea? Absolutely! With a little foresight and a lot of communication, you’ll create wonderful memories that last a lifetime. Have fun on your holiday!

5 tips on how to pack when traveling through Europe

Posted on April 18, 2013 by The Travel Analyst

Quite a few of my clients and contacts are traveling to Europe this summer, so I thought I’d give a few pointers on how to pack for the trip. While you may be inclined to pack for any and every occasion, minimalist is the way to go! You see, traveling through Europe means moving around a lot; and unless you plan to leave pieces of you scattered throughout the region, you will want to keep things as compact as possible. Below are my top 5 tips for packing.

1. Layer the clothes you wear on the plane

You are sure to encounter a wide range of temperatures when traveling throughout Europe. From the cloudy, cool temperatures of London to the sunny climate of Italy. On the plane, I suggest wearing jeans, comfortable sneakers, a short-sleeve shirt (or long-sleeve shirt in the fall or winter) and a versatile jacket that will compliment several outfits. Also, include a shirt or two in your carry-on bag. You’ll have a few outfits before even opening your checked luggage!

2. Leave extra room for mementos and gifts

There is no doubt that as you make your way across Europe you’ll come across mementos that you will want to take back with you; from a delicate glass Venetian figurine to to a German cuckoo clock. Pack with the mindset that the items in your luggage will double when you return home. . . Then limit yourself to 1 carry-on and one checked bag.

3. Don’t pack too many clothes

The name of the game is packing clothes that can be easily mixed and matched to create new outfits. Jeans (good for all seasons), a couple of shorts and tops, and a sundress (for the ladies) is all that you need. If you’re worried about not having enough clothes, there are tons of stores, boutiques and markets in Europe. The added bonus is that you will be able to showcase your European wardrobe to your friends! (Worried about dirty clothes? A number of hotels have laundry services, or take an early morning trip to a local laundromat).

4. Buy your toiletries when you get to your first city

Liquids, gels, perfumes, deodorants . . . It’s amazing how much space your toiletries and accessories can take up in your luggage; precious space that can be occupied by the gifts you’re going to take back with you (see #2 above). As an alternative, head to a drugstore in your first city and buy the things that you need. But here’s the kicker: Limit yourself to $20 per person on your purchases. Remember, minimalist is the name of the game here.

5. Ditch the guidebooks

While guidebooks may serve as a wellspring of information, they are bulky and heavy and are often forgotten the minute the trip ends. Instead of shelling out $15+ dollars on the latest travel guide, browse the Internet for information that you need and print off pages that are of particular interest. If you have an iPad or other tablet, even better. Save necessary web pages there.

The most wonderful thing about traveling through Europe will be the way that it changes you. By walking through centuries of history and observing different cultures you will find yourself testing your own long-held beliefs and assumptions. There is something amazingly beautiful about this experience and bringing all of your prized possessions will only hinder that process. Pack lightly and fully open yourself up to the experience. Then write me and tell me about your trip! I would love to hear about it!

Have an amazing trip!

~e~