Wanderlust Tag

A couple of weeks ago I was tagged in this really cool blog post by Loren from Minkys Blog, and I thought it was a great way to get to know fellow bloggers. So, before I hop on a plane to Cape Town, let me jot down my Wanderlust Tag answers.

Your most treasured passport stamp?

This one is easy. Namibia. Why? I was born there and left when I was nine. I visited a couple of times, but the last time I was there was 18 years ago. Disgusting? Yes. But there is good news: my brother and I are organising a big family road trip to our home town in Summer and I cannot wait! Will it be so much smaller than I remember? Will it smell the same? Well, only time will tell.

Can you recite your passport number from memory if asked?

No. I can barely remember important peoples phone numbers.

Preferred method of travel: planes, trains or automobiles?

I love flying – because that means you are going really far away, but nothing beats a road trip. Growing up in Namibia meant a lot of road trips with the family. We used to travel at night and I remember the stars were just amazing, we saw so many small towns and met so many people. I still get very excited when planning a road trip.

One of my ultimate dreams is taking my kids to the USA, renting a car and driving across the country. I want to see all those tiny towns with the World’s Largest this or that that makes them famous (think World’s Largest Pumpkin).

Top 3 Travel Items

Camera, my iPhone and my laptop. Everything else is fluff.

Hostel or Hotel?

Hotel, B&B or self-catering. Never a hostel. Never a tent. No, no, no.

Are you a repeat visitor or do you explore new places?

I am both. I visit Cape Town at least twice a year – but I don’t think that counts, does it? Because I used to live there. I will only repeat a visit if I really loved it. However, the thought of spending my Rands on a repeat visit fills me with dread, I would much rather spend those Rands on a new destination.

Do you read up on your destination (culture, history, safety) or do you wing it?

I read up,  I strategise, I try to make sure that I don’t miss anything. And then, when I get there, I just wing it.

Favourite travel website?

How Far From Home – I love it because it is completely far removed from my life. Pack everything up and travel the world. Yes, I know many people have done this. But these are fellow South African’s and their photos are just so damn beautiful.

Where would you recommend a friend to visit? Name city & why

Istanbul, Turkey. The city is amazing.  I loved the food, the people and the history. It is both modern and ancient.

*I am aware that there was an attack at the airport last week. But that wouldn’t stop me from going back there. Shit can happen abroad, shit can happen at home. You cannot live in fear.

You’re leaving tomorrow, money is no option, where are you going?

My ultimate Wanderlust destination is Iceland or Antarctica. Iceland for its beautiful landscape, snow, and Northern Lights. Antarctica, because it’s so unique. My mother was lucky enough to spend a weekend in Antarctica a couple of years ago. She looked so tiny in the photographs, the landscape looked so vast. And I want that same look on my face that she had – a mixture of wonder, excitement and a little bit of pride (that feeling you get when you do something totally scary and live)!