South Africa - Destination Free to Be

South Africa really does tick all the boxes - so much to see and do.

#southafricaistravelready

South Africa was chosen as the most popular post-COVID destination in a recent survey carried out by European-based booking company, Tourlane.

Hiking in the Drakensberg South Africa

Around 600 travellers from Tourlane’s global audience shared their insights on what global travel could look like once the pandemic was under control.

Horse Riding on the East Coast

Key findings:

• South Africa was chosen as the most popular post-COVID destination.
• One out of every four participants wanted to travel as soon as possible.
• More than half want to wait until 2021 to start traveling again.
• Solo travel is still a trending option, with one in five respondents wanting to travel on their own.
• Highest ranking trips include nature and beach vacations.

Wilderness Beach Garden Route South Africa

New Zealand, Canada, Costa Rica and Namibia made up the rest of the top five most popular post-COVID destinations.  

Fishing - South Africa

Outdoor adventures topped the list of activities for 31% of the participants followed by safaris (18%) and beach holidays (15%).

Giraffe drinking Pilandsberg South Africa

"We are thrilled to be able to provide insights into what fellow travel lovers are thinking about for future trips. For those who want to travel in 2021, it will be a great time to travel, as many tour operators, hotels, and providers are offering competitive pricing and incentives for people ready to go in the new year,” said Head of Sales at Tourlane, Helen Scheepers.

Sailing - The Knysna Heads Garden Route South Africa

We would be happy to give you some ideas re your trip to South Africa

Come and visit soon!

Stay in Cape Town with us - we would love to meet you!

Canola Fields South Africa

Acknowledgements to "Tourlane" for the script
Photos by Judelle Drake

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South Africa - Kruger National Park

Still wondering where to go on holiday after Covid-19 Lockdown??

South Africa is an awesome choice with incredible variety - wildlife, scenery, city fun, wine farms, beaches, museums, and delicious food!

The photos below are from Kruger National Park.

Kruger Park South Africa - Vervet Monkey

Buffalo  - Kruger Park South Africa

Lilac Breasted Roller Kruger Park South Africa

Elephant Kruger Park South Africa

Birds of the Kruger Park South Africa - Cape Glossy Starling

Birds of the Kruger Park South Africa - Ground Hornbill

Kruger Park South Africa - Impala

Giraffe - Kruger National Park South Africa

Warthog - Kruger National Park South Africa

Water Buck Kruger National Park South Africa

Zebra drinking Kruger Park South Africa

Buffalo Kruger Park South Africa

Starling Kruger Park South Africa

Elephant Kruger Park South Africa

Giraffe Kruger Park South Africa

Baboon Kruger National Park South Africa

Elephant crossing river Kruger National Park South Africa

Giraffe Kruger Park South Africa

Zebra Kruger National Park South Africa

Birds of the Kruger Park South Africa - Blacksmith Lapwing

Impala Kruger Park South Africa

Zebra Kruger Park South Africa

Elephant Family Kruger Park South Africa

Come and stay with us in Cape Town - Bradclin offers self-catering apartments in Blouberg, Pinelands and Newlands 

We are open for all travellers once our borders again open after Covid-19

And don't forget to add on a Kruger Park experience.

The stillness of the bush is something to remember and maybe you will be lucky to hear a leopard even if he remains invisible!

Kruger Park South Africa

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Stop the Clock? Wonderful Famous Quotes

Life as we have known it in recent years, is not the same due to the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic. Yet time does not stand still, no matter how many times we wish we could "stop the clock".

Clock Tower, Corfu

However, as the world slowly goes about getting back to "the new normal" we are all starting to breathe a sign of relief even though the outlook for the next 12 months or so perhaps remains bleak.

Pondering on this, I realized that humans have gone through so much over the ages and yet life has always gone on. Perhaps in a different way, yet history has shown us the resilience of mankind, despite the horrors that have occurred throughout the centuries.

The famous quotes below are both inspiring, uplifting, soul searching and will hopefully bring a smile and hope for a new tomorrow.

People Who Are Crazy Enough To Think They Can Change The World, Are The Ones Who Do – Rob Siltanen


Lewis Pugh is one such guy who swims in the coldest of oceans to bring awareness of plastic pollution and much more.  "Sometimes we set boundaries for ourselves in life, or even worse, we allow others to do so. In many cases, these boundaries are just in our mind and need to be pushed away. We have to appreciate that we are part of nature, we must work with nature; the environment is our lifeline"

Another inspiring story is that of Captain Tom Moore, A UK resident 
"To all those people who are finding it difficult at the moment," he said, addressing a British public who have seen life turned upside down by coronavirus. "The sun will shine on you again, and the clouds will go away."

'Captain Tom Moore is to be knighted for his fundraising efforts after a special nomination from the prime minister.

The war veteran raised more than £32m for NHS charities by completing 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday 30th April, 2020

Boris Johnson said the centenarian had provided the country with "a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus".

As an honorary colonel, his official title will be Captain Sir Thomas Moore under Ministry of Defence protocol.

Courtesy BBC NEWS

Plitvice Lakes Croatia

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on.”

– Robert Frost

A journey of a thousand leagues begins beneath one’s feet.”

– Lao Tzu

Watch out for the falling coconuts - Maputo Mozambique

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”

– Dalai Lama

“Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.”

– Roy M. Goodman

"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new"  - Albert Einstein

 “If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.”

– Oprah Winfrey

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

– Oscar Wilde

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

– Maya Angelou

Deep in Conversation - Corfu

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”

– Theodore Roosevelt

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”

– Albert Einstein

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover – Mark Twain

So the world will carry on, with or without us.

Take care, stay strong and start planning your next adventure as there is always light beyond the tunnel!

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Cape Town - Historical Snippets

Although it currently feels like we are all living in a bubble with the current Global Pandemic of Covid-19, we have come a long way from the days of horse and cart, frock and hat, sepia photographs and much more….so here are a few interesting snippets from long ago.

Chapman’s Peak Drive

“Chappies” was opened in 1922 and offers a route between Hout Bay and Noordhoek.

Hout Bay Cape Town

Prince Arthur of Connought, the Governor-General of the country at the time, stated that the attraction of the drive “would more than compensatefor nearly being blown out of your car in a South Easter” The Peak is named after John Chapman who rowed ashore in 1607 when his ship anchored in Hout Bay. Big cats used to roam this area so look out for the bronze leopard crouched on a rock just past Chapman’s Peak Hotel on the Hout Bay side.

The views are incredible and it really is a must do despite the toll fee.

The Ruins above Chapmans Peak Cape Town

The Pipe Track

This 7km hike is well known amongst both locals and tourists.

It starts from the parking lot opposite Signal Hill Road and winds around the lower, back of Table Mountain. There are heavy pipes along the path that go back to the 1880’s – it was ordered that the Woodhead Tunnel be built on Table Mountain. Water was led from the Disa Gorge Rivulet to the Molteno Reservoir in Oranjezicht via these pipes. The name of the trail refers to the are over which the pipeline was laid!!

Just Nuisance, Simonstown

Just Nuisance, a Great Dane puppy, was born in 1937 and belonged to Benjamin Chaney who ran the United States Institute in Simon’s Town during World War 2. This incredible dog followed the sailors everywhere and was even known to stop brawls by standing on his hind legs and pushing his paws against the sailor’s chests. Just Nuisance was enlisted in 1939, signing his “papers” with a paw mark! He often rode the trains and took many a sailor back home to Simonstown! Early in 1944 Just Nuisance was discharged from the Navy after a car accident which left him suffering with gradual paralysis. Just Nuisance was sadly put to sleep on his 7^th birthday and laid to rest with full military honours. There is a statue in Jubilee Square, Simonstown in commemoration of this incredible dog.

Lady Anne Barnard

Way back in 1757 Andrew Barnard and his wife arrived in the Cape. Lady Anne was one of the earliest travel writers and she kept diaries of her travels into the interior. The Barnards lived in the Castle of Good Hope for 5 years where she earned a reputation for all the socials that she hosted. Lady Anne is also known as the first lady to climb Table Mountain in 1797 albeit with an entourage carrying provisions for lunch at the top! A book, “South Africa a Century Ago”, was published in 1901 from the many letters, sketches and journals that Lady Anne wrote.    

Castle of Good Hope Cape Town

Spices in Bo-Kaap

One of the oldest Spice Traders, Atlas Traders in the Bo-Kaap is situated at 104 Wale Street.With names like Dukkah Spice, Falooda Mix, Father-in-Law Masala, Harrissa Paste and Moong Beans, this shop is worth a visit. Family owned since around 1948 it caters for the Bo-Kaap community and others who step inside! Their current website offers a number of authentic recipes like Babotie, Biryani, Pickle Fish, Lamb Korma, Butter Chicken and more.

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