Category: travel

Day 112 – Go somewhere else

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This is literally a blog post telling you to go somewhere else on the internet – and somewhere else in the world.

It’s ok: if you’re reading this, you’ve already done enough to be counted as one of the literally 10s of readers that visit 6000 miles… each day.

Thanks for coming along. But I know that you really want to head off somewhere else now and there is not better way of doing that than having a look out of someone else’s window using WindowSwap*.

You can go to a park in Hamburg, overlook a highway in Bordeaux, see some guys waiting to cross a road in Mexico City or watch an urban farmer at work in Bangalore. And why?

Say the developers:

Let’s face it. We are all stuck indoors.
And it’s going to be a while till we travel again.
Window Swap is here to fill that deep void in our wanderlust hearts by allowing us to look through someone else’s window, somewhere in the world, for a while.
A place on the internet where all we travel hungry fools share our ‘window views’ to help each other feel a little bit better till we can (responsibly) explore our beautiful planet again.

I’ll be honest – it’s not quite the same as actually travelling the world, but it is a good deal cheaper and you’re actually able to do it right now.

I’m going to find time this weekend to record a bit of Cape Town and send it in. Maybe to go with my lockdown Flickr photo for a group with the same idea.

Right now though, a quick run around the block (to scout out possible views and angles).

 

 

* please type carefully – I found that “WidowSwap” offers an entirely different service. 😮

Day 40 – 4 years ago

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It was a different world.

We were travelling to Norway on this day 4 years ago. Overnight flights being the vehicle of choice, we arrived tomorrow.

It was an amazing three days. And one day – some way, somehow – we will go back.

It’s unlikely to be today though. And so these photos will have to serve as a gorgeous reminder of those halcyon times.
Please click through and live vicariously through 2016 me.

Karoo Roadtrip photos

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Finally finished the edit on these and got them up onto Flickr. Yay me.

Matjiesfontein – Sutherland – Rietfontein – Barrydale

Weather was good, family was happy, views were forever, fun was had.

The whole set can be found here. Or why not just slideshow here?

Reviews still to follow, because I know you want to know what I thought, right?

The journey home

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It’s been an educational week up in the far North East of South Africa, but now it’s time to head West. We were on the road by 5:30 and now we’re racing towards the highveld, past the filthy power stations of Mpumalanga.

If all goes well, I should be Chez 6000 before 2:30. SA is a big place.

I’ve worked really hard, met some great people, heard some fascinating stories – some heartbreaking, some incredibly positive – and seen some amazing things. And I have some half decent photos, too – look out for them soon.

With my previous trip, the kids’ school holidays and our Karoo adventure, the last six weeks have been very unsettled, and I’m actually really looking forward to getting back into a bit of a routine.

That’s not too say that I haven’t enjoyed the opportunity to have some different experiences, though. 🙂

Dawn flight experience

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Just a quick note for anyone flying at dawn. I’ve discovered something quite special.

You will need: A flight at dawn (I used FA128 CPT-JNB, but any early morning flight will work) and Ólafur Arnalds Island Songs album.

What to do: If, when you see that beautiful peach gradient beginning in the distance; that radiant glow stretching up from the horizon prior to sunrise, you switch on Ólafur Arnalds Island Songs album, you can enjoy a magical moment as the sun gently rises into view like some resplendent Nadorcott, accompanied by the mystical sounds of Ólafur and the Icelandic Chamber Orchestra.

It’s really quite something. I was lost in wonder for a few moments, and then when I glanced up again, sustained immediate and severe retinal damage. The sun comes up much more quickly than you might think, hey?

Maybe try to keep that fact in mind.

For me, flying – whether for business or pleasure – remains a special experience. This serendipitous discovery made this particular experience even better.