My Life Journeys

Travelling time again.......but with more mystery this time

2012-03-19T06:52:00.000-07:00

So I have decided that its time to get on the travelling bus again. I have been around the world and seen many things but there are still so many places that I want to go to and mysterious places that I want to explore or maybe just learn more about to understand why exactly it is so mysterious. Some of this places might be more exciting than convertible car hire or driving a F1 car.

The gates of hell

Now when someone says this you should not think that they mean it literally but rather take it as they are refering to the Hell Gate in the mountains of Kunlun in China. The area has been cut off from people as there have been numerous skeletons of animals and people found in this area. Some of the deaths that occur here is not actually explainable and will remain a mystery for the rest of time.

Hot water Stream

Everybody hopes that the ocean water is warm when they go to their local beach well there is a place in Reykjavik that has natural hot water streams. These are due to volcanic chambers resting underneath the area. This is probably the only place you will actually feel good taking a bath in a river.

The Loch Ness Lake

This lake is filled with mud, peat and slime but more importantly it is said to be the home of the Loch Ness monster which has made a number of different appearances in the lake. There has only ever been one good photo of the Lochness monster which some people say is just a giant eel and others say is a dinosaur which survived the extinction.

This is probably 3 of the most mysterious places in the world and I am very excited to go to these places and find out more about each area.

What use to be "men only" is now unisex

2012-03-15T05:20:00.005-07:00

The old line that men use as excuse to get out of the house is not valid anymore. Ladies now also have the freedom of miles of green grass in front of them. One exciting event ahead for the ladies in 2012 is the famous Ladies Irish Open. What other place than the Jack Nicklaus signature course at Killeen Castle in Dublin. As a true designer of major golf courses around the world Jack Nicklaus has design nearly 300 courses.

Killeen Castle’s 350 acres of woodlands provides a challenge to champions but is also playable and enjoyable to the average golfer. With one of the most popular events on the European ladies golf calendar, the Ladies Irish Open, this course promise a true challenge yet a fair game for every lady.

Obviously there will be time for the men, they can be spectators, play neighboring courses and do daily trips around Dublin as this country spells out the green elegance of golf the true history and future of this sport. Meath accommodation promises entertainment for everyone as almost every hotel have their own golf course and green grass fields to relax on.

As the history of golf is debatable the landscape of Ireland and neighboring countries cannot lie with their perfect green grasses running for miles. This is the home of golf.

Touching on the history of golf we can all agree it was a sport dominated by men and as this sport grew more modern more women started playing it but were not accepted in all cases. Various golf clubs and courses restricted the amount of woman golfers or even banned them from membership. As this is a terrible action towards woman there are still some courses that are doing it. In my personal opinion I can’t think that some courses can still afford to ban membership in a time of economic recession.

We can gladly conclude that golf is no longer a thread to woman. As there were one successful Solheim cup behind us and a very exciting Ladies Irish Open ahead. Women are much more respected in the sport nowadays, thanks to authorities such as the Ladies European tour and Ladies Professional Golf Association. Staying in luxury hotel accommodation in Ireland players and spectators are promised to have the time of their lives in Ireland during the ladies Irish Open.

The Big Five

2012-02-27T05:56:00.000-08:00

The Lion, the King of the jungle the mighty beast that with his roar strikes fear in the heart of anyone that hears it. Living in a pride the lion is a family creature, with lions hunting as a team to bring home the meal. Defiantly not a creature you would like to bump into, but an amazing this to see in the wild up close, from the safety of a game ranger van of course.

The Buffalo, probably my least favourite of the big 5 is still a majestic creature, majestic and dangerous at the same time. Moving in big herds these tank like animals will protect their young like the triceratops of old. Be sure to be on the lookout for these guys if ever taking a hike in the bush.

The Elephant, or to be more specific, the African Elephant, much more aggressive than its Asian cousin, and all the more dangerous. A wonder to see in the wild, but take care and Elephants are frequent charges of motor vehicles and have been known to terrify some people. The best thing to do is make sure that you are with a game ranger as they have experience in all these matters.

The Rhino, one of nature’s treasures the Rhino appears like something out of a prehistoric time. The sad thing is that this beautiful creature is being poached to extinction, we need to all step up and help or soon we will be looking at the big 4 and this amazing Rhino will only be something we tell our kids about.

The Leopard, my favourite out of all the Big 5, partly because it is the hardest one of all of them to come across, but also because it is such a mysterious and beautiful animal. Known for living in trees the leopard is a master of keeping out of sight. I have been lucky to spot a mother and her cub eating after a successful hunt, I was an experience I will not forget.

You can see all these animals at the Kruger national park and find the best in Kruger national park accommodation

Family Remodelling

2012-02-27T02:02:00.002-08:00

The pains of re-doing your house may sound like a rich man’s problem in a world where there is so much more to care about, but luckily this is my blog and I can talk about what I really feel like. Recently my parents have started to re do their home and I was asked to come see what exactly was going on.

What a complete mess, the only thing that made it look anything remotely nice, is the backdrop of Table Mountain in the background. The kitchen is a complete mess and I was very happy I was not still living at home. The kitchen sinks are being re done as well as putting in all new wall tiles. I just stood there and could not believe what I was seeing. My mother came over to me in all of a panic saying that everything was so chaotic and the contractor had made false promises and behind schedule all that.

What I also haven’t mentioned is that my brother is the contactor so; it was getting a little awkward. I knew my brother was very skilled at what he did, so I asked him to just walk me through the process, he described to what he had in mind and showed me the mock up designs and walk through the Adobe creator, and I must say that it looks good. It is amazing what designers can do these days with just the help of a computer programme. I was able to tell my mother to calm down as she would just have to deal with the chaos a little longer.

Picking the Perfect Bed

2012-02-22T06:28:00.000-08:00

Picking a bed may sound easy, sure you just walk into a store and pick the first thing that captures your eye, sounds easy enough. But there is actually a little more to it than finding your ideal sealy posturepedic or cloud nine mattresses.

So you get home and now suddenly first of all your bed is too big or too small for your room and you then you look at the newspaper or online and see that you paid way too much and could have got a much better deal somewhere else.

Well this is what I am talking about there are things that you have to think about. Right walk into your room and imagine what king of bed would be best. Take a look online or in the newspaper to see what kinds there are and get a feel for what there is out there. Ok then take the measurements of where the bed needs be and you are half way there.

The important thing is to shop around and make sure you know what your budget and how much you are actually still willing to spend. Have it? Ok great, now it is time to head off to actually get the bed unless you’re have ordered it offline that can prove problematic especially if you would like to see what you have bought. A water bed is a silly idea so don’t even think about it, and there is no point wasting your money on some ‘kitchy’ bed because let’s face it you not that trendy anyway;).

So now you have looked at the price the size and tested just how comfortable your future bed is, well there is not much else to do but get on it and go to sleep….once it is in your room of course.

Things have changed

2012-02-21T03:49:00.000-08:00

It truly is amazing how the world has changed in the last few years. It has changed in really all aspects of life even when you think about our childhoods, a lot has changed. The toys we used to play with have changed in a big way.

We used to play outside and make forts in the trees. Spend hours with swords made from branches. I for one was obsessed with Lego, I could not get enough of it, spending hours building castles and just doing my own designs. It is through this that my brother first got interested in architecture and that is exactly what he is doing now. I must admit I had my favourites like that knight’s kingdom and the pirates. Those really let the imagination run wild, even when we wanted to be super hero’s we could and still can today play with toys such as imaginext batcave, and let the mind run wild. That was probably my favourite part of being young in that, the smallest thing could produce the biggest amount of joy.

For most, those days are gone I am afraid, children these days are seen to be more spoilt and are more concerned with what latest gadget they can get their hands on. Kids as young as 5 are being given cell phones, but not just normal ones, Smart Phones. Then there is the constant use of PC’s and Play stations, and don’t get me wrong I love PC games, Play Station (and all other platforms) and TV as much as the next person, but I think as a child this stuff needs to be limited. Especially when they are very young, I wish someone had made me play sport more or learn a musical instrument, so I am all for a delay in the techno field to an extent.

Its Tour time

2012-02-15T02:53:00.000-08:00

Whether it be one of those guided tours or one of those day tours that you take yourself on, the idea of going on a tour is always exciting. Recently I had a few friends out from the states and I needed to show them a good time in Cape Town…

Well the obvious answer was a tour; we climbed on a bus and headed on a guided tour of the Cape peninsula. That would give them all a chance to see all the things that make Cape Town truly amazing. The constant view of Table Mountain, now one of the 7 wonders of the world, left them in awe. Then along the ocean road, Clifton beach, Camps Bay, over the amazing pass into Hout Bay and then Chapmans Peak. Simply amazing and left my friends thinking they had stumbled into a European city on the African continent.

The Waterfront was also a highlight for them, and I think it is lost on me, because I see it every day, how amazingly beautiful it actually is. All those shops and restaurants that are right there on the water, with the back drop of Table Mountain.

Of course it wouldn’t have been a Cape Town trip, without taking a trip to the winelands. Some of the world’s best wines are produced right here in South Africa and Cape Town is where it’s happening, Constantia and Stellenbosch are the main regions and we went on a few wine tours and drank our fair share at a few tastings. Safe to say none of us were driving home and took a taxi to our next destination.

Longstreet made even more famous during the world cup, my friends were very insistent that we head there. Bar hoping and restaurant touring is what it is all about, great people, great vibes, great food and good drink, what else could you ask for?

Appliances….how stressful

2012-02-14T06:40:00.000-08:00

Designing that dream home can be quite stressful, even if it is as I said your dream home. People are by nature stressful beings and so the thought of now having a new home and now having to fill it with stuff can take it out of you.

Sure it’s nice that you even have some place to call your own, but there still is stress, after all I did say I was human nature. So let’s begin, you walk into your front door and everything is bare. The key here is to stop and look around, try and visualise what home appliances you want, look to the next room and see what you want in your kitchen and what kitchen appliances you want to fill it with.

Start out Small

Don’t rush and think you need to fill it out, start off with getting the bare essentials, the things that you need really need and know have to be in the house, like a couch, a bed, a TV and a fridge….you get the idea. With that you will start to get a feel for your home. Soon you will know what you want and won’t make that awful mistake of getting that statue or painting you really just can’t stand.

Build a place for the future.

Now not many of us can afford to chop and change houses, and often the first house we buy is where we will raise our families. So if you don’t want to waste money it is important to think about the future. You don’t want to spend all your money on something that will go out of style in a few moneys or will break in a year. It’s all about planning and just taking time to think, I promise you it won’t disappoint.

The Mobile industry

2012-02-13T01:51:00.000-08:00

With mobile marketing said to hit R1 billion this year, the is big reason for businesses to sit up and take notice. Social media and web apps take up a massive amount of the total time spent search the web via your mobile phone, but why the sudden explosion.

Well one reason is that if you had to look back in time 5 years all the phones we had were pretty ordinary. It was more impressive that you had WAP then the fact your phone had a camera. Recently there has been great innovation with phones and now most of us have smart phones. A HTCC, Blackberry, iPhones and then there are all the tablets. Basically our mobile friends have turned into mobile tech wonders.

If you have to think about your day to day activities, there is one item that never leaves your side. Even your wallet and keys are sometimes left, but you never go anywhere without your mobile, and now with 3G, 4G and other wireless connections available almost anywhere it has become very easy to access the web from wherever you are.

So it stands to reason with growth of the online industry, whether you are cruising Social media platforms, emailing, blogging, streaming music or video, it is all accessible from your phone 24/7. I never leave home without my blackberry curve 8520 black and sometimes my sister’s Samsung s5570 galaxy mini, she is too young for it anyway. With people being online all the time it makes sense for the mobile marketing industry to grow, with advertising and mobile apps being developed by various companies.

In the coming months we will see a release of a batch of new smart phones with improved capabilities and this is only going to improve the reach of the marketing spectrum.

Healthy Healthy

2012-02-09T02:46:00.000-08:00

In these early months of the year it is very important that all of us to stay healthy. The new year can be hectic and can often be very stressful. For many of us the start of the year means that work is murder and there are many long hours at the office. All of these factors can lead to sleep deprivation and just a stressful existence.

With all this our immune systems are bound to take a hit and breakdown at some point so it is important that we take a few steps to get our bodies prepared for the assault that life throws at it.

Take Multivitamins in the morning.

We all live hectic lives and it is not always possible to get the nutrients and vitamins that we need such as pharma nord cla 24/7, vitamin D and C, Irons and Zinc, so a great way to do all this is take a multivitamin that will give the body all that it needs.

Have a great breakfast

It’s been said time and time again, but breakfast is really the most important meal of the day. Don’t just grab a cup of coffee and a pastry, apart from being unhealthy, it will not give your body the energy to get through the day. Just take five minutes to make yourself a bowl of cereal or a some eggs and toast. All that will keep you healthy and moving through the day even look it up on gaia online.

Exercise

Yes some of us hate this word and would rather sit on the couch, but we need to get that heart rate going and that blood pumping. It is known to all that exercise is very good for you yet not all of us do it. So stop being lazy and get out there for a run, join a gym or play some sport with friends, I promise you, you will enjoy it.

Ahhh the Great Outdoors

2012-02-08T02:51:00.000-08:00

Ahhh the great outdoors something I have always been fond of. Some people are really nervous at the prospect of getting their hands dirty and having some good old fashion fun. Recently some of my friends were staying at Cape Town guest house accommodation and wanted to do something exciting to do, I had just the thing.

Lions Head full moon climb, you simply cannot go wrong as long as you don’t mind climbing with a lot of other people as it is quite the tourist Mecca. Also my friends that were staying at hout bay accommodation are quite dainty and are not used to getting their hands dirty. So I told them that they need to man up (and woman up) and just do it.

Turns out we all had a great climb and loved every second of it. The view on the way up was great as we got to walk up while the sun was setting, which was absolutely beautiful. Once you get to the top and you have made sure that you have brought a backpack full of snacks, water and of course wine, you can sit down and wait for the moon to rise. And I tell you it is spectacular, as the sun goes down and you are in awe of what you are see on the one side, you get to turn around and see the moon rising. I took many photos and my friends were very happy that I forced them up there.

The key is to stay at the top for as long as possible, because there is a rush to get down, so just relax and enjoy the company of your friends and the good scenery and not to mention the snacks and wine.

Lions head full moon is defiantly a must for everyone, but remember to take it slow, if you are in a rush you will not enjoy it.

It’s a Social World

2012-01-30T06:04:00.000-08:00

Social Media has taken the world by storm and we all know that it is only going to get bigger. We as humans are ‘nosey’ and as much as we deny it most of us like a good gossip. Saying that, this is what keeps adding fuel to the raging fire that is Social Media. People love to be connected to everything and know what is happening all the time. This is amplified when talking about people you know and letting them know what you are doing.

With Facebook and Twitter (the two big dogs in my eyes) you have the ability to literally stay connected to everyone all the time, and with Smart devices and the like you can stay connected on the move. News nowadays spreads faster over social media platforms like twitter than actual news sites and stations are able to report it. It has become an information highway and I can safely say myself that I spend hours on the internet a week and if it’s not reading up on favourite sites (internet marketing), it’s on social media sites. And I am not just talking about Facebook and twitter, its Youtube, Stumbleupon, Google+, (which all help seo as well) and host of other sites that keep me busy for all that time.

Gaming has always been primarily a world for males and no one would argue that, but Social media gaming has largely seen a consumer base of women. Playing games such as Farmville and angry birds, the woman of the online world have been showing that they love to game just as much as the next guy.

Now Facebook has its timeline letting people what they were doing along their life on the social media site. This is just another way that social networks are looking to keep us hooked and I can see no reason why it will pass. Those who thought that it was just a phase well that has all changed. People are scrambling to social media sites and digital agencies and pushing them to get in a game that they never even realised was going on. It’s never too late to get on the train, so if you are not in the game I would advise you do so….NOW!

Have Your Cake and Eat it Too

2012-01-26T01:17:00.000-08:00

The city of Cape Town has been blessed attractions that draw millions of tourists, year in and year out. But there’s a lot more to do here than viewing a flat-topped mountain and visiting a historic prison. As someone who has an insatiable appetite for dessert and freshly ground coffee, I often advise our visitors to do is visit our wonderful cape cafés.

Nzolo Brand Café

I recommend this afropolitan café for its ambience –it is situated along Church Street and nestled between some of Cape Town’s oldest buildings. The sidewalks around the café are flanked by antique stalls, and inside the soundtrack includes the laid back sounds of Afro jazz. The tables are dressed in bright east African fabrics and linen and the most beautiful pillows, and the menu also has all of your favorites with an African twist. The café is probably most famous for its Tanzanian fish curry with kinglip; but don’t forget to try the famous carrot cake and their delicious afro tea.

Mountain Nelson

One of the reasons the luxurious Mount Nelson hotel has sheltered a long list of prominent people that include Winston Churchill and Dalai Lama. The hotel is renowned for decadent spreads that guests enjoy for afternoon tea. There’s something about the colonial grandeur at the Mount Nelson that makes me feel like shouting, “let them eat cake!” But everything laid out on table is delicious, from the cucumber sandwiches and quiche, to the petit fours and iced cakes. But in my opinion, the food isn’t even the best part– that would be the tea menu. Be sure to try out the signature Mount Nelson Tea, which is a blend of six types of teas and rose petals from the garden.

Charly’s Bakery

If you’ve ever wondered how Charlie felt in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, then a trip down to this family run bakery will definitely give you a good idea. This most-loved bakery is situated on Canterbury Street and houses cakes that are (as their slogan suggest) “mucking afazing”. Whether you want a cake that’s classic and elegant, or one that is quirky and whimsical, Charly’s oompa loompa’s are some of the best bakers in town. I recommend a slice of the Wicked Chocolate Cake or the Hummingbird Cake.

What Do You Use Facebook For?

2012-01-24T23:31:00.000-08:00

Most people will say without doubt teenagers are the most active Facebook users. That’s about to be proven wrong. A recent seminar I attended showed statistics that proved people between the ages of 34 and 54 years old are more active on Facebook and are more likely to log on to Facebook via their cellular phones than teenagers.

What can it be that attracts people of that age gap to Facebook? Maybe connecting with old school friends, checking out how far did that nerd from school got and maybe advertising their business online? All three of these options are reasons why this “generation” uses Facebook. After looking at more social network statistics I will support the reason that they might use Facebook to advertise their businesses. 38 Million People in the US alone stated that social media influences their purchasing decisions. This is one powerful tool to have and it has to be carefully managed. That’s why it is so time consuming.

People talk and brands need presence. Word-of Mouth has been the most effective way of advertising since the Stone Age, and will be always be. Social media just helped everyone to get closer to listen up and speak!

More reasons to use Facebook will include things like; making friends, to be a friend to someone who needs one, improve your writing skills (or show how idiotic it is) and you can even improve your image if you don’t have a great real-life one.

Everything in moderation won’t kill anyone. Obsession with social networks caused a lot of suicide attempts among teens, even murders and other sick minded actions. We can all use Facebook to our advantage when used in moderation. Facebook should be informative, not too personal to be embarrassed about, and not a gossip column for the desperate.

Guest Post: Donne writes about a range of topics and is involved in the business of snickers workwear and has written about the new cordless power drill on the odd occasion.

Think about that gift

2012-01-05T04:52:00.000-08:00

When thinking of that perfect gift to give there are many things to take into consideration. You could just go big and expect that everything will work out but often it is those flowers bought from your local Johannesburg florists that will make more of an impact then getting a massive thoughtless gift.

Of course every girl loves to get jewlrey and getting spoiled, but if you don’t have the means or it’s not the right thing to be buying then don’t stress no girl can say no to bouquets of roses or any other flowers for that matter. It is the thought that counts and that is not just what some people say, it really does mean a lot. I know a boy who has everything he could ask for, to say he and his family is rich, would be an understatement. I was so concerned with what to get him and my mind was perplexed. I had an idea and it cost me next to nothing. I got a cheap big photo frame and inside I put a collage together of a few photos of us together, whether it was us chilling out or out on the town. I was nervous when I gave it to him, but I was sure he would appreciate my effort.

When he opened his presents I saw an iPad, iPhone, Smart clothes etc and I was not feeling so confident, but what I did notice that this was not new to him he had received this gifts all the time so when he opened my present I can safely say that he was happy, his eyes lit up and he looked straight over at me and smiled. He has told me often that it was one of his favourites and to this day it hangs in his house even now when he is married.

And that just goes to show that with a little thought put into a gift, it can bring a lifelong gratitude and friendship.

What to study?

2011-12-23T01:38:00.000-08:00

When thinking of what degree to study there are a lot of things to consider. First of all, you have to ask yourself who is paying the bill? If it is the parents then it takes a lot of the pressure off, but if it’s a student loan then this is serious business and you will receive online invoicing. So let’s for arguments sake say that the parents or some generous person is paying for it. Now what are you going to Study?

Slacker: do you not really care and just want to enjoy your time at varsity and have no plans or goals for the future? Then it really doesn’t matter what you study, if you don’t care about failing the odd course and maybe spending a few extra years at varsity then maybe do a BA, yes don’t get angry if you did a Bachelor of Arts, maybe it’s something that really interests you, but let’s be honest it’s not the hardest degree in the world and not like operating small business software, if you put in half an effort and have half a mind for it, then you can pass easily.

I would say the best option is to do a degree that has a guarantee of job security and is somewhat guaranteed to get you a job. Something focussed, especially in this day and age with jobs in scarce supply. You might ask what kind of job and what I mean is, medicine, Accounting, engineering, architect etc, something that you study that you know what field you are going to enter. This for me is the best option. Sure a general degree may make you feel that you get what you want but in an interview a Bcom economics gets you know where and I am speaking from experience. Sure Mathematics sounds good or Genetics and you might be looked at if you are a genius, but what are you going to do with these degrees.

I am not being negative I am just added a bit of perspective to the world of employment, but who knows in the end you might just luck out and get your dream job like me.

Something Brings Me Back

2011-12-22T02:12:00.000-08:00

Well what can I say Mother Africa really does know how to draw me back here. I have begun to realize that the place I would like to have a holiday home is right here in beautiful South Africa basically my second country with all the business and travel I do to here. Property South Africa is my decision, and I have decided to buy Fish Hoek property, no matter what speed bumps lie ahead.

Why? You might wonder but if you have been to the Western Cape you would know why. The mountain, the sea, the Winelands, the history and the beauty. The Cape Town Area has so much to offer and is a buzz with tourists all year around. Table Mountain in itself can bring people from all around and once on top the view is simply breathe taking. Fish Hoek is a little to the side and near Simons town, it is a more isolated and in my view beautiful area.

The first time I saw it was when I was on a peninsula tour of Cape Town with everyone dressed in their snickers workwear and one of the stops was at a lovely restaurant in Fish Hoek, from then I fell in love with the place. The mountains all around meet the sea and as the sun shimmers it creates a sight that anyone would dream of waking up to. I have had a bit of money for a while and it was the easiest decision to make especially with the high value in the South African property.

Just going to Stellenbosch Winelands and Franshoek, you can see what a beautiful place this is. And that is even before considering going to places close to the beautiful ocean, like Robben Island, Cape Town City itself and the Waterfront. I haven’t even begun to mention Fish Hoek and that’s just the tip of the iceberg to the Motherland you have to come see it for yourself, decide if what I am saying is true only then will you know the beauty of South Africa

Take your work Abroad

2011-12-21T03:55:00.000-08:00

A dream of mine has always been to work abroad, I have spent many a year working behind a desk and sure I have become successful, but there is still that part of me that wants to just throw everything aside and work overseas.

And what I mean by this is not to get a job in my industry, I want to ruff it, go back to my roots. I would love to throw all my worries aside and work in the South of France, yes Bordeaux on the wine farms. Just picking grapes and taking life easy would be great. I have even started to study French listening to it after work so that I can get my basic French skills up. Just Imagine it working in the beautiful South of France, being one with nature and working in the winelands or anything really even for Trailer manufacturers or rollbacks suppliers. In the sun all day and out in fresh air in one of the most beautiful places in the world, I don’t think I could ask for anything more.

Ok I have convinced myself that this is what I am going to do. I only have a few years left to do stuff like this before I have to worry about getting married and all that jazz, so now is the best time to take the leap and go for the adventure. We can all dream of doing something like this, so why don’t we. What is stopping us, I think it is fear of leaving your comfort zone. Well I can tell you I am not scared anymore I am looking at this with excitement. After all France is surrounded by some great countries that I could jump to on the weekends. Spain to Barcelona, I hear that is a perfect place to visit. England, London, of course this has to be done, maybe even catch a premier league game or two after all when in Europe you have to make the most of it.

Fixing up a dream

2011-12-20T04:20:00.001-08:00

Working on your dream home can be something of an adventure, picking that house and being able to start a family and watch your home grow as your family does. Many a person will spend some quality time on fine tuning that house to turn it from a structure that holds your things into a home.

Make the perfect kitchen, so that you and your loved ones and prepare meals together. Have that great living space that the whole family including the family dog can relax on the couch and lie in front of the fire place.

Getting into your snickers workwear and grabbing your Dewalt power tools to help build that tree house for your kids can be one of the greatest moments in your life, seeing your kids playing, sleeping in and enjoying can bring tears to your eyes. So when you buy your dream house don’t be despondent if it is not the finished product and there is a lot of work to be done. Because if you think about it, completing the house and adding your own personal touches is what makes a perfect dream home.

Getting to work in your Garden, building swings for your kids, building a braai, or just having a garden for yourself, all these aspects add to the value and the meaning of the word “home”.

So remember that when you are choosing a home, there are a lot of aspects to consider. If you are quite the handy man or lady then maybe it would be better to save yourself some money and spend the time making it into the home of your dreams and the home that you would want your family to grow up in. Not many houses come with swings and tree houses that takes a certain type of home.

Which is best?

2011-11-29T05:40:00.000-08:00

Let’s take a Survey we can use any online surveys system but let’s just take a survey for arguments sake. What is the best place in the world to travel?

Well some of you will throw out New York, well the big apple is one of the best places in the world, but if you look at from a neutral perspective there are some draw backs…for one New York is expensive and can only really be enjoyed if you are able to throw some money around. On the Other hand many Americans will tell you that it is the greatest cit y on earth, and I can certainly see why many of them think that. After all the greatest 6 friends of all lived in New York.

Then what about Paris, the city of love and kissing someone under the Eiffel Tower, the place of art museums and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There is plenty to do here and it is no wonder why people from all over the world flock here, but again if we are honest, Paris is so so expensive and the price of a simply restaurant will make you gasp for air.

So what are we looking for here, are we looking for place that combines the great things of western civilisation and western ways with its own unique culture as well as being reasonably priced to travel, well I think you all know where I am going with this, I vote for Cape Town and South Africa, yes I may be biased because I love South Africa but let us face it, a place with a mountain and the ocean right next to each other, amazing beaches and winelands. All of this is reasonably priced and if you are coming from Europe or USA then you are in luck because with your exchange rate you will have the time of your life…..but its still a vote

Excited to Move in

2011-11-28T02:45:00.001-08:00

Moving into a new home can be a wondrous thing no matter what type of house it is. I am also not just talking about newlyweds moving in I am also talking about roommates, friends, college digs all that fall under the umbrella of living together.

Sure if you are a newly married couple you are excited to move into your new home together, but if you are university friends I think there is a different type of excitement, but even kitting out the house is exciting and not just the prospect of living together. Buying Duvets Galway or Pillows Galway, may seem like a meagre task, but when you are trying to fill up your home every little thing is exciting. For Newlyweds maybe it is just the wife that will love buying pillows and things for the kitchen, but I am sure the man will have something to say about the living room, whether it be a great couch or be the flat screen TV that you have been fighting hammer and nails for.

Roommates are different and everything is exciting from what room you are going to get and how you are going to decide, to how you are going to make your digs better than your friends ones. Maybe a bar area, or a pool party area, maybe all chip in for a Jacuzzi, but maybe that is wishful thinking.
There are big differences from living with your friends to living with your soul mate, for one, you can’t be an absolute slob, because let’s be honest that you are a grown up now and can’t have beer bottles and pizza boxes lying around. When you are young and with friends you can basically live how you want and only have yourself to deal with. Both are exciting and both are different they are parts of different chapters of your life that get read at different times.

The Freedom to enjoy

2011-11-25T03:13:00.000-08:00

The trick with travel is that you need to be flexible, if you are going on a road trip or a gap year you need to be able to change it up at any moment. The possibility of finding something really great and then having to leave because you have a schedule is possibly the worst thing that could happen to you there can be speed bumps along the way but you have to make sure that you have your rubber mats in place and you are ready for anything.

In my experience it is always good to make sure that you can roll with the punches, on a road trip the best recipe is being able to stop and take in what is around you. It’s all about making the best out of every situation. I am obsessed with going on long road trips so I know exactly what the perfect formula is, there are things that work and there are things that don’t. What does not work is planning everything sure some things have to be planned, but rather try and ‘wing it’. It is the art of relaxation and living life each day as it comes, it can take a lifetime to master but once you have that happy go lucky attitude you will never look back.

If you are driving down the road and suddenly you can’t stop because you have planned your next stop that is not the way to go. There is nothing better than flying down the highway and seeing a place of interest, whether it be a biltong shop, safari park or tea garden you need to have the time to stop and enjoy what you want.

The same goes for a gap year, when you find yourself in that random European town that simply captures your heart you want to have the freedom to stay for a while, you don’t want to be rushed.

A Journey through Africa

2011-11-24T01:12:00.000-08:00

Travelling through Africa is an event that many don’t get to experience; it is a dream of many and the reality of few. I am lucky that in my make everyday count sort of lifestyle that it leads me to a job I can fully take advantage of such opportunities.

You are going to need some things of course to set off on this journey; you will need water tankers, and a motor vehicle that will be able to handle any terrain, so a 4x4 would best suit you. You can find rollbacks for sale in South Africa, so that is no problem. But once you have all your equipment you are ready to set off. Make sure rather that you are over prepared, there is nothing worse than being stranded in the middle of Africa, it’s not dangerous, but you are not always to find what you need when you are stranded in certain countries.

I would advise that you start from South Africa as that is a good start, you can prepare and get anything you are going to need. I would set up through Johannesburg and head over the border into Botswana; the reason for this is there are great game reserves and natural areas to drive through that will make the trip all the more exciting. Up through to Maun and then to Shakawe where you would pass into Namibia for a little and then on to Zambia. Its then onto one of my favourite places, Tanzania, a beautiful place with a wide array of culture and wildlife touching the heart of Africa.

I know I am rushing, but I can promise you that your trip won’t be. Its then onto Kenya the last free roaming area of Africa, and stick around to watch the migration. It is breathe taking and even more so if you are directly in the middle of it. On to Ethiopia and let’s hope that those trailers are still holding up. Its then into Sudan, and I know that sounds intimidating with everything that has been on the news about this place but you will be sticking to the border of the Red Sea. Its then onto the last stop of your Journey and that is the Ancient land of Egypt. The tip of the Middle east and one of the oldest countries in existence. I have done other trips through Africa and I can tell you that this is the best and the most to see along the way.

Off to the East

2011-11-21T02:10:00.000-08:00

As I continue to prepare for my trip to Thailand, I now hear that the flood waters are no longer an issue and I can safely walk around Bangkok, which is great because I want to do a lot of shopping. I have been given a list by my friends of things to buy. There are apparently great Vodafone deals like Vodafone LG phones to get on the cheap, but there are also a lot of requests to bring home some other gifts for Christmas.
I have even been sent measurements for suit sizes as you can get really cheap, simply go in get yourself measured and come back the next day to collect and pay for your amazingly priced items. Of course the clothes don’t last as long, but for what you are paying you can buy 10 pairs for the price of one.

Ok buy of course there is more to do in Thailand; I am going there to Scuba dive and snorkel. In that clear blue I cannot wait to dive in and love life. More so I will be taking ferry rides and riding long tails out to the best spots with my underwater camera to get the best possible pictures.

I will also be riding elephants through the jungle as I have heard that this is an amazing adventure and I have always loved animals and this is something I am very much looking forward to.

Of course staying in a hotel on the beach is always fun and I am very much looking forward to the Jungle and Full Moon parties in December time. Who knows maybe I will have such a good time I will fall in love with Thailand and end up opening a beach bar. I have heard the story a hundred times and it sounds great to me.

Build That Home

2011-11-18T03:39:00.000-08:00

Designing a new home can be stressful and there are a lot of things that need to be planned. Apart from the financing of the house and taking that trip to the bank to ask for a loan. Or if you are like some people who spend their whole lives saving so that they can spend it on their dream home. Once you have the financing you then have to decide where you are going to buy the land or the house that you want to renovate or move into.

This is a team decision, however more often than not the lady will get her way, and it’s just the way the world works nowadays. So once that is decided on you can call in the builders, designers, plumbers, architects to get on top of everything. In this day and age with costs, many people are turning to building their houses out of cheaper materials like wood. It is a fraction of the costs and a fraction of the building time. Of course if maybe you live in earthquake or tornado area’s maybe this is not the best option, but otherwise go right ahead.

Once the frame has been done its time to look for things like bathroom tiles and bathroom basins, flooring, kitchen, lounge and all those things in-between. It’s an exciting process and can be the best time of your life. It also of course can be very expensive so it is important to make sure you get your materials from the right places. It is also important to make sure that you get the right contractor, its all well and good getting a cheap one, but if you don’t have a reliable trustworthy one there can be massive problems. Time delays and hidden costs are major factor in building a house and that is why you need to be involved as possible.