Late at night, when I paint my nails and catch up with messages I didn’t get to during the day I get to sit back and marvel at how incredible the people I surround myself with are. The people I cheer on, on a daily basis.
Navigation
Navigation – The process or activity of accurately ascertaining one’s position and planning and following a route.
I have always been rubbish at following a route. I hate cooking with a recipe and give up half way because it feels like work and I shit you not the actual Maps function on my phone is broken. It always reads my position as one road to the left. (Yes, I and several other people have tried to fix this. I have given up and actually learned how to use it as is. You know like the car you drive where one gear is a bit sticky but you don’t notice it after a while.)
Catch your next flight from Lanseria International Airport
Growing up I remember doing a lot of airport-runs with my mum. Dropping people off, picking others up, walking up and down in front of the arrivals gate. I remember wishing I could go beyond the gate. I wanted to see what was on the other side. Skip a few years and airports have become my regular stomping grounds. Lanseria International Airport has become my airport of choice for local travel and here is why you need to choose Lanseria for your next local flight.
52 places
I love following 52 week and 365-day challenges and I love cheering people on to stick to it. But more often than not those I follow start one on the 1st of Jan then drop out around the halfway mark. (Except Megan, who even posted in hospitals and planes, nothing stopped her from completing 365beauty tips it was bloody awesome) Others start drawing challenges and boy do they start strong. Then they get lazy and it all goes out the window.
2017 in places
Anyone feel like you have been holding your breath this whole year? January kicked off with a customary underwear dip in the pool. A fresh start. So much promise. So many wonderful things were right in reach. February brought change. Change we were all ready for and change we have been learning to live with since. 2017 had the highest of highs (no really, loads of drugs were involved) and the lowest of lows. To mention but one it was having to be sedated in ICU after attempting to pull out all drips.
3 Gin Tasting in Cape Town
A couple of years ago a “G&T” was something people in old movies drank and most likely the only gin brand you could name was Gordons.
5 things to buy the average traveller for Christmas
A gift guide for the traveller girl who doesn’t like receiving gifts.
It’s no secret that I am not a fan of Christmas. In fact the older I get the more I actively dislike it. I don’t put a tree, I don’t decorate anything. For one, I go home to Cape Town for Christmas. But I genuinely dislike the idea of decorating and then having to take everything down again. I am not particularly religious and do not feel connected to that aspect of the whole festive thing. I sound bitter, I know. But I promise I am quite happy. I think getting gifts makes me extremely uncomfortable.
I get immense joy from giving things and I don’t tend to wait for Christmas or Birthdays to give people little things or do or plan something really cool for them.
Say KUNJANI to my day job
“if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life”
I agree, but I also don’t. I love what I do for a living (even though it is very hard to explain it to people) But I have also never worked harder in my entire life. I have never worked longer hours, learned more, managed more and I have never felt more accomplished.
I have touched on what I do but never really explained it. I am Lydia Afonso and I am the Ops Manager for Kap Vino Estate, Kunjani Wines. (And accommodation and restaurant). Oversee all operations of the estate, from the wine-admin to the running of the day to day all the way through to exports and the accommodation and venue hire. I do, well, a little of everything with the help of an amazing team.
Just over 2 years ago, a friend (who also works in the industry) sent me a tweet with a link to a new wine they found. The USP was “A wine made by men, for men” and I was too intrigued not to pick up the phone and hear if it was for real. Turns out it was and it was actually being run by an AMAZING woman. I asked her if she was crazy with a slogan like that. It was actually an export brand and she was dying to change it.
Fast forward 6 months and I found myself saying yes to opening up a “small, intimate wine tasting” that will never serve food.
WHAT TO PACK FOR THE MOTHER CITY
GB GREEN LYDIA – WHAT TO PACK FOR THE MOTHER CITY
There are few places on the planet that combine progressive innovation and world-class entertainment with the backing track of an African rhythm; where culinary bliss is rivaled only by some of the most beautiful vistas imaginable. This is Cape Town, and it is one of the world’s most exciting destinations. To get the most out of it, pack well so that you are comfortable while you shop, taste wine, explore historical sites, and indulge in some of the prettiest beaches and finest restaurants in South Africa.
Here are some top packing tips for the Mother City:
Summer Clothes
Cape Town summers can get really hot and sunny. So, in addition to a range of cool clothes, always wear sunglasses, sunscreen and, preferably, a wide-brimmed hat. These are also fabulously glam, so you’ll fit right in. Remember, Cape Town is the trendy home of some of the top fashionistas in the country. It also has a number of beaches; including the spectacular Camps Bay and Clifton beaches, which have all of the white-sand-and-turquoise-water essentials for the perfect summer vacay. So, your luggage will need to include:
- Cotton sun dresses
- Shorts / minis
- Cotton palazzo pants
- Tees and vests
- Bikinis or full costumes
- Sandals
Winter Clothes
As hot as the summers are, winters can get chilly in Cape Town, especially at night. It’s best to layer your outfits so that, as the crisp morning air lifts and the day warms up, you can just remove a layer or two. Some winter essentials include:
- Jeans (skinnies work well as they can be transformed into something a little more formal for evenings)
- A hoodie and a wind-breaker
- A raincoat
- A formal jacket
- Jumpers or jerseys
- Tights
- Long-sleeved and short-sleeved tops
- Umbrella
- Comfy boots
- Sneakers
- Warm PJs
Toiletries
Cape Town is well-equipped and most guesthouses and hotels have all of the essentials. Still, any traveller should have a few basic essentials to make their stay in South Africa even better. These include:
- Bug spray or mosquito repellent
- Sunscreen
- Headache tablets
- Antihistamines
- Anti-nausea tablets
- Any chronic medication (including a copy of the script)
Other
Of course, you can’t prepare for everything, but here are some helpful extras that will leave you feeling more prepared:
- Camera (with extra memory cards)
- Plug adapters
- Chargers for phones, cameras, tablets and laptops
- All your documentation (driver’s licence, passport, ID book, and so on)
- A travel and map app on your device to help you to get around
- Comfortable walking shoes
Packing well could be the difference between having the time of your life and being really uncomfortable. Cape Town is special; it’s a destination that will stay with you forever. Make sure that you’re comfortable and have everything you need so that you can sit back, relax and really savour its magic.
Blog post in association with SA Venue
Hot Air Balloons
I once saw a bunch of hot air balloons being inflated in a field in Bath, in the UK. It was the clearest day. Not a cloud in the sky right in the centre of Bath in Victoria Park a whole bunch of air balloons were slowly being inflated. Eager passengers waiting in anticipation for the basket to just-just lift off the ground for them to jump in.