The grass is not always greener!

T.I.A - THIS is Africa

I know we all complain about the ‘bad’ in SA, the crime rate is through the roof, corruption is more common than aids it seems and a general sense of ‘get out before we turn into Zim’. I was always one who silently agreed [never much for a heated debate about important stuff but get me started on the debate whether rose needs ice or not, phew, ill be there for days] but it unfortunately takes one to leave the country to realise how good we actually have it. The grass isn’t greener on the side…in fact there isn’t any grass at all. Fine the crime and corruption are points that weigh heavily on our hearts and rightfully so but its time everyone started to see the good in whatever or where ever you are.

I left SA thinking that ‘sure I love my country but I know there is better out there’, and let me tell you it’s been hard to find something that compares. I have been in and out of France, Italy and Monaco for almost two years and without doubt they have issues too. Ok people aren’t getting raped or murdered daily but drug crimes here are rife, vandalism from the ‘Frashy’ [test to see who has read my previous blogs – directly translated into French – Trash, as in those horrible Adidas tracksuit wearing kids], these ‘Frashy’ idiots will sit in a queue for the bus to school, to school, while smoking. On the train they will smoke weed and offer it to other passengers as obviously when you’re in school your way too cool [Ok I was but these kids have fallen short].

Our public transport system may need a bit more of a push to get going properly but the trains and buses here probably go only 25% of the time. They strike more than the miners do. Sometimes its just because it’s a Monday and that’s just too much to ask to work on a Monday, I mean really?

When I look at the smaller things such as service in SA, we blow every country I have been to out of the water. I know I have complained about service back home but everyone needs to up their game now and then but every country I have been to looks at service the same way they look upon work ethic, morals and personal growth -  not bothered!!!

SPUR!!!! No who wouldn't LOVE Spur and their fabulous Hot rocks!

Even looking at the basics such as food back home - you have no idea how spoilt we are, not necessarily South African style cooking (bar the braai) but we are spoilt for choice. I remember being asked what I felt like eating; Chinese, Thai, Italian, Mexican, Pub grub etc but everywhere else has its basic two page menu that they are given by the restaurant god and they are NOT to stray from it. Even the countries who have a BBQ don’t do it right, I remember the hours of chatting around the braai holding your hand above it to see if the boerie would burn or not, yes it took hours…and so it should, not the electric quick braai, where is the experience in that? We take all that for granted.

I am not saying South Africa is the best place in the world but what I am saying is stop being so damn negative about everything. Every day I live away from home I am more grateful for the way I was brought up, the food we have, the lifestyles we live, the people I know and the list goes on and on. The world revolves around the negative so there is no point to dwell on it further, pick out the amazing, the wonderful, the good, even the ok. I guess if the grass isn’t green on your side… go buy some of that instant grass, put a braai on it with a cooler box filled with rose.

Sometimes you don't even need grass

Proudly South African – Stu [PSAS for all those too cool abbreviators out there], and pining for some biltong, a crème soda and some damn Nik Naks!

Cape Town - On a beach in Betty's Bay with some wonderful people!

Never waste a stop-over!

Evidence we went to Norway.

Don’t let a stop over pass you by without investigating your options. I’m genuinely a nervous flyer in terms of being on time and do not like to leave it late at all. I’m the girl who is there first in the queue an hour earlier than recommended. Don’t judge me, it’s because of this very reason I get away with too much luggage, the best seats available or even the odd upgrade. But when you’re given your flight and it has two stop over’s in Norway I can’t tell you the smile on my face!

As you know I’m attempting to visit every country in the world as part of my bucket list and due to this rather costly point on the list you cant expect to spend countless day in each place – you have to be brutal, it’s a cut throat system unfortunately. So there we were for 9 hours in Norway. TICK!

We met a lovely lady who told us the exchange rate [27krone to €1] and we were stoked, not only were we ticking off Norway but doing it cheaply. A quick taxi ride to the town centre for some lunch where they offered us whale steak – now I know I’m no veggie but I just cant bring myself to eat something so wonderful.

Then took a stroll through the small town, which was quite pretty. It was however freezing so we took refuge in a museum. Now I know what you’re thinking – ‘you don’t do museums’ and I don’t. But it was cheap and in the warmth. Paid our money and then ventured into what we assumed was a whale museum. Unfortunately our frozen brains read Whale museum when it was in fact a whaling museum. So not really an up lifter at all, more of a room of death and cruelty. We did manage to leave our thoughts in the guest book as we left to rather brave the cold.

The Whaling museum left a different impression on us.

On our way back in the taxi to our flight we were telling our taxi driver how cheap everything was and he was shocked saying Norway is one of the most expensive places in Europe. My mind instantly doubting myself asked him what he thought the exchange rate was. It was in fact nowhere near 27 to 1, it was 7Krone to €1. Shocked but in fits of laughter at our ignorance we laughed the whole way back shocked that we didn’t double check it ourselves. I guess a life lesson learned the hard way.

"Stop over" attire

Apparently a world famous fountain - Tick

Our little whirlwind trip was never the less fabulous, and we have picture evidence to add to the tick.

Saying bye for now while I continue ticking away.

Not the whale but mussels instead

xxx 

Life is too short - make every moment count - even the annoying stop - overs

Mile-high-WIFI

Blown away by Norwegian Air's WIFI!

I have finally left the sea of mono-brows and b/o that was the Turkish oven and thankful to say – relieved to be gone. Been given the cheapest most last minute deal the airlines had to offer we are currently doing the round-the-world-bargain trip back to France. Leaving Turkey to a small town in Norway called Trondhein, and yes I said Norway [go to Google maps and just look at that distance, do it, now!] followed by a small 9hour stop over and then to another small town called Strandfjiord still in Norway, followed by yet another small 6 hour stop over and then back to Nice. It’s truly hard to believe that was the cheapest option. But as much of a mission as it has been, it has been made easier by the friendly Norwegian Air crew and the Internet they now offer onboard.

What an amazing feat for the human race – blown away for sure, I do hope teleporting comes next.

I have always been in love with travelling, mostly the hotels, the planes and the trains. I don’t know what it is but I LOVE IT. Even a bad hotel still gives me butterflies so this trip – although long – is just another exciting adventure for me.

Not only do I get to tick off Norway on the “Visit every country in the world” list but my passport is now FULL and I couldn’t be more proud. I page though it like it’s a storybook. Sure it has some horror shots of me for the millions of visa’s I needed but over all it’s quite the adventure story.

It did get me thinking of the travel tips that have helped me out over the recent years. Might even help you out.

Carry-on: I’m not a fan of carrying too much as I really enjoy dumping my luggage at check-in and then wandering around bag less. But I have had to don the most unattractive backpack but hey, it takes everything I need and keeps my hands free.

The ol’ faithful: My sarong has probably been the best gift ever. Don’t pack that horrible little microfiber travel towel- I know it dries in two minutes but it takes me 15 to get to my whole body its so tiny, just take a sarong. Don’t waste space on a beach towel - pack a sarong. Make sure you keep it in your carry on as well as when you have an 18hour stop over like I had in Qatar and wasn’t allowed to leave the airport [Ah the good ol’ green mamba] that was my sheet, my blanket and my saviour from all that lurks and breathes on airport floors.

Too much luggage? Don’t stress, try your best ‘pretty pleeease’ face and if not the fines are no way near as bad as you think or if your in a bind then do what my fabulous fiancé does and slightly lift the bag up at the end of the scale. It takes practice to perfect it but when it works you feel like you have won the euro-millions.

You never know: Pack spare undies and a spare outfit. You just never know where you will get to go or what planned or unplanned events you might run into. We had a day added to our trip in Oz due to a cancelled flight and ended up having the biggest night ever in Darwin – luckily I packed spar knickers and a fab dress. It makes delays or cancelled flights way more fun.

Upgrade? My mom always told me if you don’t ask you don’t get, so I ask every time. Most airlines sell cheaper tickets on the day for upgrades and if anybody has done it you just know it’s worth it. If you fly emirates its worth signing up the emails and points package as if the flight isn’t full they upgrade cardholders first. Happened to us twice already. I have since then signed up to every damn flyer mile system there is. I make it my goal to get a free upgrade every time!

And lastly … please stop complaining: You have no idea how stupid you sound. After all the flights, stop over’s, waiting rooms, check ins and check outs, transfers and all that goes with the amazing feat that is ‘flying’ that I have done in the past 2 years so trust me when I tell you…It makes no difference what so ever. Yes the seats are cramped and shitty but your flying, in the sky, probably sipping on a mini bottle of wine – things could be worse. Yes check-in procedures can take ages but in the end, we all get on the right flight – most of the time. Just smile and remember your flying to another country. Its pretty awesome by itself.

Sam-in-a-can writing this to you live from Norwegian Air above … Hamburg for now. Yes that’s in the sky!!!