Drinking tea, lots of tea, is a favourite past time, or rather, a favourite beverage for the Bedouin living in the Wadi Rum of Jordan. This tea, experienced in the smallest of cups, is a mixture of natural resources grown in the desert. These ingredients consist of hibiscus, cardamom and a bit of cinnamon, as well as added sugar or honey. Prep...
The exit from South Africa was historical in nature, progressive in time and advancing in antiquity. Backwards! From the modern skyscrapers in Dubai to the white marble of Athens, to the even more ancient dusty sandstone sculptures and mountians in Egypt, it was a literal stepping back in time as we commenced our sojourning... Dubai, UA...
Nestled amongst a souk in the original part of the city of Dubai, so this small, cosy, relaxed gem of antiquity stands out like the aroma of a contemporary speciality café. The Dubai Coffee Museum is a melting pot of cultures and showcases a connection of the past and present of the world of coffee – everything from the first methods in roas...
What’s in a title? What does it mean? It is this very title that has come about by our own interest – our interest of travelling, travelling then staying and then travelling some more. A journey you ask? Yes, but more than that – sojourning. Getting to this point has been a journey – a journey in obtaining the right equipment for the journey, testi...
Every journey requires a break, or does it not? This journey as outlined in Coffee Journeying is a break in itself, in two ways: firstly, as a reader of this, take a break and view this coffee journey, part 2; and secondly, there’s a ‘break’ in a new development that this journey promised in the last Tale, namely, three improvements requi...
Planning for and making way for an 8 month trans-continental trip exposes some things. These things are none other than complicated. Complex in their essence, complicated in their existence and complicating in their influence, some things we realise cannot come with us… We realise our lives are complicated, very complicated. So, yes, we tick that b...
Part of Cape Nature’s vast portfolio of wilderness areas, the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area is situated about 2 hours north of Cape Town, south of the Cederberg catchment area. This elevated plateau which supplies the majority of fresh water to the homes of Capetonian’s, is home to one of the remotest of hiking trails in the Western Cape, i...
A few nights in the Cederberg proved to be more than just a few nights, but rather a full on adventure of some great outdoor exploring and pushing the limits. Staying in the Peerboom Hut just south of Algeria, proved to be a great ‘base camp’ from which we could explore the surrounding mountains. Due to the vast trails in the Cederberg we had to be...
As I write this, I do so after 5 and a half months after I crossed the finish line of this incredible trail run. This is probably because it took a lot out of me physically in which I have been suffering with a chronic knee injury due to it; or should I say monster of an extreme run! As I recover, so I realise that timing is probably everything in ...
The inaugural Cape Mile was held at Eikenhof Dam, Grabouw. Water temperature was great at 25 degrees Celcius and over 1000 swimmers took part in varying age groups. Each age group started at different times which made the start quite pleasant and smooth. Overall, the swim was tough, yet a great joy!
This trail is located in the heart of the Outeniqua Mountains, from and including George to beyond Knysna in the South Western Cape. This 108km, 7 day trail makes its way over mountains, along historical rivers and through enchanted forests, where one can overnight in well kitted out huts located just far enough to ensure one gets through enough mi...
This 2 day hike up and down the Langeberg mountains north of Robertson in the Dassieshoek Nature Reserve is a 9km 1200m climb on day 1, and a further 11km, 200m climb and 1500m descent on day 2. Day 1: The trail passed through Fynbos and Protea fields on the upper reaches until a lovely hut is reached, carved into the mountain-s...