If you’re a South African, I’m sure you’re familiar with the Local is Lekker phrase. It celebrates and promotes everything proudly South African. This phrase was the inspiration for a new series on my blog – Local Travel is Lekker. I’m an avid supporter of local South African travel and feel extremely blessed to live in this beautiful country. Therefore I’ve decided to feature like-minded bloggers and travellers who share my Local Travel is Lekker sentiment and hopefully this series will inspire our South African citizens to get out there and explore this exquisite country.
This week’s featured blogger is Carmen from Meanderings who chats about the beautiful Natal Midlands.
1) What do you love most about South Africa?
It seems like every province has determined it is going to try and spoil you with natural wonders and the hospitality of her people wanting to share it. Maybe I am biased, but I think we live in a fascinating country with extraordinary beauty. Sometimes the grind of life makes you forget it. But we truly live in a gorgeous rainbow nation.
2) What is your first local travel memory?
I grew up in a family with three siblings, so we always had large vehicles packed to the hilt going anywhere. I think my earliest memories are of getting up in the wee hours of the morning when we left to drive off on holiday and my folks had earmarked the back of the station agony for me and made a bed including mattress and duvet on top of the luggage. The sensation I remember was being warm and sleepy while surrounded by those I love and having great anticipation at the same time of the adventure to come.
3) What’s your favourite place to visit in your hometown?
I am a coffee shop gypsy and a bit of a coffee snob. I live in the Natal Midlands outside Pietermaritzburg. So Hilton is kind of my hometown. We are a little spoilt for choice, but I think it’s a tie between Ground Coffee House and The Upper Millstone. Both excellent.
4) What is the best South African food you’ve had on a local road trip or getaway?
Crayfish in Kleinbaai visiting my grandfather when I was young. They were huge! It was a veritable feast.
5) What’s on your South African travel bucket list?
So much… I haven’t been to the Pilansberg. Dying to get there. Also a camping canoe trip down the Orange River with my brother’s and the opportunity to fly fish for yellowfish.
6) What are your top tips for planning a local getaway?
Research and planning. We are fortunate to have so many resources with the internet. Bloggers are also a fairly straightforward bunch, so read up on the area from that perspective. It’s easy, Google ‘area travel blog’ for example ‘Natal Midlands travel blog’. Social media and TripAdvisor are good sources too.
7) Where can we follow your blog?
Facebook.com/meanderingscoza
Twitter.com/meanderingscoza
Instagram.com/meanderingscoza
LinkedIn.com/carmenbarends
How Do I Jump on the Local Travel is Lekker taxi?
That’s a wrap on this week’s Local Travel is Lekker blogger feature. Be sure to stop by every week to be inspired by another local traveller and awaken your own wanderlust for local South African travel. Join the conversation on social media with the Local Travel is Lekker hashtag. And if you’re interested in participating, get in touch with me!
