I created the “Travellers’ Tales” section earlier this year to give my readers and other travellers an opportunity to talk about their travels. Today I would like to introduce you to Lottie Reeves, a travel blogger based in the United Kingdom, who is currently traveling in South Africa. She blogs at "Princess In a Caravan"
I would love to hear about your travels too. Go to “Travellers’ Tales” , fill in the quick questionnaire and email it to me with your blog links.
Read about Lottie’s travels here,
Travel questionnaire
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am from London, UK and although I am a qualified teacher I haven’t been in the classroom for 5 years. I have spent that time managing volunteer projects, education programs, starting my blog and setting up a social enterprise. As well as traveling! I have spent the last 2 years in South Africa, most recently traveling around the country in a caravan. Prior to South Africa, I spent 2 years in Toronto, Canada – one of the best cities there is!
2. What is your earliest travel memory?
I used to go to Spain every year with my family. I remember celebrating my 4th birthday in Mallorca. My Granddad and I started the day going to collect fresh bread while singing “I’m 4 today, I’m 4 today, I’ve never been 4 before today”! I was then treated to birthday cake at a nearby hotel. It was a good day!
3. Where was your last holiday?
I recently spent 7 weeks in Vietnam…it was meant to be 4 but we were having too much fun!
4. What was the best thing you did there?
We traveled from the south to the north on motorbikes so although we did all sorts of amazing things, the overall experience (I had never been on a bike before) was amazing! The freedom that being on a bike gave us to go wherever we wanted and on our own schedule was great. My favourite thing about being on a bike however was the fact that there’s nothing between you and the country as you travel through it. There’s no glass screen protecting you from the sights, sounds and smells (at times this was less than pleasant!) which means you really get to feel the country.
5. What was your best holiday ever? Why?
The recent trip to Vietnam. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone on several occasions and despite having traveled a lot, it was my first real backpacker trip. It was also the first trip that I took my own advice to heart and really didn’t plan in advance. We just ‘winged it’ and it was the best way to travel.
6. What is your favourite travel destination?
Uganda. I love that place! It has a special place in my heart - the people, culture, traditions, wildlife…everything!
7. What must one do there?
Go to Murchison Falls to see the waterfall but also do a game drive. Get off the beaten track and stay in smaller towns, get to know the locals, chat with them, hang out with children, go to a school, get invited to someone’s house, get given a live chicken (!) Just make sure you experience the real country.
8. Who is your favourite travel companion/s?
Right now, my boyfriend 😉
9. Name one item you must have when travelling.
Baby wipes (I have even got my boyfriend on board with how useful they are!)
10. Your best travel advice?
Don’t plan too much (and that’s coming from someone who is a natural planner!) Try to go with the flow and just ‘be’ on your trip, be in the moment switch off from social media, change your route, stay an extra night, move on if you don’t like somewhere, go to a place you hadn’t heard of but someone has suggested.
11. The one place you want to visit before you die?
I honestly don’t think I can name just one….my ‘next must see’ place changes all the time. Right now it is Namibia.
12. Your favourite place in South Africa?
iSimangaliso Wetlands Park in KwaZulu-Natal is the most beautiful place I have been to. It’s the perfect showcase of South Africa’s biodiversity with mangroves, estuaries, lakes, beaches, vast African plains and bush! It is also a natural home to lions, elephants, buck, zebra, giraffe…to name just a few! Driving through the park on your way to / from one of the most stunning beaches you will ever see, you are guaranteed a genuine animal sighting.
13. How can people connect with you?
www.princessinacaravan.com (Ed's Note - I love the blog name and the cute logo)
https://twitter.com/princessinavan
https://www.facebook.com/princessinavan
https://www.instagram.com/princessinacaravan/
Thank you, Lottie , for sharing your fascinating travels with us and thanks for the great advice!
I would love to hear about your travels too. Go to "Travellers’ Tales", fill in the quick questionnaire and email it to me with your blog links.
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
Woo-hoo!! Thanks, Lottie, for giving Uganda a shout out. It is indeed an awesome place, filled with many live chickens!
Now I really need to visit Uganda, Leslie. It sounds awesome!