I created the “Travellers’ Tales” section to give my readers and other travellers an opportunity to talk about their travels. Today I would like to introduce you to Tracy, a travel blogger from the UK with strong ties to South Africa. Visit her blog at “Tracy’s Travels in Time ”.
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.
1.Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Tracy. I am in my late forties and I have been travelling for over 30 years. I have lived in 6 countries on 3 continents and travelled to 40+ more amazing countries. Next year I am moving (with my husband) to Australia. When I was a child, I dreamt of a life well-travelled and that is the life I live!
2.What is your earliest travel memory?
We travelled a lot when I was a child – all over Europe mainly. My earliest memory though is of wanting to ride a donkey at Butlins Skegness and then crying when they actually sat me on it! I became so hysterical that I have never quite got over a fear of donkeys and horses!
3.Where was your last holiday?
I spent the summer travelling firstly with my niece to Italy (it was her 21st birthday present from her Dad and her first time abroad – to say she loved Italy is an understatement) and then 3 weeks travelling around Croatia with my husband. He had been wanting to go to Croatia for a few years so was really pleased to get the chance! We also visited Bosnia Herzegovina and Montenegro as well as Slovenia. Finally I visited my mother twice at her home in Switzerland for a bit of a rest!
4. What was the best thing you did there?
Italy – taking the tours around the Colosseum. We were given access to restricted areas which was fantastic. Also a tour around the Academia and the Uffizi in Florence – I learnt so much about art.
In Croatia, it was staying in the old city of Split. I fell in love. It is an absolutely magical place.
5. What was your best holiday ever? Why?
That is such a difficult question as I have loved all my holidays! My husband was working in Norway a few years ago and I flew over to spend 10 days with him. He was in a village 4 hours by coach from Bergen and we had an amazing time exploring the fjords.
Last year we spent 3 weeks on the West Coast of the USA and visited places I had dreamt of my entire life. Seeing the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Hollywood sign in LA was almost surreal!
6. What is your favourite travel destination?
I love Africa and have lived in both South Africa and Botswana. I grew up between South Africa and the UK so going to SA is like going home. I encourage people to travel to southern Africa as once they have been they will always want to return. Africa calls you back. It has so much to offer the visitor that one trip is not enough.
7.What must one do there?
Go on game drives, visit Cape Town, visit the Drakensberg, drive the Garden Route, and eat good food.
8. Who is your favourite travel companion/s?
My husband. We both love train travel and sleeper trains so we are always planning our next trip and figuring out how to fit in as much train travel as possible!
9. Name one item you must have when travelling.
My iPhone – I can’t do without social media and I use the camera all the time (I have still not purchased a SLR)
10. Your best travel advice?
Just do it! No excuses…..I have travelled solo, as a single parent and with my husband and at nearly 50 we are emigrating to Australia. It is scary but it is also sooooo exciting!!
11. The one place you want to visit before you die?
I really want to properly travel round South-East Asia – so 12 months travelling through Vietnam, Cambodia etc is totally something I want to do.
In terms of experiences I would like to take the trans-Mongolian express from St Petersburg to Beijing! Oh, and see polar bears in Churchill Canada….
And one more – I really want to sing along to Michelle Shocked while landing at Anchorage Airport!
There is a huge world out there – my bucket list grows every year!
12. Your favourite place in South Africa?
City - Cape Town
Game reserve – The Pilanesberg
13.Any embarrassing travel moments?
When my daughter was about 9 we were staying on the Amalfi Coast and decided to take a bus to Salerno and catch a train to Pompeii. We left quite early, it was hot and all she would have for breakfast was a milkshake. After an hour on the bus on the extremely twisty winding road along the coast we were about 5 minutes from arriving in Salerno when my daughter turned green.
She said she was about to be sick and proceeded to throw up. Unfortunately I put my hand and a tissue in front of her mouth as she did it. The vomit bounced off and showered the unfortunate bus passengers behind us with a rather grossly smelling sour milk.
14.Worst travel experience?
Flying – turbulence terrifies me. An emergency landing in Cairo 29 years ago has made flying something I don’t look forward to.
15.How can people connect with you?
My blog is Tracy's Travels in Time
I am on Twitter (I love Twitter!)
Thank you, Tracy , for sharing your fascinating travels with us!
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.
Who will I feature next? I’ve got an exciting line-up ahead. Make sure you subscribe to the newsletter so you don’t miss out on some exciting travel tales.
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 49 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
Thanks so much for the opportunity to feature in your travellers tails section!
It was great completing the questionnaire ?
(One little typo it should read 'life well travelled' in Q1 if you could change it it would make more sense (if says lived at the moment)
Thanks Tracy ???
Thanks Tracy. It was a pleasure hosting you. I have made the change.