Discover Top Posts Tagged with #travellingcheapskates

We made a stop at Nirox Sculpture Park, lookout for the full experience post where we spill it all.

#Travellingcheapskates #travel #traveling our own backyard #Nirox sculpture park

Backyard stops...

Backyard stops are a big part of the Travellingcheapskates life, they help break routines and amp one up for longer out of City escapes. The Northcliff Tower as well as Zoo Lake are top of this list; they are both free and easily accessible for the Jozi bound cheapskates.

A call to hook up with mates recently awarded one the opportunity to scout for a similar setup. The usual hook up indoors with eats and sips was not gonna cut it, after all the winter days have kinda limited time out in the sun. An interweb camping session lead to The Nirox Sculpture Park discovery; a farm plot not too far from Maropeng with endless flows of green grass and a sculpture here and there. The spot was gem in all ways, the forbidden picnic disclaimer did dampen the spirit a lil.

The big day arrived, hooked up with the mates with sips in a cupie and the Sunday short left began. The drive out of Roodepport was a treat itself, with koppies shielding the route. We found the spot with ease and the car guard told us about downloading an app to guide us through the park. Being the adventurous beings we are, we opted for self guide, making a water and coffee stop by the receiving area.

The journey started, with phones in hand and convos about this and that flowed and we climbed, sat and hopped on the art. The mommies in the group agreed this was a spot to be frequented, with the kiddies the one added. Lovers layed arm in arm in the shadow of the sculptures. I could not resist the water, my shoes were off and I was ankle lenght in the water with a beautiful tree in my background before I even realised snaps were taken.

The venue hosts events that charge admission but any other time one can enjoy the exhibited art surrounded by beautiful backdrops free of charge. Various artists exhibit so the art does a rotation affording you a new experience every time.

#travel #travellingcheapskates #travelingourownbackyard #pearl nkosi #nirox sculpture park #art #sculpture #johannesburg #maropeng #free

Pearl's shower on the move experience.

#shosholoza #travel #Travellingcheapskates #mankosip #Pearl Nkosi #local travel #train

We are out here pushing mission #FillUpTheGallery for 2 reasons only: 1. Entrance is free and we love us some free activities. 2. Mam Esther Mahlangu's work is on exhibition till 2nd April. The collection is inspired and samples some of pieces by the late Dr Nelson Mandela I mean reason 2 just screams celebrating our own, collaboration and breaking barriers. So best you make a date to stop at the Melrose Art Gallery weekdays before 6 and weekends before 5.

#travel #travellingcheapskates #meetsouthafrica #esthermahlangu #painting #nelsonmandela #melrose #johannesburg #art #artgallery #free

Philile in Doha

DID YOU KNOW?

Philile Nzimande the one half of Travellingcheapskates currently resides in Doha, this is what she had to say about her stay.

Souq waqif

1. SUPER SAFE, I can walk in the streets at 2am 2. It’s a melting pot of cultures, I’ve met soooo many people from countries I can’t even pronounce. 3. I love the food because it’s a land filled with experts, there’s a wide selection of cuisines.

Moroccan tea, souq waqif

Al Cornish Restaurant

3 Learnings from Doha

1. A smile will get you far :) 2. Inshalllah , meaning God willing is a way of life, in other words, it will happen when God wills it to, when Will that be, God knows. They make African time look good. 3. Another great learning is ambition, this country is as big as Johannesburg and will host one of the biggest World Cup in the world. No matter how small, young, underprivileged, poor. It all starts with an ambitious mind and you can do or be anything you want to so long as you are willing to put in the work.

Sealine Dessert Beach

I also learned that some white South Africans carry their white South African racism and privilege around the world. It’s a shame a but also proof of how much work we need to do and turn this around- South Africa cannot be a racist haven. This experience has also encouraged my Travellingcheapskates journey, re-emphasising the role travel can play and I look forward to my return and doing more in this regard.

#travellingcheapskates #doha #SealineDesserBeach #souqwafiq

For us, by us!

Since its inception, Travellingcheapskates has prided itself in offering trialed and tested offerings and so it was not a rare occasion when the team took on Magaliesberg for 2 days. On the 9th of Feb, the one and only ‘the people’s ntatheli’ joined the team for the awesome experience.

The mission was to experience a group itinerary, and Koester Farm was the chosen location. Located over an hour away from Jozi, the base was a fully furnished home with a touch of sophistication and glam. The rustic décor, high wall and windows, and wooden bookshelves made you forget about entertainment such as TV or social media.

The journey was what would be expected in a group travel, chaotic but lit. All the little stops and welcomed distractions had us running 2 hours late. Even though check in was later than anticipated, we still managed to get the braai started, drinks pouring and midnight conversations on lock. Sharing life experiences, talking growing up in KZN and the evolution of black conscious movements such as ‘respect the doek’.It was a beautiful session that ended at 3am, and then we disappeared into our respective rooms for power naps. We needed to be well rested for the day ahead!

Sunrise broke in and the excitement of exploration began. Pearl recreated her own luxury garden bath, with aloe leaves and scented bubble bath foam. Philile claimed the outdoor shower located behind the couple glamping corner- and soon became a convincing advocate for the benefits of cold baths. Nontobeko, kicked off the day with her amazing energy…cueing us to get up with her jump shots and begging us to see the land beyond the farm.

Hennops Hiking trail

Hennops Hiking trail was the first stop of the morning; the game plan had to change with so much time lost in the backyard- the trio agreed to rather go 2.5km route as opposed to the intended 5km. The route was not short of attractions; with trips down the Hospital cave, as well as a suspension bridge crossover that tested Philile's character. Singing and chats cut the route short and the final obstacle had the group working together as they hoisted each other from one end of the riverbank to the other on a cable car.

Harties Cableway

With the first stop out of the way, ‘the dynamic trio’ pulled bundu stunts- deciding on a wardrobe change in the car park just before taking flight up to the Harties Cableway. The slow ride up nearly bought the spirit to a halt, however it proved to be an ideal mood for taking in all the beauty of the lushy Harties Mountain range. A group of land occupants tried to interrupt the panoramic viewing moment with offside racist remarks but saving energy mode would not accommodate retaliation- a speed boat stop needed it more. Thinking about it now, with more time on our hands a drink or two on one of benches scattered by the peak or even in the restaurant would have been ideal.

The Speedboat Ride

The speedboat ride on the Harteespoort Dam proved to be the perfect send- off… the usually talkative dynamic trio, got pulled into their own world, with gentle humming and arms spread out wide on opposite ends of the boat. Then the skipper flared across the dam making doughnuts and front boat lifts as the ladies cheered him on, chanting primary school songs from malume's van.The 1923 manmade dam certainly amped the trio to avail this experience to all Africans. Look out for more trail sessions and glamping experiences starting from only R800 pp sharing…the ‘opulence has arrived’!

A post shared by Travellingcheapskates (@travellingcheapskates) on Feb 11, 2018 at 10:08pm PST

#travel #travellingcheapskates #thetravelingblacks #southafrica #northwest #magalies #magaliesburg #koesterfarm #harties #hartbeespoortdam #hartiescableway #views #boatride #kosmos #speedboat

Top 5 Highlights of the visit to KwaGogo.

The festive season is a time where Afrilenials take a break from the buzz of the city and visit the place which they lovingly tuck into their hearts and keep dormant to fulfill their dreams… the homelands. These visits are like a sacred time away, to unwind and catch up with family and even, self. This is an exciting time for many, and hashtags trending over the season, such as #DiscloseYourVillageProudly prove that our black millennials are proud of their roots.

Pearl Nkosi, co-founder at Travellingcheapskates makes up the group of Afrilenials who make that long journey to Rural South Africa. Every December she makes a stop at her grandmother’s village ‘Ofasimba’, situated in rural eMpangeni, Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Here are Top 5 Highlights from her KwaGogo visit:

1. Unconventional workouts

There’s no need to worry about maintaining exercise regimes in the rural. If you have ever collected wood, water or even cut grass the old school way (manually), you will know how much muscle work goes in.

2. The hunting of feast

Christmas festivities include chasing, catching and slaughtering some menu items. Another form of cardio and trust me, it’s as challenging as it sounds. So much so, that we demand it be referenced in our resumes as a testament of endurance!

3. Free access to beautiful scenery

The natural vegetation of the homelands are an Instagram invitation for the Aesthetic generation: open velds, rivers and mountains. One can connect with nature by taking hikes, swimming in daring rivers as well as embark on picnic adventures in the vast areas.

4. Marriage proposals

In the village, a young maiden is often seen as a potential Makoti, expect your local mama’s to be asking about your clan name, your marital and motherhood status! Although it is very amusing, you must admit, it’s a wonderful back up plan if any potential suitors from the city don’t prove worthy!

5. Quality time with Gogo and Mkhulu

Gogo's family home, is the meeting point for the rest of the family, so coming here is good opportunity to reconnect with everyone. It’s here where we get to relive our childhood memories and discover new stories to share. We can also find Gogo giving us secret home remedies and Mkulu speaking about his adventures as a young musician in Jozi.