Why do we travel?

 

Many of us have never traveled out of our home country, or even our own city, in our lives. Yet we still all (for the most part) have an undeniable urge to get out and see more of the world. All of the reasons people give for their wanting to travel all bio down to the same thing: learning, and the very human need to explore. Hundreds of years ago when Christopher Columbus set out to explore the world, this is the urge that drove him (yes, he was ordered by the Queen of England to find new land to colonize, but he would never have been successful if the explorer within him hadn't wanted to push through).

 

When we travel, there is no denying that the experiences we have will change us for the rest of our lives. Not many people can say that exploring an entirely new continent, meeting new people, eating new foods and learning about new ways of dealing with the things life throws at us, will leave them with exactly the same ideas and views of the world as they had before. Not only do we learn from the people we meet and the places we go, but those we encounter also take us to be a part of their lives, making the change a two way experience.

 

When we travel for all the different reasons we have, we somehow find ways to make our problems go away, and this, for some, is one of the most important reasons for why we do what we do. Because we live such busy lives, sooner or later we will all become overwhelmed. One of the easiest, and perhaps most rewarding ways to overcome this is to get out there, reset your clocks and see what life is like in a different part of the world. Not only does this usually give us a chance to relax, get our heads back on track and relieve ourselves of all the pent up stress we accumulate over time, but we will more often than not end up learning something about ourselves and recognizing our strengths and weaknesses, a huge step towards understanding who we are.

 

Along with all of these reasons, we, as humans, have an unmistakable child-like curiosity that persists throughout our lives. We want to know more about the world, and we have no problem asking questions. When encountering people in a new culture, it is only natural for us to ask where their traditions come from, how they fit into their daily lives, and how these cultural traditions affect other parts of their lives. We also hold nature to a very high regard when it comes to travel, and many of us are incredibly curious and willing to explore.

 

So why is it that we travel? Well, its quite simple really. We travel because it is the only way we are able to make sense of the world, ourselves, the relationships we hold, and the things we think are important.

Travelling in comfort with Greyhound

 

When going on long journeys, we would love to be as comfortable as possible, having everything that we’re used to having in our homes at our disposal, all the way to our destination. In a car, however, this is not possible, and most of the time, we barely even have enough leg room. While many people think that bus travel is more tedious, because the journey tends to be longer, and there are people around you that you don’t know - but bus travel has evolved over the last few years, and has taken on a life of its own, bringing luxury travel you’d expect from a first class flight, straight to the road.

 

Greyhound, one of the most widely recognized and popular luxury bus liner services in the world, offers world-class service all over South Africa on some of the most advanced luxury liners on the market. When traveling with Greyhound, you will be able to take advantage of services such as: DVD viewing, reclining seats, hostesses on selected services, free onboard coffee & tea serving on selected services, spacious restrooms, refreshment may be purchase from the hostess on selected services. specific seat bookings (allowing you to choose between the aisle or window seat), and complimentary earphones on selected routes.

 

Greyhound has set the standard of excellence for bus travel in South Africa, and over the years has won multiple awards, proving that it is able to step up each and every time it is put to the test. Some of the awards it has won over the years include 1st place Overall - City of Johannesburg Survey Leaders and Achievers Sliver Arrows Award, 1st place Overall - Pretoria municipal District Survey Leaders and Achievers Golden Arrows Award, and many more.

 

When it comes to quality service you can count on Greyhound sets the bar as high as it can, and meets those standards wherever it goes. Whether you’re making a short trip from Johannesburg to Pretoria, or going the distance from Pretoria to Cape Town, you can rest assured knowing that you will arrive in style, rested and entertained all the way.

Tips for traveling solo

If you’ve always wanted to see a specific country, or you just feel like getting away from your busy life, yet you can't find anyone who is willing or able to go with you, you can always choose to go it alone. Traveling solo isn’t the worst thing in the world, in fact, in most situations it will actually force you to be more outgoing and more willing to try new things - no more relying on your travel mate to make the decisions for you!

 

1. Be wary, but don’t be a recluse

One of the best reasons to travel alone is to meet new people, but this also makes you more vulnerable. It's okay to hang out, travel and share with new friends, but you might not want to ask them to hold your money. Scam artists can often be the most charming companions you'll find; you want to be open-minded, but keep your guard up enough to ensure your safety.

 

2. Take it slow

Since you’re in a new city alone, and all o four free time can be used up in any way you want to, you may find yourself wanting to do as much as possible in as short a time as you can. However, you should remember that all of those historical sites and majestic mountains will still be there tomorrow. Plan your days so that you get to visit all the places you wanted to, but leave some time to relax, meet the locals and maybe go down to the local bar to share stories with some people who are probably willing to engage with someone from a different country.

 

3. Be smart and self-reliant when possible

Be self-reliant and well prepared, so that you don't need to depend on someone unless you really feel safe — carry cash, a map, a guidebook, and a phrase book. Walk purposefully with your head up, look like you know where you're going. If you get lost in an unfriendly neighborhood, be savvy about whom you ask for help; go into a store or restaurant to ask for directions or to study your map. When you use cash machines, withdraw cash during the day on a busy street, not at night when it's dark with too few people around, or you might get caught out by someone looking to take advantage of a tourist - a common occurrence in many tourist destinations.

 

4. Get to know your concierge or doorman

 

More often than not, the doorman to your hotel will know more about the local area than anyone else. After all, he deals with requests for information every day. Ask him or anyone at the hotel which areas to stay away from, any popular spots they think you should visit, and get them to teach you how to navigate the neighborhood.

 

5. Prepare for inconvenience

 

Bring copies of your passport or ID card, credit cards and any other important documents. Also send yourself electronic copies of these documents because even if your bags are lost, your life line is only an internet cafe away. Be sure to also have a list of phone numbers, such as those of your emergency contacts at home, your bank and your credit card company, should an emergency arise or in case your credit card needs to be canceled or replaced.

3 Smart travel tips for your next family holiday

Planning a trip on your own can be stressful enough as it is without having to worry about planning for your entire family. When we do go on family vacations, however, we tend to create some of the greatest memories of our lives, most of which we are able to treasure for a long time, regardless of whether or not we’ve remembered to take the camera along. Here are some easy tips that will help you move along the planning phase as smoothly as possible so you can get to the enjoyment without any hesitation.

 

1. Pack light

 

This is probably one that you'll hear quite often, but its for a very good reason. When we pack for our vacations, we tend to get caught up in the excitement, packing everything we can get our hands on “in case we need it”. This leads to having to pay extra luggage fees on the flight, extra clothes and unused necessities strewn around the hotel room that we’ll end up leaving there, and less space to bring back souvenirs for our loved ones. Plan your luggage so that there’s enough space to fit some extra stuff in on your way back without having to buy extra bags. And remember that if you’re traveling with your family, those extra weight fees for your checked luggage will add up if you’re not careful!

 

2. Plan some alone time

 

Even though you’re looking to spend quality time with your family on your vacation, spending too much forced time together is bound to get you all frustrated and will bring down the enjoyment levels considerably. Make sure to leave some time open on your busy schedule so that the kids can go down to the beach while you and your husband or wife stay in and have dinner. Or send the kids out to the movies so you can have a relaxing night in with a book, taking in the sights from your hotel room balcony.

 

3. Don’t skimp out on the travel insurance

 

This one is quite a no-brainer. Even if you’re the kind of person who believes nothing bad could possibly happen to you while you’re on holiday, plan for it anyway, since you might find yourself in more trouble than you can handle if something happens and you haven’t planned for it. Most basic travel insurance packages include things like injuries, lost luggage, sickness, and even cover you if you have to cancel your trip before going. While you probably won’t get the entire amount back, you will at least be able to get a portion of your money back after paying your cancellation fines.

What medications to take along when traveling

When traveling, whether its in or out of your own country, it is important to keep yourself protected from anything that may happen to you. For anyone who suffers from even the mildest allergies, a trip to a foreign city without any medication will quickly turn into a chore, so it is important to remember a few things when traveling so that you don’t leave yourself stranded without your trusty medication. Here are a few of the essentials that you should carry with you at all times when traveling away from home.

 

First and foremost, you should avoid packing your medication into your checked luggage wherever you go. Not only does that prevent you from gaining access to it during your flight or bus ride, but you may also end up being stuck in an airport in Sydney with your luggage being sent to Toronto because of a miscommunication between baggage handlers. Keep it in your carry on luggage, or at least make sure you have enough of it on you that you will be able to survive without what you have in your luggage for a while. Better yet, having it on you means that there is less chance of it getting lost, and less of a chance that you’ll have to go through the hassle of getting ti replaced once you arrive at your destination.

 

Don’t forget to pack the aspirin, an antacid (for that unexpectedly spicy meal), antihistamine, and a small first aid kit so that you are always prepared for the unexpected. You may want to consider taking extra medication, just in case your trip is extended unexpectedly for a day or two. Generally you should keep any prescription medication in its original container and it should have your name on it.

 

If you have a history of medical issues, get your doctor to provide you with a letter that includes a brief medical history describing your medical condition and listing your prescriptions. Depending on the type of medication you are taking, if you are traveling overseas, you might want to check with that country’s embassy to make sure that your medication is not considered an illegal narcotic. A letter from a doctor along with your prescription will also go a long way towards helping you replace it should it get lost, and will provide some necessary information to medical professionals should anything serious happen to you on your trip.

Where to celebrate the birth of democracy in South Africa.

1. Johannesburg, Gauteng

 

The appalling conditions that non-white South Africans endured and fought against for most of the 20th century and earlier are laid bare at Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum. On entry you will be handed a card stating your race, thus decreeing which of the allotted gates you go through. A combination of media immerses visitors in the nightmare world of apartheid, including a tiny chamber hung with 131 nooses, representing the 131 government opponents who were executed under anti-terrorism laws.

 

2. Soweto, Gauteng

 

Some of the fiercest of the anti-apartheid movement’s battles were fought in the Jo’burg townships collectively known as Soweto. The former homes of both Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Mandela – now the Mandela House Museum – are here, as well as the memorial and museum dedicated to Hector Pieterson,  who died in the tragic Soweto uprising of 1976. The Regina Mundi Church, the largest Roman Catholic Church in South Africa, was an important meeting point during the struggle against apartheid and was also used for hearings by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the mid-1990s. Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown commemorates where the Freedom Charter was officially adopted on 26 June 1955.

3. Pretoria, Gauteng

The Union Buildings in the country’s administrative capital are home to the presidential offices. Mandela’s inauguration took place here in 1994 and in December last year a nine metre-tall bronze statue of  the ‘Father’ of our nation with outstretched arms was unveiled here a day after his funeral. In Freedom Park, you can see a 700m long ‘Wall of Names’ inscribed with the names of thousands of people who died during eight distinct conflicts in South Africa’s history.

4. Cape Town, Western Cape

Perhaps the most famous landmark in South Africa, Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town is the former prison island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years before his release. Tours of the prison are given by ex-inmates, who give visitors a first hand account of what it was like to be imprisoned off the coast of the Mother City. A visit to the incredible District Six Museum allows tourists to experience the once multiracial area of Cape Town that was reclassified as a white-only zone, which resulted in the forcible removal of over 60 000 inhabitants whose homes and lives were destroyed in the process. The emotionally moving exhibitions here, which include reconstructions of house interiors furnished with mementos, evoke a community shattered by apartheid that nevertheless refused to be ground into the dust.

Greyhound introduces their Business class feature on the spectacular new Dreamliner.

In order to ensure our services are always of the highest standard, Greyhound has your expectations in mind. We want you to enjoy the entire Greyhound experience with us from the moment you are welcomed aboard. We provide ultra comfortable seating and a dedicated Business Class cabin on the Dreamliner for the ultimate Greyhound Business class experience. One of our strengths is our personalized on board service and professionally-trained crew.

• 12 Memory Foam Executive Sleeper Seats and comfortable seat pitch (1:2 Seat configuration)

• Mood lighting 

• Individual reading lights

• Air conditioned cabin and individual air conditioned power outlets located on the passenger service unit

• Full Audio Video facilities  (23 Inch LED Monitors)

• Personal earphones (Can be purchased from the Hostess)

• Seats equipped with in-seat power for laptops and mobile phones

• Complimentary Coffee & Tea Servings 

• WC facilities

• Wi-Fi Connection available at a minimal cost

• Dedicated Cabin Attendant

 

 

*Business class is only available on the Dreamliner Fleet on selected routes. For more information and reservations, please contact our Customer Care Team on 011 611 8000/ 083 915 9000.

 

Greyhound – Ultimately, we travel for you!