Travel Inspired Living SA

Inspired Living SA Travel Blog brings you great travel adventures from South Africa, as well as International destinations. You will find out more about the fantastic travel opportunities within the Western Cape and the greater South Africa. Read articles featuring the amazing places I have travelled, as well as what is on my Travel Bucket List.

International, Travel

Travel My Dream Destination

Earlier in the year I published a post sharing my Top Dream Destinations, little did I know that one of those dreams would be coming true in just a few short months! In just under two weeks we will be winging our way to Thailand!!!

I am still pinching myself 🙂 Life has been so busy of late, that I have had very little time to get excited but we did do a bit of luggage shopping for the girls last weekend and I think the reality has eventually sunk in.

All thought truth be told, I really love to travel but hate the packing part! It is a task that I am truly useless at, I am an “over-packer” of note. I pack for every season or eventuality and usually need to take shoes to match each outfit, a trait which my eldest seems to have inherited from her mother. Have been assured by friends{you know who you are and I am trusting you ;)} that all I need are shorts, T’s, summer dresses and flops – I will try to be restrained!

We have never been to Thailand before, which makes it even more exciting and after the past few weeks of super cold weather I am ready to board the plane tomorrow! The thought of sun, sand and beautiful aquamarine water and not to forget the cocktails – is very appealing at the moment. It may however be a shock for my body, going from jeans and jumpers to shorts and T-shirts but I guess I will find a way to cope 😉

Most of all I am really looking forward to the Thai Cuisine, which is an absolute favourite of mine. I cannot wait to experience the authentic version, which I am sure will be better than anything I have tasted before.

So blogging will definitely be erratic, if and when I am able to share, I will, even if it is just a photograph or two. If you have any travel tips to share I would love to hear them, so please leave a comment below this post.

For more travel related posts please click here…

Africa, Child Friendly Travel, Exploring the Cape, FAR Photography, Local, Travel

Grootbos Exploring Klipgat Caves

Over the past few weeks, I have been sharing our family adventure at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and all the enjoyable activities, you as a guest can enjoy as part of your package rate. Exploring Kilpgat Caves at De Kelders was my favourite out of all the activities, we experienced during our stay! [Read more…]

Events, Exploring the Cape, Lifestyle, Out & About, Travel

Knysna Oyster Festival 2013

As you know Knysna is one of my favourite places to visit in the Cape, so I thought I would let you know about the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival 2013, which is happening soon!

The Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, between 28 June and 7 July this year! With more than 100 events on the programme, there will be fun for everyone.

“Knysna has long been regarded as the pearl of the Garden Route,” said Festival Manager Nicci Rousseau-Schmidt. “And with pearls being the traditional gift for 30th anniversaries, the 2013 Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival is sure to shine as it presents attendees with a wide array of activities and events.”

“On the menu is a smorgasbord of events to thrill and delight the most discerning of gourmands, wine aficionados and those who appreciate the finer things in life, such as the Admiral’s Ball with the SA Navy Dance Band – the perfect opportunity to display your own pearls and dance the night away. The Festival enjoys a wonderful relationship with the South African Navy, who are attending once again and, along with the Admiral’s Ball, the Navy Band performance is not only an event not to be missed, but the perfect grand finale to the Festival.”

“Showcasing over 40 top South African wine producers as well as bubbly from the Cap Classique Association, the Knysna Wine Festival & Night Food Market invites you to meet local winemakers, taste their current releases and learn more about the latest trends in wine making,” said Nicci. “And it only makes sense to pair this extremely popular event with the Night Food Market which is sure to offer tasty titbits to enjoy – and line the stomach!”

“The Pick n Pay Flavours of Knysna challenges restaurants in and around Knysna to compete in a variety of categories for recognition by judges and the public,” Nicci continued. “The event allows them to showcase their talents in what promises to be an evening of culinary delights and gastronomic greatness.”

“Various restaurants will also be identified as Oyster Hotspots. Here you will be able to sample oysters a la natural, as well as oysters cooked according to the restaurant’s own original recipes.”

“And of course we cannot forget about the oyster shucking and eating competitions. Regularly drawing record amounts of participants and spectators, these events are known for their fun factor. On 3 June 2012 Sonya Thomas, also known as ‘The Black Widow’ of competitive eating, ate 47 dozen – 564 in total – oysters in 8 minutes!” Nicci exclaimed. “This record was set in New Orleans, but I can’t help but wonder if we’ll find someone who can better that attempt at this year’s Festival…”

“So train your taste buds and stock up on the milk thistle,” she urged. “This year promises to not only satisfy your taste buds, but to astound them.”

“28 June to 7 July is sure to be the best 10 days of your winter,” Nicci concluded. “Especially if you spend them in Knysna at the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, South Africa’s largest lifestyle, sporting and family event. With over 100 sporting, lifestyle, foodie and kiddie events on offer – each of which benefits local communities and charities, the festival truly offers something for everyone. All you have to do is arrive – we’ll take care of the rest.”

Please visit the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival website for regular updates to the programme and more details on the event, or contact Knysna Tourism on 044 382 5510 for more information.

Top Image Source: Knysna.org

Africa, Child Friendly Travel, Exploring the Cape, FAR Photography, Lifestyle, Travel, Travel

Grootbos Riding on the Reserve

This post is the 3rd Part of our Grootbos Family Adventure! A great location and good service are important when selecting a travel destination but as important, when travelling with a family, are age appropriate activities! Luckily for us, Grootbos offer Horse Riding on the Reserve. [Read more…]

Africa, Child Friendly Travel, Exploring the Cape, Lifestyle, Local, Travel

Grootbos Exploring The Reserve

If you have been following my Grootbos posts, this is the second part of our family adventure. We arrived at Grootbos on a Friday afternoon and spent the day relaxing and unwinding. Our thought was to begin Exploring The Reserve the following day.

[Read more…]