My trip to Bahrain to watch the F1 Grand Prix

My trip to Bahrain to watch the F1 Grand Prix

People definitely come into your life for a reason. Prior to 2007, I was not a F1 Grand Prix fan. I could not see the value in watching racing cars doing laps and laps around a circuit. But, I am a person who is open to trying anything at least once, especially if it involves travelling.

So in 2008, I purchased a VIP package to be at the F1 Grand Prix race in Bahrain.

Sitting at the first turn at the Bahrain Grand Prix circuit.

What a fantastic experience it was for me to be seated at the first turn of the Grand Prix Circuit at the races each day. The next best choice was to purchase a package that included being seated in an air conditioned

marquee as temperatures easily reached 40 degrees and more. Most households had air conditioners in them.

In the 35 degree heat at the Grand Prix circuit in Bahrain.

Let the main race begin!

In terms of exposure to a different culture, it was definitely an eye opener for me. Considering that Bahrain is a wealthy country, with the Saudi Bridge connecting it to Saudi Arabia, it was surprising that one would need to purchase bottle water to quench your thirst as the tap water was not necessarily a healthier option. What a mind set change that was, as being Capetonian, it is as simple as us opening up our tap and drinking healthy water.

Then there was the exposure of woman being the mother, housewife and carer to the children, while the husband worked for the family.

The nightlife was if I was in Cape Town, with people enjoying the social scene, with one exception......Police presence is evident. Clubs needed to be closed by 2am. If you thought that traffic was bad in your city, then think again. I was exposed to drivers driving diagonally across a 6 lane highway just to get to the opposite side of the road and feeling no remorse about it, even if they may have just caused an accident.

Walking through the largest mosque in Bahrain was an inspiring experience. As showing respect for the culture, I dressed in the Salaah Thoub and scarf to observe the men engaging in their prayers.

So experiencing the F1 Grand Prix with ear plugs daily in my ears from the sound of the roaring racing cars to being exposed to a culture where woman are the customary caregiver and the male is the bread winner was an interesting experience.

So how did this trip to Bahrain to watch the Grand Prix change me? Well, it was a cultural experience that changed my perspective on how each culture engages with the next person and that I can actually enjoy a sport that I never knew I would even consider watching on my television, let alone live at a Grand Prix Circuit.

My 2010 Mediterranean cruise through Greece

My 2010 Mediterranean cruise through Greece

Whenever I thought of Greece, the one monumental place that immediately came to mind was being on that Acropolis. And one of my dreams was realised. I got the opportunity to walk, what felt like a thousand steps up a steep heel in Athens, to reach the Acropolis. So amptly named as "Acro" means on top and "polis" means city. So I got the best of the city of Athens all from the top of the Greek ruins. Although seeing Athens only happened in the middle of my cruise, I just had to mention it first in my dialogue here. To see a bit of Africa in Athens, was the cutest thing as they were selling Vuvuzelas there.  But clearly at the highest mark price up possible.

The Acropolis in the background.

But that all happened amidst all the other Greek places I travelled. It was a wonderful choice to see Greece on a cruise liner. There was no stress to seek accommodation in the different places that was visited. All that I needed to ensure was that I arrived back to the cruise liner on time from my adventures at each stop along the Greek Isles. One tip that I can suggest is that one must not be fooled by the cruise liners credit card, where you have to place your credit on their specified credit card for all interactions. You could get sidetracked from all your expenses. The fun part about being on a cruise liner was definitely the entertainment  each night, the unlimited amount of food and of course, the luxury of having your cabin clean whenever you returned.

But back to my adventure through the Greek Isles. Each part of Greece felt like a different city as different as Cape Town is to Hermanus.

The cruise liner departed from Venice. Fortunately for me, I had visited Venice in 2010, so I found my way easily to the Port, where my cruise liner awaited my arrival.

At the Port in Venice about to board the cruise liner through Greece.

The first stop was Ancona..a little town in Italy. I could walk through the market place, view the churches and then return to the cruise ship.

Ancona, Greece.

Then off to Santorini we sailed. From the distance on the cruise liner, one sees a high hill. The port of Santorini is too small, so the cruise liner had to anchor a distance away and we were taken to Santorini on the ferries. Then there was the option to venture uphill to see the sights of Santorini by donkey or by cable car. The adventurous me, initially chose the donkey ride up, but then the terrible smell of the donkey trail, convinced me to rather opt for the quicker and smell-free option of taking the cable car. 

Once on top, I could see the quaint, quiet places surrounded by an active volcano. Fortunately the volcano had not erupted for the past 20 years...shew!

Next stop off was Mykonos. And just like "Club Mykonos" along the West Coast of the Cape, it was walking through white covered buildings, cobbled stones and plenty of small Greek restaurants, shops and churches around every corner. In terms of shopping, the closer the waterfront, you are in Mykonos, the pricier the items.

Myknos, Greece.

 

Now Corfu was an unexpected wonder for me. I learned the most interesting fact- Corfu has the first cricket ground ever established as the British were settlers there long ago. Who would have thought. In Corfu I also go the chance to purchase my first "Greek-styled" dress. 

Corfu, Greece.

I could not have been more appreciative to have visited Dubrovnik close to Croatia. Now Dubrovnik also has a small port, so my cruise liner had to anchor midway and we had to take a ferry to enter Dubrovnik. I felt like I was in a medieval coastal village also laden with cobbled stones, museums, tiny shops, narrow walkways with quaint coffee shops and restaurants. To see the view from Dubrovnik and almost close to Crete, a tour bus was my choice of transport.

Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Another travel documented. Another group of memories and an adventure never to be forgotten.

My 2012 - 2013 Australia travels

I am a born and bred Capetonian, who has had the opportunity to travel extensively. Let me begin with my most recent travel experience to the place "Down Under" called Australia for the December 2012 to 2013 festive season. It was a great choice to make. I visited Sydney and resided in a beautiful suburb called Panania.

Though Sydney is populated by Asians, there were still so many similarities I could relate to, to my hometown Cape Town. For one, the weather was everything and more like Cape Town. 

But getting back to the logistical parts and the very obvious differentiation was the great accessibility of the transport system in Sydney. How reliable and safe it was to travel during the day or night and not be too concerned about your safety.

Now I enjoy socialising, but when most Capetonians hear the words "club" their automatic image is probably that of drinks at a fancy bar, club beats pumping and men and women dressed to the nines. And given yes, there is that club culture in Sydney, but what was a major difference was that when many people spoke about clubs, they were referring to a community environment where slot machines, restaurants and lucky draws take place. It was surprising that slot machines were everywhere to be found, even in the smallest restaurant.

From a sightseeing perspective, the memorable moments for me included taking a ferry from Sydney Harbour to Manly Beach. Manly beach being on the Upper North side of Sydney, felt like a completely different country, almost like a Miami meets Cape Town vibe and energy. Tanned bodies walking around and people sitting along the sidewalks sipping their cold beverage and having a good chat with friends.

Standing on top of the tallest building in Sydney called Central Tower which revolves and having a panoramic view of the city was breathtaking.

It has always been a dream of mine to either see or hold a Kaola. Low and behold, my childhood dream was materialised. Due to regulations in Sydney, people are not allowed to hold Kaolas, but people are allowed to touch the Kaola under supervision at the Wildlife Sanctuary based at Sydney Harbour. 

If there was one activity that I wish I had the opportunity to do, it would have been the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb better known as the "The Hanger". The climbing option times were a dawn climb, an afternoon climb or a sunset climb. People should keep in mind that if they do decide to do the Harbour Bridge climb, that alcohol tests are done for precautionary measures and for your own safety.

Within the harbour, I did a sunset cruise and what an experience that was. Gliding on the calm waters of the harbour, the sunset and the sky was lit up with fantastic fireworks, a prequel to what residents and visitors would experience on New Years Eve.

Now Sydney is known for its spectacular fireworks display. It is watched by millions across the world. So you might think, that I would be one of the millions standing in line on New Years Eve morning to get the perfect spot on the Harbour's edge. Alas, I chose a less tiring option and celebrated with family at their house.

Three weeks spent in Sydney travelling through the small, quaint towns, experiencing the friendly culture of people, visiting malls where I was surprised to see a vending machine that sells Havaianas beach thongs of all things. Yes, you read correctly, beach thongs.

The Havaianas vending machine in a mall.

A tip to any traveller would be to not continually work out the exchange rate in your  head, whenever you make purchases as this would just make your potential shopping experience a daunting one.

Choosing to spend my festive season of 2012 into 2013 in Sydney, Australia was one of the best choices that I could have made in a long time.

Be sure to read more of my previous travelling experiences...The fun, entertaining and spectacular ones!