Justine Drake's travel experience: Food TV show presenter, Content Director, Mom

 ^{Justine Drake:  Content Director} 

Justine Drake has worked in media since 1988. She has written five cookbooks and edited several magazines and supplements. She was editor of Eat In magazine from 2006 to 2010, and helped it win MPASA PICA awards in 2009. Justine is a frequent guest on television and is currently shooting the fourth series of her television show Just Cooking which aired on BBC and is now on SABC3.

She is the launch editor of Pick n Pay’s Fresh Living magazine, the largest food and lifestyle publication in SA. She has numerous awards, the latest of which was Best Consumer Mag for Fresh Living at the Pearl Awards in New York in 2016.

 

 

What was your favourite place that you have travelled to and why?

"Oh my …so many!  I am a huge fan of the East – Thailand and Vietnam in particular …probably because I like tropical climate, love the sea and, well the food is as delicious as it is affordable."

Can you recommend any kid friendly places or things to do when one visits there?

"I haven’t taken my kids there but the folk of the East love kids, so I would imagine  it would be great. Also as spicy as much of the food is , it's equally easy to find a bowl of rice or noodles on every street corner…and of course eggs abound – you can usually fill even the fussiest eater with one of those.

Then in terms of the beaches – they are safe – with few waves and lots of friendly faces – you can't really ask for much more. "

What did you enjoy the most about the place?

"Where to begin? Friendly people, buzzing streets, heavenly, affordable food, lots of things to see and buy, flowers, fruit and vegetables to feast the eyes and the palate.

It's easy and cheap to navigate, the water is warm, the snorkelling spectacular and if you stay off the beaten track there aren’t even too many tourists. "

 Anything new or interesting that you learned about the place during your stay/ visit?

"You never really need to speak the language, a bit of sign language and a warm smile will suffice. "

What tips would you give to fellow travellers, when visiting the place?

"Pack far less than you even think you need. Travel with an open mind and very adventurous palate, don’t rush and never plan too much – things change all the time and there is something new and exciting to eat and see around every corner."

 

 

 

 

 

My return to my blog: gretchenbloemetje blogspot

My interview with Expresso show presenter, Ewan Strydom

So after a long break from my blog, I have decided to reclaim my spot. Many things have happened since I last wrote on my blog in 2013. Watch this space for my video bio, where I will get you up to date with all the exciting things that I have been up to.

In the mean time, let me do a throwback to one of my favourite interviews with SABC 3's Expresso presenter, Ewan Strydom:

On a mildly cold Autumn morning in 2013, I made my way to the Expresso Show Studios based in Sea Point, Cape Town and there manned with his favourite Superman cup of coffee was Ewan Strydom. Superman happens to be Ewan's favourite superhero. He was ready to answer my questions about his favourite place that he has travelled to.

Ewan and I. He is always manned with his "Superman" coffee cup.

Ewan's relaxed and calm demeanour made this one on one interview an absolute pleasure.

Ewan gave me a bit of background about himself: "I grew up in Gauteng before relocating to Cape Town in 2001. After finishing school, I decided to become a Qualified Personal Fitness Trainer and till this day I'm making it my mission to motivate and inspire people to change their lifestyles and ultimately become healthier and achieve higher levels of fitness. I have been in the modelling industry for the past ten years, and spent four years modelling abroad before returning to SA. And when I was working in Thailand, I met my beautiful Hungarian wife and decided soon after to put down roots in SA. I did various modelling lobs here in Cape Town, one of which was a Men’s Health cover in 2008 and that same year took part in the Men’s Health Look competition that launched my TV career. I worked on MNET's All Access for nearly 2 years before moving over to SABC 3's Expresso, super exciting and It's such a privilege to wake SA up with some serious feel good vibes!"

What was your one favourite place either locally (in South Africa) or abroad to visit?

"With my modelling, I travelled alot. But I have a love affair with Asia. I met my wife in Thailand.

What about the place did you enjoy?

"Bangkok overwhelmed me. The culture and the people are so friendly."

 

Any interesting fact(s) that you learned about the place while you were there?

"You have to meet up with the local Thai people who can show you places. I had this one experience, where I was travelling around Bangkok and when I arrived at my place of accommodation, I noticed that my cellphone was gone. Obviously I panicked. I then phoned my cellphone and this Asian lady answered the phone in her broken English. She had kept my cellphone safe and even offered to bring it to me."

                                                                                                            

Any recommendations that you would give to others when visiting the place?

"You can do cheap shopping. Go there with an open mind.

How did visiting the place allow you to change in any aspect of your life, whether personally or professionally?

"Visiting Bangkok personally opened my mind to what is out there

What would you do from a Media/ PR perspective to let the place receive more exposure on what it has to offer?
"Thailand feels like my second home. I would just move there to experience the culture and atmosphere of the place."

Ewan is a proud father of his toddler son, Ke'an. The apple of his eye. He manages to multitask with being a presenter, media personality, father and husband. Catch Ewan Strydom on the Expresso show every weekday morning from 5:59 to 8:00.