#meetsouthafrica – There’s not much that I love more than this country and its people. Talking about it and encouraging people to visit.
I had a long successful career professionally creating dream holidays for visitors to South Africa. It served a double purpose. I got to make people happy through travel in a country I can talk about enthusiastically forever. Plus, I got to be reminded through fresh eyes, about all the wonderful things that we have on offer.
From there the natural progression to blogging, travel writing and story telling broadened my audience and I could share these anecdotes as The Incidental Tourist. About our natural beauty and impressive infrastructure. Our food and diverse choice of activities. The country’s history, culture, art and unquestionable passion.
So when I received an invitation inviting me to join South African Tourism’s pre-Indaba #meetsouthafrica blogger campaign, it truly was a dream come true.
Starting tomorrow, nine international and five local bloggers will traverse beautiful South Africa in search of ideal activities, accommodation and destinations for our readers. We will be divided into three groups, Luxury, Adventure and Heritage and Culture,all the while paying homage to the celebration of 20 years of democracy in South Africa. We’ll even swing by a polling station on 7 May to show off our national election in progress and to make sure our local bloggers and hosts get the chance to cast their ballot!
The collective content produced from the trip will showcase the country in a broad and varied way that is only possible through the conduit of social media – and our specific focus interest. We will be sharing our discoveries using the #meetsouthafrica hashtag.
These are the 2014 #MeetSouthAfrica bloggers, including me:
- Melvin Boecher – www.traveldudes.org
- Matt Karsten – www.expertvagabond.com
- Mauricio Oliveira – www.trilhaseaventuras.com.br
- Caspar Diederik – www.storytravelers.com
- JD Andrews – www.earthxplorer.com
- Umei Teh – www.ccfoodtravel.com
- Kash Bhattacharya – www.budgettraveller.org
- Rob Lloyd – www.stophavingaboringlife.com
- Adriana Lacerda – escapismogenuino.com
- Heather Mason – www.2summers.net
- Meruschka Govender – www.mzansigirl.com
- Ishay Govender – www.foodandthefabulous.com
- Dawn Jorgensen – theincidentaltourist.com
- Katarina Mancama – simplysouthafrica.wordpress.com
Each is introduced in more detail in three parts on the South African Tourism blog. Part 1. Part 2. Part 3.
As you will see from my detailed itinerary, my glorious experience includes touring Johannesburg and Pretoria, a Soweto bicycle ride, Museums and Galleries, a night at the theatre, a closer look at Bloemfontein (I am a Free Stater afterall) and culminates with Indaba in Durban.
Along the way we hope to meet up with some of the local Instagram Communities with these Instawalks. No need to RSVP, just join us on the day – and do interact with us on the @MeetSouthAfrica Instagram account or by using the #MeetSouthAfrica hashtag.
Johannesburg onSaturday 3 May 2014 from 9am to 12pm at Vilakazi Street, Soweto. The Johannesburg Instawalk will explore the streets of vibrant Soweto, starting from the famous Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world to have been called home by two Nobel Peace Prize laureates – Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Cape Town on Thursday 8 May 2014 at 9am to 12pm at Noon Gun, Bo-Kaap. The Cape Town Instawalk will begin at the Noon Gun, with a view over the harbour and Cape Town Stadium, and wind down through the Bo-Kaap area to capture all of the colourful buildings the area is renowned for.
Durban on Friday 9 May 2014 from 9am to 12pm at the Durban beachfront and CBD. Our Durban Instawalk will show off the diversity of Durban’s beachfront and central business district. After parking at North Beach, the group will make use of public transport to get to the Victoria Street Market to capture the magic of the early traders there, as well as the aromas from the spice market. After a visit to the Emmanuel Cathedral, the group will pay a visit to City Hall and then move towards uShaka Marine World.
If you are thinking that I am truly a girl with travel gods for luck, I’d say I agree. Yet. It gets even better. I will not only meet and share this week with a collection of inspiring bloggers and all of you following thehashtag. I will also be fulfilling a lifelong dream – or hope, as I have a date this Saturday with a hot air balloon!
I can’t even believe it.
Please join me and the #meetsouthafrica team as we explore and experience. A reminder of my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter profiles. I’ll be the one beaming with delight!
Again my detailed Culture and Heritage itinerary here.
This campaign is brought to you by the South African Tourism office and is supported and managed by iambassador. With gratitude.
