SCOOTERS, FIRST IMPRESSIONS, AND A WHOLE LOTTA SMILES

My friend and I visited Phuket, Thailand for a holiday over a month ago. When I travel, I like putting on the hat of a traveller and that of a tourist. This way I get to experience the place in two different ways. It can never be enough to explain experience in a blog because as people we experience things differently.  I am here to share my experience nothing else.

Let me tell you, it wasn’t just a vacation; it was a plot twist. When people say we going to Thailand, and you think, “Okay, beaches, night life, night markets, pad Thai, cool”. There is more to it than that. We ate the most delicious Pad Thai and tasted the best vegetable stew, yes you heard me, vegetable stew!. We truly enjoyed Thai cuisine. Our breakfast buffet at our resort was food you eat for lunch and dinner. We were in heaven😻. Phuket is a full-on sensory event, and it comes at you fast, especially if you’re not ready for it, and I wasn’t. LOL) I didn’t get to hike, but boy did we walk! I guess that’s what one does when on holiday…  I love Thai culture and traditions, I was intrigued. It is so rich and vibrant.  Quick lesson 101 about Phuket Province: It is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, with population of over four hundred and fifty thousand. It is one of the 77 provinces in Thailand. We were in the West Coast of Phuket; Patong. Patong is a centre of night life , night markets and shopping, let alone amazing shorelines.

The First Impressions:

Phuket is clean. Like, confusingly clean. I walked through busy markets expecting a bit of chaos; maybe a stray chicken or someone yelling over a fish head, but nope. The place is spotless. Even where you expect grime, like the little alleys behind food stalls, I saw zero trash, and that confused my inner Joburg instincts. The scooter invasion, I was not prepared for so many of them. Phuket has scooters like Joburg has potholes (I love my city even with potholes): everywhere and unapologetic. At one point, I was convinced every man, woman, child, and probably a few brave cats had their own scooter😃. I saw a family of three on one scooter. Not even kidding. I clapped. If balance was a sport, these people are in the Olympics. The confidence while riding was on another level. I saw most women and teenagers riding without helmets. Those not driving not holding on, busy on their phones. I remember myself and Bobo we looked at each other with the disbelief. Anthony Bourdain said” travel is not reward for working, it’s education for living”, I totally agree. Theres few traffic lights, so we relied on pedestrian crossings, I can tell you this much, if you fear jay walking like me, you are in trouble. I relied on my friend Bobo to lead me just taking a leap of faith and cross because those scooters were hardly stopping for any pedestrian to cross. She’s always been the Queen of jaywalking 🤣. I remember at some point she shouted , let’s go now and I froze , she crossed. The next thing I see her on the other side of the road, and I was still standing still. She had to cross back to me and held my hand. LOL you get the picture right!? LOL

Something that really stood out to me; every single business I saw was run by locals. Just Thai people, doing Thai things, with such pride and professionalism it warmed my South African heart. Coming from a place where jobs are a huge deal, this hit different. Respect.

😊 The Friendliest People on Earth?

Listen, South Africans are friendly—but Thai people? Next level. I’ve never said “Khop Khun Ka” (thank you) so many times in my life. And each time, I got a genuine smile back. It’s almost suspicious. Like, how are they this consistently nice?

Part 2 is where things get sandy, sunburnt, and mildly spiritual. Beaches, Old Town Phuket, and my new obsession with island hopping (shoutout to Phi Phi). But that’s a story for another day—or probably next week, after I recover from my post-vacation existential crisis. I figured let me write two parts to this story; the traveller part and then part two would be the tourist part.

Until Next time Fabtastic People

Moira

A Weekend of Surprises, Culture, and Turbine Obsession

So, I recently had the pleasure of visiting East London for the first time—well, it wasn’t exactly for a vacation, but who knew a weekend of supporting a friend through tough times would become one of my life’s most enriching experiences? Who knew I’d come back with stories that include wind turbines, a hill that could be mistaken for a Marvel villain, and an overwhelming appreciation for the Xhosa culture. The 25-year-old me would have never appreciated this trip the same way. 

The trip started with the usual nerves and excitement of traveling to an unfamiliar place, especially when your GPS is as confused as you are about where you’re going.(blaming it on perimenopause LOL.)  I must admit, though, the landscape was out of this world. I mean, if I could just pack up the scenery and take it home, I would. 

While we were there to support our friend, I couldn’t help but be genuinely excited to experience East London and the surrounding areas. This place had me hooked from the get-go. The countryside, the people, the food… It was like a slow-motion Instagram reel, only in real life. And yes, you’ll hear me mention food a lot in this post, because when you’re in the village, saying “no” to food is seen as rude. So, naturally, I ate like I was training for a competitive eating contest. No complaints here, though!

Engcobo: A Village Full of History

After a long, misty drive from East London airport, we reached Engcobo our home base for the weekend. If you don’t know about Engcobo, well, let me just tell you this; it’s immersed in history. Did I mention that our former president, Nelson Mandela, went to high school here? Yep, Mandela himself walked the same dusty roads as we did. Not to sound dramatic, but I felt like I was in the presence of greatness, no big deal, right? Don’t mind me, am just being silly 😆.

Engcobo, which is a Xhosa term meaning “a green place next to a stream,” turned out to be an oasis of warmth, community, and history. We were welcomed with so much love; I was half-expecting them to hand me a crown and tell me to sit on a throne. Thank you, Nandi, for making us feel like royalty, and your parents for the hospitality that made my heart and stomach overflow with joy. We also frequented the village called Tsomo, that’s where we were supporting our friend- Pumza. Well, this part of experience, no words would even come close to explaining. All I can tell you is that it was adventurers, mixed emotions and we laughed a whole lot. We ate lots of fresh mealies from the lovely ladies on the side of the road : straight from the farms into our tummies. 😃. Organic at its best. The roads to Tsomo were tough, I am glad we had someone driving us around, thanks Xolani. You were a trooper. Much love.

Experiencing Xhosa Culture and Hospitality

Now, let me tell you about the Xhosa people. They are the definition of warmth. Like, forget your standard “welcome” mat, they practically roll out a red carpet for you. But there’s a little catch saying “no” to food is considered an insult. So guess what? I ate. A lot. And let me just say, if you ever find yourself in a Xhosa home, be ready to eat like it’s your last meal on Earth. I wasn’t complaining, though. At all. Just don’t expect to be hungry for the next 48 hours.

The hospitality was so genuine, it made me realize just how much my 25-year-old self might’ve missed out on if I’d visited a few years ago. It’s like I’m seeing the world with new eyes; eyes that are much more appreciative, well-fed, and possibly slightly bloated.

Wonders Along the Way: Wind Turbines and Natural Beauty

There were wonders along the way; natural beauty and my other obsession; wind turbines.

I have a confession to make: I’m obsessed with wind turbines. Don’t ask me why, but I just find them fascinating. Maybe it’s the sheer size, or the fact that they look like giant metallic creatures doing their best to save the planet. Whatever it is, I couldn’t help but geek (if that’s even a word) out when we spotted a whole line of wind turbines along our route. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, except instead of unwrapping presents, I was pointing at these windmills and shouting, “Look at them go!” (I know, I’m weird. But it’s a harmless obsession, right?). I also discovered that my friend Nandi find the turbines scary, I know right!. I told her she watches too many movies. She says they look like a giant spider ready to sallow her. Amazing how as humans we see things differently.

Also, the scenery in the area; Breathtaking. I think I spent most of the rides either staring out the window or taking pictures like a tourist. And trust me, no one likes to see that tourist selfie face more than I do.

Unique Sights: Ngqwarhu Hills and ‘Amabele We Ntombi’

Okay, this is one of the most interesting things I saw. Picture this; giant mountains shaped like, well, women’s breasts. Yup, you read that right. The locals call them “amabele we ntombi” (which is Xhosa for “girls’ breasts”), but officially they’re called the Ngqwarhu Hills. Talk about a sight to behold, right?

The coolest part? The locals actually petitioned to have these hills recognized as one of the official wonders of the world. And I totally get it they’re THAT stunning. I can’t even begin to describe how surreal it was to see this natural beauty up close. And no, I wasn’t taking pictures from inappropriate angles. I’m not that tourist. hehehehe

The Pride of Village Life

What really struck me about Engcobo, and rural villages we drove pass, is the incredible pride people take in their homes and land. The houses(compounds)? Beautifully built. The yards? Immaculate. The colors? Bright enough to make you think you’ve stepped into a rainbow. It was like the villages had a secret competition for “Best-Dressed Yard,” and they were all winning. I was seriously impressed by how well-maintained everything was, and let me tell you, the pride in their work was palpable.

The livestock, the gardens, the homes—they’re all part of the community’s heartbeat, and you could feel it in the air. It’s a way of life that reflects respect for the land and each other.

Wedding Bells: Don’t Forget the Dance Moves

As if the weekend couldn’t get any more exciting, we scored an invitation to a traditional Xhosa wedding in September. Yes, you read that right. I’m now on the guest list for a Xhosa wedding, and I’m already planning my outfit (because let’s be honest, that’s half the fun). Can’t wait to share all the details with you once I’ve survived the food, music and probably too many hugs. 🤗

Wrapping Up: A Weekend I’ll Never Forget

This trip to East London, despite the sad occasion, turned out to be an eye-opening, culture-filled, and downright fun adventure. Including some weird things that happened to me and Nthabi, which cannot be discussed here. (on this one we keep what happened in East London to stay in East London) LOL The landscape, the people, the experiences, everything about this place was a gift. Pity there was no time to put on my hiking boots and climb the mountains; hopefully next time I will have time. I left with a full heart, and fuller stomach.

Until next time Fabtastic People

Moira(Air Force 1)

Ah, Van Gaalen, how I’ve missed you. It’s been ages since I last laced up my hiking boots and trekked those familiar paths, but there I was, back at it again. As I stood there, soaking in the fresh air, it hit me—wow, they’ve actually changed things around a bit! Gotta love when property owners take the time to revamp their spaces so regulars like me don’t get bored with the same old thing. Thank you, Van Gaalen, for keeping it fresh.🤩

But let’s be real, this hike wasn’t all about nature and scenery. Oh no, we had a co-hiker with us: my friend’s son, who—bless his heart—was in for quite the experience. The poor guy was dragged out of bed at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning to hang with us. His idea of a weekend? Not exactly mid-life crisis storytelling with three women who were complaining about lack of sleep and every joint hurting from, you know, just existing. You could see the confusion in his eyes: Why am I here again?

Off we went for a quick 10km hike, which I use the term “quick” loosely. There were no hills, no gruelling hills—just a flat, breezy path to stretch our legs. As much as I’m into hiking for the challenge, this was more of a leisurely stroll. But hey, it wasn’t about the physical effort; it was about… well, the thoughts that came flooding in, catching and releasing, lighting the adulting load.

By the time we reached the end of the trail, the storm clouds started rolling in, and I couldn’t help but feel like it was a metaphor for life. Life, much like the weather, can change at any moment—sunny one minute, stormy the next. I started thinking about how important it is to make time for me. Like, for real time is precious, my fabtastic people. I realized that my time is my airtime, and I have the right to choose how I use it. It’s not about letting life just happen to you; it’s about being intentional with what you give your energy to.

In the end, we had a lovely “catch-and-release” experience in nature—no fish involved, but plenty of deep thoughts, lol, and “I’m getting too old for this” moments. And as for my friend’s son? Well, I think he survived the trauma of hearing about the good ol’ days and our midlife reflections. But hey, that’s what hiking with us are about, right? Getting out there, enjoying the views, and occasionally boring the younger generation with tales of creaky knees and “back in my day” stories.

Until next time Fabtastic People.

Moira (AirForce 1)

No Mercy, Just Views and Adventure

If you’re looking for a hiking experience that doesn’t allow you a single moment to catch your breath, the Iron Throne Trail in Hartebeespoort is calling your name. The trail is short—only 6.5 kilometres—but it’s anything but easy.

The first 4.5 kilometres? Pure torture😩. The trail takes you from zero to 100 without hesitation, with the steep climb making every step feel like you’re dragging your body up a mountain. It’s the kind of challenge where you feel like you’re climbing a never-ending hill. The great conversations were destructive. Every time you think you’re done; you turn a corner and realize you’re only getting higher. The only time you can catch your breath is for a few seconds as you round that corner, gearing up for more.

Despite the gruelling nature of the trail, I loved how it pushed my limits. The hike was a true test of endurance. I’m not exaggerating when I say my thighs were sore the next day—it’s been a long time since I’ve felt that level of burn.

What makes this trail even more bearable, though, is the shade that accompanies the climb. It’s shaded for most of the route, which is a small mercy in this brutally tough climb.

We completed the trail in almost three hours—about three times longer than our usual pace for a 6.5 km hike. But, hey, that’s what happens when the hike feels more like a 10 km struggle! 😅

But let’s talk about the views! Once you start to ascend (English🤣), the scenery changes with every step. The higher you climb, the better the panoramic 360-degree views of Hartebeespoort (or “Harties” as we call it). It’s a breathtaking sight, and if you can manage to drag your exhausted body to the top, it’s totally worth it.

Iron Throne is not just about the hike; it’s part of a larger adventure park that offers a variety of activities. From cable cars that swoop up and down as you hike, to mountain biking and an obstacle course, there’s something for everyone. I loved the sight of those cable cars gliding by, adding an extra touch of excitement as I trudged along.

Once you make it to the top, the setup is nothing short of impressive. There are plenty of seating areas, Lapas, and restaurants where you can relax, take in the views, and marvel at your achievement. I’ll admit, the temptation to take the cable car down was strong—so strong that I gave in last time. But this time, we were wise enough to not linger too long at the top before we started our descent. After all, going down is the easy part!

So, if you’re looking for a trail that tests your strength, pushes your limits, and offers amazing views in return, the Iron Throne Trail is definitely worth the challenge. Just don’t expect mercy—this trail means business.

Until next time Fabtastic People

Air-Force1 out: MoiraBottom of Form