Every Day we're Shuttling!

It's been a tough couple of days in the travel industry.  Locally we have had the shooting incident at Cape Town International Airport and a plane crashed and erupted into flames during take off in Massachusetts over the weekend.

There was a big fuss in Cape Town for a day or two after the shooting and naturally some of our clients were concerned about whether or not their airport shuttle will be there to drive them to and from the airport.  

Usually one would expect services to be disrupted after such an incident, but life went on and globetrotters went about their travels as usual.  Running a travel-oriented business requires nerves of steel and always being on top of what's going on out there as your customers rely on you for their safety when travelling.  As long as the airport's standing, we'll be there!

Safe travels everyone!

A Night out in Cape Town

Have you ever been bombarded with accommodation choices when travelling? Yes? Me too. I’ve been spammed, false advertised at, over charged and under charged (well…not like anyone would complain). I can’t tell you where to stay as there as so many excellent choices out there, but I can tell you that good value for money is hard to find. This is especially true for Cape Town, where you will find an overpriced hotel or self-catering accommodation around every corner.

I recently decided to spend a day in town and stayed the night at this lovely apartment in the heart of the Cape Town CBD; I was pleasantly surprised at the level of sophistication and comfort with a price tag well below that of its competitors! Located in the well-known Cartwright’s Corner building in Adderley Street, it is close to a myriad of local attractions to keep you occupied, whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure.

Even though the apartment is self-catering, I took the lazy route and walked down Adderley to see what restaurants are on offer and appeal to my inner foodie - again, I was blown away by the choices and quality!  Having been a Capetonian for about a year and a half, I am yet to eat an unappetising meal in one of the City’s restaurants - maybe I’m just going to all the right places…who knows?

Being a creature of habit, I phoned a friend and we ended off my little rendezvous by spending the evening sipping mojito’s at my usual hangout, Shimmy Beach Club, after which I went back to the apartment and drifted off the moment my head touched the pillow.

808 Cartwrights Corner

Written by: Christine Kleyn

A Memorable trip to the Drakensberg Mountains

Last week I had the privilege of spending three days in the beautiful Central Drakensberg. The cool, pre-winter mountain breeze was just what the doctor ordered!

Unfortunately I did not have time to explore the surroundings for hours and take lots of pictures, but I can describe the experience. Firstly I have to give a shout out to the guys from Airport Shuttle Cape Town for driving me to the airport in comfort and on time for my dreaded 6am flight – it takes a certain level of professionalism to pick a groggy passenger up at 04:30 in the morning and still muster up a smile! 

Upon arrival in Durban and having to shed my coat and scarf, we piled into a luxury bus for the 2-hour drive to the stunning Champagne Sports Resort in Central Drakensberg. I love the mountains so I immediately felt at home sitting on the balcony and appreciating the view, cup of tea in hand. The room was big, warm and comfortable and I decided to take a nap the moment my body sank into the down duvet…it was heaven for a few minutes!

Our days were filled with (surprisingly fun) business sessions in the conference room, spectacularly decorated for the event, and our evenings consisted of gala dinners and partying until the wee hours of the morning! Wine flowed freely and champagne and tequila followed soon after!

The resort staff were friendly and accommodating, the accommodation was absolutely perfect and my shuttle driver made sure I get to and from the airport in comfort – it was a truly memorable travelling experience. Drakensberg will definitely see me again, soon…

Written by: Christine Kleyn

The Convenience of Modern Travel

So I woke up this morning wondering about the miracle of transport and how easy it has become in the past decade. We’ve come a long way since journeys by boat or train. Travelling used to take weeks of planning, simply because it took so long and was such an inconvenience.  Today, however, it couldn't be simpler!

Humans are impatient and slaves to instant gratification – thanks to the rapid development of technology and travel methods, I can wake up in Cape Town at 05:00 and by 19:00 be having dinner in Paris, Rome or London. WOW!

Sit back and let that sink in for a moment. You could leave work on Friday afternoon, catch an Airport Shuttle to Cape Town International and catch the evening flight in time to be in London for bacon, eggs, beans and chips – all in a matter of hours!!! If that’s not convenience at its best, I don’t know what is!

With all the time saved travelling, you can finally start writing that novel, brainstorm your next multi-million Rand business idea or even learn a new skill!

A Bloemfontein Breakaway

If you are like me, you regard long weekends as sacred things.  It’s a time to rest, spend time with family and, of course, explore a little. 

This past long weekend I decided to take an unplanned trip inland to visit family.  Usually around Easter time half the population flock to the coastal areas to lap up the last bit of summer sun.  I, on the other hand, ended up on a last-minute flight to Bloemfontein.  Yes, that Afrikaans place in the middle of South Africa that’s butt-paralyzingly cold in winter and hellishly hot in summer. 

Airport Shuttle dropped me at Cape Town International Airport and I got to experience a Prius for the very first time and wasn't disappointed (this Eco-friendly vibe isn't bad at all)!  As I waited patiently to board the orange fruit plane for the umpteenth time, I noticed my fellow passengers and knew it was going to be an interesting experience; it was a cultural kaleidoscope of note.  The plane was packed with eccentric looking varsity students, business men, babies and a few boere (judging from their dress-code).  

I witnessed mothers discipline their unruly children loudly...in Afrikaans...in a confined space; this had me praying for Valium to rain down from the overhead compartment by the handfuls. Thankfully, the flight itself was a pleasant experience…unlike other carriers, they allow you to use your tablets and other tech in-flight and this kept me distracted for a good hour!

Upon arrival, we headed out to Loch Logan Waterfront (yes, Bloem has a “waterfront”) for brunch at a gorgeous contemporary/artisanal deli called Picnic where I had Eggs Benedict with salmon, fresh rocket and the richest hollandaise sauce you could imagine…it was phenomenal!  They sell the most delectable home/hand-made breads, cakes, cured meats and food goodies...none of that iffy commercial stuff!

It would be a cardinal sin to compare this “waterfront” to the V & A we all love so dearly here in the Cape, but it has water nonetheless.  Thick, green, slimy, foamy & fishy water (I’m not even sure if it still qualifies as water but let’s leave that for the local authorities to decide).  

Overall my weekend was pleasant, uneventful and consisted of eating (a lot), something the friendly locals sure know how to do!

* Bloemfontein Airport & Loch Logan Waterfront *

Written by: Christine Kleyn

An Adventure Imagined

You’re tired, overworked and underpaid. You want adventure and you want it now.

Imagine getting home from work one day and just grabbing your beaten up old backpack from under your bed and throwing in a couple of T-shirts, a pair of jeans and some underwear.

Imagine calling a cab service (Airport Shuttle Cape Town is my favourite by the way!) and heading to the airport and staring at the departures board and just picking the first available flight to anywhere.

Imagine landing at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and starting your day with a glass of Cristal and a sensational smoked salmon baguette before taking a walk down Champs Elysees to visit the Arc de Triomphe. Imagine seeing the Eiffel Tower in its full glory and now imagine standing on top of it and having Paris all around you!

Imagine waking up in a hotel overlooking Times Square in New York City…in winter…covered in snow. Imagine sitting down in Starbucks across the road, sipping a latte and taking advantage of their free WiFi to catch up with your friends back home. Imagine partying it up on New Year’s, Times Square Style!

Imagine celebrating Oktoberfest in Germany, it’s not for the faint of heart…you've been warned!

Imagine standing at the top of the ski slopes in Austria or Switzerland and feeling the icy air and adrenaline overcome you on the way down.

Just imagine…

Now stop! I know it sounds impossible but you don’t have to be among the super-rich to travel. A budget hotel, bed and breakfast or even a backpackers (if you’re a student or travelling in a youth group) can be just as fun! After all, you’re not going to spend any time there except to sleep – which you won’t do very often anyway because there’s an adventure waiting and you have limited time.

Do yourself a favour and start a dream collage, there’s something about putting it out there in the universe that works magic. Write down your dreams and goals and add pictures! Everyday look at it and do something (no matter how small) towards achieving it.

Who knows, before long you might find yourself checking in your luggage on your way to an amazing adventure!

This blog was produced on behalf of http://www.airportshuttlecapetown.co.za

Written by: Christine Kleyn

5 Reasons to Travel...NOW!

Travelling can be a very personal thing. Everyone has a reason to do it and many will find reasons NOT to.

Today I will share some of my personal reasons for globetrotting and discuss their merit. I’ll also encourage you to discover your own reasons for travelling and their meaning to you.

Here are 5 reasons to travel and how it changes your life for the better:

It changes your perspective

We all get comfortable in our routines…and what happens when we get comfortable is that life becomes boring. Painfully boring. Getting out of your routine will give you a fresh perspective on life. You will learn new things and discover a whole new world outside your own!

Challenge yourself & your beliefs

Travelling, especially alone, can be an intimidating experience. Heading out into the unknown will teach you a lot about how to be adventurous and do things in the moment.

Jumping on that plane will push you past your reservations about leaving your comfort zone and immersing yourself in a different culture or vibe than you’re used to. Go ahead and eat that strange dish in a foreign country, get lost and find your way back to the hotel without asking for help…just do it!

I can guarantee that these experiences will help you grow as a person and get past emotional and physical limitations that are keeping you from living a crazy, fun and fulfilled life!

It changes your speed of thinking

When travelling you will notice there are lots of variables that challenge you to be creative & flexible. Your plans can change at any moment and you have to adapt instantaneously. The rain might start pouring down by the bucket loads on the day you planned to go hiking or do some outdoor sightseeing, you might leave your wallet at a restaurant, hotel or the bus, you might even miss the get-together of your tour guide! All these things will force you to think on your feet and act quickly if you want to enjoy your journey by grabbing every opportunity to go have fun and trying something new and different.

It teaches you discipline

Travelling teaches you persistence and self-reliance – both skills that will benefit you in your everyday life.

You need to be financially disciplined to budget and save for your trip, you need to get your travel documents (Visa’s & passports) and paperwork in order and you need to ensure that your vaccinations are up to date and that they comply with the requirements of the country you’re travelling to. You also have to arrange for your personal and home affairs to be taken care of while you’re away. Some questions/issues to consider: Who’s feeding your pets? Are the kids staying at home and do you have a reliable babysitter/caretaker? If you own a business, are your managers reliable?

As you can see, it takes hard work and discipline to accomplish your goal of travelling to another country.

It improves your self-confidence & adaptability

Can you think your way out of a difficult situation? Well…travelling will teach you just how to do that!

Placing yourself in a situation where you’re in over your head and managing to rise above will give your self-confidence the boost that it needs. If you don’t believe me, try navigating through a busy foreign airport…for the first time…alone…without any guidance. You feel on top of the friggin’ world when you get to the other side all by yourself!

Written by: Christine Kleyn

This blog was produced on behalf of http://www.airportshuttlecapetown.co.za

Welcome to the Travels of a Madman

Hi…I am the Travelling Madman and this is my blog.

Now that the formalities are out of the way, let’s get down to it. The Travels of a Madman is named after me – the madman. I'm a pleasure-seeker travelling far and wide to feed my sanity but end up even more insane and wanting more at the end of the day. I’m restless, completely off my rocker and I suffer from a bad case of wanderlust. 

I love travelling, exploring beautiful places, eating strange foods and discovering gems in the most unlikely places and now I get to share it all with YOU!

In this blog I’ll share some travel tips and advice while taking you on a journey to some of the most magnificent places I've seen and experiences I had; I’ll also be brutally honest and share some of the not so awesome things I have encountered on my travels.

I was inspired to share my experiences by reading other travel blogs and by my peers always asking me for tips on anything from restaurants and hotels to car hire/transport and sightseeing before they pack their bags for that long overdue holiday. I’ll help you navigate through the travel maze and make the process as stress-free as possible.

I hope you accept my invitation to join me on this journey where we’ll take a walk through Paris and have a croissant in a street corner café, take a trip through Deutschland and take the scenic route through the green, cow-spotted countryside of the Netherlands. Together we will also explore the city of cities and my home…Cape Town. Beautiful, colorful, vibrant Cape Town.

I look forward to this journey with you, feel free to comment and share your own travel experiences along the way. I’d love to hear from you!

Written by: Christine Kleyn