How to back up your data on the road

Are you fully backed up if any of your electronics and gadgets get stolen or lost while you’re travelling?

These days everything is a lot easier to back up and a whole lot simpler. So, what happens if you lose your phone, your tablet or your laptop? Here are a few options for keeping your memories in your possession no matter what happens!

ONLINE BACKUP

This can be both a blessing and a curse on the road! So, if you are using an automated program like Apple’s or Microsoft’s you device can get damaged every time you turn it on as it tried to back up all the photos or videos you took. The best option is to use an online backup when you have a good connection.

- iDrive
- Dropbox
- Google Drive
- iCloud
- OneDrive

EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES

If you frequently go on holiday and then return to a home base, a full-blown external hard drive is your best bet. It will hold everything you need to store and transfer data quickly. You can get a full-size hard drive you a reasonable price, or buy a cheap, small one that fits easily in your pocket.

TEMPORARY SAFE BACK-UPS

Always have a short-term backup plan in place for what you just stored, like photographs! SD memory cards are a good option as they have gotten very cheap, so you might aswel carry around a few. USB thumb drives are also very cheap these days, and you can buy one for less than R100. It’s a good idea to carry one that has your passport copies, medical records, ID, etc.

You always need a backup plan, as you never know what could happen on the road – an eaten ATM card, stolen wallet, crashed hard drive – redundancy will save the day.

Need a self-catering apartment with amazing views of the Mother City? Contact 808 Cartwright Corner and cook in today.

Gift the travelers in your life with an Airbnb gift card

The company, Airbnb, now allows customers to buy gift cards for its short-term rentals platforms. The VP of the company, Mike Curtis announced at the company’s conference that you can now give the gift of Airbnb!

It was also revealed that there are new tools for hosts that make it easier for them to set prices and get the exact types of bookings they want.

Gift cards are available on Airbnb’s website and are sent to recipients via email, though you’re able to personalize the looks of the gift cars with a variety of different travel photos. The credits don’t expire and can be used at any of the company’s listings around the world!

The new personalization tools for hosts aim to make it easier for them to get bookings. They include a new price recommendation feature called price tips, which will begin rolling out soon.

The company recently wrote in a blog post, “You’ll be able to get personalized, daily pricing information right in your calendar, so you can see how adjusting your price could increase your chances of getting booked, or take advantage of strong interest in visiting your area.”

Finally, Airbnb is doing more to personalise search results based on the preferences of the host. Some hosts prefer more frequent, but shorter stays, while others prefer less frequent but longer stays.

Airbnb will now take these types of preferences into account when surfacing search results to travelers – so search results for two days in Paris and two weeks in Paris may turn different sets of results.

So, give the traveler in your life a Airbnb gift card and put the world at their doorstep!

For a self-catering apartment with amazing views of the Mother City - book in at 808 Cartwright Corner today!

A night at the world’s best hotel

You won’t believe it, but South Africa’s La Residence in Franschoek captured the number one spot last year for the Top 100 Hotels and Resorts. The real question is… is it really the best hotel in the world?

There are some pretty luxurious and swanky hotels out there, but that doesn’t even begin to describe this place. La Residence Hotel & Spa in Franschoek Valley is perfection to a tee, and plenty of other people agree. Well, it did come in first as the best hotel in the world, so let’s find out why.

It seems that it is extremely hard to find fault with the place, and believe me people have tried!

- The WiFi? It is strong and there is connection anywhere you go in the hotel.

- The food? It’s included and it is delicious! You even have the option to go into the kitchen and help out or just observe, if the urge to be creative strikes you. Since the hotel can be booked as all inclusive or as a bed and breakfast, you can stuff your face as much as you like.

- There has to be screaming kids, right? Nope, not at all. Adults only in the main house and if you bring your kids along, you’re welcome to one of the villas. The great thing is that the separate villas are larger, family-friendly and even have their own pool!

- Stuffy butlers bothering you? Of course not. While you can pretty much get anything your heart desires with a simple phone call, and all the staff are very attentive, they also understand that most people just want to be left alone.

When La Residence was named the nest hotel in the world, it was described as a place that, “appeals to those who wish to be close to the action, but out of the limelight.” That’s actually a perfect description. It is nestled above Franschoek on a private road less than an hour from Cape Town, it benefits from being close to the bustle of the city, and also that it is in a quaint, arty village. Plus La Residence just happens to be in the food and wine capital of South Africa!

Each of the 11 suites and 5 villas has its own different vibe, colour scheme and fancy furnishings you’d expect to find in the world’s best hotel. Let’s not forget, it is said to have the nicest bathrooms in the whole southern hemisphere.

But, La Residence doesn’t take itself too seriously. There is plenty that is quirky about this place, like cool over-sized chairs on the balcony and unique art on the walls. The attitude they have is great, they are classy and not snooty at all, that’s one of the big things they have going for them.

La Residence really embodies what a true luxury boutique hotel should be. The only fault you can make here is to only stay for one night!

For a luxurious, self-catering apartment, with amazing views of the Mother City - book in at 808 Cartwright Corner today! 

50 Things to do when you’re stuck at an airport – Part Two

MASSAGE – At New Delhi Airport in India, you can take a load off with a foot massage.

SNUGGLE WITH A DOG – At Miami International, Casey the therapy dog wanders the terminal with her owner. Anyone is welcome to touch and pet her.

TOILETS – From Hello Kitty-themed restrooms in Taipei, to futuristic electronic toilets in Tokyo, airports have plenty of interesting facilities.

BEACH – The runway at Barra, in Scotland, is right on the beach

DUTY FREE – Dubai ranks as the top airport for duty-free sales, followed by South Korea’s Incheon

LUXURY GOODS – Singapore’s Changi Airport offers a designer shopping experience with brands such as Hermes, Prada and Gucci

SOUVENIRS – London buses, lobster hats and a solid chocolate hockey puck. All in an airport near you.

CARS – Bahrain and Dubai airports hold regular raffles for luxury cars.

GOLF – Both Hong Kong international and Thailand’s Don Muang airports have golf course on the airport grounds.

ICE SKATING – Former World’s Best Airport, Seoul Incheon offers a synthetic ice rink

CABARET – Munich Airport has its own beer hall, Airbrau, which has its own brewery and cabaret shows

MUSEUM – San Francisco International Airport has its own museum

CONCERTS – Nashville International Airport holds up to 100 concerts per year

SURF – More than 250 airports in the U.S. and over 60 capital-city airports across the world offer free WiFi

MOVIES – Hong Kong International has the world’s only airport IMAX screen

GAMBLE – Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport offers a range of slot machines

LEARN – Madrid-Barajas Airports Expoambiente Area provides information about environmental issues

BOOKS – Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam has the world’s first permanent airport library

GAME – Paris’ airports provide PlayStation3 consoles for passengers to use free of charge

GOURMET – Barcelona’s El Prat airport holds the honor of having the best airport restaurant, Porta Gaig

CHOCOLATE – Specialist chocolates, such as Toblerone bars, can give the travelling chocaholic their coco-fix.

BAR – The Swiss lounge at Zurich Airport has the world’s longest airport bar.

BOOZE – Every country has its own special drink. For example, South African Amarula is available at Johannesburg Airport.

CONSPIRACIES – Aliens or a New World Order? Mythical conspiracies seem to be popular at Denver International Airport

SETTLE DOWN – Iranian Mehran Karimi Nasseri spent 18 years living at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport

Whether you have been delayed, snowed in, missed your flight or have just ended up with hours to waste between connections, here are some interesting ways to make use of your down time, while getting some great life experiences too!

Make sure to book in at 808 Cartwright Corner for a luxurious, self-catering apartment with amazing views of Cape Town. Need a reliable shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport? Contact Airport Shuttle today!

Written By: Christine Romans

50 Things to do when you’re stuck at an airport – Part One

If you’re an avid traveler, you know what it’s like at the airport. You've checked in, dropped your baggage, gone through security, got your bearings and now you have one, two, three hours to kill. It would probably be considered rude to eavesdrop on the intense conversation happening in the seat behind you. So, what should you do?

YOGA – Catch up on your stretches and Downward Dog pose at Dallas Fort Worth’s terminal-based yoga studio.

PING-PONG – Ping-Pong tables are set up at Milwaukee’s Mitchell Airport.

BREATHE – Narita Airport, Japan, has its very own oxygen bar where you can get a quick oxygen fix.

VACCINATIONS – At many airports you can get a flu shot, a yellow fever vaccination or countless other shots for travel abroad. 

RUN A LAP – Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris should do the trick with its circular design in Terminal 1.

SWIM – A swimming pool and Jacuzzi are available to passengers at Singapore’s Changi Airport.

HEALTH CHECK – Teeth whitening, blood pressure testing and expert physicians are available at Incheon airport.

MEDITATE – Albuquerque and Raleigh-Durham in the U.S. offer meditation rooms for travelers.

FLASH MOB – Vancouver, Dubai and Atlanta have all played host to flash mob events.

FUNNY NAMES – Look for amusing destination names on the departure boards. Batman, Moron and Mafia are all real airport names.

A DINOSAUR – A 10 foot tall, 31 foot long Yangchuanosaurus greets at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.

ART – London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 has its very own art gallery.

PEOPLE – In terms of international flights, the top 10 busiest airports handle more than 400 million passengers each year.

A FILM – You can rent a movie for your laptop from a range of kiosks at airports across the U.S.

GOLLUM – A 42 foot statue of Gollum from Lord of the Rings sits catching fish in Wellington Airport.

THE CITY – Singapore, Utah and Istanbul airports all offer free trips into town to see the sights if youre a passenger in transit.

THE STARS – Tokyo’s Haneda Airport boasts its own planetarium.

FISH – Vancouver Airport has an aquarium and a jellyfish exhibit.

BANNED ITEMS – Airports sometimes display all of the items confiscated from travelers.

A GHOST – Manchester Airport in the U.K. is rumoured to be haunted.

LOUNGE AROUND – Qatar’s lounge in Doha has a full spa for you to enjoy.

PRAY – Many airports have a prayer room, but Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport has a mosque capable of holding 2,000 worshipers.

SLEEP – Take advantage of the specially designed “sleeping chairs” in Seoul, Singapore or Amsterdam.

PAMPERED PETS – Japan’s Narita Airport has a hotel for your beloved furry friends. It also has a vet clinic and a grooming salon.

NATURE – Pay a visit to the rain forest without leaving the airport. A section of jungle has been transplanted into Kuala Lumpur Airport.

Make sure to book in at 808 Cartwright Corner for a luxurious, self-catering apartment with amazing views of Cape Town. Need a reliable shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport? Contact Airport Shuttle today!

Written By: Christine Romans

How to travel with teens (Age 13+)

Teenagers are often moody, lazy and friend-obsessed, they are also the ones who can make or break a family holiday. Even though they may not show it, teenagers are often up for having a good time with the family – it just takes a group effort. Follow these simple tips for travelling with your teenager:

*Before You Go*

Ask for your teens input – When you’re busy planning your holiday, it’s a good idea to gather everyone together and figure out what kind of holiday each person in the family wants. If you let your teen join in and help plan the trip, they will feel more involved and your holiday will start out on a positive note.

Set a budget – When you are on holiday it’s so easy to blow your budget on all sorts of things you don’t actually need. If you give your teen a specific budget and let them keep leftover money, they’ll feel like they have some sort of responsibility and will be less likely to spend it all on souvenirs.  

Give your teen space – If it is possible try and book adjoining hotel rooms or rooms adjacent to one another. If you rent a holiday home, make sure they have their own room – teenagers love their privacy! And when they have their own private space, it’ll make them feel like the adults they want to be.

*In the Air*

Have plenty of snacks handy – You may think that the little ones will give you trouble when they’re hungry, well your teens are actually the ones that will remain calm if their stomachs are full! Bring along some tasty snacks like trail mix, protein bars, sarmies and a few sweet treats.

Give them responsibilities – Teens may not want to take on responsibilities, but when it comes down to it they are growing adults and they should be ready to help. Ask your teen to do some simple tasks, like take their younger brother or sister to the bathroom, having some kind of responsibility will keep them from getting so bored and it’ll make them feel more grown up.

*On the Ground*

Bend the rules – Obviously teenagers need discipline, but if keeping the peace means having dessert before dinner or going to the movies instead of the museum, then just go along with it! Remember that arguing about silly things like what to eat and where to go won’t make your holiday very enjoyable.

Let your teen choose and activity – If the only thing your teen wants to do is go to the theme park, then let them do it. After days of visiting museums, churches and fancy restaurants it can get a bit boring for a teenager, they’ll remember the night on the bumper cars more than the exhibits they saw at the museum.

No parent wants to leave their teen behind when they go on a family holiday and you don’t have to! Use these easy tips to make sure your holiday with your teenager will run smoothly and successfully.

Do you need a speedy, reliable shuttle service to transport you to and from Cape Town International Airport? Contact Airport Shuttle today! Looking for an affordable, self-catering accommodation, 808 Cartwright can provide you with a luxurious, comfy apartment with great views of the Mother City.

Written By: Christine Romans 

What to do in Cape Town this weekend (12th – 14th December)

There’s something for everyone in Cape Town this weekend, so get your activities planned right now! Whether it be a superb supper, a hilarious comedy show or a wonderful Christmas wonderland, here is your weekend wrap-up…

Friday dinner at Borage Bistro – 12^th December
What a better way to ease into the weekend than with a delicious dinner and some sultry live tunes at the urban-chic Borage Bistro. For everyone who has worked a full week and needs to relax a little, the easy-going and elegant dinners are just the thing for you! Dimmed lights, candles, live acoustic tunes and let’s not forget the food! There is a wide variety to choose from: Chicken Terrine with lentils, celery, onions, chervil and croutes or a Beef Fillet with risotto, mushrooms and tomatoes. Perhaps you just have a craving for something sweet like the lemon tart or sticky toffee pudding, there’s something to suit everyone.

Date: 12 December 2014
Time: 18:30 – 21:00
Venue: Borage Bistro
Price: Variable

Joe Barber comedy show – 13^th December
Prepare yourself for a laugh-a-minute show at the Baxter Theatre this Saturday evening! Once again Boeta Joe and Boeta Gamat take the stage for Joe Barber: Life, after a round of hilarious shows in the beginning of the year and a sold-out nation tour, they are back in Cape Town for another round of laughs. This performance by the hilarious duo (they take on all four characters) is simply something you cannot miss.

Date: 13 December 2014
Time: 20:00 – 22:15
Venue: Baxter Theatre
Price: R95 – R180

Christmas Wonderland in Stellenbosch – 14^th December
Are you and your family for a white Christmas that you’ll only see in those classic festive movies and books? Well, come and see the Sandringham Farm transformed into a snow-filled holiday wonderland from the 12^th to the 24^th of December. This family-friendly occasion is jam-packed with activities, here’s what to expect: Christmas markets and gifts, kid’s activities, fire eaters, stilt walkers, and plenty of food stalls. This amazing winter wonderland is sure to bring festive cheer your way!

Date: 14 December 2014
Time: 10:00 – 22:00
Venue: Sandringham Farm
Price: FREE – R80

With so much happening in Cape Town this weekend, it’s not a case of what to do in the Mother City, but rather can you fit it all in? So, grab your family and friends and make sure to hit at least one of these awesome occasions in Cape Town this weekend!

If you're visiting Cape Town this weekend be sure to book yourself in at the luxurious, self-catering 808 Cartwright and enjoy the amazing views! Do you need an airport transfer? Contact Airport Shuttle Cape Town and they can provide a reliable, speedy shuttle service too and from Cape Town International Airport.

Written By: Christine Romans

Holiday travel – How to make it less stressful

It’s great to go home for the holidays; it’s all part of the joy of the season, but for many of us getting there can be super-stressful! It’s you, with bags full of Christmas presents, copious amounts of luggage and don’t forget the kids in tow and you’re up against flight delays, crowded airports and 12 hour long flights. There are tips that can help you escape the heartache and headache of holiday travel, here are a few:

Tip 1: Book early
Beat stress by making your travel plans as early as possible, that way you’ll get cheaper deals and more flexible schedules, try to also pick non-stop flights if you can. Avoid travelling on the busiest dates at all costs – two days before and after Christmas and New years are the most stressful days to travel.

Tip 2: Get digital
Before you leave to go on holiday make sure you have plenty of entertainment, whether it be games, movies and series on your tablet or laptop. The familiarity of your favourite TV show or game can really help to fight boredom and stress, not to mention it can entertain the kids for hours on end. Be sure to also bring earphones, backup batteries and chargers!

Tip 3: Travel light
If you have loads of Christmas gifts and luggage consider shipping them ahead of time, you’ll get rid of all that luggage hassle and you won’t have to drag around 10kg of bags. If you really must travel with your gifts, keep them unwrapped in case security needs to examine your stuff.

Tip 4: Stay well-fed
An empty stomach is one of the reasons why travelers get really cranky and grumpy! It’s easy to beat boredom on a flight with some snacks, especially for the kids. Before you get on the plane make sure you are all stocked up on healthy, non-messy snacks and treats, choose high-fiber and protein foods so you feel fuller for longer.

Tip 5: Remember that others are stress too
Holiday travel can be hectic for everyone involved, so take a deep breath, put a smile on your face and stay positive! Remember that getting away from familiar schedules and surroundings can be extra stressful for kids, so make sure to bring their favourite toys and books. The most important thing to keep in mind is that getting upset with the airport personnel doesn't help at all, stay calm, say kind words and keep an upbeat attitude.

Why do we always end up with that pit in our stomachs, clenched teeth and raised voices at least once during our holiday trips? Because stress strikes for many reasons and we need to know how to avoid it and control it so we have a happy, stress-free vacation!

Contact Airport Shuttle in Cape Town for a reliable, stress-free shuttle transfer too and from Cape Town International Airport. Don't stress about finding accommodation either, 808 Cartwright is the perfect affordable, self-catering apartment for you!

Written By: Christine Romans 

Surviving the middle seat on your flight

Which would you prefer: sitting in the middle seat for a long flight or having a hole drilled in your head? A recent survey was done to determine the top five middle seat annoyances:

1. Having a nosy seatmate peering over your shoulder
2. Crawling over someone to get to the bathroom
3. Not being able to stretch out
4. Having an overweight seatmate on either side of you
5. Not having a place to rest your head

If you’re a traveler there’s a chance you will be doomed to the middle seat at some point, here are some tips to avoid and survive the middle seat.

Make a narrow escape – Your first chance to escape the middle seat is to select an aisle or window when your first book your flight, however some airlines charge an additional fee, but it’s definitely worth it! If the worst happens and you discover that only middle seats are available then contact the airline to enquire if any better seats have become available, even if you have to pay for an upgrade!

You have prime placement on the armrests – Travelers often get confused about proper armrest etiquette, there is a rule of thumb that has worked for many people over the years: the person in the middle seat has priority when it comes to the armrests on both sides. Passengers in the more comfortable seats on either side of the middle seat will get the slightly less comfortable part of the armrest – it’s only fair!

Go before you go – If there was ever a time to behave like a four year old and visit the bathroom multiple times in the airport before your flight, this is it! And if you do ever have to get up from your seat during the flight do it before the person starts watching a movie, reading a book or falls asleep!

Use sleep and comfort aids – No, I don’t mean drugs, but rather neck pillows, eye covers, noise cancelling headphones or anything else that can make it possible for you to sleep or rest while sitting straight with nothing to lean on.

Surrender – If you do end up in the dreaded window seat, it will help if you just accept early that its not gonna be fun, easy or comfortable, so you might as well make the best of it! It’s going to be horrible, but sooner or later you will be on the ground. In other words: this too shall pass.

People dislike the middle seat so much that they will go to great lengths to avoid it; some travelers would even stay an extra night at their hotel than h

ave to endure the middle seat! It’s true that majority of us would rather go to the dentist than have to tell a seatmate that you have to go to the bathroom.

Contact Airport Shuttle in Cape Town for a reliable, speedy shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport! Need a place to stay? 808 Cartwright Corner is the perfect, affordable self-catering apartment. 

Written By: Christine Romans

What not to pack when you’re travelling

There’s always the issue when packing of what not to bring and what you NEED to bring, the main goal is to be able to carry your luggage around without huffing and puffing and completely losing your breath. When we’re forced to make the awful decision and choose between our favourite things, most of the time it’s just easier to pack it all! Everyone’s packing style is different and we all have our own travel needs, but if you leave out a few of the following items on your next trip and we promise you won’t miss a thing!

Don’t pack your entire beauty routine:  If you use 12 different products on your hair, leave some of them at home when you’re travelling, instead of carrying two extra bags with you filled with beauty products. If you’re worried about looking like a troll in your holiday photos, trust me it won’t happen if you just use shampoo and conditioner for a few nights.

Don’t pack more clothes than you need: Clothes take up majority of the space in your suitcase, if you reduce the amount of outfits, it can reduce the load significantly. No one wants to run out of clean underwear in the middle of the forest, but that doesn't mean you have to pack enough clothes to change outfits three times a day.

Don’t pack your jewelry and valuables: So you can’t imagine living without your grandmother’s wedding ring or your expensive Rolex watch? Well, it’s best not to cart it overseas! Tourists are the main targets for criminals, you may think you look like a million bucks, but to thieves you just look like an easy target.

Don’t pack unnecessary gadgets: This part applies to you if you've ever packed things like nightlights, portable DVD players, coffee makers or toothbrush sanitizers, but then you never touch them once throughout the whole trip. The important thing to ask yourself is: “Do I really need that electronic language translator?” before you try and stuff it into your overflowing suitcase.

Over packing can cost a lot more than extra suitcase space and a free hand, if you check more than one bag or exceed the weight limit it can cost you a lot of extra cash, so before you get upset about leaving your favourite prized possession at home, remember that these suggestions might help you out a lot.

For an affordable airport shuttle service in Cape Town, contact Airport Shuttle! They offer a fast, reliable ride for a great price. If you're looking for a comfy, self-catering apartment too, 808 Cartwright is your best bet!

How to beat the heat while travelling

Summer is probably the most popular time to travel, but it’s definitely the most uncomfortable time too, especially when you’re travelling to a sweltering location like Cape Town. Scorching temperatures and humidity can affect every part of your travel experience including getting to and around airports, sightseeing, lodging, health issues and even the most basic thing like sleeping well at night. Learn how to beat the heat and keep your cool with these helpful tips:

Stay hydrated
Always drink water regularly when you’re travelling, whether you are being active or not you should drink more fluids than normal. Drink cold water to bring down your core temperature and try to purchase some oral rehydration salts.

Pack your sunscreen
Even if you expect to be indoors most of the time, always pack your sunscreen just in case. Avoiding sunburn is an essential part of staying cool; if you get sunburnt it can add to the feeling of overheating.

Eat lighter meals

The fuel in your tummy can heat up the rest of your body, make you feel really heavy and it can take away precious water from your system. Try to choose a meal that will keep you full and hydrated at the same time.

Wear the right clothing
Loose fitting, lightweight and light-coloured clothing is the way to go. Always avoid dark colours and lots of layers; also try to wear cotton and natural fabrics instead of materials like polyester. Cotton will help you keep cool by absorbing and releasing heat and sweat while polyester will trap it and make you feel even hotter.

Wear a hat
Not only will a hat protect you from sunburn but it will also help to keep you nice and cool. It’s important to keep the sun off the back of your neck – this has a big impact on your internal temperature.

Check ahead
There is no excuse for not knowing what the weather will be like where you’re headed, there are plenty of reliable forecasts for almost every place on the planet. You should also check the weather at the airport and all the stops along the way.

Cluster your activities by location
Dragging yourself all over the place can be brutal in the hot summer sun, if you plan out your days to cluster activities together by location or neighbourhood, you can avoid long, hot walks or overheating on bus rides.

Have some ice cream
It’s delicious, it’s fun to eat and it’ll bring down your core temperature! Yes, water or juice will do the job, but it doesn't compare to eating an ice cream on a hot day!

Uncomfortably high temperatures can cause a lot of discomfort and dehydration, not to mention heat stroke and heat rash. Don’t get caught feeling like you’re travelling in an oven, use these simple tricks to keep yourself cool as a cucumber.

If you're making your way to the Mother City, check in at 808 Cartwright for a bright, comfy, self-catering apartment. Don't have transport there? Never fear Airport Shuttle can get you to and from Cape Town International Airport in an affordable and reliable way!

Written By: Christine Romans

What medication to pack while travelling in Africa

Before you start any journey, you always have to pack all the necessary stuff – clothes, toiletries, gadgets and so much more, don’t forget to pack in a little medication, it may sound boring, but it’s an important precaution! Always pack in these medications to help ensure healthy travels on our African continent.

Antimalarials

Malaria claims over 650 000 lives throughout the world each year and in Sub-Saharan Africa a child dies every minute from this disease! In South Africa be cautious of these areas with a high Malaria count; Limpopo, Mpumalanga and north-eastern KwaZulu Natal. So you might want to consider packing these antimalarials when travelling this continent:
- Vibramycin-D (Doxycycline)
- Lariam (mefloquine) 
- Aralen ( chloroquine)

Motion Sickness Tablets

There are many kinds of motion sickness, the most common ones are car sickness, sea sickness and air sickness. Distances in Africa are long and you might have to drive from point A to point B for many hours on a rough, bumpy road and getting sick is the last thing you need. These motion sickness remedies like codeine (Promethazine), Marezine (Cyclizine) and Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) are available over the counter.

Antiseptics

Travelling in Africa without any antiseptic can be a major health risk, with overcrowded settlements, poor hygiene, bacteria all around and lack of healthcare facilities, the last thing you want to do is leave a cut or wound uncleaned. These antiseptics are a must when travelling:
- Betadine
- Dettol
- Savlon

Oral Rehydration Salts

Lack of clean water, poor sanitation and hygiene have led to an increase of cholera and diarrhea in Africa! It is highly advisable to bring along some oral rehydration salts, they help replace lost electrolytes, sodium, glucose and potassium that people lose when they suffer from cholera or diarrhea (they also help with hangovers after too much local beer).

Laxatives

You might want to taste all the new, different foods in Africa, but your body might not be used to certain foods and it could cause constipation or irritation in your belly. Laxatives are not glamorous, but it’s better to have them and not need them, right? Dulcolax is a common laxative that can be purchased over the counter.

Antifungal Treatment

Fungal infections such as ringworms and meningitis are quite common in West and Northern Africa, to avoid these fungal infections when you're travelling on this continent always carry drugs such as:
- Cruex cream
- Micanazole 
- Amphotericin B 
- Voriconazole

Add these to your travel kit:
- Plasters
- Water purification tablets
- Insect repellents

It is always so much better to have some remedies nearby when you’re travelling just in case you get sick, travelling is all about enjoyment and bringing along some simple medication can bring you complete peace of mind.

Have your travels led you to the Mother City? Give the guys at Airport Shuttle a call they can get you safe and sound to any destination, like the affordable, luxurious 808 Cartwright self-catering accommodation.

Written By: Christine Romans 

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