Durbans Creative

Here are some photo's from my friend Mike van Heerden's exhibition at the Cape Town Design Indaba, where he won Most Creative Stand. He now runs his own company called " & Sons " and if you want to contact him or order anything follow the above link to his website.
He also designs logo's and invitations which you can view samples of on the website.




The beautiful wood designs he created for the Indaba
.

 

                                                                   {Images from Behance}

The Road to Europe : Part 2

With just under four months to go until we depart on our very first Euro trip, my friend Wok (check out his rad photoblog: astorytelling.tumblr.com), has kindly drawn up a simply wonderful Itinery. Have a look at it, feel free to use it...its our very on contiki tour through Italy, Spain and France. We managed to get return tickets for R6500, and we are looking at spending approximately R10000, inclusive of food and accommodation, while we are there. Not too bad hey.
Anyway, enjoy.

EUROTRIP  of  Awesomeness!!!!!!!

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Sat 23 June

Arrive in Rome. Catch a train to Naples ( need to book that train).

Sun 24 June

Do whatever you want to do in Naples. Maybe  buy food supplies (breakfast perhaps) at a supermarket

Mon 25 June

Peruse around Naples. Go out for pizza and talk about the fact that we are in Italy!

Tues 26 June to Wed 27 June

Day trips from Naples!

- Pompeii / Herculaneum

- Capri

- Amalfi Coast

Pompeii

€11. Open every day from 8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. (last admission 6 p.m.)

By allowing 3-4 hours you will not feel rushed and will have an opportunity to steal some quiet moments. All the excavated stuff is in a museum in Naples… so we could check that out too, to get the full experience.

Alternatively, you could go to Herculaneum (or do both?). Pompeii is much more famous than nearby Herculaneum. Still, some people prefer Herculaneum as it’s smaller, less crowded, and has a bit more of what’s been excavated still on site (as opposed to in a museum somewhere else). For Herculanuem allow 2-3 hours to tour the site.

Capri

From Naples you can take a ferry (80 minutes, €11).

The most popular activities on the island involve the natural beauty of the place – hiking, boating, and swimming are all common ways to spend a day on Capri.

The most famous natural landmark on the island, however, is the Blue Grotto (The Grotta Azzurra). You have to wait in line to go on row boats… and pay around €15.

Amalfi Coast

The number one item on most agendas of people who arrive on the Amalfi Coast is simple – to relax.

If you get bored, however, there are other things to do in the area.

One of the best hikes in Italy is on the Amalfi Coast – it’s called the Path of the Gods and it’s easy enough that you don’t need to bring any specialty gear (other than good walking shoes). 2.5-hour hike.  Best in morning or late in the day.

Perhaps catch the train to Pompeii/Herculaneum in the morning… have lunch and then catch the train to Amalfi Coast for afternoon hike/relax?

Side note: Cinque Terre and Amalfi are similar in many ways. Both amazing scenery, but different in ways too.

The Cinque Terre is more "rustic and informal". The cuisine tends to be unique and of course emphasizes Pesto as this is where it was invented. There are no large Museums or Galleries, and the typical activities are hiking the trails between the villages, swimming and just relaxing and enjoying "Il Dolce Far Niente" (and of course the great food).

Thurs 28 June

Wake up and catch a train to Rome (1h20 trip). Eurail - need to book reservations. Fee = R100.

-  Say “When in Rome” a million times.

-  Hang Out in the Pantheon – Do what the Romans do.

-  Roman Forum + Colosseum + Palatine Hill (€12 for all of it)

-  Trevi Fountain people watching.

Catch train back to Naples (1h20 trip). Reservation fee = R100.

Fri 29 June

Vatican City - Eurail (1h20 trip) - need to book reservations. Fee = R100.

Need to dress conservatively for this one. No shorts or showing shoulders etc. Like if you were going to NG Kerk!

-  St. Peter’s Basilica

-  The Vatican Museums

-  Sistine Chapel

“For most travelers, touring the Vatican is one day out of a trip to Rome, and that’s exactly what I suggest when people ask me how much time they should spend in Vatican City. A guided tour is recommended. So you don’t miss the most important pieces (not to mention being told why they’re important) and avoid the potentially long lines at the museum entrance. “

Catch train back to Naples (1h20 trip). Reservation fee = R100.

Sat 30 July

Florence! - Eurail  (3 hour trip) - need to book reservations. Fee = R100.

Florence is best explored on foot.

Booking in advance to see Florence’s museums is highly, highly recommended.

Get a feel of the place. Check out some churches. Get some Gelato. Leave the art museums for the next day.

Will be best to stay in a hostel here. We found a R124 per night for 7 bed private (we must book ASAP). It’s 5 minutes away from everything and lots of free stuff. Instead of catching 2 hour trains back and forth to Milan (and R100 reservations for each trip)… and wastes precious time!

Sun 1 July

Florence Day 2 – Art Day (wake up and walk 5mins to art museums).

- Two main art museums (Uffizi and Accademia). MUST book in advanced!

- Chill after museum madness, get some more Gelato and wander a bit.

- Hike up the hill to the Piazzale Michelangelo… a lovely place to watch the sun set over the city.

Sleep the night (R124)

Mon 2 July

Tuscany Tour

Depart from Florence. 80 euros.

Visit Siena. Free time for shopping or relaxing in an open air cafe. A Tuscan lunch at a Chianti vineyard. Visit the enchanting hilltop town of San Gimignano. Scenic country drive & Pisa.

Go straight from Pisa to Cinque Terre and stay the night in a Hostel there (R250). Because it takes 3.5 hours to get there from Florence, and that’s wasting precious time – you really don’t want to rush things. The tour allows you to bring your bags for that purpose, so rock it! Also, Cinque Terre has lots to offer and you’ll want a whole day. So go straight to Cinque Terre, have dinner and sleep over.  

Tues 3 July

Cinque Terre!

Wake up. Hike between the villages, swim, eat the famous Pesto Pasta, relax, wander around, get lost… amazing.

Sleep the night (R250). You’ll be buggered.

Wed 4 July

Train to Milan - Eurail  (3 hour trip) - need to book reservations. Fee = R100.

I think we going to have to just drop bags and leave and rush off to Bergamo… google it.

A fantastic day trip from Milan is Bergamo. Takes 1 hour to get there. You use a slower regional train that runs between the two cities, so no reservations are required. If you’ve got a Eurail, all you need to do is hop on board!

The city is divided into two parts – the old high city (alta città) and the newer low city (bassa città). The newer parts of the city aren’t horrible by any stretch, but the historic and more pretty areas are in the alta città.

The main thing to do in the Bergamo alta città is just wander, so do yourself a favor and try to get lost. It’s virtually impossible to do, because the old city is encircled by the old city walls – so if you stray too far in any one direction you’ll just bump into a wall at some point and have to turn back. The streets themselves aren’t often flat, but if you’re letting the bus or funicular get you up and down the hill then a few little climbs on the streets of the alta città shouldn’t be too much trouble.

Thurs 5 July

Day trip to Venice. Eurail (2h30 trip) - need to book reservations. Fee = R100.

Eurail back to Milan (Reservations – R100)

Overnight sleeping train to Paris (R739). Leaves Milan at 23:38 and arrives in Paris 09:29.

Fri 6 July

Paris! Read this http://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/paris/travel-tips-and-articles/69987 (Advise for one day in Paris - rad).

Sleep over in Paris Hostel. (R250)

Alternatively: Spend 2.5 days in Paris or spend 2.5 days in French Riviera. Instead of spending over 5 hours on a train between spots… and rather giving time to fully appreciate, go at own pace and not rush. Just a thought.

Sat 7 July

Train to Nice from Paris. Plus/minus R250. 5 hour trip. Nice seems to be the preferred option compared to Marseille, but Marseille is a closer 3 hours trip from Paris.

Will get there at about lunch time.

OPTION 1: Train to Nice. And stay there for the night. (R250)

OPTION 2: Train to Marseille, stay in a hostel there and day trip along the French Riviera.

Sun 8 July

French Riviera vibes.

Afternoon it’s time to make your way to Pamplona. This is the tricky part!

It used to be the case that you could take an overnight train to Pamplona that would get you to the city in the small hours of the morning just in time for the bull run. But alas, this is no longer possible.

So, taking a bus to Pamplona from Barcelona might be the best option.

The bus will take like 6 or 7 hours. So if we leave Barca at 11pm, you’ll get there at a good time to get ready for the bull run at 8am. Plus you’ll have some sleep on the bus on the way there. Optimistic, I know.

OPTION 1:  Catch a train to Barcelona. Then catch a bus to Pamplona through the night.

OPTION 2: Stay the night in Barcelona. Then the next day catch a train to Pamplona after lunchish. Join the party. Sleep somewhere close to Pamplona. Arrive in the morning for the Bull Run on Tues 10 July.

Pamplona hostels are over R600 a night. So you will need to find something outside…

Mon 9 July

8am Bull Run in Pamplona

Vibe the streets afterwards

Party and fireworks start at 11pm.

Or OPTION 2…

Tues 10 July

8am Bull Run in Pamplona

Vibe the streets afterwards

Head to Barcelona for the evening.

Wed 11 July to Fri 13 July

Barcelona for 3 days (perhaps a day trip somewhere).

http://www.spaintravelguide.com/3-days-in-barcelona-itinerary-ideas.html

Sat 14 July

Train to Madrid Airport and fly home! 

Watch this space for more wonderful posts about how great Europe is once we are actually there!

Pretty Flippin Kiff

So I realised today that so many of my friends are ridiculously gifted in terms of music and creativity. Sometimes I see them play at a gig, or on a video clip and I can't believe I actually know them. South Africa truly has so much untapped potential. Here are a few of my mates who I reckon are pretty flippin kiff!


The Kiffness.
My mates Dave and Mike Scott make up The Kiffness. They have an electro/jazz/awesome sound and this is one of my favourite songs and videos of theirs. You can find The Kiffness on Facebook - do yourself a favour.

BERGIES FLY

The Brothers Streep

I have one word for them. AMAZEFRIKKINHILARIOUS. I know right. You can also find them on facebook. This is a song they recently performed at the finale of SA IDOLS. It's brilliance in a band.

WE'RE NEVER GONNA BE (SA IDOLS)



Matthew Mole.

He's from the small, pretty boring town of Fishhoek (ha) but possibly has one of the best voices I have heard this side of the world. I know it's a claim, but just listen to pure talent. please.

BLIND

To Our Divine.

Okay so Matthew Mole and Ash  Stephenson form this duo of electro/indie music. Such a jam and a talented pairing! Once again, if you wanna hear more, you can find them on Facebook. This is an accoustic version of one of their songs.

INDIE THREE

Dedicated to Jord-in-a-blog

It's always a sad time when a friend you have known for years has to move, across the ocean, to a distant land. I didn't get you a farewell gift Jords, so, because you are such an inspiring and eager blogger, I figured a blogpost dedicated to you would suffice.

Thank you for all the amazing times we have had together in the past nine years ( yes it has been that long), from the stage production of Sound of Music, to leading four consecutive Holiday clubs together, to my team dominating your team at those holiday clubs, to doing modelling shoots and being a fake couple, to going to matric dances together ( but not with eachother), to getting "tattoos" of frogs and dancing to The Arrows on the beach of Ballito,  to saying goodbye to you when you changed churches, and now finally to saying goodbye to you as you change continents.

You are an absolute joy to those around you, you really care for and love your friends with such an amazing realness, and you let the Lord emanate from you constantly. You are inspiring, mature, wise and kind. You can always make me laugh, you are such an encouragement in my life and over the years I have really watched you grow into someone that is such a blessing to those around him. Your wife (one day) is going to be stoked!

I know in the past few years we haven't had much time together, but that's fine because no matter the distance or time apart I will always be able to have deep chats with you and lots of laughs as if no time has passed - the joys of nine-year long friendships!

I pray that America is everything you want it to be, and I look forward to seeing you on television as a famous musician one day ;)  Just know that there are tons of people in South Africa who are praying and rooting for you and who will possibly hug you to death when you come back for visits.

I love you so much my friend and am going to miss you hugely, but I am so happy that you are living your life! May God always be your strength, your joy and your passion.

                                              The matric dance that I was too old for

                                                      Redfrogging it in ballito

                                        Leading Holiday club together ( WHAT am I wearing?? )

                                               Its always nice being a fake couple with you..

                                               

This one is for my friends...

This year was set to be the most depressing birthday I've had due to the fact that I was writing an exam on my birthday as well as the day after. I was so upset that I wouldn't be able to celebrate at all especially seeing that it would be my last birthday in Durban.
But.
I have the greatest friends in the world. I'm not even exaggerating.

Two days ago they threw me the most wonderful surprise party I could have asked for and I was legitimately surprised - did not have the slightest clue! They even bought me presents, made me two cakes ( I got to blow out candles which I haven't done in years), and wrote me all these lovely and silly messages which were hidden inside balloons. The night really made me so happy, and I realised how absolutely blessed I am to have these people in my life.

So to all of you I just want to publicly say THANK YOU. I look forward to many more fun times with you guys in the months to come.

 

 

How to not have a blue monday...

Make sure that you laugh a lot. A mere chuckle does not suffice, you need to laugh as if you have just watched HotRod ( or any other comedic movie of your choice). I'm talking about laughter that brings tears of joy to your eyes. If you are unable to find something that creates that giggle inside of you, then I think you can get away with smiling. Smiling people are beautiful people.

Eat lots and lots of chocolate. Seriously, it is scientifically proven that the consumption of chocolate triggers the release of endorphins in your body which is known to reduce your sensitivity to pain ( because we all know how painful Monday's can be) and also make you feel more cheerful! So, on Monday's, it is okay to consume chocolate.

Surround yourself with friends. Whether you are at work all day or at university or at school, there is always going to be someone around that you regard as a friend or companion. So take 30 minutes out of that day to spend time with that person, because you will feel more relaxed, you will have someone to vent to if you have had a bad day, you will then probably be comforted or cheered up, and your mind will be taken off the fact that its a Monday. Friends are great.

Find a quiet place. So often I find that on Mondays there is always a lot happening, and I have to wake up early, and I didn't get enough sleep the night before so I'm tired and look like a mess. What makes this worse is when you are surrounded by chaos and noise. In order to feel peaceful which will actually make you feel happier, you need to find a place in your free time where you can breathe, close your eyes, and daydream a little. An escape from the chaos. Sometimes its even good to do this early in the morning before your day begins, so that you have a chance to wake up and begin the day refreshed. It probably sounds like I am some hippy whose about to tell you to hug a tree, but that's probably because I am some hippy and if hugging trees makes for a better day, well then...hug away!

 

When you wake up, think of the positive! Don't wake up and think things like " I'm so tired", " I hate School/Work/Varsity ", " My life sucks". Rather wake up and say " Four more days till the weekend", " In just 12 more hours I will get to go to sleep again", " What a beautiful sunny day". " What a beautiful rainy day", " What a beautiful get-up-and-be-alive day". You get the gist of it?