I’m back to Chiang Mai after traveling on a world tour that took me to Singapore, Bangkok, Penang, Johannesburg, and Capetown. In this podcast world tour 2017 I share gems from each destination from food, getting around, co-working , and local areas I stayed. I took my filming gear and shot from amazing footage of the modern singapore skyline in marina bay to the beautiful postcard views of Capetown’s Table mountain.
I stayed in modern condos in Penang, a penthouse in Penang, and a unique estate in Houghton, the neighborhood of Nelson Mandela and another past South African president.
I ate world class xiao long bao, dumplings, noodles to delicious rump and fillet steaks in South Africa. The amazing wines in Capetown South Africa from the sauvingnon blanc in Constantia and stellenbosch. Listen and watch to learn more.
My Amazon book on South Africa: http://chicvoyageproductions.com/southafricabook
Greg is a former corporate IT Manager and Business Lead from Vancouver, BC in Canada inspired during his MBA program to take a risk and follow his heart and passions. He is a modern World Explorer, Film-maker, Mobile & Google friendly Website producer, & Entrepreneur at the intersection of travel and technology. He has directed, shot, edited, and produced over 30 high definition travel and lifestyle related videos on Youtube in addition to producing ChicVoyage in Asia – modern travel adventures on the Amazon.com store in 2012. He has been instructed by globally renown SLR Director and film-maker Phillip Bloom. His 4 month 2013 journey took him to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The next journey is currently in progress with a return to Asia where is currently living and studying Mandarin in Taiwan. His vision for his family of travel companies called Chicvoyagegroup is to “inspire the world to travel and explore”
As someone who was originally born in South Africa with local relatives, but who has spent more of their adult life being raised in Canada I plan to offer a unique perspective on my homeland.
After 2 months of filming and traveling in Hawaii and Australia I would have been happy with the video and pictures I had captured for the year. Fortunately shortly before I left for Australia I was invited to accompany my grandmother from Singapore to South Africa. This would be a great opportunity to help my grandmother and revisit my home country at an age where I could appreciate it.
My last trip to South Africa was in 2001. I had spent time with my good family South African friends Leanne and Melissa while traveling through Australia. They had armed me with some inside information and suggested I turn on my South African accent to blend in with the locals.
South Africa Review
Good for
Weather – The weather is almost always perfect. Sunny and dry most of the time.
Value – The South African currency is weak compared to Western currencies offering great value to Western visitors
Lifestyle – Capetown offers the best lifestyle being a scenic waterfront city with the beautiful mountain backdrop. Rent an apartment here and indulge in the wines of Stellenbosh, the cafe’s, and foods at great value.
Foods – South African’s have their own local specialties like Biltong, Marie biscuits, and great local wine like Nedeberg. You also have western foods like Shepherds pie, Cornish pastries, lasagna, spaghetti bolognese.
Cons
Safety concerns – Be careful in areas in Johannesburg especially at night. Capetown and Kruger National Park are safer.
Car City – South Africa still requires a car to get around
South Africa is a country that can offer a great lifestyle, weather, and value to visitors. There are some friendly down to earth people that I met while I this country. The tradeoff is the safety that comes with a huge gap between the poor and wealthy. Nelson Mandela has done much for this country and put South Africa on the map. I hope you enjoyed this original coverage of South Africa 2013, which I dedicate to my late Grand mother on my mother’s side who passed away days before I arrived on this trip. Thanks to my Dad’s mother (my Grand mother) for making this trip possible, my parents, my cousins in Pretoria & Sandton, my uncle Edmund, and family friends for their help during this trip. If you read down this far then wait until you see the video. I guarantee I’m going to show you something special!
Capetown Table mountain
The journey in South Africa 2013
A usable 10 day itinerary to South Africa
Day 1
check in at hotel near Sandton City, Johannesburg. The Radisson blu offers a convenient location
Have dinner at hotel or Sandton
Day 2
Have breakfast and coffee at Mugg and Bean at Sandton City
Take the Gautrain to Rosebank Mall and have lunch
Back to Sandton City for dinner
Day 3
Do a big bus tour to take you around Johannesburg
Day 4
Fly from Joburg to Neilspruit for Kruger National Park Safari
Self-drive to skukuza camp for 1 night
Day 5
Drive to Olifant Camp and sight see along the way
Stay at Olifant Camp and check in
Do a night safari
Day 6
Self drive to Sight see
Day 7
Drive to Neilspruit Airport from Kruger national Park
Fly out to Capetown from Kruger National Park
Day 8
Check in at the your accommodation. Suggestion for view of Table Mountain (Flatrock Apartments) or Airbnb
Day 9
Breakfast at the V & A Waterfront
Do the Robben Island Tour
Day 10
Visit Table Mountain to sight-see
Drive out to Stellenbosch to visit Wine country and do a wine-tasting
Day 11
Take a drive out to Camps Bay and Chapmans Peak to enjoy the beach and the scenery
This is a true travel adventure in South Africa that took place in 2013 that shares travel tips and nuggets as the story unfolds
Greg Hung goes on a special travel adventure to visit his family and film Johannesburg, Cape Town, and the Kruger National Park.
Greg offers a unique perspective having lived the first 10 years of his life in Johannesburg South Africa and having access to the local knowledge of local relatives.
Highlights of the book include:
-Sampling the Gautrain to visit Sandton City and even the Joburg Airport
– Living at a private apartment near Long street overlooking Table Mountain
– Visiting the wineries at Stellenbosch
– Making new friends on the Robben Island Tour and a night out on the town in Cape Town
– Visits to Sandton City, Rosebank, and Melrose Square
– A BMW drive through the ghetto of Hillbrow
– A stay at the Satara rest camp at the Kruger National Park, night safari, and photo hunting for African elephants, giraffes, and lions
