Living Our Sunshine with Susann Deysel
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Joburg to Maldives to Joburg

It has been a trying week at work with campaigns and tight deadlines – but, I survived. Now there is only a few days left before we jet off to the other side of the world. It really makes it bearable to be at work knowing that I will soon have sunshine, warm beach sand and blue waters to calm my shattered nerves.

I'm having one of those weeks

This weekend we did a final pack for our Maldives holiday. We split clothes so that if a suitcase goes missing everyone still have clothes. When my husband came to my underwear he held it up and said “is this what you wearing to the beach, because if this is it – we are going shopping now”. He was holding up my very tiny Sloggy panties.

My husband’s face was preciously hilarious. Next time I will pack even smaller items.

Screen printing class by ZANA

There is the possibility of ZANA coming to Joburg in October to offer 2 screen printing classes (Saturday & Sunday). They only need 10 people per class – so if you are interested please visit their Facebook page and comment on this post. If you don’t know about ZANA, check out their website. 

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4 Star Maldives – my dream holiday

I am so excited about this Maldives holiday that I can barely think anymore. I am imagining blue waters, white beaches and long cocktails in my hand.

Everything is now finalised:

  • Flights to & from Singapore/JHB (thank you Singapore Airlines!)
  • Flights to & from Male/Singapore
  • Hotel in Male, Maldives
  • Hotel on Maafushi at the lovely Kaani Beach Hotel
  • Some nights at the Adaaran Club Rannalhi water villas (yeah, I said it) – with their very expensive speedboat transfers!
  • Back in Male at the same hotel, Laze
  • Someone to stay with our 3 beloved kittens
  • Small suitcases as we are only taking overhead baggage
  • I have even sorted which bikinis will make the trip!
  • Packing lists are done
  • Travel Insurance done (with TIC because it is free with my credit card purchases)

Still need to do for the Maldives trip:

  • Health insurance closer to the time (also free with Discovery)
  • Get some forex (USD)

I really should have gotten some sun before going, but you really just can’t have everything.

So how much are we spending on this trip? Well, since my SA/Singapore flights are free the whole 12 day holiday is costing us under R30k including all ferries and extra spending money. It is still a bit extravagant, but we will probably travel less once baby arrives.

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Maldives, I plan, we plan, we pack

Back in 2008 I discovered Booking.com, the awesomest way to book accommodation. I booked Europe, Ireland and Thailand accommodation through this website and even after shopping around they always have the best prices.

This time around I have booked all our Maldives accommodation through Booking.com. We are staying 4 star and not breaking the bank completely.

We are spending a night at the beginning and end in Male – because you cannot go all that way and not explore the capital. Then we are off to Maafusi and staying at the Kaani Beach Resort on a Full-Board basis.

This part is going to have you green with jealousy…

We will also be spending 2 nights in water villas – all inclusive. At R5,000 per night for the 2 of us, it is our 1 spoil for the last 16 months of hell and heartbreak.

What am I most excited about other than getting an amazing passport stamp? It has to be the beach, almost 10 full days of it.

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84 Days – Maldives Holiday

84 days to go before we board a Singapore Airlines – and I am SOOOOO EXCITED. I have booked all flights and now just have to finalise the first and last day’s accommodation and then plan what and where we will be going.

I have actually bought a hat and scarf that is feather light. My husband has bought MORE boardies (and I seriously think he has more swimwear than me). We have dusted off the small suitcases gathered all the passports.

We are planners. Ok.

I would have loved to have visited my friend in Sri Lanka on this trip, but husband has Maldives on the brain and that is it.

I have a budget of R20,000 for all accommodation and preferably all meals…so wish me luck!

 

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Indie Travel to Maldives

Maldives, here we come – indie travel style! I am not going to fly many hours, book into an awesome all inclusive resort where alcohol is served and I can walk around in my bikini. I will be booking us into a guesthouse on an island in a regular guesthouse where not all beaches are for bikinis – and we are going to love it. I will be taking so many photos that I will break my previous holiday pics record. Visiting the maldives will be epic no matter what.

My dear husband has accepted the fact that he will see the world my way – and never use a travel agent ever again – so do not feel sorry for him!

I have booked our flights to and from Male, Maldives and have identified where we need to stay the first and last night with the ferry operating hours and flights back to Johannesburg. I have also identified an island or 2 I would like to stay on and some of the outings, now I just need to book…

If you knew how crazy I was, you would not be surprised to hear that my packing lists are done and that we will only be taking 10kg cabin luggage each. I’ve even bought a huge scarf to cover up as to not offend any locals. High on my list to find still, soft cotton dresses that go down to my knees at least.

I will be sharing my planning on the blog over the next 3 months, so keep on reading about our Maldives holiday.

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See you soon Ballito!

I can hardly wait to go home in a few days to my sanctuary in Ballito. My bags are packed and ready and my cats have been notified that we are temporarily migrating and that they should bid farewell to any friends they may have.

My arrival will be celebrated with watermelon, a dip in the sea and a belated birthday cupcake on the beach. This will be repeated daily sans the cupcakes until we leave.  I cannot wait to have Pizza at Salt Cafe and visit Siggi’s for some German cuisine. Maybe we will even treat ourselves with a dinner at Salt Rock Hotel. Now that would be epic!

The time away will do me good – and hopefully give me some strength for the rest of the year.

 

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Paris in September

It is true what they say about Paris, it is the city of love.

I have visited Paris twice and have explored this city extensively. The last time I was lucky enough to have my husband with me.

I have seen the Eiffel Tower in the day. I have seen the Eiffel Tower at night. I have photographed the Eiffel from many angles – top and bottom. I have made it up the Eiffel – barely, but I did it. I have ate french cafes and looked at the passersby. I have walked through the Louvre and posed with the Mona Lisa – twice. I have taken the buses all over Paris.

Paris in September

I loved everything in Paris – just not the french.

Landing at the airport and thinking that the Tourism Officers might be helpful was mistake #1. I think she swore at me – but after many unsuccessful attempts of asking for info I gave her a tirade in Afrikaans and suddenly I got a brochure.

On all my travels, this was also one of the few cities where we had issues. The last day in Paris we left the hotel at 3am to catch a train to Amsterdam and on our way to the closest station some youngsters hassled us, but of course I unleashed the most unholy tirade and they backed off.

Would I go back to Paris? Absolutely! I will never say no to another picnic in the shadow of the Eiffel.

Paris is always a good idea:

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Ireland – the place of green, leprechauns and beauty

I make no secret of how much I love Ireland. It feels like home, but cooler than a packet of Rascals. I am lucky enough to be married to a real Irishman who drinks Guinness and have family over the water.

The first time I visited Ireland was back in 2008 – all on my own. I chose a self-drive holiday and to find accommodation on the day. It was one of the best holidays I have ever had.

Ireland is magical. The landscapes are picture perfect. The people warm and inquisitive.

Ferry to the Aran Islands - Ireland

My first day in Ireland I would’ve caught a ferry from Doolin to the Aran Islands, but weather had other ideas. I found alternative accommodation at a little farm B&B. That night as I wondered where to go for dinner an American asked me if I wanted to go to the matchmaking festival not too far from there. Of course I could not say no – where in the world else would I see something like this? So off we went to find this festival in Lisdoonvarna.

At the festival we were let in without paying entrance fees, because the “wee lass might find herself a husband”. The locals danced, swopped partners and was merry all night and roped us in quite eagerly.

The next day I caught the ferry to the Aran Islands. Check back to read my series on Ireland and other places. 🙂

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How to save for a holiday and still live fabulously

I love spending money on myself, but I also love to travel. I am going to share my secret of how I save for a holiday.

How to save for a holiday and still live fabulously:

  1. Draw up a budget of your set monthly expenses
  2. Be honest to the last cent on how much your real expenses are
  3. Decide on the bare minimum of what you are willing to spend on entertainment and luxuries
  4. What is left of your income, split in 2
  5. 50% goes into your holiday fund and 50% stays in your account
  6. At the end of the month, transfer all money left in your account into your holiday fund
  7. Open a 32 day notice account for your holiday fund – because you know when you want to leave for a holiday and can time the payout
  8. An account that requires a notice period will discourage impulse usage of your holiday fund
  9. Stick to transferring money to your holiday fund account and you will soon have a nice little sum

You don’t have to cut on your daily luxuries too much to not pay for your travels on credit – you just have to save for your holiday and stick to what you put down in your budget,

 

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