A 2020 Travel Review

2020 is like a bad joke that refuses to end. So much misfortune, COVID primarily being the chief culprit. But also other catastrophes and the passing of several of my favourite personalities. The annual post is out early this year (Edit: Well not so early after all) because, let’s face it, the likelihood of any travel happening in the remaining months of 2020 is very low.

Of course there are bigger concerns out there in the world right now, than random travellers trying to visit countries, so let’s not complain. Instead, I am thankful for having travelled at all in 2020. These annual posts are primarily to give thanks, keep records and share my travels.

So here goes, the statistics of 2020.

• Total number of new countries and political territories visited: 4 (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana)
• Total number of countries and political territories where I made repeat visits: 2 (Indonesia- new region East Java, UK – new region British Overseas Territory of St Helena)
• Total number of calendar days spent travelling: 18
  • No of days of work + travel: 0
  • No of days of solo travel:13
  • No of days of travel with the missus: 0
  • No of days of family travel: 5

 

January’20: Surabaya and areas in East Java

Indonesia:  This was travel with family over the new year way back in Jan – and the travel year was looking so rosy then. It was my first time in Surabaya, East Java province’s largest city. I also went deep into the province, on a hunt for my late granddad’s childhood home, a 5 hour drive from Surabaya. I found the village and house where he used to stay (largely through research and asking random people when we arrived at the locale!) and ended up meeting some new relatives. Pretty surreal but it was a personal quest that needed doing. Now, if anyone wants to help with my other personal quest to find out more on the maternal side of my family (mum’s originally of Hakka heritage) please let me know. That’s a tough one!

Besides that, I ended up the regencies of Madiun, Ponorogo as well as the resort area around Lake Sarangan – a 1300 meter high mountain lake resort frequented by holidaying locals from the city. Horse-riding around the lake, speed-boating, even an amusement park in Tawangmangu. A treat for the two little ones!

 

 

February’20: St Helena, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana

St Helena: The UK territory of St Helena is in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, an isolated island that until 2017 is reachable only by ship. I first heard about this fascinating place way back from looking at maps and dreamt of visiting. The island is perhaps most famous for being the place where Napoleon was exiled and spent his last days. The capital Jamestown is quaint, nothing more than a sliver of land in a valley, sandwiched between steep cliffs. There is one main street and Georgian styled houses on either side. Driving is a must to get around the mountainous and hilly island. Outside the capital, other attractions are Napoleonic sights (e.g. the Tomb, his residence at Longwood House) and some great walking trails, “Postbox Walks” that span the island and pass by breathtaking viewpoints. For me though, just the experience of being there is wonderful enough. Its relative isolation means that things on St Helena are simple and traditions are preserved.

Getting to St Helena merits a separate paragraph. The airport is a difficult one for pilots, and flights have turned back because the conditions do not permit landing. In fact, my departure on the final day was postponed a day because the flight was cancelled. Fun fact – The flight from Johannesburg to St Helena makes a refueling pit-stop in Walvis Bay, Namibia. This is not because the flight does not have enough fuel for the journey, rather it is just in case the flight needs to turn back en route to St Helena because the plane is unable to land due to poor conditions!

 

South Africa: My visits to Johannesburg and Cape Town were mostly overnight layovers (and I lost one day in Cape Town because of the aforementioned flight cancellation). I made the best of it though, and did some sightseeing and shopping in Johannesburg, while packing in as much as possible in Cape Town by joining a day tour.

 

Zimbabwe: The main purpose for visiting Zimbabwe is Victoria Falls. And with that in mind, I decided to splurge a little on a helicopter ride over the Falls. It was worth it. The spectacular views and a front row seat meant I could see the grand falls in its full glory.

 

 

Zambia: Since I was already right at the border, I decided to cross over to Livingstone in Zambia and spent a day there exploring the museums. I did not find it necessary to visit the Zambian side of the Falls though, one side was enough. The Livingstone museum which held memorabilia from the explorer and missionary David Livingstone, was interesting, and so was the open air Railway Museum which held decommissioned trains of all types, from the old Rhodesian Railways line.

 

Botswana: The full day tour of Chobe National Park took me into Botswana, a land / river safari trip along the Chobe Rover with elephants, crocodiles, hippos and more. A great relaxed end to a good trip. I wish I had more time to stay longer in the country though, possibly a repeat visit in the future to the other national parks.

 

Special mention to the planned trips that did not happen – and these were partially or fully booked, so they involved some extensive e-mailing and calling to refund hotels, tours and flights (I managed to recover at least 80%): Mauritania, South Sudan, Scandinavian Europe and a trip to Japan. Maybe I will plan these for 2021 instead.

Speaking of 2021, the upcoming year is one where I have not set any concrete travel plans (that’s a first!), but I am optimistic some sort of controlled travel would be possible, with combination of vaccines, protocols and processes to ensure safe travel. Here’s hoping some travel ideas come to fruition!

 

From your TFP,