Tag Archives: travel tips

5 Must-see Caves in South Africa

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South Africa is nothing short of spectacular when it comes to breathtaking scenery, teeming wildlife, colorful culture, and marvelous topography. A tourist has a lot to choose from depending on what adventure you would prefer. If you’re a spelunker, then prepare for a long list of must-see caves in this beautiful country. Include our top 5 list of caves in your caving adventure so read through.

CANGO CAVES
Cango Caves top our list because it is the most popular cave in the country, and rightfully so, because of the mesmerizing stalactites and stalagmites formation in all parts of the cave. Even if this the best-known cave in town, you are not allowed to wander inside alone, so guided group tours are aplenty so choose your own adventure. The cave chambers can mesmerize any tourist and one of the most prominent formation is the 9 meter stalagmite called, Cleopatra’s Needle.

ECHO CAVES
As the name suggests, the cave’s acoustics are very prominent especially when you tap the hollow stalactites inside, it instantly creates a wave of repeated tapping sound that can be heard both inside and outside the cave. The level of difficulty is quite low so the cave can be enjoyed by the young and old.

STERKFONTEIN CAVES
Sterkfontein Caves most famously known as the Cradle of Humankind is like a page straight out of a history book. The name already suggest that this is a site where archaeologists have discovered the fossils of early hominins dating back over 4 million years. The place is revamped and now includes a restaurant, conference rooms, boardwalks and exhibits.

SUDWALA CAVES
The chambers after chambers of stalactites and stalagmites are one of the oldest in the world and believed to be 240 million years old. Prepare to be mesmerized with the wondrous natural work of art inside this dolomite cave system. There are still a lot of unexplored routes in the cave so it is best to be on a guided tour when you decide to go inside.

ELEPHANT’S EYE CAVE
The whole mountain where this cave sits is shaped like an elephant and the opening of the cave is just right where the eye of the elephant should be, thus the name. Unlike other caves on this list, the Elephant’s Eye Cave can be explored without a guide and is unlikely to get very crowded so you’ve got ample space to have a picnic inside. And the hike going to the mouth of the cave is a leisurely trek and can be enjoyed with kids.

Hong Kong Travel Guide

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A city most famously known for the towering skyscrapers, neon lights, and a paradise for foodies, Hong Kong is described as the kaleidoscope of life. That being said, here are some of my favorite things to do and places to eat in Hong Kong.

Street Markets

You will find a bunch of these all around Hong Kong both day and nights. One of such is the temple street night market where you will find a bunch of things like souvenirs, watches, I love Hong Kong shirts, belts, and even a knockoff supreme if you are into that. What is great about these markets is that you get a good mixture of both souvenir shopping, clothing, and even food.

Food

Speaking of food you obviously can’t visit Hong Kong without trying their dim sum. The best part about eating in a local spot in Hong Kong is sharing a table with other local Hong Kongers and of course eating delicious and cheap dim sum. When it comes to eating in Hong Kong, you definitely can’t go wrong with any restaurant you decide to choose from as you always get the true authentic Cantonese food experience. Another one of my favorites is actually a Michelin star restaurant, and it’s called Joy Hang. Here you will get the best duck barbecue, pork, and chicken combo over rice and this restaurant is super small so be prepared to share tables with the locals.

Hiking

After all that eating, you might want to take a walk and you can actually take the hiking trail all the way up to Victoria Peak where you will find an incredible view. If you are not a fan of hiking, you can always take Uber all the way up the hill or even a cable car. There is also an observation deck you can pay for but I recommend skipping out on that so you can save money and the views are just as great from underneath that.

Transportation

As far as transportation goes, I highly recommend getting an octopus card which you can purchase at any MRT station and you can load it with as much money as you want on it as it works for the subway, the bus, and even most convenience stores. Aside from that, I recommend carrying some cash in hand just for the more local restaurants and even a souvenir shopping. You can convert your money at the airport or withdraw at any ATM.

If you find yourself in Hong Kong for a few hours, a few days, or even a few weeks I hope you find these tips helpful.