From a student for you!!

Hey everyone... we are now just about to finalize this epic adventure of mine. Today, I'm sharing with you guys my last pictures and tips together with some helpful (well, at least, I think it is) information I took from those past 3 months, living in my lovely Mother City.

Twelve Apostles's Picks

As you guys already know, I'm a (let's say) quite experienced english student in Cape Town. For I have been to Mother City twice before, it is probably easy to say I've got a good understand of the city and most specially the people. With this said, I believe I've got something nice to share with you guys.

Furthermore, here we go with some pre-boarding #Tips when travelling to South Africa, for studying english (or other purposes as well):

1. Whether you are confident enough in your english skills, would be better getting in contact straight with an english school (in my case, LAL Language School). Surely, it will make you save some cash. If you are not willing to go through on all of this mission, however, you may as well just get in touch with some good travel-agency (suggestion would be IE Intercâmbios).
2. Do a bit of homework regarding pre-board vaccines as well as visa requirements. For brazilians, for example, we must get  yellow fever vaccine, minimum 10 days before the trip.
3. Also, be mindful of some stuff you might want to take with, such as: international credit card, valid passport (min 3 months valid), some cash (I'd recommend USD Dolar or Euro), and the school's letter of confirmation. Nevertheless, be responsible with your own stuff and safety.
4. Don't forget to bring some "students stuff" such as a note-book and a pen, also a good dictionary (very important) as well as your photo camera... you'll most likely need this.
5. Please... before packing have a look at the weather/season, thus you make sure you pack some proper clothing!

Regarding on the english school, whether you are not sure yet, I would suggest you to have a look at LAL Language School. They have a strong expertise and a good structure... Nevertheless, I must mention, once again, that their staff members are very well prepared and friendly. Not mentioning that LAL also has schools all over the globe: Fort Lauderdale (close do Miami), London, Torbay (UK), Malta and some other places... just go through the link here, and check it out.

My beautiful italian friends!!

About accommodation, I would recommend you to stay at the school's residence. The enviroment is rather fun and safe... other than that, you'll also enjoy your friends at anytime. Furthermore, staying at the school's residence is a good opportunity for you to make new friends from all over the world as well as practice your english skills at any time.

The colorful fields of Springbok!

About the country, I assure you guys (far by heart) that South Africa will never let you down, specially Cape Town. Mother City is full of colours, excitement, life, music and movement. My advice, however, is also to not be only in Cape Town... you may be willing to explore some other interesting spots, such as Durban, Bloemfontein, Pretoria, JBurg. Those places will definitely give you a better picture of South Africa.

Another tip would be: you would rather spend your money travelling than shopping around (trust me!) . Go explore as much as possible, safely and fearless. Each place you may visit, will give you a singular experience... besides, you'll certainly take this for the rest of your life.. it's priceless, isn't it?

Teaching SAMBA!!!

Another suggestion is get to know local people. Being among them is a quite unique opportunity for learning whatever you are not able to get from the school. On the top of that, it's also a nice way to lear the street language as well as swearing words and slangs (a very important lecture, for sure).

I don't mean to be repetitive, but you'd better not even go to the supermarket without your camera; each moment can be a unique, and you might not want to miss out! Another good #tip is to keep your student card and a copy of your passport always on you, just in case. 

Having an international studying experience (or even travelling in general) is something completely relevant for your growth and self-development, I would say. There are just several things you may easily achieve during a trip like this, such as: improving english skills, getting to know new friends (trust me, you will get new destinations after that), enlarging your professional network, and what more. At least, but not last... you are getting life experience, and also many "histories" to tell!

Last photo... off to the airport! 

That is it my friends... I do hope you have enjoyed all of the tips and experiences I've been sharing along on the past several posts. The web-blog is online for you may read it anytime and share it along with your friend.

I hope to see you guys soon... maybe with some other exciting destination.

I thank you guys so much for supporting me (special thanks to LAL staff members and Edgar Vallois, my dear)!!

And always remember: YOU DON'T NEED A HOLIDAY, YOU NEED CAPE TOWN!!!

Namibia - Part 2

Hey guys... I'm back again... we are almost close to the end!!! So, regarding to the previous topic, we are keeping our noses in Namibia and I'm telling you the places we've visited in that country.

Fish River Canyon - Namibia

Our first stop was at Fish River Canyon, in Ai-Ais National Park. Although the road is not in the best condition, it isn't that difficult to get there; you will need a GPS (I used Tom Tom). Furthermore, you need to be patient, because all the way through Ai-Ais goes on a hard gravel road, however the landscapes are awesome and makes you forget about everything else (worth it, indeed). As a National Park, of course, you must to pay an entrance fee, which costs N$80 (we are speaking about namibian currency just now). Once you're there, certainly you will get astonished by such a beauty… what a place... take your time over there and enjoy the second biggest canyon in the world. Just please don’t forget to take lots of pictures… your folks should see it.

About the Namibian dollar, there is no need to worry about because its got the same ratio as rand. Actually, you can spend rands in Namibia, however you can’t  do the other way around. My tip is to get few namibian cash, in case of you don’t have enough rands to spend.

Afer Fish River Canyon, we start heading through out our next destination - the desert. That place where everything becomes worth it. In accord to Wikipedia, the namibian desert is one of the eldest deserts on Earth, as well as one of the most infertile ones (only 1cm rain per year).

Namibian Desert

 Once you get in that magical place, you will appreciate the stunning beauty of the dunes, also the incredible fauna and flora that lives there. My tip is: carry your own tend and sleeping bag, so that you can sleep over inside the National Park; that is the only way to watch the sunset and the sunrise over from the dunes (both are unmissable). Another clue is: go for a walk in to the desert…park your car over the shelter and go explore the desert. Take a bottle of water along and your camera with you. Other very important tip is to visit The Deadvlei… a valley where you can see the famous centuries petrified trees - it is simply amazing, an unforgetable place.

Unfortunately we couldn't spend too much time over the desert and, in the day next, we're back to the road, heading to the north, to Swakopmund. 

It is a small coastal city, which owns a marvelous beach as well as some beautiful landscapes. The most interesting thing is that you can check out the desert ending up at the ocean… it is just amazing. Once in Swakopmund, don’t expect any trace of a nightlife because the city is sleeping after 8:00 pm. During the day take yourself for a walk, visiting the touristic places, take some photos, shop and eat something. My tip is to stay one night at Swakopmund Backpacker.

Windhoek

Our last destination, over that intriguing country, was Windhoek, the capital. Don’t expect a huge city, because definately you won't find it in Namibia… not even close. Although Windhoek is the capital, the city is quite small; its people are shy and most of them are actually able to speak english, afrikaans and german. There is no nightlife at all, so my tip is to have a good dinner at Joe’s Beer Restaurant… the place is really very nice, with an alternative and fun decoration; take your time and enjoy the opportunity to have some zebra meat (delicious!).

Namibia's Trip Company: Alex, Me and Fabian

This is it guys... Namibia was a dream coming true to me. I enjoyed each moment on that trip as well as practice my english every second, day-by-day. I hope you had really appreciated my experience. And if you want anything else, just write me!

See you later...