Travel and reminisce on this musical journey Posted on 23 April 2020 Beyond photos and social media posts, music has a powerful way of taking us back to moments in time and bringing special memories to life. With travel it’s no different. We all have special songs that remind us of funny memories, memorable road trip playlists or moments that simply took our breath away. Here are some of those songs that took the Getaway team back in time to some amazing places in South Africa: Oudtshoorn, Little Karoo Song: ‘Closer’ by Chainsmokers Image: Anita Froneman My sister and I went on a road trip for her 21st birthday in 2017. One of our stops was the Chandelier Game Lodge near Oudtshoorn, where we got to meet Shorty and Sheila.These giraffe calves were rescued from certain death after Shorty’s mother injured herself and Sheila’s mother had no milk to feed her during the terrible drought. They are cared for by the lodge’s fantastic wildlife experts and guests could also give the babies their bottles at feeding times. Shorty and Shiela are free to rejoin the rest of the wild giraffe herd on the farm whenever they like. (They probably have joined them by now). Whenever I hear this song nowadays, I always think back to driving through the Karoo in my sister’s little Chevy Spark and singing along loudly! – Anita Garden Route Song: ‘Ventura Highway’ by America ‘Ventura Highway’ is the greatest road trip song. It reminds me of summertime and Garden Route holidays, driving to Knysna and playing this song. – Lauren Hoedspruit & Kruger National Park Song: ‘Holding On’ by Matthew Mole Image: Imogen Searra A song that stirs up a memory very close to my heart is ‘Holding On’ by Matthew Mole. In 2017 my mother and I visited the Kruger National Park. It’s our annual family holiday trip, but that year it would only be my mom and me on this trip. My dad had to fly back home to Cape Town before we left for Kruger. My mom and I had an absolute blast that week, spending over eight hours a day inside the park, exploring and stopping for every bird we saw: luxuries we hadn’t experienced in previous years with my impatient dad. One morning, after breakfast and a coffee at Afsaal, we decided to exit the park from Malelane Gate. It was building to 42°C and with the heat, we hadn’t seen much. The night before we’d finished watching the series, Tali’s Wedding Diaries and ‘Holding On’ started playing, so I downloaded the song on my phone. Making our way back towards the gate, with very little promise of a sighting, I decided to play some music and this song came on. We were both energised afterwards and it really makes for such a happy, road trip song. I highly recommend you add it to a playlist! – Imogen Doolhof Wine Estate, Wellington Song: ‘Three Little Birds (Don’t Worry About a Thing)’ by Bob Marley and the Wailers AfriCamps at Doolhof Wine Estate. Image: Nidha Narrandes. On my drive to AfriCamps at Doolhof Wine Estate, this song was playing in the car. It became my earworm for the duration of my stay at this incredible glamping site. I woke up to rain pouring down on the canvas, and luckily ‘everything was gonna be alright’. This is why I glamp and don’t camp! – Nidha Ficksburg, Free State Song: ‘I’m on My Way’ – The Proclaimers Ionia Cherry Farm. Image: Gabrielle Jacobs It was my first time in the Eastern Free State, and I was staying in Ficksburg for a few days, seeing what was new in the Cherry Capital of the world, and during cherry-picking season too. While there, I befriended a retired policeman named Harold at a small pub called Foxies. He started humming a tune, moving his head in time to an unknown song. ‘Meerkat!’ he suddenly exclaimed, calling over to a woman lounging across the room near a computer. ‘Play that song for us again…’ Our DJ knew exactly what he was talking about, and soon enough I recognised it too. It was ‘I’m on My Way’ by the Proclaimers. Harry and the Foxies crowd were such a down-to-earth bunch, and they were all too happy to recommend the best places to visit. – Gabby Image: Teagan Cunniffe Related Posts Rahiem Johnson: Why representation in travel matters 27 March 2023 Founded by Rahiem Johnson, Tray Table Seat Back is a Black-owned travel business that aims... read more 7 great spots to picnic near Cape Town 1 November 2022 Looking for somewhere to kick your feet up and embrace the warm days in Cape... read more 6 best beach campsites in SA 14 June 2022 From bucket-and-spade seaside spots to rugged and remote coastal coves, we’ve got your camping weekends covered.... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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