Africa posts
7 Dangers of Visiting Africa – They Aren’t What You Think They Are
7 Dangers of Visiting Africa - They Aren't What You Think They Are Heather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business StrategistSetting your expectations... "Are you alone?" This is a question I am often asked. Solo traveling the globe, alone, means,...
11 Tips to Enjoy Your Future African Safari
11 Tips to Enjoy Your Future African SafariHeather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business StrategistWhat you need to know before you go "Are you alone?" This is a question I am often asked. Solo traveling the globe, alone, means, well, I'm on my own...
Cape Town in A Day – Part Two
A Day in Cape Town South Africa - Part TwoHeather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business StrategistToo much to be able to see it all in a day, even two.As I mentioned in my last post, Cape Town is much bigger than originally meets the eye. I highly...
A Day in Cape Town South Africa
A Day in Cape Town South Africa - Exploring the City CenterHeather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business StrategistA city that's so much larger than first meets the eye.When I first landed in Cape Town I expected to stay a week, maybe two. Before I...
The Big 5 – What It’s Like to Experience the Magic of Africa
The Big 5 - What It's Like to Experience the Magic of Africa Heather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business StrategistLions and leopards and buffalo, oh my! I'll be honest. I never heard the term "The Big 5" until I came to Africa. I knew there were...
From Johannesburg to Cape Town. A Journey Through South African Culture.
From Johannesburg to Cape Town. What a Crazy Train Ride Taught Me About South African Culture.Heather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business StrategistA microcosm of a culture on board a train rideTo travel from Johannesburg to Cape Town, South...
I Was Bitch Slapped By A Baboon. Bizarre Adventures In Africa
I Was Bitch Slapped By A Baboon. Bizarre Adventures in Africa.Heather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business StrategistExperiences you can only have in Africa "Are you alone?" This is a question I am often asked. Solo traveling the globe, alone,...
Squatters in South Africa – A Hole and a Community Pulling Them Out
Squatters in South Africa - A Hole and a Community Pulling Them OutHeather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business StrategistExploring community and ways of life The Polyoak community, just outside Cape Town center, refers to themselves as "Gatjie,"...
Apartheid and Townships – A Deeper Look At South Africa
Apartheid and Townships - A Deeper Look at South Africa Heather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business StrategistLearning so much more than I ever expectedMy time in South Africa is full of new lessons about a past I now realize I didn't learn much...
First Impressions of Africa
First Impressions of AfricaHeather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business StrategistA continent I've always wondered about, and now I'm in it!I land in Johannesburg over an hour late and race off the plane to make my connection for Cape Town....








If you want to see every post I’ve written, starting with the most recent, this is the place to start!
I’ve been traveling the globe solo, and many of my posts share thoughts and resources specifically for other solo travelers. If you’re a fellow solo traveler, or you’re thinking about solo travel, this is a collection you will find of interest.
If you’re looking to read blog posts about specific destinations, click the country of your interest below to go to it’s blog page and get country-specific reviews and thoughts.
Sometimes I write posts where I give insider information on certain cities I’ve visited, which may be more along the lines of places to go, how to save money, etc. If that’s your main interest, check out this compilation of posts.
In 2020, I was traveling in New Zealand as the coronavirus pandemic brewed, and, got stuck there. If you want to read about what this time was like and traveling during this time, check out this page.
At the heart of international travel is learning about the many different cultures and ways of being around the world. The posts compiled on this page speak, specifically, about the cultural observations I’ve had.
Many of my blog posts are about things I’ve discovered about myself or about being, while I’ve traveled. If you’d like to focus on posts that only have self-discovery themes, click the button below.









