Travelling Tonito's Adventures

Aurora! Now that’s what I call a Borealis – Watching the dance of the Northern Lights in Tromso

After three and a half days on the MS Vesteralen we finally arrived in Tromso with no Northern Lights sighting from the ship and slightly wobbly sea legs. While still on the ship, we arranged a Northern Lights tour so we could at least say we tried our best to see it. Once off the … Continue reading »

244056_10150249098248799_505723798_8708510_2731393_o

Confessions of an Expat Long Distance Relationshp

I want to warn anyone that doesn’t like mushy personal posts, that this will be exactly that, a very personal post about my biggest issue about being in Mozambique: My long distance relationship. I’ve written several times on this blog that after almost ten years away from home, I’ve grown used to being away from … Continue reading »

Facing the horrors of our past – The Apartheid Musuem

I walk past seven pillars, each representing the seven principles of our constitution: Democracy, equality, reconciliation, diversity, responsibility, respect and freedom. I smile as I’m imensley proud that the birth our democracy was based on these, however around the corner of these pillars I’m faced with something which was so prevalent during those dark years … Continue reading »

Marrakesh’s Manic Moped Medina

Any arab medina (old city) is a schizophrenic range of emotions and feeling living side by side. A quiet side can be a 5 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the souks. Marrakech is different. Not because it´s not the same, but because this coexistence of chaos with serenity is even more visible … Continue reading »

2011: From London to Norway and revolutions in between

I know, a recap post on 2011 is late, but I didn’t have to time to post it before, so here goes: Every year is different. Some better, some worse, but always different. I really can’t complain about my life as I have had a good couple of years which have brought me down different … Continue reading »

Norway… The Epilogue

This trip came about from our dream to see the Northern Lights. We didn’t really care where we would see the spectacle, as long as we saw it. After much research, Norway was the chosen place as it was the place that kept cropping up everywhere.

One fine day in Oslo

Oslo was our last destination in Norway. Even though we was the first city we arrived in, we didn’t stay for long as we had to leave for Bergen. After a fantastic week visiting Bergen, the coast with the Hurtigruten ferry, Tromso and the Northern Lights, we were looking forward to Oslo as the little … Continue reading »

Tromso: The most northern everything in Europe (Apparently)

Imagine not seeing the sun for 24 hours for months on end (easy for anyone who has lived in London long enough). Imagine being feeling so cold that you don’t want to spend any time outside. Imagine frozen and iced roads and pavement, so that when you walk you do it so slowly because you … Continue reading »

The time I spent New Years docked at the Codfish capital of Norway

Our final moments of 2011 and first moments of 2012 were spent on board the MS Vesteralen docked at the city of Kristiansund. Despite the abandoned feel of the town, there clearly residents about as there was fireworks shooting up from everywhere in the town.

“We don’t care you are tourists; We’re shut for New Years” – The abandoned towns on the Hurtigruten trail

The Hurtigruten ferry/cruise has some great attractions to it from the stunning landscapes seen from the ferry to the possibility of seeing the dancing Northern Lights, however for us one of the biggest is the fact that you can visit several towns and cities on the Norwegian coast in one trip. Why they don’t tell … Continue reading »

Our failed chase of the Northern Lights with the Hurtigruten Ferry

When I was planning this trip, the main idea was to see the Northern Lights, so I scoured the internet to see what would be the best way to see them. I stumbled upon the Hurtigruten ferry, which is a ferry service connecting Norwegian towns along the coast which also doubles up as cruise. It … Continue reading »

Bergen: A Harry Potter set or a pretty Norwegian city… You tell me!

“Set amid picturesque and very Norwegian coastal landscape of fjords and mountains, Bergen lays claim to being one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.” Just like the train journey to the city, this quote, set expectations pretty high for Bergen. This has happened before with other cities, where everything I read make it sound like the … Continue reading »

The time I spent my birthday on the most scenic train ride in the World – Oslo to Bergen

I have a habit of always choosing really odd days and ways to travel. Either I put together a crazy itinerary that takes me from Guatemala to Dubai in the space of 24 hours or I decide to meet the in laws after 15 hours of flying. This time I decided to fly to Norway … Continue reading »

The voyage to Norway: An idea, a plane, a train, a ferry and whole lot of snow!

This past trip to Norway was born from one simple desire: To catch a glimpse of the cosmic spectacle that is the Aurora Borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights. For both Raquel and I, the trip would be the realisation of those little travel dreams come, so much so that back in March I … Continue reading »

Gone but not forgotten

I realise I have been MIA lately but I really haven’t blog properly since boxing day! This is mostly due to me quite busy travelling around Norway with Raquel. It has been quite a busy trip, from spending my birthday on one of the most beautiful train rides in the world; spending New Years on … Continue reading »

Happy (Freezing) New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone from the norwegian coastline! Hope 2012 brings you much joy, love, friendship and travels!

Had myself a Merry Little Christmas!

As promised here is how I usually spend Christmas in South Africa. Hope everyone had a good one!