My name is Rupert, I am originally from Zululand and spent my youth exploring that part of the world but due to some personal (read more about her further down) and professional reasons I now reside on the lower KZN South Coast. The east coast of South Africa has always had a special place in my heart, it is where I feel most at home with the lush coastal forests, the Hills and mountains of the Drakensberg and the Bush of Zululand. And whilst every place in this amazing country has its own charms, KZN will always feel like home. This is where my travels started many years ago.
As I mentioned before, I have been very fortunate to have been exposed to travel from a very young age. I have explored Europe quite extensively and have visited some of the countries to South Africa’s east as well. I have managed to get quite a few stamps from Southern African countries in my passport as well and this is where I really got excited about exploring my home continent.
One day whilst attending a braai with some friends, I was asked what my biggest passion is. I had to think long and hard because there are so many, from the all-encompassing word “Travel” to things like, sport, food, hunting, fishing, philanthropy and charity work, meeting new people, conservation and the list goes on. So, I had to summarize it in one word…and I decided on Exploring. My greatest passion is Exploring. Exploring combines many of the things listed above, I can explore different foods, different destinations, new fishing areas and in many cases I can combine it with some form of charity work and I know I will ALWAYS meet some new interesting people!
And so I set out to live out my passion, to spend every spare minute of my life living it out! Whether it be taking a back road to the shops or maybe even using the alternative route to get back to the office after an appointment with a client, or breaking away for a one or two night trip to somewhere. Trying as best I can to use dirt roads and to go where the normal tourist doesn’t go.
Here at travelingongravel.com I am one member of a team, and like most teams we focus on our strengths and allow our team mate to do what they are particularly good at. My focus is on the hands on things such as any running repairs, setting up camp, packing and ensuring that everything is stored properly. I am the braai master and anything involving outdoor cooking normally becomes my job (This is by no means because Xanthe cant braai, she most certainly can and has surprised me quite often, but she is a bit heavy on fire lighters and prefers sorting out drinks for us…), I am passionate about food and love trying new things and that means that on occasion I might be the one who nudges Xanthe to try something new. I am also the one responsible for this website, the general maintenance and upkeep of it and do all the posting although Xanthe writes her own articles. Other than that I am normally the one who cracks a silly joke or drags her out of bed early to go fishing!
My chosen career is an Insurance broker, I advise clients on all matters insurance, and whilst this certainly is a very fulfilling profession, it does have its stresses and I need to get out into the “sticks” to unwind and centre myself regularly.
I am not a travel agent, I do not receive remuneration for this blog. It is just a way for me to reach out and share my passion with you. Maybe I can inspire you to visit some of these places, maybe I can make the idea less daunting by sharing some tips and tricks and maybe you can experience the melting pot of cultures which Africa serves up!
Here’s to new experiences, new destinations and watching some amazing sunsets!