Afrikaaner Country

Africa » South Africa » Free State » Bloemfontein
August 5th 2023

Published: October 28th 2023

Dear All This South Africa blog entry comes from Bloemfontein! I'm deep in the heart of Afrikaaner South Africa now - the signs are all in Afrikaans, and I hear Afrikaans being spoken much more commonly now than English. It feels like I'm in a really authentic part of South Africa. While other places I'd been to thus far hadn't been completely buzzing with tourists, I was definitely off-the-beate... Read Full Entry

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Alexander Waring

alex waring

Hello there! Thanks for reading my blog. I started it in 2010 to keep a record of my travels, to let people know how I'm going, and also to keep me sane at times while I'm on the road! I have written up my 28 most recent journeys so far, and have no plans at all to stop travelling just yet. 93 countries down, 102 more to go - watch this space! Alex... full info

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30th October 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

You are deep in the heart of it now. Visiting those areas tourists never see. You are in your happy place. I'm glad you enjoyed Bloemfontein. It is disappointing that the Elrond suite was noisy. I'm glad the Tauriel Suite was more to your liking. I'm sad you didn't get the Samwise room. Were you able to get a look at it? Africa has a dark history with the diamonds. The Blue Hole looks pretty cool. I'm sorry the guide was not any good. We've been lucky over time with good guides but when you get a bad one they are usually really bad. You continue gaining insight to the history of this area. I enjoyed the photos of the Hobbit Boutique Hotel. Looking forward to your next chapter. MJ

31st October 2023

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Happy Place
Thanks Merry! Yes, you're right - I was definitely in my happy place on this part of my trip. Tauriel was indeed a lovely relief after Elrond. I did get to look at Samwise - I pretty much wandered the whole place as every nook and cranny was just fascinating. Samwise would have been a bit like Elrond though, with creaky wooden floorboards and staircase just outside. I was happy with Tauriel! 😁 It felt liberating to escape the tour group and the bad tour guide! The African Diamond Industry can be very dark - there's a great and moving film about it, you may have seen, called "Blood Diamond" I highly recommend.

30th October 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

A sad history
... all for diamonds.

31st October 2023

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Diamonds
Indeed - such beautiful jewels, such hidden secrets.

30th October 2023

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Lovely Architecture
I'm glad you explored Bloemfontein.

31st October 2023

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Bloemfontein
Thanks Merry. I looked Bloemfontein. I large, happening South African city, but without the edginess.

24th November 2023

Ake Och Emma
Ake Dahllof and Emma Holmbro

Totally understand
I totally understand why you wanted to stay in Hobbit Boutique Hotel. I also love odd and quirky hotels. /Ake

24th November 2023

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Hobbit Boutique Hotel
Thanks Ake! This place was seriously the highlight of my time in Bloemfontein, a quirky and cool hotel indeed!

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