Allen stops the truck amidst a billowing cloud of red dust. In Australia we call it; bull dust. Fine like talcum powder and it gets in everywhere; in the truck, in your clothes and in your ears, nose and mouth. It’s hot, intensely hot, unbelievably hot, 43C-45C and has been for weeks. Night time in the back of the truck is like sleeping in a slippery lather of salty body fluids, never cooling down below 35C; and people tell me, “Ah, but this … [Read more...]
Mongolia – Food Glorious Food
Rensina van Den Heuval regularly takes small trips to Mongolia - you can join her 24 August - 9 September 2019 this year More. Here she writes about food in Mongolia. Dumplings... Sitting in a teeny cafe in a Gobi desert town of Dalanzadgad, I see a very tall young Mongolian man saunter through the door. Everything about him is big. His presence, his walk and his traditional brown leather boots with pointy turned up toes. I am guessing … [Read more...]
West Coast of Africa
The West Coast of Africa is a place that I have dreamed of travelling in for a ‘lifetime’…but the opportunity never presented itself and I was always busy ‘doing’ other things. I have travelled in many countries now and as the world has changed a lot since my teenage dreams of it, Africa has waited. Rensina van den Heuvel writes: But I am 61 now and time waits for no one. As my overlander travelling partner, love of my life and treasured … [Read more...]
Mongolia volunteering and exploring….
Rensina van den Heuvel is a regular traveler to Mongolia, and loves sharing Mongolia with others. Read more of her stories here Join her on this trip which includes: a week in Mongolia volunteering on a Project at Lotus Childrens Centre followed by two weeks into the wilds of Mongolia - a camping, walking and cultural expedition. 2-23 July 2018 All inclusive price $2000USD excluding international airfaires We will spend our first week … [Read more...]
Walk with Camels
Rensina is once again heading overland. This time in Australia. "Just stay up on the wagon, hang on to the reins and hold the handbrake as well; in case they bolt," Debbie yelled at me as she attempted to control the two huge woolly beasts which she has just harnessed to the wagon which I am now standing on. Truth be known I was actually clinging on; in an elevated state of alert....not quite panic. My adrenaline levels hit a new high when … [Read more...]
Women’s Travel Adventures
Mongolia - Morocco - Sri Lanka - Silk Road Overland Rensina van den Heuvel is a passionate overlander - traveling off the beaten track is her and partner Allen's passion. You can join them on some or all of an ultimate 6 month overland journey on the Silk Road. More on that here Other Trips coming up include: Magnificent Morocco Guided Tour Feb 2-23 2016 MORE Women and Men welcome - a few more spaces available for 21 days of Pure … [Read more...]
Join me for Six Months on the Silk Road
Driving overland from Bulgaria to Mongolia in Russian 4X4 vehicles! Going over in one direction from Bulgaria through Georgia, Russia and on to Mongolia. Return trip is west across Mongolia, into Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan (or Iran) then on to Turkey and Bulgaria. Rensina van den Heuvel is a passionate overlander - leading tours and exploring herself, particularly in Morocco, Mongolia and Queensland, … [Read more...]
Vietnam – a Hot Sticky Pool of Humanity
The early morning locals market is a riot of smells, from yummy to yuck in one breath. Slimy fish entrails, slide down from concrete benches, as the women clean and gut the days produce, almost everything is still alive. Prawns squirm in shallow bowls of water, frogs with a confused looks in their beady eyes as attempt to hop, away from the pack, their legs are tied to the frog next to them, long thin eels, circling amongst each other … [Read more...]
Mongolia – Culture and Giving as a Traveler.
In remote Western Mongolia, there is a sprinkling of brilliant white snow on the mountains and as we come over a slight rise, a few small gers come into view. Allen is looking for some directions. Driving slowly towards the family camp, two women, one elder, an older man and a small girl emerge from one of the round, white canvas dwelling. I take a small, blue knitted cardigan out of the kiddies clothes bag, jump out of the Fergon (Russian … [Read more...]
The Tricky Art of Giving as a Traveler
Our own Western perceptions of ‘Giving’ can sometimes be way out of alignment especially when it comes to other Cultures. A friend in Brisbane told me a small story of his experience of trying to ‘give’ to someone from another culture and the result what not what he expected. Upon moving into his new abode, a flat in Highgate Hill Brisbane, Dony decided to clear out his ‘Corporate’ wardrobe. He’d left the world of formal shirt and tie … [Read more...]
