My 3 Best Travel Moments - Steemit Engagement Season 4 | Magalies Express, Bangkok & Dubai

^{Image Source}

I am sure that most of you know the term “beg, borrow or steal”.

Well, at least I didn’t have to do any of the three to write this post. Selfies and social media platforms like FB and IG are taboo in our household. I had to ask very nicely to enter this contest so… here I am!

I love to travel! Not just overseas but also in my own country.

If you ask people to show you their bucket list I can assure you that traveling to an unknown place is on the list.

My 5 main reasons for traveling

1. To escape the busy lifestyle and reality
2. To explore local and abroad
3. To learn from different cultures, religions, etc.
4. To gain perspective and just to be humble again
5. To share joyful moments with my loved ones

Choosing my top memorable traveling moments was not easy as each one of my trips was unique in its own way.

I invite you to travel with me on 3 of my most memorable traveling experiences.

My beste reis oomblik, nommer 1! (Afrikaans)

My first memory is of my own country, South Africa.
Place: Krugersdorp to Magaliesburg, South Africa
Location: Google
Date: 05 May 2017

It was my wedding!

One of the things girls dream about is their wedding days. They want it to be that “princess day”. Well, I am too old to be a princess again but I could still dream about that perfect day. A day never to be forgotten.

There is a steam train that runs from the city of Johannesburg, northwest to the small town of Magaliesburg, the Magalies Express once a month. You will find both Magaliesburg and Krugersdorp in the Gauteng province.

The Magalies Express is a steam train. I learned that before the train reach Magaliesburg it stops in Krugersdorp, which was then also my hometown.

This is what I want for my wedding! Most of my family and friend has never been on a train not even to mention a steam train. I decided to book a whole train couch. We are going to Magaliesburg and we are going by steam train.

Best of all, we are going to get married on the train. This on its own was a challenge. I could not believe that there were so many rules and regulations that had to be adhered to when you get married.

One of the rules, there must be an open door or open entrance to the venue. I suppose it is for all those “run-away brides”. Not that there is anywhere I can run to on a train.

^{Traveling on the Magalies Express.}

The company who operates the train allowed us to decorate the coach the day before the big day.

Furthermore, we were also allowed to serve the guest snacks, biltong parcels, peanut brittle, fudge, coconut ice, and more. All those “golden oldie” snacks.

^{The decorated couch, snacks and meal}

Getting married with the clouds of steam going past the windows, the click-clack of the wheels on the rails, the whistle howling, and the visit to the beautiful town of Magalies was a travel moment never to be forgotten, not by us and not by our family and friends.

A huge thumbs up of admiration for the company that runs this joyful steam train ride.

ช่วงเวลาการเดินทางที่ดีที่สุดของฉัน 2 (Thai)

For my second best memory I take you on a trip to Bangkok, Thailand.

Place: Bangkok, Thailand
Location: Google
Date: 29 December 2025 to 07 January 2026

My daughter was born on the 25th of December, on Christmas day. Till today it is the biggest present I ever received.

I promised her that for her 18th birthday I will take her to Thailand. This was also a promise I kept.

Bangkok, “the city of angels” as known by locals is the capital of Thailand. The Thai people call Bangkok “Krung Thep”.

And if you really want to you can use the actual name, “Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahinthara Yutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukamprasit”.

Some say it is 169 characters and others say it is 170. I think I must give 2 STEEM to the first Steemian who can give the correct count.

From the very first time we stepped onto the soil of Bangkok we fell in love with it. It is the busiest and hottest city I have ever been to. It is a city wearing a jacket with two sides, one side for the day and the other side for nighttime.

During the day it is all professional whereby at night it is all pleasure.

^{City view of Bangkok and shopping}

Shopping! We left South Africa only with hand luggage. First, we shopped for suitcases and then we shopped to fill those suitcases. Most of the shops only open late in the morning but then also close late at night. It is not strange to shop at a night market in front of the hotel after midnight.

What makes Thailand memorable is the people. They are extremely humble with huge smiles and will make an effort to make you feel welcome. What I admire is the detail. If you buy food from a street vendor or a café they will pack it in cute little decorated packets with ribbons and all.

Bangkok is also a city where the ancient meets the new, beautiful old temples, and ultra-modern shopping centers.

^{Visiting the beautiful temples}

How I wish my daughter could turn 18 every year so that we can relive this travel memory year after year!

أفضل رقم لحظات السفر 3

Place: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Location: Google
Date: 27 September to 02 October 2019

Those who say that “all things that glitter ain’t gold” have never been to Dubai!

There are seven different monarchies that forms United Arab Emirates. Dubai is the capital of one of them. From a small fishing village, Dubai has grown to this majestic city of richness because of its oil trade.

Dubai, the city most luxurious, and most visited in the world were where I took my stepson to represent South Africa in a maths contest. From the time we stepped out of the airplane our worlds change. The airport is HUGE! It might be huge but also extremely well organized.

We arrived in Dubai at night, the best time of the day to truly experience the splendor of this city.

All the way to the hotel we were just looking and pointing fingers. The building, the colors that paint the sky, and of course, the amazing cars were just unbelievable.

^{Burj Khalifa and Dubai at night}

Traveling during the day was just as amazing. You regret it when the taxi stops at your destination as you don’t want the ride to end.

Talking about the taxis, it is the first city I have visited where the drivers offer you water and wet wipes when you get in. Dubai is hot!

^{Dubai at daytime}

Visiting Dubai is not cheap. You will only go to Dubai to shop if you have money.
Overall the food, beverages, and goods are far more expensive compared to South Africa.

What surprised me is that hotel accommodation is affordable with hotels offering free transport to the major shopping centers and tourist attractions.

Two moments from our traveling to Dubai stood out for me. The proudness when my stepson’s name was announced and he had to go onto the stage to receive his trophy and our visit to the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa.

Standing on the observation deck on levels 124 and 125 looking down is truly amazing.

Dubai! A travel memory I would love to experience again.

I invite:
@damithudaya
@nadiaturrina
@rahul989

Club100
Vesting: 2,582.449 STEEM
Transfer: 19.000 STEEM (Steemkids contest)