Lungile Hadebe, an international English teacher from Estcourt, KZN, is the
perfect example of balancing work and pleasure. She teaches English as a
second language in China and spends much of her free time travelling to
expand her worldview. Here, she shares about her recent three-country getaway and the adventures she’s experienced along the way.
What was your most recent trip and how long were you away for?
I went on a three-country tour of Thailand, Malaysia, and Egypt with my twin
sister to celebrate our birthday on 30 June. We spent 7 fun-filled days in
Thailand before heading to Malaysia, where we explored the cities for three
days. On 9 July, we flew to Egypt, staying for two days. One day was for
sightseeing, and the last day we rested after nearly two weeks of travelling.
Who did you travel with?
This was my twin sister’s first time travelling outside of South Africa. We had a
great time.
What was your favorite part about your holiday?
There were many bucket list moments for me and the whole experience felt
like a dream. I was extremely happy and also proud of my achievement.
Is there anything you wish you had done differently?
I was so tired in Malaysia that I had to skip some planned activities. Next time,
I’ll make sure to rest at night to avoid missing out.
What touristy activities did you get up to and what was the overall experience?
I enjoyed the stunning beaches of Krabi and Phuket, visited an elephant sanctuary, and xplored the lively night markets and popular cafés in Phuket. In Malaysia, I saw the iconic Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur and visited the Batu Caves, a fascinating series of limestone caves and temples. In Egypt, I got to see the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the Nile River.
What was the best thing you ate on your trip and what did you splurge on?
We enjoyed Jollibee fried chicken, Thai fried rice, Indian food in Thailand, and mango sticky rice.
Would you advise someone to go and if so, what should they do differently to you?
Two weeks is not enough to take everything in. They should allocate a minimum of three weeks to xplore these three beautiful countries.
What websites or services did you find the most helpful for planning/booking your trip?
We booked on both Trip.com and Klook.com
What advice would you give someone going there for the first time?
Relax, enjoy and have lots of fun.