S1 - Ep 352 - Bloemhof - Privileged to Witness this Impressive Wonder!

[@louisgerber01]

Thank you DustBugs, this program is out of the top drawer as all your other programs. Keep it up. How about more interviews with the local residents. This will add feelings to the places you visit.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm glad you enjoy our videos. 🚙😁 They are how we document our travels and our experiences and therefore our feelings about a certain town or place. We chat to locals wherever we go, but I'm not keen to include interviews on a regular basis since it's just too much work editing them and most folks don't want to appear on camera anyway.

[@johnhunter3610]

I enjoy your videos. I am an expat South African living in Palm Harbor, Florida for 26 years now. This brings back good memories. Thanks

[@MarindaCalitz]

Dankie vir nagedagtenis. My oupa grootjie Japie Du Bruyn was die Algemene Handelaar in Bloemhof seker omtrent in 1924

[@DustBugsTravel]

Interesting, thank you for sharing that with us. I wish I could experience the Bloemhof of 1924. 😊

[@desh7120]

I loved the accommodation, tasty meal and usual early morning coffee on the patio to get the day off to a good start. A now familiar ritual to which I’ve become delightfully accustomed on these trips with you. Loved both of your drone escapades - they always give me a thrill 🙏🏻 There was a lot to see, mull over and enjoy on this adventure to Bloemhof - some of it tinged with the inevitable sadness that is part of life, but all totally absorbing. That first church was superb, Bloemhof dam itself, so calm and beautiful - how fortunate you were to have had such perfect weather for flying.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm glad you enjoy our rituals as much as we do! We sometimes lose our way, but we stick to the same schedule for the most part! 🏡☕ Tinged with sadness is a beautiful way to describe much of what we see. We have to push on to the next postive thing though, otherwise we'll have long faces the whole time and that's no fun! So happy you enjoyed the drone shots, the weather was indeed perfect for flying! 🤩

[@lukasvisagie9513]

Dankie vir nog 'n lekker en interessante aanbieding. Eens op 'n tyd het ek baie deur Bloemhof gery vanaf Pretoria op pad Kimberley of Kaap toe. Ek en my gesin het ons heel eerste karavaanvakansie tydens 'n paasweek in 1982 by die Bloemhofdam deurgebring. Julle bring mooi herinneringe terug - dankie!

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm so glad you enjoyed Bloemhof with the two of us! 🚙😁 Those memories sound like great ones, thank you for sharing them.

[@philyew3617]

Another area I now want to visit, you're giving me so many ideas. Thanks as always for sharing your trip, I really do appreciate your videos. Travel safely and stay well. Cheers. Phil. (UK)

[@DustBugsTravel]

You'll truly be spoilt for choice when you visit our beautiful country again! 🚙🇿🇦 You must be so excited to come and do some exploring of your own!

[@mariusroos]

What a pretty town Bloemhof is. Quite appropriate to clall it "impressive wonder" The place you stayed in is really nice As you approached the room the beds already invited you to a good night's sleep! The drone footage was indeed a bonus. Despite the fact that the town is subjected to extreme cold conditions the trees are stunning and the cherry on the cake is the birds. Since 1864 this town is going strong - well done! Wow the church was nice to see inside. The guys in the areas you visited all celebrated the Voortekker trek - a nice piece of history captured. The luxury accommodation is qiute an impressive architectural design. Once again the Vaal River - and Bloemhof dam. Absolutely beautiful! And the end with the drone footage. Well done thank you for this trip I enjoyed it as usual. My seat is still warm and I will slide into it for the next trip.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Our accommodation was really comfortable and we were very happy with it. It was cosy, despite the freezing cold night and morning and we had a great night's sleep. 🏡🛌🏻 I'm always happy to hear you enjoy the drone shots and I always have fun flying! The Vaal River and the Bloemhof Dam were both impressive and it made me realise all over again how powerful water can be! I always appreciate seeing the Great Trek memorials too and I can only hope when the 200-year anniversary rolls around, some towns again will commemorate this historical event. 🏛️🤞🏻 Your seat is ready for tomorrow! 🚙😁

[@susannaemmerich1166]

Hallloooo to you both, that is a magnificent old Church, lots of history. Thanks!! Take care.🙃🙏😍

[@DustBugsTravel]

It was indeed a very beautiful church with its stone steeple. I was fortunate to get inside! 🚙💒 I'm glad you enjoyed it too!

[@anne-mariejoubert842]

Dankie vir die sien van die damwal. Dankie vir julle program ek en my man kyk so uit daarna elke dag ❤❤

[@DustBugsTravel]

I just had to find the dam wall, one way or another! 🌊🤩 We're very happy to have you on board with us as we explore many new and interesting places! 🚙

[@funkdunk]

Thank-you for this episode showcasing Bloemhof and the Vaal in all its splendor. That tyre shop that you passed on the main road must do a thriving trade. Sonia always finds the gems of the places to stay..this one didn't disappoint either and the freestanding cottage that you stayed is ...everything that one needs. That Steers looked great from another "pap" lover 😂...I cannot wait to see the reveal of the lady behind that infectious laugh. Incredible drone footage, too bad that we couldn't see the dam wall, the trip across the bridge didn't disappoint. Bles Bridges an iconic singer ...that skit with Leon Schuster and Him with the roses is one of my favorites. 😂

[@DustBugsTravel]

The Vaal is quite an impressive river, we visited it quite often in the Vaal Triangle in the 90's, but I was happy to see it again so often on this trip. It's rather wide in places and then of course we need a bridge to cross, which always makes us super excited! 😁🌊 I think the tyre shops in the entire area make a killing. We don't notice potholes anymore for the most part, but in some places even us couldn't help it! 😳🛣️ As far as Sonia and a reveal goes, she's not biting just yet. 🤷🏻‍♂️🥰

[@annawitter5161]

Once again, you picked a good place to stay, I love the lit-up gazebo. Soort of magical. Certainly enough lorries around. I get plenty of frost where I am staying here in Christchurch! Usually followed by an awesome sunny day. Nice to have an overview of Bloemhof. Quite a few churches. I would have pinched a naartjie for the road. Bokaap in Bloemhof! Love it! What an amazing stone church. So beautiful. The steeple is magnificent, but that square modern clock looks wrong! Spoils it. And then it has the cheek to tell the wrong time!!No no no!. Wonderful architecture on the inside. And once again, wish I could hear the organ! That fire in the graveyard does not look like a controlled burn to me, I think it was carelessness. Lovely to cross the Vaal again, quick pop in to the Free State. Didnt stay for tea! I have been to Bloemhof a few times as a child, dont remember much of it but I do remember the massive dam.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Our accommodation was fantastic and the repurposed water reservoir a stunning idea! 🏡 We did wish later that day that we had nicked a few naartjies for the road, never had them right off the tree before! 🍊 The dam is really huge and it was rather cool to drive over two different bridges. The river is rather wide in places and really pretty to see! The stone steeple was gorgeous and the workmanship on the church absolutely stunning. Hopefully one day I'll happen upon an organist who can play the organ just for you! 💒🎹

[@1812nico]

Hi you two! Thank you for the trip to this unique place. A sunset arrival at that comfy stay over and pap en wors before bedtime can not be beaten. To say nothing of leaving, after cuppas(!), into the frosty morning under wonderful blue skies. Your drone view of the town really shows the beauty and peacefulness of the place. The tree lined streets and the surrounding veld must look even more beautiful in summer. Good to see the churches of the three Afrikaans denominations. Btw. from my glance at the cornerstone of the old stone church, it is a Hervormde Kerk, not Gereformeerd (Reformed). Graveyards always contain history, albeit hidden. The 'accommodation tower' isn't something I would have expected in a rural town. A hotel or a block of flats? It might be empty because it unaffordable. The dam is spectacularly huge! I'm glad you could make the drone view, but it was the crossing across the bridge that was the real show-off. I am ready to be picked up on the next trip! Keep safe!

[@DustBugsTravel]

That pap-and-wors went down a treat, let me tell you! We went to bed very satisfied. We needed those cuppas that frosty morning, I haven't seen frost on a lawn in many years. Having grown up in Bloemfontein, it was a common sight, but that's a long, long time ago now! 🥶😁 Thank you for correcting us on the church, we often make mistakes and I didn't even notice that during the editing process! 🙈 They call that accommodation building a hotel if I remember correctly. There were cars and the ground were immaculately-maintained, so to me it looked operational still, but not a single soul in sight. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I shall pick you up again bright and early tomorrow morning! 🚙

[@dorothyparker8328]

Bloemhof is a very interesting town. I never knew it’s connection to Bles Bridges. I was a great fan. Thanks especially for your drone coverage, I love them all. Well done, guys, looking forward to many more interesting towns. That’s how I do my travelling now, at age 87! Glad to be still active via social networking! 😂😂😂 Regards from Dorothy Parker.

[@DustBugsTravel]

And we're glad that you're travelling to all these interesting places with us! 🚙😁 We almost missed the Bles Bridges memorial on the edge of town. It was remarkable how successful he was. I'm happy that we could've shared that with you as a fan of his! 🚙🌹

[@kosievandenberg2145]

Apologies for my somber mood while traveling through CHRISTIANA yesterday. Sure that BLOEMHOF will live up to it's name. I'm enjoying every kilometer with you guys. I know you are working very hard behind-the-scenes. Thankyou Curtis and Sonia.

[@DustBugsTravel]

No problem, I don't blame you in the slightest and I know all too well that it's difficult to stay positive amidst the decay and destruction we see in the places we visit. 😥 It's just not worth it dwelling on those while we travel though, we have no option but to look for and focus on the postivies. I hope you enjoyed our visit to Bloemhof and that your mood was a little happier afterwards. 🚙🌹

[@charlietreston4035]

Hi guys a charming town your accommodation French linen was lovely with the shabby chic paint on the headboard etc my wife informed me French llinen is the name of the paint by ( Annie sloane).Pap and wors a Afrikaans guy told me if i don't eat it three times a week I think something is wrong. The frost and blue skies reminds me of winter in SA. The drone footage shows perfectly the well established town with tree lined streets. Great idea to repurpose the old water reservoir. Lovely story about the town and what a lucky guy mr Barclay was .the DRF church was stunning with its stone steeple and the interior to match it especially the curved pews .Voortrekker monument with the tracks amazing plus the one of the Commando a Afrikaans word now ingrained in the English language also the Royal marines play Saris Maraire as a march .what a strange building the victory tower now a hotel amazing. The modern DRF church well done Sonia spot on date and the one with the spike steeple fooled me as well the cemetery as always moving. Crossing the Vaal River with the long weir brilliant and then in and out the Free state. Bles Bridges was obviously a popular singer witch his monument shows .its fantastic to be able to see the dam wall with the drone it also shows the vastness of the dam and surrounding countryside the dam is a fishermen paradise carp and cat fish great video then into the Free state thanks for taking me along cheerio till the next one

[@DustBugsTravel]

Our accommodation was very comfortable and we were cosy in the freezing North West! 🏡🥶 I think you know how much of a staple pap is in our country and we both love it, so it was an easy decision for dinner that evening! It's difficult to guess the dates on the cornerstones. Just when we think we've got it down pat, they confuse us all over again! The wide Vaal River was fantastic to see, especially with two super cool bridges to cross! 🚙🌊

[@lee-anneadams9222]

Thank you for a stunning channel, thoroughly enjoy all your episodes and learning about our beautiful country ❤❤.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you, that means so much to us! 🚙🤩 We love sharing our experiences, there is still so much to learn and see!

[@altheawarby7032]

Hi - in case you haven't noticed, the typed on screen message on KZbin is hilarious 😂 Definitely someone who can't make out our South African accent. Bless them for trying...

[@DustBugsTravel]

Indeed! The closed captions are hilarious sometimes, even often with American accents! 🤣

[@MarliePhyffer]

Thanks for visiting my town

[@deonzar]

Thank you for showing us Bloemhof, I have heard of the Bloemhof dam quite a lot but never knew that the town is that big, with those lovely churches.

[@DustBugsTravel]

The town is almost as big as the dam, I think! 😁 It's a peaceful place away from the hectic main road and it was wonderful to see all those incredible church buildings. Thank you for exploring Bloemhof with us! 🚙🤩

[@lorenv44]

Your travel videos are always great! I was just wondering if you got permission sometimes you could fly your drone up around interesting churches to take close looks at the towers and a bird's eye view of the church. Keep up your great videos.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm thrilled to hear that you still enjoy our videos, thank you! 🚙😁 I'd love to fly my drone lower, but aviation law stipulates that one is not allowed to fly a drone lower than 50m. There are usually obstacles like trees, power lines, cellphone towers around too, so I rather stay above that to ensure I don't lose my drone. I bought an entry-level drone that doesn't have features like tracking and obstacle avoidance.

[@lorenv44]

@@DustBugsTravel OK.👍 That's understandable.

[@ericsa2636]

By this time Renault SA should really consider sponsoring you guys with a new Kwid!! I'd love to know how many km's you've actually done using Kwids. I don't recall you ever having mechanical problems with one, so it's a good testament to visitors from overseas th

[@ericsa2636]

... th

[@ericsa2636]

Sorry, finger problems! What I wanted to say is that visitors from overseas don't need fancy rental cars, a Kwid could take them to most places!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Absolutely! Unless they really want to do serious overlanding, nothing fancier than a Kwid is necessary. This was our 19th trip and we've done about 50 000km so far. A lot of it on gravel too, with not one single mechanical issue whatsoever. That's quite remarkable! 🚙🤩

[@lobofelipelobo]

It is a nice idea!

[@lobofelipelobo]

In my country, Renault Kwid is registered officially as SUV.

[@willemstrauss133]

Thanks for the episode on Bloemhof , my hometown. Reason for the wide main st. So that an oxwagon could make a turn , opposite the hospital was the first hospital of Bloemhof. Victory towers was years ago the old waterworks , it was a reservoir previously. The graveyard i can believe it was a controlled fire. It was overgrown not too long ago , with a lot of streetkids hiding in the bushes. Pity you guys didn't visit Why Not Restaurant and museum in the mainst. Take care nd keep up the good work.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for watching our video of your hometown! 😍🚙 We learnt early on in our travels about the reason for the wide roads and loved the story so much that we often fondly call them wagon roads in our videos! 😁 We had a great time exploring Bloemhof. It's never possible to visit every single place of interest in any town we visit, we simply don't have enough time and have to move on to the next one. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jaydinescorgie4921]

The bout with the plants is my hous ❤❤❤❤

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

Lovely place!

[@susaneverton5760]

I enjoy this so much, thank you.

[@anne-mariejoubert842]

Ons reis lekker saam met julle

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you, we're happy to have you along! 🚙😁

[@jsgsys195]

My father was a diamond digger born in Bloemhof and I grew up in Jo'burg and would visit my grandmother in Bloemhof over school holidays and spend many days and hours scouring the old digging heaps in search of agates and jaspers found in the gravel. We then moved to Bloemhof in 1970. The wide roads were designed during the diamond rush when the town was booming, It was designed to turn a span of 100 oxen in the booming town. My father, Harry Sullivan is buried in the cemetery as is my grandmother. Born Johanna, Cornelia Bezuitenhout. (One of the Voortrekker families who later settled in Bloemhof). My father was the third generation of diamond diggers in the family. (As it happened he was also a qualified Economist but went back to the diggings in his 40's.) He died in a mining 'accident'.

[@janfourie7590]

Daar is bome wat baie jonk was so 50 jaar terug. Mooi dorp met mooi mense

[@DustBugsTravel]

Indeed. We had a good visit in this pretty town full of pretty trees! 🚙🌳

[@lizellegraaff3396]

Thank you for highlighting Bloemhof. It's a pity you didn't include Sandveld Reserve - it's a major destination due to magnificent specimens of rhino, giraffe, sable, kudu, monkey, bush pig, zebra, etc. Please come again! 😁

[@hermanlochenberg6397]

😮The main road through Bloemhof is the widest road in SA . It was made so wide for the ox wagons to turn around. In the past it used to be one road and was later divided into 2 one way roads. They later made it 3 lanes on a side and it became the N12

[@SusandeBeer-vf4vz]

Good heaven l can not believe that's my birth place it is so beautiful all my families live there whow

[@hansboone1988]

Wat leuk om jullie flogs te bekijken, ben ook gek op zuid afrika alleen zo jammer dat ik jou alleen zie en je parner niet, die ik wel hoor

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

The flowers in the room goes nicely eirh the name Bloemhof.

[@totalsellout2930]

Haven't seen that much potholes and I'm from the East rand 😊

[@DustBugsTravel]

Bloemhof is so much more than potholes though! 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@hansboone1988]

Hoe lekker om na jou geselsels te kyk, ek is ook lief vir Suid-Afrika, maar dis jammer dat ek net jou sien en nie jou maat wat ek wel hoor nie

[@volksieza]

Sonia, those are Yakkas , south american alien plant if im right, grows rapidly.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for the info. 👌🏻Sonia looked them up and says she agrees with you. Her mom used to have quite a few yuccas in the garden. They're gorgeous plants! 🌴

[@volksieza]

@@DustBugsTravel unfortunately when they flower, they are allergy nightmares for sufferers like the yellow pods on the acacia thorn trees, and I suffer and have both abundantly in my property 🤣

[@Whiteguy1963]

That unique tower building used to be the town’s water reservoir before it was turned into the accommodation thing

[@lientjiejohansen6129]

I live in this town You missed so much you haven't seen half nor have you seen the history if you ever return you must visit the hole town

[@hermanlochenberg6397]

This tower in Bloemhof was a water tower for the town . Then the owener off Bosch security bought it and renovated it as Boch security offices, and he must have sold it and i do not know what it is used for now

[@sharonmeier7688]

wide roads from the voortrekker days!!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yes, for all those wagons! I wish I could've seen them make those wide turns! 😁

[@gerhardvanwaltsleben8944]

Lekker man lekker 🇿🇦

[@DustBugsTravel]

Glad you enjoyed Bloemhof! 🚙👌🏻

[@willem7399]

How come we never ever see Sonia in these videos?

[@DustBugsTravel]

Sonia isn't keen on being filmed and I'll respect that until she hopefully changes her mind one day. 🥰

[@lobofelipelobo]

Is it allowed driving on road shoulders? 😮

[@DustBugsTravel]

In South Africa it is the norm to drive on the shoulder to give way to faster vehicles and where the actual road surface is not in good condition, we also drive on the shoulder. 🚙🛣️

[@jaydinescorgie4921]

Do it again

[@DustBugsTravel]

Nope, too many other places to explore first! 🚙😁

[@NantesBezuidenhout-u5v]

I am back with a new phone !@!

[@SusandeBeer-vf4vz]

Sien julle daar die ou kerk my voor geslagte is uit die kerk getrou en begrawe ons hele famies is op bloemhof groot geword ongeloof like hoe die plekkie uitgebrei het whow

[@DustBugsTravel]

Interesting. Thank you for sharing and for watching our video! 🚙😊

[@benbrits6638]

you must have gone to why not the history meuseum is their and visarend at river the could have taken or arranged for you to go to the dam

[@DustBugsTravel]

It's not our intention to visit every single place in a town, we simply don't have the time for that. 🤷🏻‍♂️