Grandma to the Rescue 😅

When you think you’re running the show… then Grandma enters the chat. 😅

So, I’ve been traveling a lot lately. On one of those trips, the boys called to proudly announce that they had plans.... you know, hanging out with their bestie, staying out late, living their best teenage lives.

I just smiled, said “okay,” and quietly made one little move… I asked my mum to check on them. Then I switched off my phone.

The next morning? Pure comedy! 😂

The boys met my mum....not their Grandma🙄.

Apparently, she called to ask where they were. They casually replied, “We’re just chilling.”

“Chilling? At 9 p.m.? And not at home?”

Next thing, Grandma was on a roll. She called their dad:

“How are you? Do you know the boys are not home? And you are where again?”

Then came the line that ended all the fun:

“I give you 30 minutes. Make sure the boys are home and call me back.”

Let’s just say… everyone was home. In record time. 😅

Now I’m seriously considering importing Grandma permanently 🥱 for Law and Order: Family Edition.

Dee🥰

A Magical Day Aboard the Franschhoek Wine Tram

The Franschhoek Valley in South Africa isn't just a place, it's an experience for the soul. I recently spent a full day exploring its vineyards, and honestly, the views were like a dream. The sheer love and attention poured into every bottle made me appreciate my wine glass in a completely new way.

Here’s a look at my perfect itinerary, an unforgettable journey that left my heart feeling full and light.

​Mont Rochelle: Views for Days

​Our adventure started at Mont Rochelle. Imagine standing on a hill, looking out over endless rows of grapevines, with huge mountains touching the sky in the distance. That's Mont Rochelle! It's owned by Richard Branson, and you can see why he picked this spot. The scenery just takes your breath away. It was the perfect place to start, soaking in all that natural beauty and feeling super grateful for this amazing world.

The air was fresh, the vineyards stretched out like a green, patterned blanket, and it felt like I was looking out from the top of the world. It’s the kind of scenery that instantly makes you forget the little things that worry you. 

Stop 2: La Bri – The Art of Tasting

Next up was the beautiful boutique estate, La Bri. This is where the art of wine tasting became truly eye-opening. We sat down for a structured tasting that involved wine, food, and even a special dessert pairing!

The focus here was on how different flavors complement (or change!) the wine. The team at La Bri was incredible, explaining the entire process, from the grape to the glass. Seeing that intense care and attention gave me such a new level of respect for winemakers.

And the best part? I was so impressed, I just had to take some bottles home!

Stop 3: The Wine Tram – A Ride Through Paradise

For the final leg of our journey, we hopped aboard the famous Franschhoek Wine Tram! This real tram is such a cool, unique way to travel between the estates. It’s an open-air ride that takes you right over the tracks, giving you an unbeatable perspective of the vineyards.

Cruising along, surrounded by friends and gorgeous scenery, the day felt complete. It was a relaxed, joyful way to spend the afternoon, allowing my brain to really switch off and enjoy the views.

Finding Gratitude and Forgiveness

By the time the day ended, I was in a place of complete peace. Surrounded by the vastness of the mountains and the endless life in the vineyards, I found myself getting a massive dose of perspective.

I felt so small compared to the great world around me, but that paradoxically made me feel so big, a grateful, connected part of it all. I saw a whole world much grander than me, and in that moment of pure joy, I felt an overwhelming sense of forgiveness. I let go of little grudges and just felt grateful.

My eyes have truly seen great things!!!!

Have you ever had a travel experience that completely changed your perspective? 

Dee😇

Airport Thoughts: The Three Words That Almost Grounded My Dream

The airport! It’s funny how this place always gets me thinking....not just about the journey ahead, but about the winding road that got me here.

From the moment I could dream, really, my heart was set on seeing the world. I wanted those stamps in my passport and those stories in my soul.

When I was just 23, that dream felt tantalizingly within reach. I applied to work with Air Nigeria (it was Virgin Nigeria then). If you’re familiar with the process, you know it was intense! 

We started with about 2,000 ambitious young Nigerians, and I threw everything I had into it.

I survived the aptitude tests, the physicals, the medical screenings... Step by step, I made it into the final 200 candidates. I was absolutely buzzing, feeling like I was finally going to fly.

Then came the final hurdle, the survival training. And that's where I was faced with a simple, three-word question that instantly grounded my high-flying excitement:

"Can you swim?"

The next day’s test was a swimming assessment. And I couldn’t swim.

The Sweet, Protective Love

If you grew up in Nigeria, you might know this feeling. It’s that deep, beautiful, almost fierce protective love from our parents. That love, while the sweetest thing in the world, often meant we were sheltered from "unnecessary risks" like learning how to swim. It was done out of pure care, but it created a massive, unexpected barrier for me.

My inability to pass that vital survival and travel skill meant I couldn’t proceed. The dream of serving in the sky, of making travel my daily life, was momentarily sunk. It was a genuinely heartbreaking moment of realization.

Finally Afloat and Grateful

But you know me—a setback is just a detour, right?

That memory stayed with me, burning as a reminder of an opportunity lost. Fast forward to now, and I’m sitting here at the gate, absolutely beaming because I finally tackled that skill.

I learned to swim!

It's more than just being able to paddle; it’s about feeling truly ready for the world. It’s about not letting a past fear hold me back from future adventures. It’s the feeling of overcoming a personal hurdle that was placed there not by malice, but by love.

I am so incredibly grateful for every opportunity I now have to see the world, and I feel so much more confident knowing I can handle myself. I can travel, and yes, I can finally swim! 😊

Dee✈️🧳