The Blue Train - Cape Town to Pretoria

Picture yourself gliding through some of South Africa's most breathtaking landscapes, all while being pampered in the lap of luxury. The Blue Train offers this and more as it traverses the 994-mile journey between Cape Town and Pretoria. In this blog post, we invite you to step aboard this iconic train and discover what to pack for an unforgettable voyage through the heart of South Africa.

The Blue Train: A Journey Like No Other

The Blue Train is synonymous with opulence and elegance. From the moment you step onto the platform in Cape Town, you're transported to a world of luxury. As you settle into your private suite, you'll find yourself captivated by the ever-changing scenery outside your window.

What to Expect on the Blue Train

Luxurious Suites: The Blue Train boasts elegantly appointed suites with en-suite bathrooms, plush bedding, and panoramic windows for uninterrupted views.

Gourmet Dining: Savor world-class cuisine prepared by onboard chefs, complemented by an extensive selection of South African wines.

Observation Car: The lounge car with oversized windows is perfect for enjoying a drink, socializing, and capturing the stunning landscapes.

Pampering Service: The staff's impeccable service ensures your journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

Off-Train Excursions: En route, you'll have the opportunity to explore off-train attractions like the diamond mines of Kimberley.

What to Pack for the Journey:

Elegant Attire: The Blue Train has a formal dress code for dinner, so pack some smart-casual and formal attire for evening meals.

Comfortable Daywear: For daytime, comfortable clothing is key. Think breathable fabrics, as you'll want to fully enjoy the stunning views from the observation car.

Walking Shoes: If you plan to participate in off-train excursions, comfortable walking shoes are a must.

Layered Clothing: South Africa's climate can vary, so pack layers to adapt to temperature changes.

Swimwear: Some suites have spa baths, and you might want to take a dip.

Toiletries: While the train provides essentials, you might want to bring your favorite toiletries for added comfort.

Camera and Binoculars: The landscapes are breathtaking, and you'll want to capture the beauty. Binoculars are handy for wildlife spotting.

Books and Entertainment: The journey offers ample time for relaxation, so bring books, magazines, or any form of entertainment you enjoy.

Adapters and Chargers: South Africa uses Type D and M plugs, so ensure you have the right adapters and chargers for your devices.

Travel Documents: Don't forget your passport, visa (if required), and any necessary travel insurance documents.

Conclusion: A Voyage of Elegance and Adventure

The Blue Train journey from Cape Town to Pretoria is not just a means of transportation; it's an experience that combines luxury, adventure, and the natural beauty of South Africa. With the right attire and essentials packed, you can fully immerse yourself in the magic of this iconic railway journey, creating memories that will last a lifetime. So, step aboard, relax, and let the Blue Train carry you through a world of elegance and wonder.

Easy vegetable pasta

Comparison is the death of joy and looking at what others are eating, their body shapes and their lives will only make you unhappy and exhausted. It causes you to lose your special shine because you feel less valuable based on a flawed system determining success and worth. You matter, just the way that you are. Gaining health, self worth, good self esteem, energy and happiness in your life is something that you deserve. 

If you want to be healthier then you need to take control of the aspects that you can control. It’s that simple. Don’t overcomplicate things and break your victim mentality through thought swapping. When you hear a negative comparison pop up in your head replace it with something that you are grateful for. If you repeat this three times a day for a week you will start to feel things change. Practice patience with yourself.

Everyone needs a good pasta in their arsenal. Whenever you eat something that is classified as an indulgence such as a pasta, not only can you substitute the pasta with a healthier option, but you can also load it up with as many veggies as possible to keep the balance. Eating more vegetables reduces the risk of chronic diseases and provides the body with vital nutrients to maintain homeostasis.

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons coconut oil

• 400 g cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 medium-size aubergine, cut into small cubes

• 2 cobs sweetcorn

• 1 cup vegetable stock

• 250 g buckwheat pasta

• salt

• 4 kale leaves, stalks removed and leaves torn

• zest and juice of ½ lemon

• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (or grated Parmesan)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 handful fresh parsley leaves

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Heat the coconut oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the cherry tomatoes and sauté for 10 minutes. Add the paprika, oregano and aubergine cubes and stir well.

Remove the kernels from the sweetcorn by slicing down the length with a sharp knife. Add the kernels to the tomato mixture and stir well. Add the vegetable stock and bring to a simmer for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a saucepan of salted water as per the packet instructions. Once ready, drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water, and set the pasta aside.

When the sauce is ready after 20 minutes, add the pasta and gently mix in along with the torn kale leaves, lemon zest and 1 tablespoon of the nutritional yeast. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.

Serve the pasta in a bowl, drizzled with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice and topped with parsley and the remaining tablespoon of nutritional yeast.

Daily healthy smoothie

This smoothie is a very healthy one. It may take some getting used to as it isn’t overly sweet. That being said, I love it. You can train your palate to love anything if you just give it a chance. This smoothie is high in fibre and the plant-based protein keeps me full for longer. 

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Serves: 1

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana, peeled 

½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries 

5 strawberries fresh or frozen

1 handful baby spinach

1 tablespoon chia seeds 

1 serving plant-based protein powder

1 tablespoon almond butter 

1 tablespoon barley or wheatgrass (optional) 

1½ cups coconut water 

2 ice cubes 

Instructions:

Place all the ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth.  

Hint: Use organic pea protein if you have a sensitive digestive system as it helps with digestion.

-Melissa