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Willie Explore
United Kingdom
Приєднався 26 кві 2022
Hi everyone!
I'm Willie and I would love for you to explore the world with me through my UA-cam videos!
I grew up in South Africa (hence the accent) but currently live in England. Before I started this channel in 2022, I already visited more than 60 countries.
However, I've never created vlogs of my travels - I was the one taking lots of photos, but with these vlogs I can take you with me on my adventures. I have a passion to show others the world - especially those who do not have the opportunity to travel themselves.
As an experienced traveller, I am well-equipped to take you to places off the beaten track. My vlogs consist of raw content without fancy editing, and I often focus on interactions with the locals. I also enjoy creating silent walking tours which give viewers different perspectives of a particular place.
Of course, I am very keen to hear your comments, ideas and suggestions so that I can provide content that you would like to watch!
Let's go and explore!
I'm Willie and I would love for you to explore the world with me through my UA-cam videos!
I grew up in South Africa (hence the accent) but currently live in England. Before I started this channel in 2022, I already visited more than 60 countries.
However, I've never created vlogs of my travels - I was the one taking lots of photos, but with these vlogs I can take you with me on my adventures. I have a passion to show others the world - especially those who do not have the opportunity to travel themselves.
As an experienced traveller, I am well-equipped to take you to places off the beaten track. My vlogs consist of raw content without fancy editing, and I often focus on interactions with the locals. I also enjoy creating silent walking tours which give viewers different perspectives of a particular place.
Of course, I am very keen to hear your comments, ideas and suggestions so that I can provide content that you would like to watch!
Let's go and explore!
A tour of VAN ZYLSRUS, South Africa - A Kalahari Lifeline
Hi everyone! In this video, I explore the town of Van Zylsrus in the Northern Cape of South Africa. It is situated near the Botswana border (and not far away from the Namibia one either), in the Kalahari region. There are various farms in the region as well as manganese and iron ore deposits. It is a gateway for people visiting the Kgalagadi National Park and other resorts in the area. Some of the closest towns include Hotazel, Black Rock and Kuruman - it is a properly off the beaten track destination!
This was my first time in Van Zylsrus, so the vlog will contain several first impressions. In addition, I give details about the history of the place, the origin of the name and various other interesting facts.
Van Zylsrus can be described as a Kalahari outpost. It is a quintessential Kalahari town that provides key services and facilities for people in a very remote part of South Africa. This part of the country has an uncompromising climate, especially in summer when it is very dry and hot. Water above ground is also scarce, as can be seen with the dry Kuruman river in the town. I also touch on the unexpected flood that occurred in 2021.
The vlog starts with me just outside of the town, walking towards the center. I make various observations and give key facts of the region, including geographic details. In the town itself, I visit the petrol station and the Dutch Reformed Church, before heading to the Van Zylsrus Hotel where I was staying with my uncle and aunt.
Afterwards, I visit the back roads of the town and spot a meerkat rehabilitation centre as well as other animals roaming the streets. I stumble across the Kuruman river and various interesting houses and other architecture.
In the town centre, I visit the supermarket, before walking to the sand dune on the outskirts of town. On the way, I visit the cooperation to get an idea of what farm-like equipment are sold in this part of the world. On the dune itself, I get to experience spectacular views of the area, before heading back to the hotel.
At the hotel, I have some dinner before I call it a night. The next morning I enjoy some breakfast and have a final stroll in a different part of town.
I hope you enjoy this vlog of Van Zylsrus! If you haven't done it yet, please hit the LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE to the channel. Also, please leave a COMMENT in the comments section. Let me know what you enjoyed about the vlog, what you thought of Van Zylsrus, and what the Kalahari means to you!
Happy exploring!
Willie
This was my first time in Van Zylsrus, so the vlog will contain several first impressions. In addition, I give details about the history of the place, the origin of the name and various other interesting facts.
Van Zylsrus can be described as a Kalahari outpost. It is a quintessential Kalahari town that provides key services and facilities for people in a very remote part of South Africa. This part of the country has an uncompromising climate, especially in summer when it is very dry and hot. Water above ground is also scarce, as can be seen with the dry Kuruman river in the town. I also touch on the unexpected flood that occurred in 2021.
The vlog starts with me just outside of the town, walking towards the center. I make various observations and give key facts of the region, including geographic details. In the town itself, I visit the petrol station and the Dutch Reformed Church, before heading to the Van Zylsrus Hotel where I was staying with my uncle and aunt.
Afterwards, I visit the back roads of the town and spot a meerkat rehabilitation centre as well as other animals roaming the streets. I stumble across the Kuruman river and various interesting houses and other architecture.
In the town centre, I visit the supermarket, before walking to the sand dune on the outskirts of town. On the way, I visit the cooperation to get an idea of what farm-like equipment are sold in this part of the world. On the dune itself, I get to experience spectacular views of the area, before heading back to the hotel.
At the hotel, I have some dinner before I call it a night. The next morning I enjoy some breakfast and have a final stroll in a different part of town.
I hope you enjoy this vlog of Van Zylsrus! If you haven't done it yet, please hit the LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE to the channel. Also, please leave a COMMENT in the comments section. Let me know what you enjoyed about the vlog, what you thought of Van Zylsrus, and what the Kalahari means to you!
Happy exploring!
Willie
Переглядів: 3 620
Відео
KALAHARI Nostalgia: Family Farm, Deben Town & Ammosal Rugby
Переглядів 2,8 тис.12 годин тому
Hi everyone! This is a very personal video as I go on a trip down memory lane. I visit the family farm in the Kalahari that belonged to my late grandfather and which currently belongs to my uncle. I used to visit this farm during school and university holidays, and it holds incredibly special and personal memories for me. I view this trip as an essential part of my pilgrimage during my one year...
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Переглядів 1,3 тис.День тому
Hi everyone! In this video, I am in the Kalahari region in the Northern Cape of South Africa. It is an area known for its outstanding natural beauty, including the red sand and camelthorn trees scattered across the landscape. It is also known for being very hot in summer! I've not done a silent walking tour for a while on my channel, and because I have such an emotional connection to the region...
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Переглядів 4,9 тис.День тому
Hi everyone! In this video, I explore the South African town of Jagersfontein, situated in the Free State province. It is about 120 kilometres from Bloemfontein and only 11 kilometres from Fauresmith. The town experienced a diamond rush in the late 19th century - in fact, two of the most famous diamonds ever found were located in Jagersfontein. The town has an impressive array of historic build...
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Переглядів 2,6 тис.14 днів тому
Hi everyone! In this video, I explore the town of Fauresmith in the Southern Free State province of South Africa. Fauresmith is situated approximately 130 kilometres from Bloemfontein and 11 kilometres from Jagersfontein. It is the only town in South Africa and one of only three in the world that features a railway line running through the middle of the main road. This was my first visit to Fau...
A tour of LOKSHOEK, South Africa - Visiting a Free State Farm!
Переглядів 3,4 тис.14 днів тому
Hi everyone! In this episode, I visit a province in South Africa that I've never been to before - the Free State. I was invited by the Visser family to spend some time on their farm in the Southern Free State, namely Lokshoek. Throughout the vlog, I will talk about the history of the Free State and will mention key facts about South Africa's third largest province. I also talk more generally ab...
A tour of BAARDSKEERDERSBOS, South Africa - Village with a Soul
Переглядів 20 тис.Місяць тому
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Переглядів 53 тис.Місяць тому
Hi everyone! In this video, I explore the quaint village of Elim, situated approximately 200 kilometres from Cape Town in the Western Cape province, Overberg district and the wider Cape Agulhas municipality. Elim is a proud, close-knit community with roots dating back to August 1824 when German missionaries set it up as a Moravian mission station. Beyond spreading the gospel, they also taught v...
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Переглядів 6 тис.Місяць тому
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Переглядів 16 тис.Місяць тому
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Переглядів 7 тис.Місяць тому
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Переглядів 7 тис.Місяць тому
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A tour of GANSBAAI, South Africa - History, Nature & Adrenaline!
Переглядів 26 тис.Місяць тому
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Переглядів 2,1 тис.2 місяці тому
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Переглядів 1,9 тис.2 місяці тому
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Переглядів 1,2 тис.2 місяці тому
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Переглядів 2,1 тис.2 місяці тому
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Переглядів 3,1 тис.2 місяці тому
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Переглядів 1,8 тис.3 місяці тому
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Переглядів 8 тис.3 місяці тому
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Переглядів 2,4 тис.3 місяці тому
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Переглядів 1,7 тис.3 місяці тому
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Переглядів 5 тис.5 місяців тому
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Переглядів 3,6 тис.5 місяців тому
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Переглядів 53 тис.6 місяців тому
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Переглядів 34 тис.6 місяців тому
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Переглядів 2,1 тис.9 місяців тому
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Переглядів 1,5 тис.9 місяців тому
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Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
And to you, Julie! Hope it is a great one!
McCarty rest is a border post to Botswana almost 120km from Van Zylsrus The is lot more about the place
Thanks for the info about McCarthy's Rest! If you say there is a lot more about McCarthy's Rest, would you mind elaborating?
Baie dankie vir die interresante plekke wat jy voorhou in jou programme. Dirk Holder.
Dit is 'n groot plesier, Dirk! Waardeer jou ondersteuning en insette. Groete!
At 23.16 the reliefs on the court buiding are made from coade (pronounced code) stone
Cheers for your input! Appreciate you checking out my content!
Ek was al daar. Daai naam is baie gepas. Hot as hell indeed hahaha! Geseende Kersfees Willie!
Darem warm in daai geweste, Johan! Groete en Geseende Kersfees daar ook!
Well, I think you already know what I will say about the hotel, Willie! Love it!😍. The colours, the art, everything. What a beautiful place. And I am now learning that in your native language your "W" is a "V", your "V" is an "F" and your "Z" is an "S". Hope that is right😂
I knew you would love the variety of art and crafts there, Sheila! And I also enjoyed the splash of colour at the petrol station. Your observations about the pronunciation is absolutely spot-on! :D
Thank you Willie!
My pleasure! Appreciate your support!
Hi Willie I can just imagine how hot it is there, most likely temperatures in the forties. Not for the faint hearted,amazing how nature adapts to the climate
That is true re adaptation, Mary! It certainly is very dry in that part of the world but the flora and fauna find a way to make a living. Cheers as always for your support!
You r gr8t❤😊❤😊❤🎉🎉🎉
Thanks for watching Michelle! Appreciate your support!
Wonderlike Toer Willie! Groete en geseende Kersfees!
En vir jou, Tosca! Mag dit 'n wonderlike tyd wees! Groete
Dankie Willie. Kan sommer “hoor” hoe warm dit daar is. Daardie deel van ons land is bitter droog 🙏🌧️🙏
My plesier, Ziska! Dankie vir die saamkyk. Ja nee kyk, dit was warm, veral op daai sandduin!
Looks a good place to de-stress and clear your mind.
Absolutely! Cheers for watching and for supporting my channel!
I think the eastern part of estonia like narva was heavily influenced by the Soviets and there are many slavic settlers there
That would make sense from a geographic perspective. Cheers for watching and engaging!
I just luv ur videos, mind blowing, been a South African, I have never experience places like this... keep up the amazing work.
Cheers Alan, appreciate your support and encouragement. There are some wonderful places to visit in our country.
Baie dankie Meneer.
Dankie Samson, groete daar!
My grootword wereld. Dankie.
Thank you, Willie. I enjoyed the programme!
Thank you Fiona, appreciate your support!
Yet another amazing video! I would love to settle in Van Zylsrus. It would be so easy to find rest for the soul here. Thanks for the way you show our off-the-beaten-track towns and alll the other places you visit. I appreciate the effort you put into your work and can't wait for the next posting! Groot waardering.🙂
Many thanks Errol, it was a hot day of filming and I would have been in trouble if it wasn't for lots of water and a soft drink or two! But what an experience. As I mentioned, I am biased but the Kalahari does have healing and / or rejuvenating powers for the right type of person. Glad you enjoy my content and look forward to the vlogs. Beste groete daar!
Nice video
Thank you, appreciate it!
hello, thanks for your video. I assume there were no toilet breaks. Were there regular bathroom breaks?
Hi! There was a bathroom break at the restaurant we visit and I think at the border crossing too (though I cannot be certain, it was some time ago!). But a wonderful journey nonetheless. Thanks for watching!
❤ My Dear Willie, I have completley fallen in love with South Africa🌍 and all the places you show. You are so handsome, your videos are very good quality. I appreciate your videos very much. I would love to meet you in the future one day. 😊 God bless you, take care! 🙏🏻🤲
Hi Cecilia, thank you very much for your comments! South Africa has so many wonderful places to visit and I've only opened the lid on some of them. I hope to bring you more content in due course. I am delighted to hear that you enjoy my videos and who knows, maybe our paths will cross at some point on my travels! All the best
@willieexplore 😘🤲💙🙏🏻🌍.
Hi where are you stay?
Hi Dina, I stayed in a hotel. You can see the room etc in my other video where I travel from Tunis to Hammamet. All the best!
@ thankyou so much!
What is the name of the hotel?
My grootword Dorp, Aberdeen ❤
'n Wonderlike plek om te besoek. Ek het dit baie geniet!
Enjoy your video’s a lot. Greetings from Jacobsdal in the FS
Grateful for your support! Hoping to visit Jacobsdal in the near future!
Brilliant video willie as all video you made they are awesome especially when showing the scenery plenty of settings also descriptive subconsciously to drifted away more dream like! I really enjoyed watching these and others you have documented on thanks!
Thanks Simon, I've not done a silent walking tour in a while and it is not everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed filming this. Cheers for watching!
Ode aan die Kalahari. Dankie. Pragtig.
My plesier! Dankie vir die saamkyk!
Dankie v.d. video, Willie! Al was ek nog nooit in die Kalahari nie, bring baie v.d. goed wat ek in die video gesien het goeie herhinneringe terug. My oupa-hulle op Carletonville het net so hekkie soos daai een by die kerk in hulle tuin gehad! Hulle't ook so wasmasjien gehad as wat ons in die video gesien het. Dit was hulle trougeskenk in 1948 en hulle het dit tot 1993 gebruik! My oupa het op die myn gewerk en sy pa, broer en swaer was boere net buite Potch! Ek het ook altyd vakansies by hulle gaan kuier en deur die jaar vir hulle briewe geskryf. Ongelukkig, het niks wat hulle gehad het in die familie gebly na hulle graf toe is nie. Dit moet wonderlik wees om na 'n plaas toe te gaan waar mens se voorouers gebly het en wat nog steeds aan die familie behoort!
Klink of jy kosbare herinneringe het van die plaas! Materiele dinge kom en gaan maar daai herinneringe - dit kan niemand wegneem nie. Groete!
Pragtige video baie dankie. My grootword dorp Aberdeen. Oorlede Ds. F. S Vivier was jarelank die gemeente se Leraar hy het deeglike navorsing gedoen ens. omtrent die kerktoring se hoogte. Dit is die hoogste kerktoring in die land. Dit is ook in n boek aangeteken wat hyself geskryf het.
Dankie vir die saamkyk en kommentaar! Dit is darem 'n interessante kerkgebou. Groete
Another great video, you pack so much history into your vlogs. Love seeing your Weimaraners… I used to have one in the early 80s. He was an Absolute nutcase but a beautiful intelligent dog. I think the countryside you are visiting in the Free State is spectacular loved seeing that casual giraffe 🦒 😅
Cheers Chris, glad you enjoyed it! Those farm dogs love the open space as much as I do. Very energetic! It was great to spot the giraffe(s), they were very relaxed :) Merry Christmas!
Thank you for visiting
Cheers for watching!
It is pathetic that they are now selling sweatshirts and scarves in the dairy pavilion.
I don't know what it looked like previously, but thanks for watching!
I moved here in February 2024. Very happy here.
Glad to hear you're pleased about your move, Bennie. Thanks for watching!
The Kalahari is not my part of SA, but have to admit that the visit to the family farm was most interesting. A great blog as usual. The history in the two clubs was fascinating and has a great legend. Thank you Willie for the stories
Cheers Denis, it certainly is a tough territory in many ways and is not for everyone. But for others it's in the blood. This part of the world has many stories to tell, that's for sure. Merry Christmas!
@willieexplore and to you and your family as well. Merry Xmas and we meet next year.💖
@@denisradford2490 look forward to it!
Thank you for the video. What a lovely place! My grandparents had a sheep farm in the karoo that now belongs to my uncle. But you don't see such greenery there. 😊
My pleasure Sandra, thanks for watching and engaging! I'm sure you have some great farm memories too. The Karoo is special!
This I have really enjoyed watching not only your own backyard but historically way it formed the two but has simultaneously feel towards an Australian perspective looks very clone as both colony as always plenty of adventures and hidden history within places. A fine example willie furthermore for showing us viewers what insightful were going on day and trips you are having fun pack adventure thanks again willie for showing us people who want to view an different angle view of South Africa life!
Thank you Simon, it is a lot of fun exploring these places off the beaten track like Deben. And of course visiting the farm was special. Hope all is well!
Willie ek is terug by ou gunsteling Loxton! Net om baie geluk te se met die 10 000 intekenare! Nou vir 15000! Groete!
Tosca baie baie dankie. Waardeer groot. Dankie dat jy deel is van hierdie groot avontuur - ons gaan nog baie spore trap op hierdie kanaal! Groete daar in Lima, mag jy ook 'n wonderlike Kersfees beleef.
@@willieexplore Willie plesier ek geniet elke video! Groete en geseende kersfees ook!
Willie I love the history you give us on all these small, old forgotten places ... many unknown. And I enjoy the videos of your childhood memories so much 😊
Thanks Hannelie! I appreciate the kind words and I'm pleased to hear you like the history segments and the memories I include!
I absolutely loved your trip down memory lane. Family is everything. It was lovely hearing how close you are to your family, Willie.
Hi Julie, yes no question about that. Glad you enjoyed my video and thanks for tuning in so often! Festive greetings
Kalahari Ferrari 😂
An essential form of transport in the Kalahari! :)