My Travels – Famous Landmarks

Laying eyes on some of the world’s most famous landmarks got these four travellers excited

PHILA TYEKANA, 35

This Metro FM breakfast show content producer and freelance writer visited the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, and describes it as nothing short of magical.

What did you enjoy about your visit? The statue is on Liberty Island, so you need to take a ferry to get there. This is quite an experience as you catch a view of the iconic New York skyline. I made the trip in 2018, and going to the statue was the icing on the cake. Plus, there’s something surreal about seeing Lady Liberty up close and personal. The movies and TV shows don’t do her justice at all. How would you describe the landmark in a game of 30 Seconds? She’s holding a torch, lives in New York and was a gift from the French. How did your trip change your previous

perception about the site? She’s a BBW (Big Beautiful Woman). That’s what I expected, and she lived up to it.

THOBEKA MTHEMBU, 29

A visit to the Monument de L’Independance in Lomé, Togo, was something this content creator and travelpreneur could not pass up. What did you enjoy about your visit? The monument is more than just a statue carved out in the shape of a human silhouette. The space is surrounded by beautiful lawns, promenades, palm trees, fountains and a beautiful black and gold fence. I learnt about the French influence in Togo, and how the locals gained independence in 1960. How would you describe the landmark in

a game of 30 Seconds? It’s in a small West African country that gained its freedom from France in 1960. It’s in the capital city, and is the most impressive landmark in Lomé. How did your trip change your previous

perception about the site? I had heard about the monument, but always thought that it wasn’t as big and grand as it was in real life.

SINOVUYO RODOLO, 27

To this brand manager, travelling and blogging go hand in hand. After visiting a few sites in Spain, the Barcelona Cathedral ended up as her favourite landmark.

What did you enjoy about your visit? The place has such an amazing ambience that I just can’t describe. Visiting the cathedral made me appreciate the Gothic architecture that Barcelona is famous for. The cathedral is centrally located, which made it convenient to visit the restaurants and stores in the area. How would you describe the landmark in a game of 30 Seconds? Famous Gothic church in a city in Spain. Not Madrid, the other city. I think people would get that [chuckles]! How did your trip change your previous perception about the site? I didn’t have any preconceived ideas. I was just happy to be able to see and appreciate all the historical tourist attractions.

NALEDI MOSIEANE, 34

Seeing the famous pyramids was top of this founder and CEO of Oviedo Tech Media’s to-do list when she visited Egypt in 2010.

What did you enjoy about your visit? My biggest highlight was finding out that they tried to erase Queen Hatshepsut, the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, from the history books, and replace her with Cleopatra. How would you describe the landmark in a game of 30 Seconds? One of the greatest landmarks in Africa where, uh…, wait let me try again [chuckles]. The greatest man-made landmark in North Africa. How did your trip change your previous perception about the site? It gave me a better perspective of how brilliant Africans are. I’m in awe of our capability, as human beings, to produce such beauty without that many resources.