Welcome to The Expedition

from SCAPE | February 2023 | The Expedition | Vol. 89

LIFE IN TRANSIT

Whittled down to one archetypical word, I would safely say ‘Adventurer’ describes me (almost too well).

Having lived in London for a large portion of my 20s, I can confidently confirm I have adventured! The deluge of delicious places I’ve explored with Britannia as my base camp undoubtedly broadened my worldview and inspired some unique experiences. By the time I hit my mid-20s, I had far exceeded 40 country stamps in my passport... and to this day, the wanderlust has never left me!

Naturally, to travel is to adventure — what salt is to pepper — and I have discovered more and more (especially during our content quest for this issue) that this innate desire to explore and soak in foreign cultures, music, art and dance, materials, food, and architecture is imperative to our trade. In fact, for the architect and design-minded, travel is perhaps the main source of inspiration.

So, why do you travel?

An escape from the familiar and a chance to see the world with fresh eyes? To discover? A catalyst for new ideas? Searching for context? Learning from unique and unexpected experiences? Meeting fascinating people? Exploring foreign materials and methods? Or maybe travel is a visceral experience. Unexplained and totally opportunistic. A winding path to venture without a plan.

Whatever the reason, there is something so personal to gain, and something so exceptional about travel that we knew we had to dedicate a full issue to its charms. We’ve had input from some of South Africa’s most notable industry icons — all seemingly as drunk on wanderlust as we are — to journey with us from timeless landscapes to character-rich hotel interiors and bold and brave buildings the globe over. Buckle up and join us as we travel around the world in 80 pages.