Kerrygold Moments

With summer looming just around the corner it’s hard to ignore the blue skies and warmth in the air. Suddenly the long, winding roads of South Africa have become rather appealing. This can only mean one thing: road trip!

After the long and exhausting year that we’ve all been through, a road trip can only do some good. Even if it is only a road trip within your own province!

Before you decide to hit the road here is a list of road trip essentials and snack ideas that you should not leave home without.

A Power Bank or Charging Cable

Technology has enabled us to access anything and everything with the tap of a finger. If you do not have a GPS for your car then do not fret – you have one on your Smartphone!

You can easily navigate your way through the winding roads with your trusty pocket GPS. But only if your Smartphone stays charged.

If you have a USB input in your car then all you need to remember to pack your charging cable to connect your phone to the car directly. However, if you do not have a USB input in your car then you can always purchase a power bank.

Charge the power bank at home, put it in your bag and it is ready to charge your phone when you need it!

Safety First

Cliché but cliché for a reason. You never know what can happen and it’s best to be over-prepared. Remember your mom on family road trips? That’s how prepared you need to be!

Be sure to pack plasters, bandages, disinfectant, allergy tablets, headache pills and pain pills including any chronic medication you may need. It might be best to make a list of these essentials beforehand to make sure that you do not leave any behind at home.

A Bottle of Water – or Two

It might seem like an obvious thing to remember but it’s often the most obvious that is overlooked. Keep a few bottles of water on hand for drinking during your road trip – especially if it is hot.

Remaining hydrated is very important especially if you are the driver. If you get a bad headache, it is best to pull over or let someone else drive until you feel better. It happens to the best of us!

Also, keep a one or two 5 litre bottles of water in the car – this can be used for top-ups on your smaller bottles. It’s also a great idea to always have water on hand. You never know when you might go to the beach and will need to wash your feet off.

Or if your car needs a water top up! This brings us to our next essential.

A Thorough Vehicle Checkup

If you are mechanically included, be sure to do a thorough checkup on your vehicle before hitting the road. If not, then it’s time to head over to dad or an uncle or even a local mechanic to just perform a quick once over to ensure all is in check – the last thing you want is to stand on the side of the road.

Some of the basic checks you should make include checking your tyre pressure, making sure the spare wheel is pumped up, checking your water levels and checking your oil. Be sure to get your car checked at petrol stations when you fill up on your trip.

Be sure to pack in a car jack and wheel spanner too – just in case you get a flat tyre.

Walking Shoes and a Warm Jacket

We all know how hot the South African sun can get but the weather is also able to turn just as quickly. Be sure to pack a decent pair of boots or walking shoes in case it starts to storm. The same goes for a thick, warm jacket.

Even if you think that you will not be needing them, you will be happy you did if the need arises!

Bits and Bobs

Pack a special bag mixed with bits and bobs that you think you will need. Even if you don’t end up using them, it might be a good thing to pack them.

• Torch – your Smartphone’s battery won’t last forever
• Matches/Lighter – if you are planning to have a roadside braai or are going camping, you do not want to be caught off-guard without a source of fire
• Extra Batteries – whether you have a portable radio or need them for your torch, it’s always good to carry a few extra batteries with you in case.
• Sunblock – this is a big MUST. Whether you are going to the beach, going on a hike or just touring the streets of a small town, one thing that you will need is sunblock. The last thing you want is an aching and paining body while you are on your road trip.

Road Trip Snacks

We all know that going on a road trip is synonymous with making plenty of delicious snacks to eat on the way. Or, as we South Africans love to call it, “padkos”!

Although, we are all guilty of not making the healthiest snack choices for our road trip. Here are some healthier snack ideas to consider for your next road trip:

• Biltong
• Homemade salted popcorn
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Dried fruits and nuts mix
• Healthy sandwiches e.g.: tuna, lettuce and tomato
• Dark chocolate
• Coconut chips
• Fruit
• Banana muffins
• Muesli or oats bars

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What road trip essentials do you not leave home without? Do you have a healthy road trip snack that you love? Please share your thoughts in the comments on Kerrygold’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages for our other road trip enthusiasts to see.