Fascinating travel funnies and facts
Destinations around the world
Hilarious and thoughtful moments while we travel
One thing we do when setting out on a trip is pack some humour into our suitcase. Figuratively of course! I think that reflects on what we see and how we enjoy our travels.
Part of traveling is seeing unusual and funny things. Sometimes I blink and have to look twice. Are my eyes deceiving me? In fact in certain countries it is often the norm but for foreigners it can be quite humorous.
Over the years we have collected a few photographs of amusing signs in various countries we have travelled to. Other things we see are tremendously interesting. Some are downright ingenious. I would like to share a few with you.
Australia
Lick the plate Fudge and Gourmet is a delightful name for a sweet treat shop in a small town of Australia. Who of you would be tempted to lick their plates?
Parking a dog? That’s one way of putting it. Brilliant hospitality for our furry friends while their owners are busy shopping.
I am not sure if this is a funicular or an outside lift in the middle of the apartment block, but it shows how steep some of the hills are in Sydney.
I have always known Australians have a sense of humour. I found these signs in a shop at Hahndorf, an old German settlement just outside Adelaide in Australia, rather amusing.
More Aussie humour with the wrapping around the paper for this crappy subject.
Sound advice on the last toilet roll:
Emergency Roll
This roll should only ever be opened in a running out of toilet paper emergency. By this we mean you should only use it when you are caught really short. Not for when you need extra napkins for your dinner party or have to wrap up some delicate pottery. If you do use this roll in those situations you will kick yourself when you need it for the emergency it was intended for. Or someone else will kick you for the same reason. So place it somewhere you can easily reach from your toilet and then go check your emergency napkin supply is well and truly stocked up.
Keep clear of the yellow and black lines – a sign on one of the ferries in Sydney harbour. I always thought Australians were law abiding citizens but maybe this pushchair belonged to a tourist.
A random gnome swimming in Sydney harbour. I am pretty sure there must be many more interesting things that have floated on the water - or sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
We though it a brilliant idea that there were some water points with filtered drinking water in the suburbs of Sydney. Bring your own bottle or cup and when you are thirsty, fill it with cool water.
Botswana
When you are camping off the grid in Botswana, there is often a bucket with a shower attachment - or sometimes not even that. Many times you even have to bring your own water so your shower time is limited. Nothing worse than being covered in soap and your water runs out, unless you have kind camping friends that stand ready to fill the bucket again. Oh, and BTW it is recommended you heat your own water over the fire unless you want to have a cold shower.
A conventional drafts person would normally have a brick and mortar office, but not in Africa…
When overlanding especially in Botswana they are quite strict about foot and mouth disease control. Here we had our tyres squirted with disinfectant and we also had to disinfect our shoes as well by walking through a basin filled with an antiseptic. Not sure about the rest of the shoes in your luggage though.
I love some of the hand painted signs for hotels, such as this one.
Comores
Another painted sign, this time explaining health and hygiene by way of pictures on a small island, Moheli.
Germany – Bavaria
These beer mugs or tankards are behind lock and key at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich. The story behind it is that the tankards are owned by locals that regularly frequent the beerhall and often these personal mugs are passed down the generations of family members.
Ireland
Mythology and storytelling are part and parcel of Ireland. Loved the ruins and dragon sculpture we saw while driving around the emerald island.
Italy – Venice
As everyone knows, there are no cars in Venice, right? Wrong! We saw one. Maybe not your conventional way of driving but who cares?
Madagascar – Nosy Komba
When you think of a hotel you normally think of a high-rise building with glass windows. This one was just a tad different. We stayed there for a night. A basic but comfortable and clean small room to sleep in with rudimentary bathroom facilities in another building.
Mozambique
Who needs a gym membership in Africa? Known for their entrepreneurship, the Mozambican who lives at Malongane decided to build a home gym outside his house. Ingenious don’t you think?
Africa is also known for its informal shops next to the side of the road. Mozambique has a multitude of them.Nothing like your new linen flapping in the wind on a main street in Maputo, next to a shop that sells tyres.
Another entrepreneur at work (or not), this time a bakery and a caterer.
Seychelles – La Digue
Talk about riding a bicycle in style! This one is built for comfort. I was tempted to try it out but I didn’t. I headed for the beach instead.
South Africa
Antiques have always interested me. I love looking at collections of vintage objects and marvel at them.
A river cage was used to ferry people across rivers when they were in flood. Suspended on a cable across the river with two ropes, one to pull yourself across and one to pull back the empty cage to the other side.
Another antique is this wooden washing machine we saw at a museum in Himeville, KwaZulu Natal.
South Africa is also known for its entrepreneurship. Quite a classy boot sale this one, in Johannesburg.
Monkeys can also be a nuisance in South Africa. This is often used as a monkey deterrent.
South Africans are also known to have a sense of humour. There is an ongoing friendly feud between Land Rover and Jeep. I think I know on which side the owners of this fuel station is on.
Sometimes spelling is not a strong point in countries all over the world, especially when translating. These two signs in South Africa had me chuckling. One of them has quite a few errors. See how many you can spot.
Going up the steep Sani Pass in 2020 is an adventure even in a modern day 4x4. Imagine what it must have been like in 1956 in a VW Beetle.
This is a typical tuck or spaza shop in rural South Africa. A small general dealer selling some necessities to the local people.
Thailand – Phuket
A hotel built on a steep slope in Phuket has provided a funicular railway for their guests. The main living area is on the ground floor and the rooms are higher up the steep slopes. Now that is providing a fun and useful way of transporting guests to their hillside rooms.
Parking of a different kind over there!
Look, Ma, no hands – OK, two hands but no safety gear, parasailing at Patong beach.
United Arab Emirates – Dubai
I know it gets hot in Dubai – I can vouch for it – but this air conditioning unit outside made me shake my head.
United Kingdom
The cutest little Bridge House at Ambleside, Lake Districts, a 17th-century relic. An influential family, the Braithwaites built the house for access to their lands on the other side of Stock Beck. It was also used to store apples from their surrounding orchards. At one stage it housed a family of eight. It was also used over the years as a counting house for the mills of Rattle Ghyll, a tea-room, a weaving shop, a cobbler and a chair maker.
Ducks are very sensitive in the UK, for good reason! Saw this sign while on our canal boat trip.
These two Land Rovers caught my eye at a steam show. So adorable.
Zimbabwe
We spotted this sign on the back of a truck whilst on a road trip through Zimbabwe. Just to reassure you, we didn’t get that close so the truck was well behaved.
I hope you have enjoyed these funny or interesting sights and signs we’ve seen during our travels through some countries. Let me know which ones you found amusing or interesting.
Be sure to click on the links in the text if you want to read more about our adventures.
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Click on image and pin for later
About the Author
ALMA VAN AS | ROAMING FOX
Alma is a South African travel blogger and writer. She hopes to inspire you with facts and fables about her adventures, road trips and international travel.
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