I have made a personal commitment to travel at least twice a year — whether internationally or within the region. Not to run away from life or avoid responsibility, but to re-energise, gain perspective, draw inspiration, and learn something new.
Travel, for me, has become a tool. A reset. A way to recalibrate how I show up in my life, my work, and my finances.
So when the opportunity presented itself to escape to Cape Town, I didn’t overthink it. I listened to the nudge. It had been four years since my last visit — which now feels both baffling and unforgivable — but instead of dwelling on the gap, I chose to lean into the experience waiting for me.
“Travelling is not something you’re good at. It’s something you do — like breathing.”
— Gayle Foreman
Why Cape Town Always Delivers
There’s something undeniably magical about Cape Town.
The city holds a rare balance — effortless beauty and quiet ambition, simplicity and opulence coexisting in harmony. The mountains, the ocean, the architecture, the people — everything invites you to slow down and simultaneously dream bigger.
Cape Town has a way of awakening a new energy within you. It gently forces reflection while boldly inspiring action. You find yourself asking better questions:
- Am I living intentionally?
- Am I aligned with what I say I want?
- Am I designing a life that feels as good as it looks?
And perhaps most importantly — am I using my money, time, and energy in ways that support the life I want to build?
The Real Value of the Escape: Conversations & Connection
Beyond the scenery, what made this short stay deeply meaningful was the opportunity to reconnect with friends and sit in honest, unfiltered conversations.
Travel does that. It removes distractions. It creates space.
In between shared meals, laughter, and reflective pauses, I found myself challenged — not by the city, but by conversations that questioned how I’ve been approaching my dreams, my work, and even my pace. I left Cape Town with a mind full of ideas, clarity about what needs to change, and renewed motivation to do better — not louder, but more intentionally.
We often underestimate how much travel builds us. It stretches us emotionally, mentally, and creatively — and that growth rarely happens when we’re stuck in routine.
The Money Lessons Cape Town Reinforced
This escape also reaffirmed a few important money truths I often speak about in my work and workshops:
1. Travel is a financial decision — and that’s not a bad thing
Travel doesn’t have to be reckless or impulsive. When planned well, it becomes a conscious investment in rest, perspective, and growth. I didn’t escape my responsibilities to travel — I planned around them.
2. You don’t need luxury to feel rich
Some of the most fulfilling moments on this trip cost very little — conversations, walks, shared meals, laughter. It’s a reminder that wealth isn’t just about spending more, but about extracting more value from experiences.
3. Your money should support your becoming
If your budget only supports survival and never inspiration, burnout is inevitable. Travel has taught me to intentionally allocate resources — not just for bills and obligations, but for experiences that refill my cup and sharpen my vision.
4. Planning creates freedom
Because I plan my travels in advance, I don’t experience guilt while travelling. The expenses are accounted for. The priorities are clear. And that freedom allows me to fully enjoy the experience without financial anxiety.
Travel as a Way of Life
As I prepared to head home, I found myself doing what I always do after a meaningful trip — planning the next escape.
Not obsessively. Not recklessly. But intentionally.
Because travel, like breathing, is something I now practise — not something I wait to perfect.
Cape Town once again reminded me why this commitment matters. Why leaving your environment, even briefly, can help you return clearer, calmer, and more aligned with who you’re becoming.
Until the next escape — may we continue to travel with purpose, spend with intention, and design lives that feel expansive, grounded, and deeply ours.
About Escapes with TKay
Escapes with TKay explores the intersection of finance, travel, and becoming — offering practical money insights, honest travel storytelling, and reflections on designing a life of intention, freedom, and sustainability.
Explore more stories, vlogs, and reflections at www.tkaynthebe.com
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