Welcome to The Bionic Traveller, where I share my holidays, adventures, reviews and, on occasion, discuss details of my cochlear implant / audio processor and audiology sessions.
My name is Vanessa and I’m so excited to be starting this travel / info blog so that I can share my holiday and hiking destinations, adventures, restaurant and product reviews, and more.
I have a cochlear implant and you can find out more about that here.
If you are an avid hiker, the great news is that I am one, too – so please also stay tuned for my reviews on the hiking places that I visit.
It has been the longest while since I’ve last been on vacation and I feel that by starting this blog, I would be that much more inclined to actually go away and take the leave days that I desperately need. Holidays are so important and I’ve kind of neglected this aspect of my life over the years. I’ve gone as far as to book the entire year’s leave upfront and have some surprises in store for you already, so please do watch this space! 😉
If you have any suggestions, questions or want to see some reviews of specific places, restaurants, etc., please feel free to pop me a line.
The Bionic Traveller has caught a whiff of a brand new market in the (almost) heart-shaped suburb of Randpark Ridge. I visited during the weekend of love…. Don’t miss the next one on 06 March 2021!
The Bionic Traveller has attended the second market of its kind on 13 February 2021.
It was Nick’s passion for his community and his store that had brought about the idea of having a market. The purpose was to put the shops and the mall on the map. Furthermore, the stall rentals would go towards the maintenance and upkeep of the centre.
I attended what turned out to be only the second market at Randpark Ridge Shopping Centre, 93 Randpark Drive, Randpark Ridge. Therefore, it’s still brand new and unknown and filled with so much potential. Each market will be themed, with the first one having been a very successful Christmas wonder. The second one was a Valentine’s market, full of love and roses….
Head on over to Randpark Ridge Shopping Centre. Consequently, you will find treasures of bespoke food, clothing and crafts (to name just a few) at this market.
Dynamic Decor
Simply Nick Interior Decor is your go-to place for any truly unusual and special gifts you need for birthdays, weddings, christenings and more…. Of course, for all your interior design needs, too! Moreover, as they are a brick and mortar shop, they’re also available during normal operating hours. And guess what else? Free delivery within 5km!
Simply Nick Interior Decor
Passionate About Plants
Simply Succulents has certainly caught my eye with their stunning and most unique display. I’ve never seen succulents arranged in quite this way. Moreover, I’m wondering whether it’s an extension of Simply Nick Interior Decor? Why not come through and find out for yourself? 😊
Simply Succulents’ display at the #ShareTheLoveMarket
A Sterling Job
These completely handmade silver pieces are incredible. As a consequence, I felt like a kid in a toy shop here and my breath was quite taken away. For example, necklaces, bangles, watches, pendants, earrings….. All lovingly crafted with care and expertise.
Handcrafted with Love
Locally sourced and 100% plant-based, AM Botanicals has also appeared at the market. You’ll love the fact that their natural, sustainable and effective skincare for both men and women is made wholly in South Africa. Do away with the delivery fees and see their products up front in this very market. Don’t forget to treat yourself while you’re at it, too!
AM Botanicals’ stall
A Sweet Dill
You’re in for a treat with Tracy’s Pickles & Jams. You’ll love Tracy’s raw honey (have you ever tried Litchi Raw Honey from Komatipoort, or Macadamia Raw Honey from Nelspruit, before?). Brandied plums, whiskey & ginger marmalade, strawberry & vodka jam, for example – and so much more…. Tracy makes her raw honey, pickles, jams, marmalades, preserves, sauces and biltong using only the freshest ingredients. Furthermore, they’re all homemade. Come have a taste at the next market!
Tracy’s Picked & Jams
Mystical Magic
Last but definitely not least…. You must know that I’m not a “pretzel person” at all. However, Dee from Mystic Light’s chocolate-covered pretzels are to die for and I’ve gotten swayed. Oh my goodness….. 🤤 Not to mention her tasty chocolate bark… The delicious-smelling organic bath salts, hand-poured candles, soy wax melts and a wide variety of incense sticks….. There’s something here for everyone.
You simply have to do yourself a favour and get her versatile and delicious pesto! For instance, you can toss pasta in it, use it as a fish or chicken rub, or even dip your chips in it. It’s low sodium for those watching their salt intake and I love that I can add salt to taste – exactly how I like it.
Dee is also the inventor of quartz candles (yes, candles that literally look exactly like quartz crystals – how cool is that!). You have to see it to believe it, they look exactly like the actual stone.
In addition, everything that Dee sells is hand-poured and organic. Furthermore, all her packaging is reusable and recyclable. You can even get discounts on her products by returning the containers for refills. Dee can customize her products to your specifications as well (if you can dream it, you can do it).
Watch this space and, most importantly, be sure to check out Dee’s product descriptions in the video on this post for more information! Look out for my review on Dee’s products soon!
Mystic Light’s goodies on display
So Much More…..
After all this, there’s still so much more for you to explore. Most importantly, I’ve literally not even scratched the surface of what this market has to offer. You just have to be there and see for yourself. 💖
In conclusion, Nick is looking for specialty vendors to setup on the first Saturday of every month for a nominal fee. Please contact Nick at 083 411 4852 for more information or if you want to rent a stall.
Today, 09 February 2021, marks an end of a 14-year era. It is my last night hearing with my Med-El Opus 2 audio processor.
Starting with the Med-El Opus 1
I was meant to get my Opus 2 in October 2006 when I had the “switch on” after receiving my PULSAR Cochlear Implant op. The product was recalled though. In the interim, I received the Opus 1 (the model prior to the brand new release that I had ordered) on loan from the Johannesburg Cochlear Implant Centre.
Wow! I can tell you that the Opus 1 was really amazing. While not as aesthetically pleasing as the Opus 2, the hearing was so natural and I heard so well with it (even able to have telephonic conversations if the person on the other end spoke clearly or if I was familiar with the person’s voice). I really loved it.
Sudden Death of the Opus 1
About 9 months into using the Opus 1 (while still waiting for my Opus 2), my husband played a prank on me. He handed me an electric shock pen. I clicked it and the pen went flying! A few hours later, the processor just died… Neither of us knew that such a thing could’ve happened.
I felt so terrible as it was on loan and I took great pains to take care of it. Fortunately my audiologist was so kind about it. She did say that we were lucky that the incident hadn’t fried my internal implant. This would have been so much worse as I’d have had to have another op to replace it.
Opus 2 to the Rescue
About two or three weeks later, I received the Opus 2 that I had ordered. My personal experience was that it isn’t as good as the Opus 1. I may have needed more mapping to be done (the process where the audiologist adjusts the audio processor / implant settings to optimize hearing). We also had to map again from scratch. I had gone a long time without hearing already, which was a setback in itself . The more a person wears the audio processor, the more practice the brain has with interpreting sound and the better the hearing will be.
Regardless, the Opus 2 was also a life changer despite certain struggles. For example, people talking at the same time or the network noises in the background blending in with the voice of the person on the other end of the phone. Speech was not as crystal clear (or almost) as it was with the Opus 1.
The Opus 2 has an auto-shutdown feature though, that the Opus 1 didn’t have. If there’s too much static, it switches off to protect itself. This function did work – it kicked in when my husband started the car just as I entered it. Mind you, I did panic (I thought it had died on me) but simply rebooting it worked and all was well.
Demise of the Ancient Opus 2
I’ve never upgraded from the Opus 2 since getting it in 2007. I went to visit Med-El’s offices last year to explore my options. I was petrified of the Opus 2 dying on me. It was so old that it was literally falling apart. There were no more parts available should something happen. I had to take action, especially as I needed to hear in my Zoom meetings.
The lovely lady at Med-El assisted me and replaced the majority of the parts of my audio processor. She said to me, “This is what we can do with the parts I’ve just replaced.” She promptly threw the pieces in the bin! Yes, it was that bad!
“Frankenopus”
Just about the only things left of my original audio processor are the following:
Ear hook.
Coil.
Magnet casing.
The pin that keeps the whole thing together.
Frankenstein’s creator would have been proud! It’s now an eclectic mix of colours, materials and parts from different processors. I sincerely doubt that any of them are “Opus 2” pieces, though – for one, the material is a lot sturdier.
Here is a picture of it as it looks now:
“Frankenopus”
It’s so amazing!
No Backup for Now
I am so excited – I’m going for my upgrade tomorrow!
I will be returning Frankenopus to the audiologist. The parts used are on loan to me just to tide me over till I get my new audio processor.
I will have no backup for now, but I’ve been assured that they will always make a plan for me should anything happen with the new audio processor.
Usually, when upgrading, one would keep the old processor as a backup. The processor previous to the old one gets donated. I will be able to use the new one I’m getting tomorrow as my backup when I upgrade again.
I can’t wait to tell you all about it! Till next time….
