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Hi! we’re Bernie and Petra,

Deutsche Fassung German translated articles

Bernie and Petra's Credentials

About Bernie van der Linde

Bernie at Groot Phesante wine estate near Durbanville South Africa

Bernie’s impressive CV:

  • Principal and CEO of Business Management Training College – an online business college in South Africa
  • Lecturer in Marketing, Social Media and Content Creation 
  • PhD in Management Studies, UNISA
  • Member of the International Travel Writers Alliance
  • Press card membership number:  ITWA10927
  • Member of IFWTWA – (International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association) Press Card Number 0887
  • Ex Officio Commissioner of Oaths, 
  • Master Practitioner with SABPP 
  • Social media account manager for various Instagram and Facebook pages
  • Website designer
  • Amateur photographer (photographic course completed through DPC presented by world-renowned Danie Bester)

I live on a golf estate in Johannesburg, South Africa with my husband, Shaun,  who is a retired racing driver, mechanical engineer, and business owner. We have a holiday home in Melkbosstrand, on the west coast of South Africa.

We have two sons, Kelvin, aged 27 and Sheldon, aged 24, professional racing drivers, living in Germany. This probably explains my passion for Motorsports.

As the Principal of Business Management Training College (BMT College), I have a sound academic writing skills and a marketing background to complement my creative skills. 

I have a Ph.D. in Business Studies, which enables me to design and implement digital marketing strategies.

Besides travelling and maintaining several social media pages, I enjoy photography, padel and spending time with my friends. Friendships are important to me and consequently I nurture and appreciate the contributions my friends make to enhance my life. 

My motto has always been: “Fill your life with adventures, not stuff, have things to tell, not stuff to show”.

About Petra Top

Coffee break in the river lady drinking coffee in nature

Petra’s impressive CV:

  • Involved in a Electric car project for a well-known manufacturer in Germany
  • English to German content translator
  • Trained Bank Clerk
  • Member of the International Travel Writers Alliance
  • Press card membership number:  ITWA10928
  • Member of IFWTWA – International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
  • Social media account manager for various Instagram and Facebook pages
  • Amateur photographer, online photography course with Benjamin Jaworskyj, cellphone photography courses with Emil Pakarklis and Clifford Pickett

I live in Altusried,  in the Allgäu province of Germany. I am married to Hans, a well-respected Motorsport team manager in Germany. I have a daughter (Silja) aged 24, and a son (Lars), aged 28.

I am involved with a specialised project in Germany to develop electric cars.

I am a huge Motorsport supporter and enthusiast and have been involved in it, in some form or another, for the last 30 years.

Besides travelling, I enjoy skiing, learning new languages, writing, and translating our blogs (where required).

My motto in life is: “I travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape me”.