Mum’s rule: No one touches the padkos until the first refill. Torture. Tradition. Perfect.

$\"05_Padkos-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"First-Petrol-Stop Feast"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

Every padstal has one. Flaky, overfilled, and somehow always nuclear inside and still, the best pie you’ve ever had.

$\"06_Padkos-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Pepper Steak Pie Paradise"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

The spice hits before the sea does - and somehow it tastes even better packed in a yoghurt tub on the backseat.

$\"07_Padkos-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Biryani With the Works"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

There’s nothing like that first sip of hot rooibos long before dawn - the flavour of early starts and open skies.

$\"08_Padkos-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Rooibos in a Road Cup"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

Cheese, tomato, onion - last night’s leftovers, today’s roadside treasure. They always taste best when slightly squashed.

$\"09_Padkos-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Braai Broodjies Forever"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

Balancing the flask while pouring into that impossible tiny cup lid - a skill passed down like family folklore.

$\"10_Padkos-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Balancing the Flask"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

There’s a special kind of magic in that lukewarm coffee at 4am - fuel for the road and the soul.

$\"11_Padkos-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Before-Dawn Coffee"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

A quarter loaf, hollowed out and glorious. The perfect meal for sharing… or guarding fiercely from the back seat.

$\"12_Padkos-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Road-Trip Bunny Chow"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

Cold meatballs passed from hand to hand, with a few wrapped in cabbage leaves because granny insists “they stay moist.”

$\"13_Padkos-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Frikadelle Feast"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

A drumstick for every complaint, a thigh for every kilometre. Roast chicken - the true king of padkos.

$\"14_Padkos-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Roast Chicken Royalty"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

A classic. A weapon. A memory. That unmistakable smell means the holiday has officially begun.

$\"15_Padkos-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Boiled Eggs Brigade"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

Cheese. Vienna. Pickled onion. All on a toothpick, all bright and joyful - padkos on a party stick.

$\"16_Padkos-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Reggae Sticks"}],"footer_subheader":null,"inner_image":{"alt":"Mazda-guide_padkos-1920x1080","src":"https://141078898.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/141078898/Web/campaigns/Wonder%20guides/Mazda-guide_padkos-1920x1080.jpg"},"subtitle":"What feeds your family. And what doesn’t?","title":"Padkos"},{"cards":[{"author_name":"","content":"

Because sunrise belongs to the road-trippers.

$\"01_RItuals-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Up at 3AM, Packed by 4"},{"author_name":"","content":"

Dad always hits the washer jets leaving home - “Washing off the city,” he says.

$\"02_RItuals-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"The Window Washer Farewell"},{"author_name":"","content":"

Before the keys turn, there’s always a quiet prayer for the miles ahead.

$\"03_RItuals-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Surrounded by Angels"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

Hoot when you cross a provincial border. Bonus hoot for ostriches.

$\"04_RItuals-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Borderline Excitement"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

Fold, wedge, and nap like royalty, without catching your fingers in the electric window.

$\"05_RItuals-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"The Jersey Curtain"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

Same petrol station every year. Same paper cup. Same joy.

$\"06_RItuals-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"First Hot Chocolate Stop"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

That first glimpse of the ocean? Everyone yells like they’ve never seen water before.

$\"07_RItuals-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Sea Screams"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

Apparently, every bridge demands a scream. Science hasn’t disproved it yet.

$\"08_RItuals-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Bridge Screeches"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

Every year, same spot, same smiles. The moment never gets old.

$\"09_RItuals-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"The Sign Photo"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

A little ritual, a deep breath and the road stretches ahead like possibility itself.

$\"10_RItuals-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Wash Off the City, Find the Wonder"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

The ultimate road-trip luxury: building a moving fort of blankets, dreams, and sideways naps as the kilometres melt away.

$\"11_RItuals-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Duvets and Pillows in the Backseat"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

Dad calls it out, everyone piles out. First proper stop of the trip - open the bakkie, unpack the snacks, and sit wherever the view feels right.
$\"12_RItuals-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"“Briek Tyd!”"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

Because sometimes the road is too beautiful to rush. One stop becomes ten, and the trip becomes a memory trail of snapshots.

$\"13_RItuals-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Photo Breaks That Take Forever"}],"footer_subheader":null,"inner_image":{"alt":"Mazda-guide_rituals-1920x1080","src":"https://141078898.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/141078898/Web/campaigns/Wonder%20guides/Mazda-guide_rituals-1920x1080.jpg"},"subtitle":"The Magic Little Traditions","title":"Road Rituals"},{"cards":[{"author_name":"","content":"

Narrate fake lives for passing cars. Bonus points for drama.

$\"01_Games-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Where Are They Going?"},{"author_name":"","content":"

Spot a GP, shout “Joburg!” Spot a CA, sing “Welcome to Cape Town!” Spot a KZN and shout, “Durbs!”

$\"02_Games-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Number Plate Nations"},{"author_name":"","content":"

Score for colours. Red cars get you out. The Free State windmill version? Extra points.

$\"03_Games-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Car Cricket"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

It always starts friendly and ends in tears. Every single time.

$\"04_Games-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Eye-Spy"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

Over the hill comes… what? Winner picks the next song.

$\"05_Games-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Guess the Car Colour"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

See a yellow car? Shout it first, or get punched. Kids’ rules.

$\"06_Games-v2-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Cheese on Wheels"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

The ultimate sibling showdown. Winner gets a chocolate (and bragging rights).

$\"07_Games-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Spot the Sea First"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

Superstition or sport? Either way, the whole car’s levitating.

$\"08_Games-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Feet Up Over Railway Lines"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

One note. One beat. One split second - and the whole car shouts at once. Victory has never tasted sweeter.

$\"09_Games-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Guess the Song From the Intro"},{"author_name":null,"content":"

It’s bad luck otherwise. Or bad something anyway. Best be safe and just reach for the ceiling.

$\"10_Games-885x460\"$

","subtitle":"Hands up for orange lights."}],"footer_subheader":null,"inner_image":{"alt":"Mazda-guide_games-1920x1080","src":"https://141078898.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/141078898/Web/campaigns/Wonder%20guides/Mazda-guide_games-1920x1080.jpg"},"subtitle":"Play together when you stay together","title":"Game Time"}]'>

The Mazda Wonderrrr Guide

Explore to find SA’s best Road-trip tips