Technology is such an ingrained part of our daily lives that people barely notice it. Swathes of individuals have all but given up control of their lives to devices. Digital Detoxes, faraday bags at events are a symptom of a larger issue or people who can't seem to give up the black mirror. Nowhere is our dependency on tech felt more than when travelling but on this train...that's the point.
Rovos Rail doesn't bill itself as a digital detox trip, it just happens to be that. Operating its five-star luxury locomotive throughout Africa, Rovos Rail is about retro or limited technology to encourage the experience and take in the sites. Cell phones are welcome in the public spaces of the train but there is no Wi-Fi on board. Photos are even encouraged but the accompanying 'pings' are not. Personal hotspots are allowed but only in your private cabins. The trip is aimed to make it as pleasurable for every passenger as possible.
Aimee Jennings of Fraternal Films, an experimental filmmaker from America filming for her latest documentary, recently enjoyed the 3-day 2-night Pretoria to Cape Town route and described a liberating experience; "I found the disconnection...interesting and noticed a few things. The shots I took were more considered, and the composition and variety of my shots increased." Jennings went on to describe a glamorous environment that lends itself to letting go; "It's opulent...it has a distinct POV...they want you to see the beauty and experience the tastes of Africa. There are no QR codes, Instagram logos or hashtags begging for your attention on the train...interactivity isn't what [Rovos] want the ride to be about. It's a refreshing experience I can't stop telling people about." Jennings did mention that it wasn't easy at first, but there is so much to do and going on inside the train that you don't miss being connected; "you look out and not down...I hope it lasts."
Jennings and Rovos both point out that the point of travelling is to experience new things, meet new people, to go outside your comfort zone and learn about the world. Mobile devices can hinder all of these and instead give us an excuse or way of avoiding small moments of discomfort and uncertainty as new situations arise. Jennings remarked on the service is one of the keys to the success; "The onboard service is exceptional. From information on the local area or food and drink recommendations, the experience is so rich and engaging that you put down your phone and just become enveloped in it all."
Whether its noise-blocking headphones, compact portable chargers, personal global hotspots, or any number of Wi-Fi integrated cameras, we love our travel gear and it is increasingly coming connected as standard. It is easy to predict seeing more services like the one provided by Rovos. Not banning digital activity per se but making subtle changes to not encourage it. Some early examples include KitKat creating silent benches and cinemas block signals for anti-piracy reasons but this trend is going no-where but up. Banning mobiles in schools is happening, apps are telling people how much they are overusing them - we have an attention problem. Trips like the ones Rovos Rail provide might just be the trip of your dreams and the kick-start you need to a better relationship with digital devices.
