Thu - April 17, 2003

Thursday, April 17, 2003 (Fiddler’s Creek – South Africa)


One day down, just eighteen left to go ... but we're having fun already. Drifting down the Orange River. Our rafting guide was the only one to get stuck on the rocks. Amazing what can be cooked up on an open fire. The laptop slideshow is sure to be a regular around the camp fire.

Posted at 08:00 AM     Read More  

Wed - April 16, 2003

Wednesday, April 16, 2003 (Somewhere on the road – South Africa)


Finally, the journey begins. A quick word from our guide and driver and we are off into the great unknown. The food was cold at the end of the day but we were glad to have arrived at our first destination.

Posted at 08:00 AM     Read More  

Tue - April 15, 2003

Tuesday, April 15, 2003 (Cape Town – South Africa)


Can it get any more stressful than this? Where is my career going? Is it even worth continuing with the trip ... without a laptop power supply? The computer god and how I so wanted to kiss his feet. Slowly working through the problems of the day. Meeting the other members of our safari group.

Posted at 07:59 AM     Read More  

Mon - April 14, 2003

Monday, April 14, 2003 (Cape Town – South Africa)


An absolute catastrophe! Another trip to the doctor. Table Mountain in all its glory - and a nice sunset too. Finalising our safari plans. More market stalls and curios. Still more to be done ... aren't we supposed to be on holiday?

Posted at 07:58 AM     Read More  

Monday, April 14, 2003 (Cape Town – South Africa)


Time to speed things up. Penguins on the beach? Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope and the southern tip of Africa. Time to buy some curios at last. As far South as we can go, time to head North again. So many photos and the difficulty to choose between them.

Posted at 07:58 AM     Read More  

Sat - April 12, 2003

Saturday, April 12, 2003 (Cape Town – South Africa)


Complaints from the camera - due to lack of use. Reverting back to old habits. It's all the same but completely different. Thanks goodness they are meat-eaters here. More arrangements for our safari.

Posted at 07:57 AM     Read More  

Fri - April 11, 2003

Friday, April 11, 2003 (Cape Town – South Africa)


The logistics of travelling with lots of cameras. How to clean out the competition for bandwidth at an Internet cafe. Coast-to-Coast. How to organise a safari through Africa and the merits of an overland truck. How to keep the batteries charged when sleeping in a tent. Money, money, money - but this is Africa and nothing is simple here. Can't beat a chicken in the microwave.

Posted at 07:57 AM     Read More  

Thu - April 10, 2003

Thursday, April 10, 2003 (Cape Town – South Africa)


Caves, waterfalls and the middle of nowhere. Discounts for travellers. Through the stunning views of the Black Mountain Pass and into Cape Town. Looking for a room when you're cranky. Another great backpackers' hangout.

Posted at 07:56 AM     Read More  

Wed - April 9, 2003

Wednesday, April 9, 2003 (Oudtshoorn – South Africa)


Is there a pattern emerging here? Of doctors and health insurance. Sticking to the backpackers' trail. The fastest land mammal on earth - but also the most cuddliest when it's up close and personal. How NOT to ride an Ostrich.

Posted at 07:54 AM     Read More  

Tue - April 8, 2003

Tuesday, April 8, 2003 (Knysna – South Africa)


Meeting the real locals in the Knysna Township and seeing how they live definitely brings things into focus. A Rastafarian and his Weed are never parted.

Posted at 07:53 AM     Read More  

Mon - April 7, 2003

Monday, April 7, 2003 (Knysna – South Africa)


Never had so much fun before. Full steam ahead - and luckily the whole carriage to ourselves ;-) A slow boat to the heads and back. Relaxing and catching up on some chores.

Posted at 07:53 AM     Read More  

Sun - April 6, 2003

Sunday, April 6, 2003 (Knysna – South Africa)


So, it was a sheep in Wolf's clothing after all. The offer of a nice meal was nothing of the kind! No money, no petrol and no idea where we are are a problematic combination but things have a way of working out. Let's go that way.On the trail of a suspension bridge. More CDs in the post. Finally, we found the backpackers' trail - and we won't be looking back. We deserve a nice meal in a nice restaurant.

Posted at 07:52 AM     Read More  

Sat - April 5, 2003

Saturday, April 5, 2003 (Tsitsikamer – South Africa)


Just passing through when there's nothing to see. Full steam ahead to the garden route and the Tsitsikamer mountain range. Beware of nice old ladies. A nice little self-catering cottage seems to be just what we need and when we need it. A nice offer of a meal - with strings attached? The nice old lady still 'helping' us out?

Posted at 07:51 AM     Read More  

Fri - April 4, 2003

Friday, April 4, 2003 (Colesberg – South Africa)


Exploring the provincial capital. Fortifications and museums. It pays to ask twice. Internet euphoria. Stocking up on energy before the next big push. Choosing the best budget options in town.

Posted at 07:51 AM     Read More  

Thu - April 3, 2003

Thursday, April 3, 2003 (Bloemfontein – South Africa)


Fun on the fufi-slide. Good-bye to the Drakensberg. The long drive ahead. Letting the guide book guide us. White Africa - Black Africa.

Posted at 07:50 AM     Read More  

Wed - April 2, 2003

Wednesday, April 2, 2003 (White Mountain [Drakensberg] – South Africa)


Our poor, aching feet. Primitive artwork. Scenery second to none. Conquerers of the mountains. Meeting people from all over the country. Extending our car rental agreement.

Posted at 07:50 AM     Read More  

Tue - April 1, 2003

Tuesday, April 1, 2003 (White Mountain [Drakensberg] – South Africa)


A very strenuous climb, even if it was a slow and steady pace. Views at the top were worth the effort. How not to die. Isn't abseiling fun (mostly). Crowded around the laptop. Self catering versus eating out.

Posted at 07:49 AM     Read More  

Mon - March 31, 2003

Monday, March 31, 2003 (White Mountain [Drakensberg] – South Africa)


A late start to the day allows us to send home some photos. North and into the mountain ranges of the Drakensberg. So many things to buy, but so many logistical problems in doing so. Tourist information. Our very own chalet somewhere in the mountains. Lighting up the night's sky.

Posted at 07:48 AM     Read More  

Sun - March 30, 2003

Sunday, March 30, 2003 (Umhlanga [Durban] – South Africa)


A day off from the holiday. Tracking our route through South Africa. The ever present threat of Malaria and why we should be taking medication. Sending updates to those back home and around the world. Our very gracious hosts who have become our friends.

Posted at 07:48 AM     Read More  

Sat - March 29, 2003

Saturday, March 29, 2003 (Umhlanga [Durban] – South Africa)


Is Durban really that violent? Sending things home. A brief glimpse of developed life again. A dip in the pool. A look ahead to the Drakensberg.

Posted at 07:47 AM     Read More  

Fri - March 28, 2003

Friday, March 28, 2003 (Umhlanga Rocks [Durban] – South Africa)


Saying good-bye to Sodwana Bay. The long drive to Durban. A braai with our new friends.

Posted at 07:47 AM     Read More  

Thu - March 27, 2003

Thursday, March 27, 2003 (Sodwana Bay – South Africa)


Bringing our first diving adventure to a conclusion. A tick in the tummy. War may be raging, but we are having fun. Calling ahead to plan on seeing our next visitors. meeting new friends along the way. You don't have to go far to see fish.

Posted at 07:46 AM     Read More  

Wed - March 26, 2003

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 (Sodwana Bay – South Africa)


With a solution having been found for the nausea, diving is very much on the cards again. Danger in the waters. Unrest? What unrest? The secure felling of knowing that we are being watched over. The never ending decision of where to go next.

Posted at 07:45 AM     Read More  

Tue - March 25, 2003

Tuesday, March 25, 2003 (Sodwana Bay – South Africa)


A very bad start to our diving adventures as nausea threatens to put an end to our diving plans. More people urge us to submit our photos for the yearly jeep.

Posted at 07:45 AM     Read More  

Mon - March 24, 2003

Monday, March 24, 2003 (Sodwana Bay – South Africa)


Farewell to Swaziland, hello to the coast. Exploring our diving and accommodation options. A nice place to spend a few days. Eating into our diving budget. Reviewing our diving knowledge. What, no photos today?

Posted at 07:44 AM     Read More  

Thu - March 20, 2003

Thursday, March 20, 2003 (Skakuza [Kruger National Park] – South Africa)


More excitement on the game trail. Travelling through the park. Where to go after Kruger.

Posted at 07:39 AM     Read More  

Wed - March 19, 2003

Wednesday, March 19, 2003 (Oliefants [Kruger National Park] – South Africa)


A thoroughly exhausting day following the animals. The truly rare sight that few will have seen before or ever again.

Posted at 07:38 AM     Read More  

Tue - March 18, 2003

Tuesday, March 18, 2003 (Letaba [Kruger National Park] – South Africa)


Full speed ahead on the safari trail. Problems with the phone lines. A feeling of accomplishment. Anti-malarial regimen. Looking ahead to some SCUBA diving. Sharing our cabin with the wildlife.

Posted at 07:38 AM     Read More  

Mon - March 17, 2003

Monday, March 17, 2003 (Letaba [Kruger National Park] – South Africa)


Goodbye to our friends in Kosmos. The long drive towards Kruger National Park. The unexpected cost of driving in South Africa. Being shaken down by a friendly policeman. Lunch with a stunning view. So many animals in such a short space of time. Our first safari in the park.

Posted at 08:51 PM     Read More  

Sun - March 16, 2003

Sunday, March 16, 2003 (Hartbeespoort – South Africa)


Still enjoying ourselves. A ride in the chair-lift. A visit to a Cheetah breeding farm. A visit from friends from above.

Posted at 08:51 PM     Read More  

Sat - March 15, 2003

Saturday, March 15, 2003 (Hartbeespoort – South Africa)


Awakening in paradise. The cradle of humankind safari. Planning our time in Africa.

Posted at 08:50 PM     Read More  

Fri - March 14, 2003

Friday, March 14, 2003 (Hartbeespoort – South Africa)


Still can't believe we are really here. Couldn't have asked for a better start to the trip. A quick tour around the local vicinity of Kosmos. An opportunity for a nice meal. Making arrangements for Kruger National Park.

Posted at 08:49 PM     Read More  

Thu - March 13, 2003

Thursday, March 13, 2003 (Kosmos in Hartbeespoort [near Pretoria] – South Africa)


Day one of our great adventure and we have finally arrived in Africa. Our gracious hosts welcome us into their home. Picked up a rental car. So many things to buy.

Posted at 08:48 PM     Read More  


©