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South Africa Travel Blogs

Background: After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule.

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By rwiz
November 12th 2009

Day 1 to 10 - South Africa Africa » South Africa

Hi all, Apologies for the delayed blogging - things have been a bit hectic. Jared & Megan's Wedding was beautiful. It was a good mix of people, and the venue was gorgeous. At one point, there was a bit of worry that the ceremony would not be able to be outside, but fortunately the weather permitted. After the wedding we hung around the area and did a bit of the Midland’s Meander. On Saturday we went to Tala Game Park [View Full Entry]

By Tammie217
November 11th 2009

Beautiful Tsitsikamma Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Tsitsikamma National Park

Tsitsikamma National Park

Wrote this part at 6am in Wilderness: I talked to the girls at midnight on the deck, and finally the clouds had completely blown away. There was a full blanket of stars! After so many cloudy nights, it was wonderful to see them. So many stars that I could not recognize any constellations due to the noise of the "extra" stars. The girls are doing fine although Kimberly does obviously miss me very much. It's now almost 6am - I woke up at 5 and couldn't get back to sleep so I came out here, back out on the deck. The [View Full Entry]

By WonderYears
November 10th 2009

Cape Town (Day 2, 10th Nov) Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town

God's abode? 12 aposotles

I am writing with some time lag, thanks to travel and limited access to net. There is a song by "Crowded House", "Always Take the Weather With You". Well, I did bring the weather with me, but just the wrong kind. After the first day being half decent (sunny), 10th (and its 12th today and the weather hasnt improved) saw temperature dropping to 13-14 degrees with wind speed consistently around 50 kpmh. That meant, Table Mountain was out of question, the cable car is shut and hiking is not allowed. So I went to Hout Bay, a small fishing village in [View Full Entry]

By Tammie217
November 10th 2009

Outeniqua Mountains Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Wilderness

Swartberg Mountains

We got up very early this morning and left Franschhoek at 8am. About 1/2 hour into our drive we (finally) met a family of baboons. We saw 8 adults and a juvenile; they were playing/foraging at the side of the road. Brian pulled over so we could take photos -- but we did not get out of the car (to avoid having our passports stolen by the baboons -- not a joke!) Later on we saw a momma with a tiny baby clinging to her back. We drove for four hours with one main stop (at the "Country Pumpkin") -- and [View Full Entry]

By Tamserku
November 10th 2009

South Africa - SOCIABLE!! Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town

Wine Tasting = Sophistication. Not! Equals cheap Wine!

Anyone like a glass of wine? We were not in South Africa too long before we were at a winery tasting the nectar of the Gods. Our second night was spent camping at a small vineyard (Highlanders) where we sampled some of the local wines - sensory sensational. The last day of our 42 day overland trip saw us passing through beautiful wine growing regions before we saw our first glimpse of Table Mountain, signaling our arrival to the Mother City - Cape Town. Cape Town is an alluring city that although is very cosmopolitan still has a wild African flavor [View Full Entry]

By greasy weasel
November 10th 2009

The DRC is a GO Africa » South Africa » Mpumalanga

Can you believe it? 2 days later and I already have a new entry! Got a phone call yesterday ... DRC visa is in! I guess I'm legit. Met with Etienne and Erick yesterday to figure out exactly what is going on and to plan out the next few weeks. So ... I leave Hands Village sunday morning to catch the Citybug back into Joburg ... Meet Erick when he gets off his flight from Cape Town ... Hazy patch ... End up on a bus to Lusaka, Zambia ... Wait for Marc Myburgh in Lusaka ... Get a ride to [View Full Entry]

By sarah AFS
November 10th 2009

West Coast National Park Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Saldanha

Photo 2

Récit d'un séjour au nord de Cape Town, dans le West Coast national park. Au programme, le West Coast National Park, parc à visiter au printemps, lors de la floraison, c'est magique!!!. Les photos parlent d'elles mêmes. sarah [View Full Entry]

By WonderYears
November 10th 2009

Cape Town (Day 1) Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town

Table Mountain

Woke up early Monday morning, Rusty dropped me to airport after we dropped Shaurya school. Domestic flights in SA are not as good as in India, but I guess very few countries have the quality India now has in domestic airlines. But the flight was on time and I did get my seafood meal, so cant complain. Cape Town when I landed was 18 degrees, but quickly got to about 21-22, which was pleasant. Got to my hotel at Sea Point (small place, but livable) where I would stay till Friday morning. Its a self-catering place, though I plan to eat [View Full Entry]

By Tammie217
November 9th 2009

Tiara for the Birthday Girl Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Stellenbosch

Birthday Girl

Today is Leslie's birthday! The reason for the trip. Or at least the impetus for the trip. Leslie wore a tiara all day and was a little unsettled that noone commented (other than the three of us.) We were allowed a rare late start to the day -- Brian was meeting us at 11:00. Last night after Elephant and Barrel, we went to Burgandy's for dessert. It was a nice place to go for dessert and coffee . . . other than "smooth operator" playing on auto-replay on the radio (we asked the waiter, who said it was an actual radio [View Full Entry]

By CardiffJenks
November 9th 2009

Cape Town 2009 Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Franschhoek

Franschhoek Valley

Monday 9th November. The plan was to drive to Franschhoek in the centre of the wine region (see map) to visit a family friend from my days in Botswana. Pam (the friend) had moved to Cape Town in the late 1990s and had originally lived in the City itself; but she missed the countryside and had chosen to move to Franschhoek - great choice. A beautiful little town surrounded by towering mountains. It’s where many Huguenots settled in the late seventeenth century, and therefore many of the streets and the wineries still have French names. Pam took us to lunch at [View Full Entry]

Den Anker Belgian Restaurant V&A Waterfront

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