Blogs from South Africa, Africa - page 531

At last we get to the wedding, we've been building up to this for over a year and now we get to see whether all the planning works out. The day started when Dave picked me up and took Julie and I to join Kerry and the other bridesmaids at K'shani for breakfast, Dave was incredibly stressed out and hadn't slept the previous night, he also made sure that his best man Andrew didn't sleep either, after all, what are best men for if not to keep you company when you can't sleep. We used one of the chalets for all the girls to get ready in, they really were very luxurious, not our usual camping standard at all! The hairdresser turned up on time and started on the bridesmaids. The make up lady arrived and ... read more

Happy New Years to everyone- Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 once hailed ,"Stuff your eyes with wonder . . . live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories." Ray, we absolutely agree; look where we are right now. It has already been a great start of the new year for us. As we celebrated the changing of years, we found many new experiences, new adventures, and even celebrated new national holidays in South Africa, namely my birthday; a present in its own. We have also found some funny South African quips that rule our daily conversations with their truly one-of-a-kind statement repetitions. I am going to introduce you to three of our adventures: one being the hilarious adventures and cultural education ... read more

Our welcome to Cape Town is interesting. The shuttle bus driver insists we put our cameras around our necks as they are easy targets. And we thought CT was relaxed & safe. On reflection we think it’s just that the fear of crime seems to pervade everyone’s psyche and every shop has a controlled entry system! On the drive in we pass Groote Schuur - the hospital where Christian Barnard performed the first heart transplant (they celebrated the fortieth anniversary recently) and a vast shanty town that spreads across both sides of the carriageway. Long Street is full of funky buildings and Carnival Court backpackers hostel is one of them; Victorian with lovely balconies. Long Street café on the ground floor, Zan Zibar on the first (which plays very loud music till the early hours) and ... read more

Yesterday morning, just as we had done at the very start of this trip, we rolled into Cape Town very tired after a sleepless overnight journey (this time on a bus, not on a plane). We took a taxi to exactly the same hotel that we stayed in in our first week - the Townhouse, a gem in the City Bowl. We checked into a room identical to that which we had previously stayed in, but one floor lower down. And, just as at the start of the trip, I found myself still grappling with a dreaded lurgy - this time, shingles! Yes, I am starting to wonder if I am cursed. I hadn't intended to check up on the efficacy of the South African health system, but developments while in Graaff-Reinet left me with no ... read more

The hen party had been arranged by Kerry's bridesmaids at the News Cafe in Nelspruit. Word had been put around and we all met there, some of us a bit late to wait for the stranded Jo'burg guests to arrive, but we all got there eventually. The girls all had to dress up in their leopard print skirts and headbands and there were a few drinks sank. It was a really good evening and everyone enjoyed it. The stag night was held at the Keg, and again the turnout was good. Dave doesn't remember too much about it after the first hour or so although he was assured that he had a really good time. At the end of the night we had arranged for taxis to take everyone back but not enough taxis turned up. ... read more