Sahuayo...my new home. Formally known as Sahuayo de Morelos the town is situated in the state of Michoacan, near the southern shore of Lake Chapala. It has a population of almost 60,000 and is known for its traditional sandals (huraches) and hats (sombreros). The name Sahuayo is from the Náhuatl language, and has been interpreted as several different things; however, the favoured definition as translated by Dr. Don Antonio Peñafiel, is that is composed of two elements: tzacual and ayoti. Tzacual is an earthenware vessel shaped by half of a coconut and ayoti means turtle. Thus 'Sahuayo is 'a pot that looks like a turtle'. The turtle is the symbol of Sahuayo. The first inhabitants of the area were of Aztec origin. Later the region was conquered by the P'urepecha (known as the Tarasco by the ... read more

After the trials of actually getting to a hostel yesterday I wasn't in the mood for leaping out of bed at 7am for sightseeing and so my last day in South Africa passed rather quietly. I braved the weird bathroom set up, shower in one room, toilet in the next, sink on the outside wall! I went for breakfast in the kitchen area. I really like this new hostel - it's designed to look like a castle and it was quite novel to run down the steps from the battlements to the kitchen! I made myself breakfast and watched in bemusement as a very skinny couple got through 16 slices of eggy bread rolled in sugar between them! I relaxed around my room for most of the morning and then decided to walk to the shops ... read more

As today was my last full day in Cape Town I was determined to see a few sights. I found out about the bus tours and set off in search of the tourist office in town, finally arriving three minutes after the last bus had arrived. I browsed in the book shop across the street before taking my place at the bus stop, only to be ushered back into the book shop to buy my ticket in advance. I'm assuming they must get some commision on it, but since the price wasn't any different for me I went ahead and got it. I relaxed on the top deck of the bus, half heartedly listening to the audio guide and enjoying watching the bustle of the busy streets from above. I waited until we reached the Castle ... read more

I woke at 4am this morning, ready for what was bound to be one of the most memorable events of my trip, cage diving with great White Sharks! It certainly was memorable, but not for the reasons I was hoping. To begin with I swam up from sleep at the persistant call of my alarm clock and fought the urge to roll over and go straight back to sleep. I forced myself up and into the shower, and then perched on the edge of the bed with a cup of tea, trying to force myself awake. I ate a quick breakfast, ignoring my rebellious stomach and finally made it down to the dark streets of cape Town for 5am where a taxi was silently waiting. The driver let me in and paused further down the road ... read more

I left Mlilwane Nature Reserve today. Since I had a flight to catch back in Johannesburg we left early, my guide promising me breakfast at our next stop. I stood outside reception while the others dealt with the business end of things and watched nyala and ostriches walk freely about the area. We drove through the nature reserve, not really seeing any more wildlife but just enjoying the rural views before getting back to the city. As we left the reserve we passed many small villages and I would have loved to stop for a time. We drove through the green hills and I again had the odd impression of seeing Northumberland with a few African style villages dropped in amongst the rocky slopes. We stopped at a glass factory. Again the whole thing has been ... read more