EN FRANCAIS PLUS BAS MORE PHOTOS HERE Understandably, Jen and I didn't sleep much that night. Caro took care of her nervousness with gin so she was fine, but still, waking up at 4.15am so we would be ready to be picked up at 5.00am was a challenge for the 3 of us. Unsurprisingly, the bus was about an hour late, but we were lucky not to be the last in being picked up and to have real seats, with head rest and all, what a luxury! As the sun was rising and we were driving away from the city into [View Full Entry]

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EN FRANCAIS PLUS BAS MORE PHOTOS HERE The Bus Odyssey from Manzini to Maputo Even before 7am, the bus terminal in Manzini, Swaziland's second main city, is swarming with activity, shouting drivers trying to fill up their buses. I ask "Maputo?" and get thrown into a bus that says "Lomahashah" or something like that. Seized by doubt, I ask around "Does this bus go to Maputo?" to other passengers. Answers vary from "Yes", "Maybe", a smile, a shake of the head, a wave of the hand, "sit [View Full Entry]

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EN FRANCAIS PLUS BAS MORE PHOTOS HERE Thorn-bush Wacking in Swaziland, YEBO! On Wednesday 11, even though it's not raining, I get on the bus yet again to cross the border to Swaziland, a process which is unexpectedly hassle-free. The clear weather allows us to witness a most beautiful and long-lasting sunset, setting the sky on fire behind the mountains circling the country. Thursday morning, after applying for my Mozambique visa, I join an Irish fellow lodge guest to hike up [View Full Entry]

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EN FRANCAIS PLUS BAS MORE PHOTOS HERE Hannah's croc pics here and more morning hike and kayak sunset trip pics Once again, as I am set to take the bus, it rains. Lucky me. Saint Lucia is a small beach town, or street rather, surrounded by monkeys, hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, impalas, warthogs, leopards, buffalos, elephants and the like, all roaming around [View Full Entry]

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EN FRANCAIS PLUS BAS MORE PHOTOS HERE On Friday, after enjoying the sunrise at Bulungula, I reluctantly hop on the shuttle that will take me away from this little piece of paradise and bring me back to civilization--or actually somewhere in between: Coffee Bay. To my disappointment, they don't grow coffee here (I've been drinking instant coffee for the past days, ugh...). There are several stories as to how it became to be called Coffee Bay, but I retain my favourite: a cargo ship carrying coffe [View Full Entry]

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EN FRANCAIS PLUS BAS! MORE PHOTOS HERE Several people have recommended that I go stay at the Bulungula Lodge, on the Wild Coast, as it is said to be the most beautiful stretch of coast in the country. I believe them. But man, do you have to deserve it! Eight hours on the bus from Port Elizabeth, followed by two and a half hours of dirt road, the last half hour of which would probably be covered faster on foot, as it can no longer really be called a road, dirt or not... The driver is the sweetest [View Full Entry]

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MORE PHOTOS HERE EN FRANCAIS PLUS BAS! NB: Internet connection in Africa is quite slow, which is why I haven't been able to upload photos, and also quite expensive, which is why I haven't written in a while. I have just arrived in Hong Kong, and am hoping to get up to date, and upload photos. Check back in soon! Along the Garden Route Saturday, June 1st, is rainy and cold, lucky for me I'm on the "Baz Bus," a rather expensive but convenient way of moving around South Africa if y [View Full Entry]

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MORE PHOTOS HERE EN FRANCAIS PLUS BAS! Hike up the Mountain in the Town Early Wednesday morning, it's cold and windy, not favourable to climb up Table Mountain, so Shandy, Jocelyn and I set off for a morning walk and maybe a swim in Kalk Bay, just a couple of kms south of Muizenberg along the coast. A bit chilly for a swim, so we settle for breakfast with a view, and what a view... As Joce goes to work, Shandy and I start climbing the mountain. For 4 hours we walk in complete wilder [View Full Entry]

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MORE PHOTOS HERE EN FRANCAIS PLUS BAS! Incredible how this place grows on you. I haven't been here a week and it is scary how much at home I feel, concerned about what's going on in the country, in tune with the vibe, a couple of dozen contacts on my cell phone, enjoying a quiet afternoon tea and cookies by the fireplace and watching the rain fall. I have a slight feeling Couchsurfing may have something to do with it...hum! Good Hope As luck has it, a CSer's mom from the neighbou [View Full Entry]

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MORE PHOTOS HERE EN FRANCAIS PLUS BAS! I am just starting to settle into the spirit of this trip. Taking things as they come, planning just one day for the next if that, letting life happen to me, taking it all in with all five senses, breathing in the freedom... Hitting the town Yesterday, someone asked me what I had already seen of Capetown. I had to answer not much, as I just walked around town and hung out in the evenings. But this is what I prefer to do when arriving in an u [View Full Entry]

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