My trip to South Africa is reaching it’s end . . . Two days ago, I packed up from the backpackers in the Drakensberg, spent some time looking out across the ampitheatre, then hopped back on the Baz Bus for the last time. Early that evening, I returned to Johannesburg. To be honest, I didn’t care to come back to Johannesburg. I saw what I wanted to see here at the start of my trip, then spent too much time waiting for the rest of it to continue. But I was determined to finish it off well. One spot near Joburg [View Full Entry]

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In the centre of South Africa, is the world’s third-smallest but highest country - Lesotho. Lesotho has 2.1 million people living in it. The population is largely farmers, living in small rural communities, their main crop maize. The Northern Drakensberg, where I am staying, is nearby the Lesotho border and my backpackers runs day trips across the border. So that was my adventure today. Two mini buses of us packed in and headed off. The drive was almost 2 hours to the border. We all lined up with the locals at the immigration booth to have our passports scanned and stamped. [View Full Entry]

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Lots of Pictures today - I couldn't narrow them down! The backpackers where I am staying is in the Northern Drakensberg Mountains, right at the base of a spot called the Ampitheatre, an 8 kilometre stretch of cliff and canyon. Today I signed up for a tour that would take me to the top of the Ampitheatre. I was hesitant to sign up out of concern for what the hike would be like (because of my fear of heights and my current lack of energy as I’ve been feeling unwell). Reception assured me that it was an easy walk, we drove [View Full Entry]

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I’m in the Drakensberg mountains. And they are beautiful. This afternoon I went horseback riding. I wanted to go at some point during this trip and through the mountains seemed like a good choice. I was driven about 25 kilometres from the hostel to the edge of the Royal Natal Nature Reserve - where the stables are. I then saddled up for a two hour ride through the foothills of the Northern Drakensberg Mountains, a world heritage site. I rode often when I was young, then again this past May in Jamaica. But I am horribly out of practice. I struggled [View Full Entry]

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Today, for my last day in Durban, we went to uShaka Marine World to the water park and sea world. Racquel came with us, along with her son and two nephews. We had a few errands to fun first (I needed to once again get cash at a bank - though by an absolute miracle, I was in and out in less than 15 minutes!!), then we were off to uShaka. The day was overcast and rather cool, but it’s never really cold in Durban and it meant that the park wasn’t hectic busy. We had some lunch, then watched the [View Full Entry]

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Friday was my day to explore some of Durban’s cultural scene. Jody came by my hostel in the afternoon to pick me up. First we drove a bit south along the Bluff to the next beach south of Anstey’s (where I’m staying) - Brighton Beach. There’s a rock area called Cave Rock and some public swimming areas. It’s a bit quieter than Anstey’s too. After that, we headed into Central Durban to the BAT Centre, a theatre by the harbour. Earlier in the week, I’d tried unsuccessfully to find it myself, so I was happy that Jody took me. The whole [View Full Entry]

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On Tuesday, I decided it was time I took advantage of the sea and the pool and enjoyed the sunshine. That morning, when I woke up, I put on my swimsuit and headed straight down to the beach for a morning swim. Oh the water was delightful! Warm enough that it’s comfortable, cool enough it’s refreshing. However, my time in the water wasn’t so much spent swimming as it was spent jumping waves. Jody had always complained that the Caribbean waters were so still and along the coast, I’ve understood why he’s missed the surf. But the waves today were real [View Full Entry]

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Late Friday night, I took the bus from Umkomaas to Durban and I’ve been here since. Durban is South Africa’s third largest city and sits on the shores of the Indian Ocean, about halfway up the country’s coast. I am staying at a backpackers out in an area called The Bluff, south of the city centre, because Jody, my friend from the Destiny and the Liberty, lives out here. The hostel is quite nice - quiet, only steps away from Anstey’s Beach. And it’s super accessible to where Jody lives which has been great. Saturday, he came round to the hostel [View Full Entry]

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Last year, when I was on the Destiny getting my scuba diving certification, my South African friends would tell me how great the diving is in their country. It has always been part of my plan to go diving while here. I love diving, but it can be an expensive hobby. So while nearly every place I’ve been along the coast claims great diving and offer dive packages, I’ve waited to go to “the best” - The Aliwal Shoal. The Aliwal Shoal is about 40 kilometres south of Durban, near the town of Umkomaas. Jacques Cousteau himself rated it as one [View Full Entry]

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Yesterday, just before dinner time, I arrived in Port St. Johns. PSJ is a small town, 100 kilometres off the highway, along the Wild Coast. The town centre is very small - two main streets - but hectic, completely packed with people. My hostel is 4 kilometres outside of town and is an absolute tranquil oasis. Here I’ve found everything I thought I was going to find in Coffee Bay: beautiful natural surroundings, quiet and picturesque hostel, friendly people and hammocks on the hill! While there was still a bit of daylight left, myself and another girl who I met on [View Full Entry]

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