Township Tour We were joined on this tour by a Canadian couple who claimed to be researching and photographing for a book they intended to have published. He immediately set about demonstrating himself to be an ignorant, demanding and insensitive cretin. When they guide couldn't understand him, Al started raising the volume - everything said louder must be more comprehensible! He appeared to have little concept that he might use his knowledge of English to rephrase the question differently to help the guide understand. His next trick was then not to bother listening. We had just had explained what the major industries people in the townships were involved in, when Al asked what people did for work. Then his partner developed a headache, and just had to be returned to her hotel. No thought about how ... read more

Swakopmund Arrival We went out for the first evening meal we hadn't cooked ourselves for several days. ... read more

Orange River Last night was our first real camp. Felix Unite is well set up, and we were allocated one of the lawn areas close to the amenities. Everything worked reasonably smoothly, although I suspect that we will get much better at the routine things like setting up and knocking down the campsites as the trip progresses. Feed the man meat Had a BBQ meal last night and again tonight. Big servings of meat on the menu - far more than we really need, especially while we are travelling and not exercising that much. Canoeing Had a good long walk this morning. Arrived back to find that the canoe trip guides wanted to leave earlier than we had been notified, and so did not get a shower or shave after my walk. Martina had the gall ... read more

Short drive - long drink Today was what might be called a 'warmer/settler' day. Not too much time in the truck, introduction to dorm living and an alcohol fuelled tour of four regional wineries where the normal conventions of responsible service of alcohol were completely ignored. After the truck brief, we finally got away about 0930hrs, and were at Stellenbosh a little over an hour later. Much better views of Table Mountain! Stumblin Inn We arrived at a rather down at heal backpackers where the group was split up over two rooms. Given the gender mix - 16 pax, about 2/3 female - it was not going to be possible to have a boys and girls dorm. Especially when the four place room was a double and bunk beds. So much for any notion that we ... read more

Had a wonderful 'tour' today. Carlos runs tours around Intramuros, and two friends and I joined him this morning for a short walk and one of the best two and a half hours I have spent. Carlos is a performer, using his skills to give us a eclectic and entertaining view of the good and bad Intramuros. We really only visited two places, but he used these to weave a such a brilliant design in our minds that I think everyone went away with a new view of Manila and its place in our history and our world. It would be a shame to tell too much. First, because it would be impossible to give it the same passion that Carlos was able to imbue. Second, because it would spoil it for you. If you have ... read more