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Published: July 29th 2011
Crocodile Harris
Arriving incognito in Cape TownK- After a weeks stop off to see friends and family in the UK we arrived in Cape Town on Tuesday after an uneventful 26 hour journey from Birmingham via Dubai. During the flight Mark took the opportunity to slip into something a little more comfortable if not entirely inconspicuous (see photo) - he loves to assimilate in to local cultures! Unfortunately he appeared to be the only person in Cape Town who is wearing this local dress - but hopefully it will become more appropriate as we progress in to the bush......
We were met at the airport by Mark's friend Steve and are staying with him, his partner Michelle and their lovely 8 month old baby Chloe in Noordhoeck, about 25 minutes outside Cape Town. We took the scenic route home along the gorgeous coast and saw this amazing sunset. We were very lucky not only because it is the middle of winter here and sunny days can be rare but because this scenic road was closed 2 days later due to falling boulders!
On Tuesday we visited the Imizamo Yethu Township which was a very moving and memorable experience. I have included photos below. Although the
Our first sunset!
Hout Bay near Cape Town poverty was distressing at every level there were also some positive elements to the Township - a sense of community and also 500 new homes with running water and sanitation that have been built by Habitat for Humanity and an Irish charity. There is also a new school being built. However the juxtaposition of a "town" of 18,500 (built for 3,000) directly alongside the affluent Hout Bay was striking and this visit may well be one of the most memorable things I do on this trip.
We are in Southern Africa for around 10 weeks and plan to do most of the Cape Town sights on our return from our camping trip through Namibia and Botswana when it will be closer to Spring. We therefore spent today beginning preparations for this 6-7 week trip. There seems to be a national truck shortage at this time of year and they are very expensive if available at all so Steve has very kindly offered to lend us his beloved bakkie. This vehicle is a veteran of several mammoth trips up and across Africa so we are confident it will do us proud on our relatively baby trip. We are however packing
tow ropes and jacks just in case.
We are also borrowing Steve's camping equipment and got pretty overexcited getting everything out and working out how everything works. We would probably be sleeping outside in the tent if it wasn't so cold! We did however light a fire and had our first South African braai (BBQ) with sausage, steak and chops followed of course by toasted marshmallows. I am allowed these because at 8am tomorrow Michelle and I are running in a 6K (4 mile) charity race - my first run since May 28......
Scroll down for more photos!
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Mum and Don
non-member comment
Township
Interested in the new houses in Imizamu Yethu township. We went to a fundraiser in Ireland for this charity so it was good to see some of the results. Enjoy your camping!