Blogs from South Africa, Africa - page 677

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town July 4th 2005

Back to Civilization The first day in Cape Town, my brain experienced total sensory overload from all the sights. And we’re not talking Table Mountain or the Cape of Good Hope, although they were awesome sights. We’re talking about simple things, like seeing houses out the airplane window; savoring my first fresh sandwich and my first café latte with fresh milk; ordering room service; and taking a shower with hot running water!!! Simply amazing. That was my first day - just getting used to “normal” life again and really being so thankful for having all these things again! You know I tried so hard to deal with the living conditions in Ghana, but let’s not forget deep down I am really just a Long Island princess and can always appreciate things like room service and complimentary ... read more

Sudáfrica, segunda parte. Día 67. Vuelta al mundo. Round-the-World trip.

Africa » South Africa » Gauteng » Johannesburg July 2nd 2005

Nonopha

Temoris

¡Visita mi página web y mis blogs! www.temoris.org temorisblog.wordpress.com www.mundoabierto.info... read more

Kruger

Africa » South Africa July 1st 2005

Impala at dawn

Sarah and Jonathon

Kruger surprised us. We felt somewhat obliged. Here we were, passing by one of the most famous game reserves in the world during the peak wildlife viewing season, but without any strong urge to dawn our safari hats. Luckily, after finding a cheap one-day car rental, we decided to go for it. It was, in reality, how we imagined naïve tourists might picture an African game park experience. We drive in the gate and...hey look there's an elephant eating a tree...cool a bunch of water buffalo...let's turn here...and wow check out the zebra and giraffes....and over in that pond...my gosh, look at all those hippos. What a happy family of baboons eating berries in the tree. What are all those cars stopped for? Oh, it's a big lion sprawled on his back in the sun. And ... read more

Leaving Africa

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town June 30th 2005

Cape of Good Hope

Kimbj

I have fallen behind on the blog from the last part of my trip... but sometimes the words just don't come! It is funny how timing seems to be with me, the G-8 Summit and the Live 8 concert for Africa are in the news. It makes me feel good, that so many in the world see a need to bring awareness to African hardships. It is a wonderful feeling to know many others like myself feel that as one race we can try to end the suffering so many in our human family live with daily. Leaving Africa for me will be hard because there are so many stories I will never know the endings too. My hope is that all the stories will end happy, but I know that most will not. Leaving Africa ... read more

AMazing Mountain ranges and Coffee..

Africa » South Africa » Eastern Cape » Chintsa June 27th 2005

The Drakensberg

Frenger on Tour

Greetings Peeps, I have commenced my travelling with a short stay in Johannesburg, which I found to be a little daunting for a traveller on ones own… and this because I met a guy from Manchester in my Dorm, soon after I arrived, and he told me how he had just been mugged on his way to the hostel (a road near the main train station)!! That hardly made me want to venture into the centre of the city. But cities are cities hey and girls will be girls or something like that! My first planned stop was at the Drakensberg region between Jo’berg and Durban and good gravy Marie that took my breath away. The mountain range of Drakensberg, which I’d not heard of before researching South Africa (look it up if you’re bored!) is ... read more

The Townships...

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town June 27th 2005

A family in a hostel room

Kimbj

I am sending some pictures of the Cape Town Townships. There is so much history here of the pain of apartheid; you feel it in the air. People separate by race and the majority of South Africans still live this way. There were Black, Colored, Indian and White groups and living areas were divided by race. Still more then 50% of the population here lives in Townships.... read more

I woke up this morning..

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town June 27th 2005

A lake in Ethiopia...

Kimbj

I just wanted to say, I woke up this morning to shear joy! I read all your comments and received many B-day wishes ( which I LOVED). More important were the many comments from those of you that see my journey, as something you would like to give some of your time and energy too! I am so proud that with only my eyes and a few thoughts put down, I have been able to whisper in a few people's ears, to help make a difference in our world. That is a B-day present that means more to me, then any material item. It is the gift of your heart, to care about people, you will never see or meet. I am so proud that a group of people, like me, who don't have money, fame, ... read more

A long goodbye...

Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Cape Town June 26th 2005

Victoria Wharf, Capetown, South Africa

Kimbj

Today is my birthday… I won’t mention which one but I will say that I have been dreading this one for a while. (By the way those that know how old I am, if you say it on the blog, I will not put it onJ) Spending this time in Africa has given me a new prospective on life and this is wonderful! I have made it to Cape Town, which is truly a striking city. It’s mountains and ocean are truly beautiful. I see why it is the top tourist location in Africa. As you fly into the city, the fog sits on the city and Table Mountain like a hat, on a lady, going for British High Tea. The air is crisp with the winter feel, but warm enough so you are still comfortable ... read more

Kwazulu-Natal

Africa » South Africa » KwaZulu-Natal June 25th 2005

Margate

Soicowboy

Heading Northerly up the coast towards Durban we stopped at a number of notable seaside places. Kuboboyi Lodge, near Port Edward, sits on top of a small hill providing a panoramic view over the regional coastline. The place has a culinary reputation as it is owned by 2 chefs and dinners on the patio were indeed superb. It was a shame that the lodge was so isolated, otherwise we would have stayed longer. Margate is a more developed seaside town, catering to the South African market. For this reason it is usually skipped by the backpacking fraternity but we found that the touristy atmosphere made a pleasant change. The hostel was small and friendly and we agreed that the double bed was the most comfortable we had experienced in SA. My birthday coincided with Mothers day ... read more

Getting to Blyde River Canyon

Africa » South Africa June 25th 2005

A view into the canyon

Sarah and Jonathon

Nelspruit, South Africa is base for our Blyde River Canyon loop. See Blyde River Canyon photos Nelspruit serves as the trade center for farming in Mpumalanga Province. We feel a huge weight lifted when we learn that it's OK to walk around after dark. This is especially important since the town is not so nice to look at during daylight. There are far fewer fences and more sidewalks, but most of the people seem generally suspicious and less friendly than in Joburg. The highlight of Nelspruit is a rich botanical garden with abundant, prehistoric cycads, cactus-like euphorbs, and fields of circuitous fig trunks. An evening conversation with some Peace Corps workers (visiting the backpackers hostel from their nearby townships) reveals the dominant local pastime - funerals. Apparently, people feel obliged to t... read more

Brief history of South Africa

After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjug...more history

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