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Published: April 14th 2011
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So after crossing the Namibian border, we entered the Rainbow nation of South Africa. Our first night was at a camp site right on the natural border between Namibia and SA – the Orange River. This was also our final (and hottest) night camping! Nora and Dave had written a tour song – the ‘African Gapsody’ which went to the tune of Help by the Beetles, In the Jungle, Leaving on a jet Plane and Abba tracks. It was very good and we sang it to Elbie and Jan (our Gap guides) by the camp fire. It was another girls birthday so we had few drinks in the camp bar before hitting the hay to be ready for out 5am wake up to commence our long journey to Cape Town.
So almost 11 hours later, the shape of Table Mountain came into view and we arrived in South Africa’s mother city. Happily, we were in a hotel and hit Long Street for our final night with the Gap group. We went to a place called Mama Africa’s and the live African band were excellent. A few tears were shed (not by me of course) and a few too many drinks
drunk but it was a good way of saying goodbye and a good introduction to Cape Town.
The next day we did a fully packed day of sight seeing. First up was Robin Island, the prison where Nelson Mandella used to live. I had been before 11 years ago but can’t have been paying any attention back then as I found it interesting and the former prisoner guide was great. The trip was also worth it for the boat ride and views of table bay and the seals. We then caught the cable car up Table Mountain. Great views but then the cloud rolled in and the warning hooter sounded so we had to make a hasty descent back to sea level! We then had an early night after watching United stuff Chelsea as we had an early start for our adventure the next day………….
De de……….De de…………..De de…………De de..de de..de de..de (Jaws theme tune if unclear!)
That’s right – we drove 2 hrs south of Cape Town and went diving with Great White Sharks! The water was just 12 degrees so pretty chilly but we had 2 goes in the cage each and saw 6 sharks at
a distance of about a foot. We even got to see a few of them ‘attack’ the bait so to see a full set of teeth and the shark wrestling with the bait was amazing. Definitely worth the visit! Carrie even decided to do her own form of chumming by puking up over the side – sea sickness apparently! We then warmed ourselves up and trucked back to the City for our final night out with our Gap buddies still in Cape Town at the Waterfront.
The next day, our final day in Africa, we did our final bit of shopping and went to the Waterfront again for a spot of lunch – the highlight being Carrie ordering me the wrong meal which I then had to eat – since when would I ever order anything off the Light Meals section???? Also spent 30 mins trying to wrap a load of souvenirs with the thinnest brown paper known to man – stressful!
So goodbye Africa, but now looking forward to our South American adventure. Can’t wait for some huge steaks in Argy!!!
Africa Top 3:
1) Swakopmund - Namibia
2) Victoria Falls
3) Serengeti National Park
Africa bottom
3:
1) Malaria
2) Tanzanian speed bumps (why the need for 5 in a row?)
3) Hole in the ground toilet
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Kath Turner
non-member comment
Wow!!
Looks so amazing! Altho two blogs in the same day leads to major jealousy!! Give it a rest!! Ha ha!! Carrie - loving that you manage to keep to baps out when diving with great whites!! Maniac!! Enjoy south America - the inca trail is apparently out of this world!! Love to you both. Xx