South Africa

I was in Malindi on the northern coast of Kenya staying in a lovely villa with a pool and contemplating my next move when an expected email from a friend I made online via a sailing website invited me to come to Cape Town South Africa. As I had no other plans I decided “why not”. I madly went online and to a local travel agent looking for airfares. Two days later I was on a flight to Johannesburgh for a few days before heading to Cape Town. It is these last minute random decisions which have turned out to be some of the most rewarding travel experiences.

My stay in Johannesburgh started with a cricket match at Wanderers Stadium in a corporate box. Despite cricket being one of Australia’s top sport, I had never taken much interest in watching it. However an invitation by my couchsurfing host Arshad to watch a local game in their corporate box was definitely worth trying out. It was great, a short game, loads of drinks and good food. It’s priceless opportunities like these that make couchsurfing the best way to experience the local life and people. Thanks Arshad.

Arshad and his girlfriend took me to the Rhino and Lion park just outside of Johannesburgh. It was a hot sunny day with a light cool breeze. I got to play with the white lion cubs, pat a cheetah and hold a python.

Cape Town was the following destination and what a beautiful city it is. The cape is definitely one of the most beautiful location for a city and it makes Cape Town one of the most picturesque. With Table Mountain and Lions Head looming nearby it makes for a dramatic scenery.  A hike up to Table Mountain was rewarded with beautiful views of the city. We took the most difficult route which involved a little bit of climbing over huge boulders and rocks. It was a really hot day and there was little relief as the path was in direct sun with very few opportunities for any shady rests.

I went on a road trip along the Garden Route to Knysna and St Francis, and was privileged to stay in two beautiful homes overlooking spectacular water views.  Food choices are great and prices were cheaper than Sydney by miles. I missed going on some wine tasting but drank plenty of South African wines to make up for it

My visit to Johannesburgh and the Western Cape, reminded me a lot of parts of Australia. It is more familiar than it is different which was rather nice after being away from home for the last 10 months. The most interesting bit of history about South Africa is Apartheid. It seems so totally foreign to me that a policy like that existed to separate people due to race. The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburgh was very confronting depicting the challenges, pain and struggles of the people who lived through this period, particularly people of coloured and/or African heritage. It has been 20 years since the end of Apartheid, and while people are not being classified by race there exist a classification by wealth. The gap between the haves and the have nots is widely evident here. This is not unique to South Africa alone and exists in so many parts of the world. It only re inforces for me to that I am so very privileged to live in such a great country like Australia. Every day I am grateful for the life that I have.

1 Comment

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  By joash, May 21, 2010 @ 12:36 am

  Hi Tina
  you had a wonderful safari i wish that we traveled together

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