Sunday 5 May 2013

South Africa-Jozi to Durbs

I had really mixed expectations about SA. Friends here had told me that it was like an African America which intrigued me! It really is beautiful. The landscape is stunning, the people friendly (though so difficult to understand!) and the history both shocking and fascinating.

We started off in Johannesburg which was amazing. It was very built up, with lots of very distinct areas.

View from Top of Africa

We did a tour and travelling through certain areas were warned that these were areas you keep driving through, especially at night. The vibe was quite unsettled at times, but then we were able to walk in the early evening in the area where we were staying which we can't do in NBO!

The apartheid museum was a definite highlight. You could literally spend all day there. It was fascinating. As you went in you were assigned a race, and that was the entrance you went through-Whites or Non-Whites. It was very powerful.

Entrance to the Apartheid museum


We went to Soweto, which was a very bizarre tour! Awful tour guide-I learnt a lot about bricks when I wasn't snoozing! It was a very interesting township though. Massive wealth divide, but a cool, funky vibe. I'd def like to have spent more time there. We went to Vilakazi street where Mandela and Tutu both lived which was cool. The towers on the skyline were fantastic! I wasn't tempted to do a bungee between them though...was already terrified at every thought of the looming sky dive!

Soweto towers-can you tell it is about to rain?!

Our next stop was to go hiking in the Drachensburg. The scenery was phenomenal. The mountains were just gorgeous and it was great to have a few days out of the city.


Travelling around, football fever, and the legacy of the World Cup was still very evident all over the country! It is making me rather excited about Brazil!


Vuvuzelas on the roadside
We spent the Easter weekend in Durban. Hmm..what to say. This city made little sense, our new phrase was, "Durbs says no!" This pic sums up our confusion.


Siana and Kelly rather confused and lost
 However, food wise, Durbs came up tops! We hunted and eventually found Bunny Chows (v fitting for Easter!) which is curry served in a loaf of bread, eaten on the beach. Unbelievably delicious! An absolute must do for Durban!

Pure YUM

Durban was a pretty city. The stadium and beach front were lovely. Kelly and I hired a tandem which was great fun! We did get a lot of bemused glances but spent a very happy afternoon giggling and cycling along the seafront.

Many attempts to actually go inside....none achieved....Durbs said no!



We went to a Revolving restaurant which I was very excited to do. The views were gorgeous, but maybe it is my increasing age......the movement made me nauseous, lame!!!



For my birthday we went to a restaurant that was a mock ship with an aquarium. Very cool!!

First SA shark sighting!








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