South Africa
21.10.2009
9th Oct
This morning we went to Fish River Canyon. The truck dropped us off at one of the view points then we did a 2km walk along the edge to meet the truck again. Spectacular views but didn't have much time there coz we had to get to the border. Our campsite was right by Orange River which was ok to swim in, some of our group swanm back to Namibia. It still seems strange to me to cross an invisible line and be in another country when you can still see the country you've just left.
10th Oct
Drove to Clan William to spend the night at Highlanders. Had a good sort out of our bags, most of us are leaving clothes and stuff on the truck to be taken back to Harare for the people Oasis support there. After that we had a lesson in how to taste wine. None of that spitting it out crap, we're overlanders! We all got a few glasses of various wines, then we bought a few bottles to carry on with. Tonight was our last truck meal so we got a fish bbq cooked for us as well before eventually staggering back down the hill for our last night in the tents.
11th Oct
The last big truck clean! Of course it was throwing it down all morning so we couldn't really do much cleaning. Had a slow, lazy (slightly hungover) morning sorting the last of our stuff then drove to Stellenbosh. Went out for a group meal with the rest of the truck then early to bed. We all want to be ready for the wine tour tomorrow!
12th Oct
Weirdly enough I didn't write very much in my journal about today! We visited four different places, tried about 25 wines and some cheese. Went to a restaurant for lunch with more wine. Went back to the backpackers and ate all the bread and cheese we bought between us and ended up drinking tequila in the bar. Oh, and I beat our driver Colin at pool.
13th Oct
The end of the overland trip and our final drive on the truck. We're all spending one night in The Backpack in Cape Town then from there everyone is leaving to do their own thing. I've had a fantastic time, done things I never thought I would do, seen places I never want to go back to and places I can't wait to visit again. I've also made some really good friends. Now I've got 7 weeks in South Africa......
I'm spending the next few weeks backpacking along the Garden Route. Right now I'm in Hermanus where I was planning to spend 3 days - I've already been here 5 days. Having a great time watching the whales and meeting other backpackers. I'll be in J'bay in a few weeks to see friends and then home for Christmas in December. See you all soon!!!!