The two weeks that we spent in South Africa were an unexpected holiday from the rigours of being on the truck day in and day out, although we both would have preferred to complete the entire west coast journey. This said, if there is any country in the world that you could have an unexpected holiday in it would be South Africa.
Having already spent a considerable amount of time in South Africa we decided to mainly catch up with friends, take in some rugby and drink too much wine; whatever else came about would be a bonus as we are spending the best part of two months here very shortly. Cathcing up with some of the London crew was excellent, although numerous unwanted hangovers did ensue… but we are over those now so all good.
Apart from binging on all things good in life (rugby, food and wine) we spent an incredible week in the northern and central Drakensburg mountains. This is an area of the country that neither of us had ever visited and it really is quite spectacular with the two highlights being Cathederal Peak and Royal Natal National Park. Anyone who has any interest in visiting South Africa and enjoys hiking can not miss this area of the world; I know that this is not very patriotic but the hiking is better than any I have done in NZ (north island)! The other highlight was the much hyped Apartheid Museum; words fail to describe how incredible I found this place. I have been incredibly fortunate to have visited some of the worlds most magnificent museums; this now sits firmly at the top of the list for me and we will be returning in May to give it the time that it truly deserves… quite simply; unmissable!
As we trundle across the Namibian desert from Swakopmund to Windhoek I find myself thinking back to our brief time in South Africa and although the catching up, over indulging, hiking and museum were truly wonderful it is something else that sticks in my mind. Having visited South Africa now on four occasions it is quite evident to see that the football world cup has changed the country in a way that unless you have seen it you will not believe it. The hosting of the world cup probably rivals even what winning the 1995 RWC did for the country. Jo’burg and Durban have a fresh exciting feel to them that they did not have on my last visits; there is a better vibe here now, a safer vibe, the streets are cleaner, the smiles wider and the hope for the future greater. I wait with baited breathe to see if the vibe has impacted the mother city of Cape Town when we arrive in just over a week.
If you are reading this and you know who Sepp Blatter is you probably don’t have too much time for him, however, having seen the positive results that hosting the world cup in South Africa has had I am all for the decisions he has made.
Honestly can’t wait to get back to South Africa now.
Click here for some photos of South Africa
Lesotho, Namibia photos can be see by clicking the respective names.
Overland to Cape Town 