I really need to learn to type faster, even though I actually thought I was going quite fast, also the internet connection here is really not all that fast so I do loose time logging in etc...
Anyway, so at the wine tasting, we were able to taste 7 ines of the local winery, 2 whites, a Sav Blanc and a Chenin Blanc, 2 Reds, a South African variety, can't remember its name, and a Merlot, which was sensational, a Rose, which was so sweet, but still quite tasty, a sparkling Rose, which was similar to the flat Rose, and a Port, which taste a lot like medicine :( Aparently it had some local herb in it, which might explain that.
Anyway, the next day was our official last day :( And we only had a short drive down to Cape Town, through an amazing mountain pass. We arrived in Cape Town by about 11:30 and were promptly whisked off for a township tour. It was interesting to see the township, but at the same time I feel very uncomfortable doing tours like that where you just wander in and gawk at the way these people live, anyway as part of the tour we were taken to a local haunt for lunch which, like all our meals was sensational, and it was realy cool to just eat in a restaurant with the locals.
We also visited a local medicine man in the township (Langa) who was interesting, but his place was very creepy with all its skins and herbs handing from everywhere.
So from Langa we were taken to the hostel were our tour officially ended. Although we did have one final diner down at the Waterfront in Capetown at a Mexican Restaurant, where like every other person in South Africa, we were able to watch the Springbok's demolish Argentina in the Rugby to set up avery exciting final between England and South Africa (go the boks!!!!!) :)
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Homeward Bound Take 2
The free internet at Changi Airport only lets you use it for 15 minutes at a time so I am back again.
So after the big Sand Dunes we then headed south once more to a little campsite on the way, then it was off to Fish River Canyon, the 2nd largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon, and really, they look pretty much the same :)
Not really, there was not as much colour here and there was no flowing water, only puddles, but I guess that is what you get in the desert.
It was pretty spectacular though and although we only had 1 1/2 hours to wander around it was pretty amazing. Michelle treated us to a beautiful pre-dinner sunset wine and cheese extraveganza on the rim of the canyon, which was just beautiful, and the best way to end a day relaxing with some spectacular views.
After Fish River Canyon we continued on our merry way south and crossed the boarder into South Africa, where we spent the afternoon on the banks of the Orange River, were we were able to have a very relaxing swim in the river before retiring to the bar for dinner and a great night of dancing and fun....
Our next day was a fairly long drive again and this time we were headed for the West Cape wine region of South Africa for an evening wine tasting at our campsite for the evening, it was a place owned by Sparky, an ex tour guide turned winery operator who enjoys having the tour trucks come to visit, which was great fun, and of course we had to watch the Rugby that evening, England vs France, I think it was a good game... Even after all the games I've seen in the last few weeks, I just don't ge it...
So after the big Sand Dunes we then headed south once more to a little campsite on the way, then it was off to Fish River Canyon, the 2nd largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon, and really, they look pretty much the same :)
Not really, there was not as much colour here and there was no flowing water, only puddles, but I guess that is what you get in the desert.
It was pretty spectacular though and although we only had 1 1/2 hours to wander around it was pretty amazing. Michelle treated us to a beautiful pre-dinner sunset wine and cheese extraveganza on the rim of the canyon, which was just beautiful, and the best way to end a day relaxing with some spectacular views.
After Fish River Canyon we continued on our merry way south and crossed the boarder into South Africa, where we spent the afternoon on the banks of the Orange River, were we were able to have a very relaxing swim in the river before retiring to the bar for dinner and a great night of dancing and fun....
Our next day was a fairly long drive again and this time we were headed for the West Cape wine region of South Africa for an evening wine tasting at our campsite for the evening, it was a place owned by Sparky, an ex tour guide turned winery operator who enjoys having the tour trucks come to visit, which was great fun, and of course we had to watch the Rugby that evening, England vs France, I think it was a good game... Even after all the games I've seen in the last few weeks, I just don't ge it...
Homeward Bound :(
Well I am now bideing my time back in Changi Airport in Singapore.
I think I am back on Australian time, although it is very difficult to make yourself sleep at 2 in the afternoon when you really aren't tired. I think I did sleep quite a bit on the plane though, I guess we will see this evening when I get into Melbourne.
So, I probably should have had a look at what I last wrote about, but I have a feeling it was from Swakopmound.
So I went Skydiving, although the Swakop airport was closed so we had to go further out into the desert, which was still very cool, but we didn't get the views of the dunes flowing into the ocean that I was hoping for. It was sensational nonetheless and I have the DVD to prove it.... :)
Anyway, after Swakop we headed south in Namibia to Soussel (can't remember the spelling) anyway it is a place in the Namib Desert, where all the huge red sand dunes are. So we arrived there and yet again my team (TEAM RHINO) was on cooking, so we made a delicious Sand Storm Burrito. Unfortunately we hit a sand storm and it actually lasted all evening and into the next day, I don't think anyone slept that night and when we got up at 4:00am we were all coverd in sand, I don't think my sleeping bag will ever recover. We were to wake up at 4 so we could get out to Dune 45 to hike to the top for Sunrise, due to the wind and grumpy moods, we didn't quite make it for sunrise, and only a few people decided to climb the dune, the rest of us to pics from ground level, still quite spectacular I might add.
I think I am back on Australian time, although it is very difficult to make yourself sleep at 2 in the afternoon when you really aren't tired. I think I did sleep quite a bit on the plane though, I guess we will see this evening when I get into Melbourne.
So, I probably should have had a look at what I last wrote about, but I have a feeling it was from Swakopmound.
So I went Skydiving, although the Swakop airport was closed so we had to go further out into the desert, which was still very cool, but we didn't get the views of the dunes flowing into the ocean that I was hoping for. It was sensational nonetheless and I have the DVD to prove it.... :)
Anyway, after Swakop we headed south in Namibia to Soussel (can't remember the spelling) anyway it is a place in the Namib Desert, where all the huge red sand dunes are. So we arrived there and yet again my team (TEAM RHINO) was on cooking, so we made a delicious Sand Storm Burrito. Unfortunately we hit a sand storm and it actually lasted all evening and into the next day, I don't think anyone slept that night and when we got up at 4:00am we were all coverd in sand, I don't think my sleeping bag will ever recover. We were to wake up at 4 so we could get out to Dune 45 to hike to the top for Sunrise, due to the wind and grumpy moods, we didn't quite make it for sunrise, and only a few people decided to climb the dune, the rest of us to pics from ground level, still quite spectacular I might add.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Swakopmound - Adrenaline city
So we have arrived in Swakop and it is great, we are in a hostel, so no camping for 3 whole nights, woohoo. This afternoon most of us are off on a quadbiking adventure around the magnificent sand dunes of Namibia, and then tomorrow morning it's time for Sandboarding down the dunes, and then tomorrow afternoon a few of us are off skydiving. Basically we are here to do as much adrenaline activities as we can, so that is what I am doing... :)
Over the last few days, since Windhoek, we went to Etosha National Park, where we camped by waterholes which were floodlit over night, so we were able to stay up and watch the animals come in to drink. It was pretty amazing actually, the first night there were lots of Elephants and it was interesting to see the other animals all standing back until the Elephants were finished before coming in to drink.
During the day we really didn't see to many animals other than Springbok and other antelope, as it was just too hot during the day, but we changed campsites and on the second night, we saw a heard of about 16 giraffes coming to the water hole for a drink, which was so funny , they are the most awkward animals it is just so funny to see.
Anyway after the Giraffes, came the black Rhinos, which was so spectacular as they are so rare and, they were so much smaller than I was expecting, anyway, while the Rhino's were drinking, a group of 3 male lions came to have a drink too. It was so exciting, and I tried desperately to take some pictures, but being 10pm and dark and far away, you really have to use your imagination a little bit :)
So after Etosha, we headed off to Spitzkope, a rock formation in the middle of the Namibian desert, it was amazing as it was so much like Ayres Rock, in the middle of Namibia. We actually went for a guided walk around and over the rock formations and were shown some ancient rock art from the original bushmen inhabitants of the area.
It was so cool cambing next to these rocks, although being in the middle of the desert, it got so cold that night, I think we were all suprised about how cold it got after the last few weeks of 30+ days.
Anyway I have to go Quad biking now, and I'm not sure if I'll get to a computer before Capetown, but I'm sure I'll be having a good time :)
Over the last few days, since Windhoek, we went to Etosha National Park, where we camped by waterholes which were floodlit over night, so we were able to stay up and watch the animals come in to drink. It was pretty amazing actually, the first night there were lots of Elephants and it was interesting to see the other animals all standing back until the Elephants were finished before coming in to drink.
During the day we really didn't see to many animals other than Springbok and other antelope, as it was just too hot during the day, but we changed campsites and on the second night, we saw a heard of about 16 giraffes coming to the water hole for a drink, which was so funny , they are the most awkward animals it is just so funny to see.
Anyway after the Giraffes, came the black Rhinos, which was so spectacular as they are so rare and, they were so much smaller than I was expecting, anyway, while the Rhino's were drinking, a group of 3 male lions came to have a drink too. It was so exciting, and I tried desperately to take some pictures, but being 10pm and dark and far away, you really have to use your imagination a little bit :)
So after Etosha, we headed off to Spitzkope, a rock formation in the middle of the Namibian desert, it was amazing as it was so much like Ayres Rock, in the middle of Namibia. We actually went for a guided walk around and over the rock formations and were shown some ancient rock art from the original bushmen inhabitants of the area.
It was so cool cambing next to these rocks, although being in the middle of the desert, it got so cold that night, I think we were all suprised about how cold it got after the last few weeks of 30+ days.
Anyway I have to go Quad biking now, and I'm not sure if I'll get to a computer before Capetown, but I'm sure I'll be having a good time :)
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Oktoberfest - Namibian Style
Well, we are now in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, and all of a sudden all the signs are in German. Namibia is an old German colony and that's why the German signs. We are actually off to Etosha today and some more game viewing.
The Okavango Delta in Botswana was sensational, the rains have come up north and therefore there was a lot of water in the delta, unfortunately because of that the wildlife was really spread out and hard to find. 5 of us did a flight over the delta to see a different perspective and it was awesome, to see it from the air was magical. Although I have to say being taken through the delta in a dugout canoe was pretty good too, all we had to do was sit back and relax, I know, it's hard work, but some one has to do it right??
Unfortunately we had one less night in Maun, in order to have an extra day in Swakopmound in a couple of days, I'm still not sure about that, but it's done now, I think I just had too much fun in the delta, the guys that ran the lodge were Kiwi's and they were a lot of fun.
Better go, out of time again.
The Okavango Delta in Botswana was sensational, the rains have come up north and therefore there was a lot of water in the delta, unfortunately because of that the wildlife was really spread out and hard to find. 5 of us did a flight over the delta to see a different perspective and it was awesome, to see it from the air was magical. Although I have to say being taken through the delta in a dugout canoe was pretty good too, all we had to do was sit back and relax, I know, it's hard work, but some one has to do it right??
Unfortunately we had one less night in Maun, in order to have an extra day in Swakopmound in a couple of days, I'm still not sure about that, but it's done now, I think I just had too much fun in the delta, the guys that ran the lodge were Kiwi's and they were a lot of fun.
Better go, out of time again.
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