Cape Town, South Africa – May 1999
I had a lot of misconceptions about Cape Town. I imagined
a dusty, dry place, dotted with big game reserves and ghettoes
housing poor “Blacks”. I thought the “Whites” would be the
most boorish, racist, unsophisticated lugs imaginable, and
that nightlife would be red
Johannesburg, South Africa May 1999
Generally speaking, Backpackers only stop in Johannesburg because they HAVE to! (It’s a long haul from Harare to Cape Town.) Fairly recently, a reporter approached one of the Tourist Bureaux, and asked what there was to see. The reply was fairly typical: “Well….there’s
Kruger National Park, South Africa
The Kruger National Park, arguably South Africa’s premier tourist attraction, lies 500 kilometers (312 miles) to the east of Johannesburg, about a five hour drive through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country!
We eagerly looked forward to our one week break in the Park. We ha
Johannesburg, South Africa – June 1999
Not much has changed since last month: we’re starting to accelerate into election mode, (our 2nd democratic elections) so a sort of gentle hysteria is building, along with weerd political slogans & promises. The oddest incident to date is the ANC having to withdraw a poster because
Durban, South Africa – July 1999
Geography
Accommodation
Accommodation ranges from the luxurious, 5 Star establishments from as little as $90/night, to delightful B&B’s in most suburbs and towns, where you might pay $25 or even less.
There are too many to mention, but speaking first hand I would happily recomme
Johannesburg, South Africa – July 1999
The election is over, the ANC won, (mostly) and we have a new president. The election was, in a word, boring. It’s so WEIRD! The really cool bit is that it makes a lie of “One man, one vote, ONCE!” It’s hopefully an indicator to some people to the North of how it’
Ubumanzi Game Lodge and Hiking Trails
Ubumamzi = “Lots of Water”
Getting up at 4.30am on a May morning (May is quite a bit into winter in South Africa) would not be funny for most people, but if your destination is the Ubumanzi Game Lodge, about 280 kilometers north of Johannesburg, and you were about to hike one of
Ubumanzi Game Trails – South Africa
Ubumanzi Game Trails
Ubumamzi = “Lots of Water”
Getting up at 4.30am on a May morning (May is quite a bit into winter in South Africa) would not be funny for most people, but if your destination is the Ubumanzi Game Lodge, about 280 kilometers north of Johannesburg, and you were
Pretoria, South Africa – August 1999
South Africa's administrative capital Pretoria, is fast becoming the destination of choice for many travellers scared off by the reports of soaring crime rates in Johannesburg.
With a far more relaxed vibe than its big bad neighbour, Pretoria is a city steeped in culture and history (
Cape Town, South Africa – August 1999
As I sat down to write this article, it occurred to me that it has been a year to the day since I first arrived in Cape Town, for a three day stop over. A year later, I�m still here (although currently on sabbatical up north).
So what is it about this town that makes a true British
Durban, South Africa – August 1999
Geography
Accommodation
Accommodation ranges from the luxurious, 5 Star establishments from as little as $90/night, to delightful B&B’s in most suburbs and towns, where you might pay $25 or even less.
There are too many to mention, but speaking first hand I would happily recomme
Johannesburg, South Africa – August 1999
The first (small) signs of Spring are here, but it’s still going to be cold nights, so don’t forget your woolen underwear.
One of the toughest things about writing this page, is that nothing actually changes very much from month to month in Johannesburg. This is probably true anyw
Cape Town, South Africa Restaurants
Rustica
70 New Church Street (021) 423 5474.
Super value Italian. Wonderful pizzas.
Maharani Vegetarian Restaurant
267 Long Street (021) 24 2917
A wheat-grass extravaganza! Beautiful vegetarian Indian food. Platter of all dishes on menu for 2 people is R49. Good value.
Kaapse Tafel Restaurant
Cape Town, South Africa – September 1999
As the bus pulls into Cape Town, I’m greeted by a spectacular view of Table Mountain, a South-Easterly covering the table with its cloth of cloud. My first thoughts at this awesome view are ‘get me off this bus and into bed’. After 18 hours on the bus from Jo’burg, its
The Drakensberg, South Africa
Drakensberg from Inkosana
It was great to rest up awhile in Jo’burg after a tedious two day flight from Panama City. The lounge room of Rockey Street Backpackers is awash with tourist brochures enticing travellers to all over Southern Africa. I knew roughly where
New Orleans, Louisiana – Personal Drinking Guide
Generally the night scene doesn’t begin until real late in New Orleans – like after 11 at night. Here is a rundown of the places to be after dark in New Orleans.
On the river side of the Quarter, close to Faubourg Marigny (a neighborhood), is a good area for freaks. In particular:
Jeffery’s Bay – Locals Guide
Jeffery’s Bay- Locals Guide
South Africa
Jeffery’s Bay is South Africa’s most famous surfing spot. The beach was made world famous through the movie ‘Endless Summer‘ and it’s arguable that the town was built off the back of the movie. It is famous for beautif
The Baz Bus: A Review – Cape Town, South Africa
The ‘Baz Bus‘ is a hop-on hop-off bus service travelling between Cape Town and Victoria Falls via Northern Drakensburg or Swaziland. The concept is the same as OZ Experience and Kiwi Experience. Passengers pay for a ticket which is valid for twelve months and en route they can ju
Adventure in Cape Town – Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is South Africa’s City to be seen in. It is world famous for it’s backdrop, Table Mountain, and is the country’s number one cosmopolitan city. Adventure in Cape Town doesn’t just involve throwing yourself off cliffs, shark diving and chasing muggers. No, no, n
Coffee Bay – A Locals Guide
Coffee Bay
South Africa
The Transkei, South Africa. During Apartheid in South Africa, the Transkei was made a Homeland for the Xhosa People. It was the Apartheid Government’s way of segregating whites from blacks. They may have given them a homeland but the land they gave had little econ
