Wednesday 28th January 2009 - Leaving Haenertsburg bright and early, with a running commentary regarding the area from Pete, we make our way to Johannesburg. I am dropped at Oliver Tambo International Airport, with a quick farewell to Pete and my comrade Kirsteen, and I mean quick, having literally 10 minutes to get through security, find my gate and board the plane!
Kirsteen was spending the night at the 'Backpackers', and catching a 12 hour bus to Uppington, where she would spend another evening alone, before being picked up and driving several hours to Kgalagadi National Park, which is part of the Kalahari desert. Totally extreme dude!
I sit through my flight to Cape Town, feeling a right khaki scruff, I kid you not, I'm sure I was sat opposite a South African super model, who was travelling with her camper than camp companion, both dressed to the nines!
Navigating my dodgy trolley into arrivals, I spot the SANParks uniform and introduce myself to Michael, my trusty Bontebok Ranger, and bakkie ride to the Park!
Cape Town, like Jo'burg is undergoing major reconstruction for FIFA 2010, yet as we drive on the motorway for as far as the eye can see there is shanty town. I have never seen anything like it, and having been to many developing countries in my time, thats saying summat!
Making a brief stop at a new very plush shopping centre (build for the tourists, yes you've guessed it - ready for 2010!), I whizz around the aisles in a supermarket sweep styley, picking up some groceries.
As we make our way out of Cape Town, I get my very first glimpse of Table Mountain, she is beautiful and I can't wait to return to explore properly.
Two and a half hours through dramatic mountainous scenery, we arrive at the Park gates to find a small welcome committee of Bontebok grazing!
Ruhan, one of my housemates, helps me in with my rucksack! I have arrived! I am finally able to unpack my bags, living out of a suitcase the past two weeks has been a bit of a nuisance! And the photographs, hand drawn pictures, cards and well wishes from my nearest and dearest are loving arranged on my bedroom wall. I am home! At least for the next six months anyway!
Kirsteen was spending the night at the 'Backpackers', and catching a 12 hour bus to Uppington, where she would spend another evening alone, before being picked up and driving several hours to Kgalagadi National Park, which is part of the Kalahari desert. Totally extreme dude!
I sit through my flight to Cape Town, feeling a right khaki scruff, I kid you not, I'm sure I was sat opposite a South African super model, who was travelling with her camper than camp companion, both dressed to the nines!
Navigating my dodgy trolley into arrivals, I spot the SANParks uniform and introduce myself to Michael, my trusty Bontebok Ranger, and bakkie ride to the Park!
Cape Town, like Jo'burg is undergoing major reconstruction for FIFA 2010, yet as we drive on the motorway for as far as the eye can see there is shanty town. I have never seen anything like it, and having been to many developing countries in my time, thats saying summat!
Making a brief stop at a new very plush shopping centre (build for the tourists, yes you've guessed it - ready for 2010!), I whizz around the aisles in a supermarket sweep styley, picking up some groceries.
As we make our way out of Cape Town, I get my very first glimpse of Table Mountain, she is beautiful and I can't wait to return to explore properly.
Two and a half hours through dramatic mountainous scenery, we arrive at the Park gates to find a small welcome committee of Bontebok grazing!
Ruhan, one of my housemates, helps me in with my rucksack! I have arrived! I am finally able to unpack my bags, living out of a suitcase the past two weeks has been a bit of a nuisance! And the photographs, hand drawn pictures, cards and well wishes from my nearest and dearest are loving arranged on my bedroom wall. I am home! At least for the next six months anyway!
