DeKraal Country Lodge Stellenbosch

... work <br><br><li>Start Chico while rev-ing the engine and pulling out the choke cord (small lever under the steering wheel) &#8211; usually works <br><br><li>Have two foreign men (preferably Dutch) push Chico from behind down a hill while rev-ing the engine and pulling the choke cord &#8211; works like a charm </li></ol><br><br>We were a little nervous to drive in a foreign country. Brittany is an expert stick driver and Lindsey has experience driving ...

... so had 6 seats to ourselves. Made it to Stellenbosch and Stumble Inn just before 1, dumped bags, said hello to a few hungover soles (they did winery tour previous day) then headed out for a wonder with Sarah and Martin. Found a gorgeous little cafe with equally beautiful courtyard so settled in for a nice lunch and beers. From there we moved onto another bar/cafe where we perched ourselves at a table in the sun and watched the world go by. There is a plethora of bars and ...

Monday morning came and after a pit stop in Rodenbosch to pick up a flashcard to back up the zillion wonderful pics, I picked up Joana and we made tracks along the N2 headed for something I had been VERY much looking forward to. Downtime. Perhaps even tipsy downtime :) (Mummy can stop reading now if already faint at the idea). The roadtrip to Stellenbosch saw us drive past Kaleyshia, the big slum outside Cape Town...it's huge...but soon the vast ...

... casually, amongst powders, liquids, bones, herbs, skins and various strange and slightly sinister objects, about how he could cure everything from a skin rash to a broken heart. It all seemed really quite straight forward and logical to him, not at all mystical and mysterious. He spoke about the trials and tribulations of love potions - too little and your man is wayward, too much and he's a jealous maniac, while twirling a stick with a drum on the end absentmindedly. I ...

Today was our walking tour and orientation for Cape Town. We were met in the morning by Roxanne, who was going to be in charge of us for the day as she worked with In-Bound Programs for SASTS. It turned out that Roxanne was actually my host sister, so it was nice to meet someone that was part of my host family here. We started walking toward downtown Cape Town on a road that ran along the ocean front. We passed a ...

... crazy racist *****) and tomorrow we plan to spend the entire day at the breach, soaking up some rays, cuz' we haven't really done that yet. Don't really know what I should report on. Weather is perfect, we haevn't easten a single average meal and everything is SO cheap (when compared to the GBP anyhow). Have been taking photos but will upload later. The views are INCREDIBLE. I ...

... ever present worry about crime has meant we haven't really been at ease here. Although the laws have gone (e.g. the pass laws would mean Gabrielle and I would be breaking the law by being together, what with me being "coloured" and all), jobs, accomodation, and to a lesser extent culture are all still kind of divided along race lines. We got to see the other south africa with a trip to a township. This i think was the best thing we ...

... as a seal. Seeing every inch of the shark's mouth was quite an experience. Bit of a shock after the shark's playtime with the cage. Apparently the sharks are really curious about us people and the boat (one tried to eat the propeller of the boat , did not succeed.) Definitely doing the shark diving again. Got some amazing pictures with the camera a few centimeters from the shark. Heading for a wine tour tomorrow which we all are looking forward to. Cheers Philip

... forms: once as a steak (which was actually quited delicious and not gamey at all, better than moose in fact!), and once as biltong (basically the South African version of jerky and it comes in many varieties!). The springboek biltong came as a little garnish on top of a potato salad and was quite interesting, not quite as salty as jerky at home so I guess a bit more like dry meat for all you ...

... been out to Riobben isalnd which was Mandela's prison for 18 years where they have former inmates guiding you around. The views back from the boat were also amazing, when I can upload some photos, I will do. The wildlife is great also, there is a penguin colony both on the island and in Simon's Town, and I've met 3 very friendly seals, and seen an ostrich. Those along with a lizard, cockroach style ...