SA Post 2

After visiting with family (Oom Rem and Tante Ally, Oom Harry and Tante Annika) we were off, but first we checked out the East Rand Mall in Joburg- it was very large and we spent more time there than we should have. Our original plan was to drive to Kuruman from Joburg but after visiting and shopping we were forced to crash in Joburg for the night. We found a backpackers place that offered camping and hung out there for the night.

It was a long drive the next day- over 500km. The a/c was a nice treat, I must say. We camped in the Kuruman campsite and were one of 2 tents- it was quite empty. They say that in Kuruman is a natural spring fountain that produces something like 20L of water per day. We tried to find it, but alas, could not. We even asked some of the locals- but they didn't know, or perhaps didn't understand my question.

Micke is having a hard time with his english- no one seems to understand him when he talks and they are looking to me for clarification- I think it is quite humourous, not too sure about him, though.

We are now in Uppington for the night. It is quite a large town of 53 000, in the middle of nowheresville. It is quite nice. Tomorrow we go north to the Kalahari.

SA Road Trip Post 1

Well, we are at it once again- a holiday road trip; this time it is two months in South Africa.

We arrived December 27th at 0700 after 36 hours of grueling traveling from Sweden. After they let us through customs and we had waited patiently for our bags we were met by my Oom Peit and Tante Jette (Uncle Piet and Aunt Jette), who were kind enough to fetch us from the airport. The first few days were spent relaxing and recoperating- or perhaps preparing for the journey ahead. Luckily enough the preparation was made so much easier as Piet and Jette had most of the camp supplies we needed- a passerby had left them here for safekeeping with the intention of returning for them- but that was 2 years ago- it's fair game now...anyways we are just borrowing and Jette called to ask permission.

Friday was spend in Pilansberg Game Reserve, which is crater of a volcano, looking for game. And as luck would have it we found some- alot actually. A few pictures have been posted, see the link to the left. Saturday we were off, mind you, after a driving lesson from Oom Piet. Left hand driving is not as challenging as first expected but there are those 'habits' that need to be dismissed. We are now comfortable with it although there is the occasional scare when we see vehicles coming towards us on the wrong side of the road.

Anyways, the last few days were spent in the Drakensberg, a beautiful mountain range bordering Lesotho. All I can say is...beautiful. We were sorry we had to go. But we needed to exchange the non a/c rental for one with a/c. And after this short trial camping, we now know what to exclude from the "box" of stuff we are borrowing, hopefully lightening the load abit.