South Africa: Cape Town - Langa 06.01.17

Friday 6th
Mattia arrived back and I had managed to get us booked onto a tour of a township. We went on a walking tour of Langa one of the first townships to be built. It was a very interesting tour we got to hear and see how the community live. There is a class system in the township those that have their own land and house, those that rent off the government and the rest who live in shipping containers, hostels or shacks. They said that they don't want to move out of the townships they just want to make their way up and they want to say as part of the community. The people living in shipping containers will only have half of it for their family; the other half will have another family living there. Those in hostels will be sharing one room with possibly another 2 families (families meaning a mum, dad and upto the most 5 children). We were invited into Hasshadrack Dano's home, he lives in a shack. He is now a pensioner and said that he has illegally built his home and the government are unlikely to knock these down because when it comes to voting that party want the peoples' votes. He said he got feed up of living with other families and wanted more of his own space. He lives rent free and only has to pay for electricity which he gets from a neighbour and they split the bills. He is so hopefully that one day he will be able to move into a proper home that the government have promised to build for years and years. We met many children playing in the streets on the tour, they don't have a playground to play on but they were having fun pretending to be cars and using crushed pop cans as a steering wheel.

For Mattia it was off to a surf lesson but I went back to the hostel for a rest as I hadn't been getting much sleep and it was too windy to sit on the beach. It's hard to sleep when you have late nights,  people are coming and going from the dorm at different times, the sun rises sooo early and 3 windows didn't have blinds.

When Mattia returned we took a walk down to Green Point to watch another sunset.

It was so cold due to the howling wind and the sea was very rough and you could see the tops of the waves being blown up in the wind.

The sunset was beautiful but ended early as there was cloud on the horizon. We were hungry and I realised that I had not eaten for 11 hours so we found this lovely restaurant near the sea front and had a 3 course meal - dessert being a cocktail. Then off out to a bar, we decided we really wanted to dance the night away so off to the club. Oh no! Change of plan, Mattia recieved an email to say his flight has been cancelled due to the snow in his connecting country Turkey. It was back to the hostel to try and sort out another flight but no answer from the airline so off to bed it was.

South Africa: Cape Town - Boulders Beach 05.01.17

Thursday 5th
Today Mattia had left early to go to another town outside of Cape Town, so I was trying to sort out how to get down to Boulders Beach when I recieved a message from Charl asking what I was doing that day and if I wanted to join them on a drive. That was sorted we (Charl, Rivaz, Mateen, Natalia and I) were off to Simon's Town taking the scenic route there.

 It was such a beautiful drive down and the car was full of chatter, music and laughter.

Arriving at Boulders Beach we went to see the penguins; it was strange to see them all sitting on the beach, the smell wasn't very pleasant. We all watched as the penguins went for a swim, waddled along or sat in crescents in the sand.

Time for food! We were all so hungry and went to Spur a South African restaurant where I had ribs. Feeling full now we got back in the car to head to the hostel to get ready for the night ahead.

Many of us went out for drinks and dancing. It was a busy night hopping from one bar to another as nobody could decide where to stay. Charl could not keep his eyes off me! Arrived at a club eventually and had to get my ID out (from the start of this trip everybody has thought I am between 16 and 24, at least when I am 40 I should still look 10 years younger). Anyways we ended up deciding not to go in and call it a night, headed to McDonald's and back to bed!

South Africa: Cape Town - First Day, Table Mountain 04.01.17

Wednesday 4th

First day and up early ready for hiking Table Mountain. Mattia and I climbed up the Platteklip Gorge trail with another girl Susie (from Germany). It was such a beautiful climb but because of the 32° heat the climb was tough. We had to keep stopping for water and suncream topping breaks. When we finally reached the top it was so rewarding...we achieved the hike and the views were stunning. We spent ages at the top wondering around taking sooo many photos.

The top was not what I was expecting; from the ground Table Mountain looks completely flat but upon reaching the summit it was slightly hilly, with paths rising up and down over the top and many rocks to climb onto to be even higher.

Montey made it too

When we were ready we got the cable car down, which took no time and energy at all!

Afterwards Mattia and I grabbed some lunch from the food market and headed to the District 6 museum where we meet a friend of his Daniel. The museum was about the area District 6; a community that got destroyed in apartheid. The government ruined the area and bulldozed it all and all the people in the community got moved, separated and segregated. It was a very interesting museum we had a tour by a former resident of the area (Ruth) and she told us some of her own story.

After the museum it was off to the park to chill out and lie  down in the cool shade of a tree before we headed back to the hostel to shower (it was really needed after the hike).

Then Mattia, Kerri and I went up to Single Hill for the amazing sunset over the sea. It was nice to all sit there on the slope with many others enjoying the setting. It was a bit of a manic time trying to get back down to the bottom as there was so much traffic. 

We were late to the hostels Braai but there was still food left for us when we got there. As I sat down to eat I noticed from the corner of my eye someone who seemed to want to get to know me. I got a drink from the bar and got chatting to many others there including this guy, Charl (from Johannesburg) and his friends. When we got chucked out we all went up stairs to watch a film on the soafes. There was only one movie channel so not sure what the film was but wasn't very interesting so Charl and I spent most of the time chatting away and swapped numbers. It was then late into the night and time for bed.

It had been such a busy first day full of much walking and talking and the start of friendships.

South Africa: Plettenburg Bay 27.12.16 - 02.01.17

It has been lovely still being with my nannying family in Plett. We have been up to the usual of swimming and chilling on the beach.

I have been to a local market and have brought some delicious food didn't find many crafts that I haven't already brought before.

The kids have completed a colour run with their grandad. They really enjoyed it but came back covered in paint and left a trail around the house, so I had a lot of cleaning to do!

New Years Eve
I spent my evening with the family for a nice meal and a glass of champagne then at midnight we all went onto the roof to watch the fireworks from the beach. They were huge! I love fireworks.

New Years Day
I spent my first day of the year, 2017, at the beach. After brunch (bacon sandwich) we all headed down to the beach. Jumping in the waves, digging holes, sunbathing and I created one of my famous sand arts.

Last day and flying to Cape Town
Well my last day involved a lot of sorting out and packing. We decided to go down to the beach for a last swim on this cold and cloudy day. When we arrived everybody was watching the water...dolphins were swimming pass quickly. Next thing I think I saw was not a dolphin but a shark! We hadn't even put a toe in the sea when the life guard was calling everybody out of the water. We just lay on the beach watching the water and after 10/15 mins of waiting to see if we could go in we decided to give it a miss and go back for lunch. Off to the plane for the hour flight to Cape Town, finished the book I was reading and then enjoyed the view. Coming into Cape Town the sky was full of smoke...there was a fire on the ridge of the mountains and it was super windy. I then had to say goodbye to the Gilbertson's at the airport; this was very strange as I normally am flying with them.

After my goodbyes I took a taxi to the hostel, Atlantic Point. I had a very friendly welcome, had a tour of the place and taken to my room. I am sharing a dorm with 6 Brazilians and 1 New Zealander (Kerri). After unpacking and settling in I ventured to the bar and met some other people, one of those being Mattia (from Italy).

Mauritius 11.12.16 - 26.12.16

In my 15 days staying at the Royal Palm in Mauritius I have been;

Relaxing by the pool, swimming, water skiing and canoeing.

Playing tennis

Enjoying the beach

Out on the boat

Swimming with dolphins

It was so amazing to see them swimming around, they are so fast. I managed to follow a pod under me for a while and then they were off but then I hear some more and I look to my right and there were more swimming right next to me!

Snorkeling

We went out on the glass bottomed boat many times to the reef. I saw so many different types of fish - some with long noses, some spotted and striped and others very tiny or large. I also saw some starfish, octopuses and clams. The zebra fish were so friendly and got very close to us, it was so amazing to see them so up close.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we had lunch on the beach - it was such a lovely setting with the clear turquoise water lapping on the beach. In the evening there was a big party with carols and drinks by the pool before my wonderful meal of pepperoni pizza and chocolate dessert. Before we danced the night away at the bar.

Christmas Day

It started with Santa arriving at the hotel on water skies. Then off to the magic show before the presents for the children were handed out, I even got pulled up to help with the act - very amusing as it evolved me trying to throw a ball into a large pocket. A late breakfast of pancakes with Nutella before we spent the day chilling, reading and swimming of course. In the evening I had lasagna at the Italian, it was delicious.

I think I broke someone's heart in Mauritius...I had an employee of the hotel try to serenade me with his singing, he kept telling me I was beautiful, gave me a red rose and finally plucked up the courage to ask me out for drinks. Fortunately I had to work so no drinks night for me.

My journey from Goa to Mauritius

What another experience to add to the many I have had...

Firstly I had to say goodbye to some great people at the Jungle, some friends I hope to see again. Then an hour drive to the airport with a fantastic taxi driver.

My flight to Delhi was fine. Get a pre-booked taxi and another couple get in, the taxi driver drops them at their hotel then to mine. Turn up at the hotel for the night and Kritika arrives to take me out for dinner. I also got to meet her mum. It was great to see Kritika again before I left India. Go to settle in for a few hours kip to find the dirty sheets with hair all in the bed. Nice!

Not a good night's sleep with all the shouting in the corridors. Up at 4 am to get to the airport. This is where the issues start...

I get to the airport with plenty of time, line up to check in. I'm not allowed to check in. Firstly a problem with my passport and visa which gets taken away and checked with immigration. It was all fine, I get it back then the next problem was with my flight out of Mauritius...they needed the ticket number, I only had the booking number. I even find the flight online in manage my booking they still don't believe that I have a flight booked, then they asked where my visa was for South Africa, "I don't need one" I replied. Off to the manger I go. He was very kind and sorted out the problem for me and printed out my ticket details. Finally I am allowed to check in with not long to go until the flight was to leave, I had no time to get water or breakfast.

The flight was fine, got some food and sleep. The girl next to me fell asleep on my shoulder.

Arrived in Mauritius

Had an hour wait in the passport control line...nearly to not be allowed into the counrty. Second issue! The man was grilling me about my onwards flights...
"You fly from Cape Town to the UK?" He said.
'No, I'm flying to Hong Kong' I replied.
"Then you have a flight home?" He questioned.
'No I am flying to Australia, I don't have a flight home.'
"You must have a flight home!"
'No I'm staying in Australia.'
"So you are Australian? What is your address there?" Questioning me more.

We just kept going around in circles.

'I have a visa to work there, I don't know where I am staying yet.' I was telling him.
"Where is your visa? It's not in your passport." He said confused.
'I have an e-visa, so it's not in my passport.' I explained.
"Oh"
'I have the visa paperwork, would you like to see?'
"Yes...This is not your visa!" He seemed more confused.
'I know this is the number of the e-visa,' trying hard to explain.

He works in passport control...how does he not understand!!!

Eventually he stamps my passport and let's me in, phew.

Then I was on my way to collect my bag and an hour ride in the taxi to the Royal Palm. It was great to see the Gilbertson's again. The kids have grown since I last saw them.

After unpacking, I watched the kids play in the pool with a blow up doughnut and for dinner I had a Indian curry, just in case I was missing Indian food!

Things I will and won't miss about India and some tips.

Well...India was such a different experience to any other counrty that I have visited before. I loved learning about the culture, religion and trying new foods.

The things I will miss:
The friends I made,
The food I enjoyed,
The lovely architecture.

The things I will not miss:
The roads...amount of traffic!
The Indians not knowing what personal space is in a queue,
And the tuk-tuk drivers not knowing where they are going!

Some tips for others travelling to India:
• I never suffered with a bad tummy so take pro-bioticis before you go, every day you are there and a week after you have left. Still take some imodium just in case.

• a sleeping bag liner...it was such a life saver, I had a very dirty bed one night.

• go with half a suitcase you will need the other half for all the things you will buy.

• at markets always barter, you can always get it much cheaper.

• say no to people wanting photos with you...especially men, you don't know what they will use it for.