Day Ten - Cape Town

Today I had to get up super, super early (3:45 am)! Because I went on a safari! Cape Town has a limited amount of game reserves really close by, so the place I went wasn't really huge but it was a good first safari ever place to go.

I was picked up at about 4:45 am from the house and arrived at the Aquilla Game Reserve at about 7:45. We were greeted with a "wake up drink" of sparkling white wine, registered and then had breakfast. I met a really nice girl from New Zealand who was on holiday by her self and on the bus with me. We hung out all day together which was nice cause I can handle being alone, but having someone else to talk to is much better. At about 9 o'clock we loaded up in the Land Rovers and started the adventure. We saw buffalo, springboks, zebras, giraffes, elephants, hippo, rhinos, and lions. The game reserve is trying to establish it's animal population, so there weren't loads of some animals. But I didn't care. I was just so happy to have the chance to see everything in a semi-wild environment. Half way through the safari we had a little break to stretch our legs and to have a glass of champagne. It was hilarious standing around next to the zebras and girraffe, sipping champagne and feeling like I was so far removed from my "normal" life.

After the safari we got the chance to pet more cheetahs, so I definitely did that again. I mean, how many times will I get to do that in DC?

We then were fed lunch at the lodge and I ran into the Scottish guys. So we all had lunch together and hung out a bit before we daytrippers had to get back on the bus to go home. When I got home we had a group of kids come to the house for Halloween. There were about 15 of they and they were so cute.

Day Nine - Cape Town

Tuesday morning we got up early and met up again with Sara's friends, but this time it wasn't for a relaxing lunch. We went to a yoga class, and not just regular yoga, we did Hatha Yoga (the hot one). So we sweated like crazy and I got to feel like I was inflexible and retarded. It was great.

Then we went to lunch at a cute wrap and smoothie place called Buzz. After we went home and cleaned up we went to the Waterfront and walked around. We ended up having a beer and hanging out with two South African guys. It seems like the people here are super friendly.

We then went to a Gladys Knight concert, I know who goes to those!? But Sara's friend got free tickets, so we decided to make it a girls night. The concert was held at the Grand West Casino, I felt like I had stepped into Las Vegas. I was surprised at how fun it was. The dinner we had wasn't so great, but the concert part of the evening was hilarious. Gladys rocked out and she even had her brother, one of the original Pips, come to pump up the crowd. I definitely would never have gone to that concert back in the States, but I was glad that we went.

Day Eight - Cape Town

Monday we went into town and had lunch with all of Sara's Swedish friends on Long Street. On our way to lunch we got to see the parade for the triumphant Springboks, World Cup Rugby Champions. It was so exciting to be a part of a city's celebration for their sports team. Everyone was screaming and waving flags. People were hanging off of balconies just to get the chance to see the team.

After lunch Sara and I did some shopping and ran some errands. We were sort of tired from our weekend so we didn't do much else. But she did take me to the studio of her friend who makes jewelry, Phillippa Green. I bought so many bracelets! Check her site out, she makes really great stuff.

Day Seven - Cape Town

Sunday afternoon Sara and I had a "girl's" luncheon to attend. One of Sara's friends was celebrating her birthday and we were invited. It was at the Radisson Hotel on the water. So even though I can go to a Radisson back home, the view from the restaurant wasn't like home at all.

Sunday evening Sara, Mattias and I went out to dinner in Camps Bay (where they live) and ate outside with a view of the beach. They live in an area that is like South Beach but with a calmer and more relaxed atmosphere. I'm really enjoying Cape Town, it is SO beautiful.

After dinner, Mattias ran into an old colleague from Scotland. So we had a drink with three Scottish guys. I enjoyed the accents!

Day Six - Cape Town

Friday night after cage diving, Sara and I went to a local pub to "celebrate" our shark experience. We had loads of fun hanging out, drinking, and dancing with the people at the bar.

Saturday we tried to recover as best as we could in the morning. We went to a farmer's market in Woodstock which had great food and a few crafts. There was a girl at the market who made beautiful purses, I couldn't afford one that day but I think I'm going to order one when I get home.

Saturday night everyone got together to go to some old brewery turned into a night club for a party. Apparently, South Africans are into themed parties. The one we went to was called "Dirty Dirty" and was a post-Apocalyptic theme. It was very interesting to see people's interpretation of that. One guy was wearing a knit cap, stripped tight tank top, 70s style running shorts and bedroom slippers. Clubs in other countries are fun!

Day Four and Five - Cape Town

Thursday we didn't do to much during the day, it was great! First we went to lunch in Cape Town and were going to walk around afterwards, but it was so nice outside we decided to go back to Sara's house and lay out by the pool. Then Sara, Mattias and I went to one of their friend's apartments on Long Street and had a braai. Which is a South African barbeque, pretty much the same as back home, but more fun to say. We went home after and got to bed early since the next day we had to get up.

Today I survived Shark Cage Diving!! Sara and I went out to Kleinbaai and swam with the fishes... or rather sharks. I got a bit sea sick, but I didn't let that stop me from getting into the cage and watching the sharks. The water was a bit murky, so I don't think my underwater pictures look so great. But I did take a lot more pictures from the boat and I think those came out ok. I thought that I would be scared, but I actually wasn't. The sharks weren't like in Jaws or anything. They were very graceful and seemed to not even care that we were around. Except for the fact that the crew kept throwing fish parts into the water.

We had heard that the cage diving thing was a bit controversal and that surfers thought it would have sharks associate food with people. But one of the crew, who was a surfer, said that it was actually a good way for people to understand that sharks aren't super aggresive and they are nomadic, so wouldn't be in the same place for long enough to have the food/people association. Which made me feel better, so I could cage dive with my conscience free.

Day Three Cont. - Cape Town

Yesterday I got to pet a cheetah!!! Actually more than one cheetah and take a few pictures of some super cute babies. The Cheetah Rescue we went to made you pay to pet them and there were different prices for petting adults and babies. No one was buying the tickets to pet the adults, so I did. It was so weird to be that close to such a big cat. They are incredible!

We also went to more vineyards. These ones were even more beautiful then the ones the day before. The annoying thing was that my camera battery died half way through. Stupid camera! But I at least got pictures with the cheetahs.

funny

I've noticed something that might be bad. The South African accent is very similar to the Australian accent.... and the boys are just as cute.

Heather is in trouble!!

Day Three - Cape Town

Yesterday we went to Costantia, which is part of the wine lands of South Africa. We did a tasting and took a walk around the vineyards with the dog. It was a bit chilly but beautiful. The wine was super tasty.

While we were having our wine from the tasting we sat outside on a picnic bench. Across the way was a tour group from China having a really good time (I think the wine effected them a bit). They started to video tape us, then one of the ladies from the group came over to say hello and pose with us for a picture. It was funny and strange. Now when those people go home to show people their videos, their friends are going to wonder who the random white people are with the wine.

Day Two - Cape Town

Yesterday was a bit more relaxed than the first day. Sara and I went grocery shopping and window shopping. There are a lot of cool things that I plan on buying. There are things made with horn, which look really nice. And you can get Springbok skin, not that I like to have dead animal skin laying around, but it was unique and not too expensive.

This morning we took the dog for a walk on the beach and then we stopped by the travel agency to book my tours, i.e. shark diving! We are getting ready for lunch now, and then I think we will head into town. Yesterday was rainy and today isn't too sunny either, but the weather is supposed to get better tomorrow.

Cheers!

Day One - Cape Town

When I got into town, my friends had a few people over for dinner and the World Cup Rugby match.... South Africa won! So after dinner and the game we all piled into one car(p.s. there were 12 of us) and went down the street to celebrate with everyone else in the city. It was crazy!

My first whole day, we went to Cape Point to see where the two oceans meet. We saw whales, penguins, a baboon, an ostrich and some of those half zebra half donkey things. We went out to lunch at a really nice place by the water and had fabulous seafood.

I have a few pictures already, but I can't figure out yet how to upload pictures from my friend's laptop. But hopefully I will figure that out soon. I love it here!

Yippee!!

I am PACKED!! Thank goodness. I'm leaving tomorrow and only have a day at work and an extremely long flight between me and my vacation.

Gosh, if I don't start writing about South Africa this blog is not going to get anymore exciting. For the few people who read this, I will try my best to keep posting while I'm gone so that everyone can enjoy my trip.

Bon Voyage (to me)!

Need to Pack!

I'm such a procrastinator!! Oh well, I will do it tomorrow! haha.

So to talk about something other than my impending trip, I want to know what your (anyone who reads this) trip of a lifetime has been. If you have never had a trip that maybe qualifies to be in that category, then what is your dream trip?

One Week Away!

I can't believe that by this time next week I'll be over the Atlantic and on my way to my next adventure!

I bought some cute clothes tonight, cause I need to look good, especially on a trip of a lifetime! I've made several lists to remind me of things, like things to pack, things to do before I leave, things I need to buy... I'm sort of a nerd that way. Some people like to pack days ahead of time and then they feel like they are prepared for a trip. I make lists and pack in my head, then I pack the day before and usually add a few things. No matter how many times I have traveled, I always seem to over pack! This time though I'm really going to try and pack light. That may be impossible, but I'm really going to try. My girlfriend said it is pretty casual there, even for going out. So I shouldn't need too many clothes options. The problem is that I have so many clothes I like and that I want to take. They want to see Africa too!

Counting Down

The purchase has been made, I've been vaccinated, and even bought a new suitcase (since my last trip saw the demise of my suitcase halfway through lugging it through the Underground in London).

October 19th is the day and now I'm getting all the advice from people. "Don't forget insect repellent, you don't want Malaria," "There are a lot of crimes and murder, be careful," "Don't have unprotected sex, HIV is running rampant there," or "Don't drink the water or eat the food!"

OK, I get it. Going to Africa is not the normal travel destination. But I have done some research people and I do plan on being careful...however, I will probably eat the food. I'm probably choosing the safest route to Africa, by going to South Africa, staying with a friend and following her where ever she says we should go.

I live in DC people, a lot of crime and murder happens here too, apparently. I just stay away from places.

Travel Plans

So I think I'm finally going to take the leap and buy my tickets. I'm going to Cape Town, South Africa!!! In a few weeks!! I'm super excited and want to take millions of pictures of wild animals, dive with sharks and hang out with friends!

Get ready Cape Town, cause here I come!