Fish River Canyon

Apparently the oldest canyon in the world. We didn't stop here for long but this is one spot I'd like to come back and do a 5-7 day camping trip around the canyon. We were told that the temperature at the top and bottom of the canyon can vary by 10 degrees.

The canyon from above

Sunset

Caught a glimpse of the moon

Cynth and I were happy to be there!

Namib Desert

We drove through the Namib Desert and it was the first time I was properly in a desert. Yes, ever, in my life. Everything felt so new and foreign to me. I still remember I had to keep reminding myself that I was not dreaming.

That is a bird's nest

The sight out of the overland truck

Grooves on sand

Orange / Gariep River

The Orange River is the longest river in South Africa and also flows through Lesotho and Namibia. Think of the color of which it is named of and you can tell where it relates to!

Orange River

Sunset at Orange River

Kayaking the next day

And as requested - our guide, who insisted on paddling for us. We let him. Not because he was an eye candy or anything. He was also young and enthusiastic - and thought I might have been 22.

Cederberg Mountain Region

After 6 months of planning, Cynth and I finally made it to what would be our epic camping trip through Southern Africa. Cape Town was not happy that morning - it rained on us whilst we lugged our backpacks 3 blocks up to the meeting point. Being the punctual ones, we arrived 5 minutes early - the office had barely opened. We then waited a very exciting (not) two hours before anything starting going (This Is Africa!). By then, you would have thought the rain would have stopped, but no, it kept raining down on us. And that was pretty much how it was for the rest of the day.

First stop was Cederberg Mountain Region. It is a citrus growing valley mostly, but it was not in season yet so mostly it was too young. We also had an eccentric local guide bring us around to show us the small insects...

I am proud to say that Cynthia and I, despite having the option to upgrade from camping to accommodated (which most people did) due to the inclement weather, chose not to. So yes, we camped in the rain. It really wasn't so bad - for the rest of our camping trip, no condition was ever that bad! Though I have to admit the multiple shots of alcohol (I remember Wit Blits?) does help combat the cold...

Drive down Cape Peninsula

Having made it to Cape Town one has to make it to Cape Point - the southern most point of the African continent, where the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean meets. These two bodies of water meet with such ferocity that countless maritime explorers lost their lives in the past ("The Flying Dutchman" being one). The drive down is absolutely beautiful. One passes by fertile wineries, beaches, quaint surfing towns and of course, baboons.

It really was a beautiful day. Try as I may, my photos won't do it any justice.

Watching the penguins watching us

Some very colourful huts in a surf town on the way

The inevitable baboon - they are definitely not shy

An ostrich amongst the wilderness

Where the Indian and the Atlantic Oceans meet

Distances to my two cities

Sunset at Cape Point

Table Mountain

Being the superwomen that we are, Cynth and I, along with another traveller friend we met along the way, decided to attempt Table Mountain. Of course, we could have ended up at the top with the cable car and saved 2.5hours, but then why should life be easy? So we took the 3 hours of pain to hike up the mountain. It was worth it, but the next time we're taking the cable car.

View of Cape Town city from the mountain

The city at dusk

As you can see the city is set at the foot of the mountain

The view of the water from the top

Cape Town

After a hectic time in Johannesburg, it was finally a relief to be in Cape Town. The city is near the water, reminds me of Sydney. There is a vibrant party scene, great eateries everywhere and delicious wineries nearby. I felt right at home! Needless to say, we wined and dined our way through Cape Town. Definitely my favourite South African city.

The famous Long Street in Cape Town. Personally I like Kloof Street but best burger joint here!

Castle of Good Hope

Castle of Good Hope

Cape Town city from the Castle

View of Cape Town city from Bo-Kaap

View of Bo-Kaap (Cape Malay area) and Table Mountain

One of the old industrial building at V&A

Sunset at the back of V&A

Street Art in V&A

The District 6 museum in Cape Town - I like Apartheid museum in Johannesburg better but this has more of a local flavour.

Last on the World Cup

The World Cup was the reason why we were in South Africa. I have to admit I am not the biggest soccer fan, but that did not stop me from enjoying the game. As with all competitions, there is a winner and there is a loser. For some, emotions do run high. As Australia was out in the first round, I didn't really carry much allegiance with any one team. I was fickle - for example, I went into the Ghana vs Uruguay team supporting Ghana but half way through ended up supporting Uruguay just because no one else was (Diego Forlan's looks has nothing to do with it, of course...).

I did enjoy the World Cup and there are talks to go to the next one Brazil. Any interest out there?

Enjoy the moments below.

Chile vs Spain - The Spanish to start

The Spanish giving it a good hard kick

This was my favourite game just because the passion of the Chilean fans were electric. And for the first time I could hear past the vuvuzelas and enjoy the Chilean chants.

The American team in Ghana vs USA

Tight game, though The Americans did not play well at all.

Last minutes of the game - the American goalie runs down the field to the other side to assist

Soccer City in Johannesburg

Ghana vs Uruguay - this was the most controversial game for Africans. For the next 2 months in Africa - I keep hearing how Africans were robbed of a victory. I will play the devil's advocate and disagree...

The shot that won it for Uruguay

Argentina vs Germany: Argentina got their asses kicked 4-0, Australia's only consolation

Fanwalk at Cape Town... we were sandwiched

Cape Town Stadium, right next to the water

Cape Town Stadium from the inside - can see the imposing mountains outside

Kruger National Park

I have heard a lot about Kruger National Park over the last few years - and I admit it's probably all I know of the big game parks in Africa. We came to see big animals, and we did get that.

Rhino

A very full cheetah

Vulture

Owl