"South Africa" a South Africa Travel Page by geanster

I was lucky enough to do a roadtrip down the Eastern cape of South Africa from around Durban to Capetown with 3 awesome people. A New Zealander and 2 South African's who spoke Afrikaan. It was my introduction to Backpackers of which I'm now a huge fan and it was simply an amazing experience. I found South Africa in general to be a super scary country. Especially Johannesburg. I couldn't get over the lack of human value there among many of the people. Luckily, after spending a week in Jo-burg and a week and a half in Uvongo/Margate, I was able to spend a week out in what I considered to be the "real" South Africa. There's an entirely different feel there. The people aren't as bitter about what they don't have, rather they seem happy to continue living as they have for years with their mud brick huts and traditions and children playing everywhere. It was definitely a refreshing perspective and when in the Transkei and out in these areas was the only time in SA that I felt really safe.

We stayed at Hole in the Wall backpackers one night of the trip. Really beautiful place where you can hike up the little hill for an even better view. We could see lots of whales playing in the water. And be sure to take candy for all of the children who will run along side your car begging for "sweets".

The coolest place we stayed was the Fairy Knowe backpackers in Wilderness. http://www.redcard.co.uk/fairyknowe/main.htm When we got to Wilderness, we parked and walked down the railroad tracks for a few miles. It goes through a tunnel and out over the water a bit.

Towards the end of the trip when we went up to Cape Point, a Baboon jumped into our car via the back window that my silly friend had down for taking photos of the mom and baby. Very scary experience that kept us all on edge and laughing the whole day. Luckily, he just stole a bag of chips and a cucumber and got back out. Cheeky thing.

Don't forget to take sweets for the kids in that area. :)