"South Africa" a South Africa Travel Page by Cockleshell

I liked
Cape Town - I spent three busy and enjoyable days here. A very pleasant surprise. There are many interesting buildings. The waterfront is both historic and cosmopolitan. The Greenmarket area is nice and I enjoyed the Parliament gardens.
Francheok Pass - The prettiest and most colourful meadow I have ever seen. I visited three times!
Boulders Beach - I loved getting so close to the penquins and there are so many and again a beautiful setting.
The Botanical Gardens - Stunning gardens set against Table Mountain. I think the best botanical gardens I have ever seen.
The Little Karoo - I really liked the open space. The mountains go on forever.. I liked this area a lot. Super colours in the afternoon sunshine.
Cape Point - I could have stayed here a week! So natural. Fantastic scenery with baboons and ostriches.
My Favourite Towns - Swellendam - I recommend arriving via the mountain pass from Barrydale. Prince Albert - I just liked the feel of this little place. So many victorian houses and really nice tea rooms.
My Favourite Beach - Natures Valley.. ah, so beautiful
My Favourite Accommodation - Le Verger just outside Stellenbosch - The views! The Gardens! I stayed here early in my trip and returned at the end!
Moonshine on Whiskey Creek - A forest cabin. I shared breakfast with monkeys, swam in a pool deep in the forest and was circled by firelies.. private and romantic... nice!

Not being able to walk around after dark in Cape Town. And it appeared (the Waterfront apart) that everything closed at dusk. I must say I think the safety concerns are a little overstated. Never once did I feel threatened in any way.
Everywhere I went people had big locks on their gates and security alarms. I have never experienced this before. I thought it was sad.
The Garden Route - I was diappointed with this route. Ok there are some nice places like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay but I felt it was a case of someone coming up with a name just for the sake of it. Apart from one or two spots it did not live up to its name and I feel there are much nicer routes and I could not get out of George quick enough.
I understand South Africa is preparing for the World Cup but there were too many attractions closed like the Storms River bridge, at least two mountain pass drives including Chapmans Peak, and the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe train. The townships.. erm I was fascinated. There must be some very interesting characters living quite happily in these communities. Maybe next time I will take a tour. I kinda disliked them .. and liked them too?!

Too many highlights. It was an amazing trip. I loved every minute. South Africa is so green. Memories of the flora and fauna and the forests will stay with me forever. The mountains were especially beautiful.
Accommodation and food is of a high standard. It was great having a whole swimming pool to myself wherever I went. But if I was to pick one highlight it would have to be the drive over the Swartberg Pass - It was AWESOME!

Would I visit again? Sure. I had just three weeks in S. Africa and should I return I would base myself in The Winelands and relax and enjoy.