Over the Kalahari Desert

Flying over the Desert was a highlight. Brown dusty landscape with dry water ways that looked like veins on an elderly persons hand. Only the endless roads were straight. Where did they go? Occasionally a lonely homestead with its solar panels glistening in the sun. Sometimes a vehicle trundling along the road.  The desert turned red and then hilly and then with a waterway turned green. Agriculture and viticulture meant civilization was close at hand.

Another painless stroll through customs (we had suffered all the pain getting the visa) and our transfer was waiting as planned. Another not so good driver, who tried to sell us tours run by friends (he wouldn't tell everyone about these extra special deals but he liked us - do we really look that gullible?).

The first drive showed me the huge disparities in Capetown. Townships with small corrugated huts (many topped with satellite dishes) were our first sighting of Capetown communal life. A sign greeted us "1 in 4 children are nutritionally stunted in South Africa". We moved to semi detached houses, detached houses surrounded by high fences topped by barbed wire or electric fences and then finally to inner city fashionable high rise apartments. I don't think I have ever been in a city where socio economic differences are so evident in a trip from the airport.

Our hotel was once a prison used to house the prisoners who did all the hard work in reclaiming the land for down town.  Our accommodation is very central which we appreciate. It has a unique carpet and the smell of paint in the hallways.

We dropped our bags and went exploring. Found some friendly rhinos as a fund raiser to save these precious animals, a souvenir shop and a fish restaurant for dinner. Sand on the floor made it feel like picnicking on the beach and the staff were relaxed and happy as though we were.