We have now been in Cape Town for 3 days and spent 1.5 of those days in bed!! Our bodies decided that on the first day we had nothing planned, they would fail us and we should do nothing but stay in bed, so reluctantly we did (I still think it was our bodies way of not getting fed for a while since it seems we have been eating 3 course meals for every meal for the past 3 weeks).

We were collected from our hotel in Livingstone and taken to the airport. We couldn't figure out why we were collected so early until we arrived at the airport and saw what a shemozzles it was. On arrival, you had to put your luggage through a scanner and then you had to check in but the room was not big enough for everyone. The lines were going everywhere, there was no walking space to get through and only 2 people working to check in all the passengers for BA (there were also 2 other airlines flying out at similar times). Glad to check in and get out of there. Luckily, being a Qantas club member we were able to use the lounge. Well, it was a lounge unlike any other. It was about the size of our family room with did not have a lot of seating space. We got in relatively early so grabbed a seat which was good. They did provide free drinks and some nibblies (popcorn, chips & cheese puffs).

We flew to Johannesburg where we had to collect our luggage and then walk over to the domestic terminal to recheck in. We had a 3hr wait for our flight but the BA lounge here was much nicer to relax in. We arrived in Cape Town around 9pm and we were met by the backpacker bus we had booked to take us to our hostel, Atlantic Point Backpackers. It is a great place. Only opened in June and is not very busy at the moment. Great kitchen, good relax areas and the rooms are fantastic. We are in an 8 bed dorm (bit different to what we have been in) but we have it to ourselves which is a bonus.

We collapsed into bed, happy for the first time we didn't have to set an alarm. Made ourselves get up out of bed about 9.30am or so but after my shower, I was sick. Thought I would feel better after being sick, but not so. I ended up staying in bed all day. Mum wasn't the best either, some tummy pain so she was happy for a reason to stay in bed as well. She did go and get some water and chicken noodle soup from the corner store (I was worried she would get lost because sometimes her sense of direction isn't so good) but she made it OK.

Yesterday woke up feeling a tad better so we decided to walk down to the V&A Waterfront (similar to Darling Harbor in Sydney). Lots of expensive shops, some craft markets and lots of places to eat. After wandering around we decided it would be a good idea to get something to eat. We found a table in the shade and mum went to check out the food court. She came back empty handed, nothing caught her fancy. I went and looked and also came back empty handed. We looked at each other and decided it was time to go back to the hostel and sleep some more. Bodies weren't fully recovered yet.

Later that afternoon, we were up in the lounge chatting with another lady here, when Tim the owner came around and said they were putting a Braai (South African for BBQ) on. They were providing the meat, if we just wanted to buy some salads so we did. Was a nice night and good food. One thing about this hostel is they are pretty good in making sure it is quiet from 11pm onwards and they also provide a free continental breakfast which is perfect.

Today, feeling much better we went and found the local flea & craft markets that are held on a Sunday morning. One stall sold 2nd hand books and we picked up 8 books for about $20. Some light reading for the remainder of the trip. We also helped out some other locals by purchasing some of their goods and somehow we managed to buy 2 decorated ostrich eggs. We came across a man who was decorating them himself with the art of scrimshaw (scratching the design into the egg) and we were captivated. They are wrapped up in a box - hopefully they will get home in one piece.

After dropping our goods off at the hostel we wandered back to the V&A to check out the remainder of the place we didn't see yesterday. Luckily, mum decided not to worry about going over to Robson Island because the ferry hasn't been running all last week and another guest told us the next available openings aren't till next Wednesday. We have decided to spend an extra 2 days here since our first 2 were a write off. We will then be hiring a car and making our way to Durban. Hopefully going to Table Mountain tomorrow if the weather is clear.