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After a long long overnight flight from India we touched down in Cape Town (via Joburg). We picked up our hire car and headed straight off on the road to Worcester along the N1, we even drove through the longest tunnel in Africa, amazing for all you fact fans its 9.5km or something. We stayed in an old converted Manor House which was lovely and had probably the most comfortable bed, although any bed would have been good. We slept very well particularly after having a couple of glasses of wine with the owners and a massive steak.
The next day we drove along route 62 also known as the Garden Route, which passed through some lovely scenery and lots of very straight and quiet roads. Driving in SA is pretty easy and most people are very courteous. We arrived in Outshoorn at De Zeekoe Farm where we stayed in an awesome wood cabin by the little lake. As soon as we settled in we headed off to the Cango Wildlife Ranch where we were able to get up close with an adult cheetah, some young cheetahs and some baby white tigers (so soft). They did keep trying to munch our toes but it was cool to be able to play with them for a bit. The people that worked there were very friendly.
The next morning was another early morning; up just after 4am to go and watch the wild Meerkats. We met up with our new hero Devey (pronounced TV with a D), who is like a SA crocodile Dundee and picks up injured animals and takes them home to make them better, he has an owl, a baby ostrich, a crazy dog roaming about his house. Anyway we walked across the wilderness to where the Meerkats had made their burrow the previous night and waited for them to get up. Luckily they weren't feeling lazy that day and got up soon enough. There was 14 in the family including 3 very cute babies. They are probably some of the funniest animals ever to watch and were not shy about coming close to us, they have got very used to Devey and even let him be lookout for them so they can get some food.
Oudtshoorn is the ostrich capital of the world and we certainly saw a few but unfortunately we were unable to ride them as it had rained so the ground was too slippy for them.
After Oudtshoorn we headed off to Franschoek, which is one of the main wine areas in SA and is set in the most spectacular scenery, we really liked it here, probably helped by the fact we had a massive cottage with our own pool that looked out across the valley and was attached to a winery and restuarant.
We went on a cellar tour around the farm with John the founder who fed us with lots of wine, and we even learnt some stuff too.
We wen on a day trip to the Cape of Good Hope and enroute visited boulders beach to see the penguins, which are also pretty funny to watch. Driving down to the cape the weather was pretty bad and we couldn't see much but luckily when we got to the lighthouse at Cape Point we were able to get a great view even if it was pretty windy. To make it even better we were able to get free entry into the National Park by just driving straight past the ticket booth without realising oops!
Franschoek also has the most amazing car museum which we would def recommend for a visit, it has loads of amazing cars in immaculate condition.
After Franschoek we drove to our next destination Camps Bay where we have stayed for the last week over Christmas. Camps Bay has a very nice coastline with some lovely beaches and also some incredible houses.
We went on the red bus tour to the Two Oceans Aquarium which was cool, with a massive tank and viewing window. We were able to have another up close shark encounter.
We also took a trip out to Robben Island and had a tour around the Island and prison with the funniest guide and also an ex-inmate which was very interesting to hear his story and learn about the prison. Mark then drank a litre jug of beer at a german beer house to cheer himself up.
On Christmas eve we went to the Mount Nelson Hotel for afternoon tea and ate loads of sandwiches, cakes and sweets; amazing. We felt a wee bit sick but we felt we should have eaten more as it was a buffet. There was a nice Christmas tree and a dude playing the piano although it still didnt feel like Christmas as it was 28c.
Christmas Day was spent mainly relaxing by the pool but it was far too hot to spend alot of time in the sun we have got through 2 bottles of factor 50 sun tan cream!
Other than that we have had a nice relaxing time at Camps Bay and have eaten loads of good food before we head off on our 3 week camping adventure in the desert.
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Doc Proc Is that a Jack ass penguin?