Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Exploring the known and unknown
2014-03-14
Wifi? …Is that a drink- we don't stock it
When you travel and want to use Wifi? Then in Asia, Europe and Australia there is a 99% chance that you can go to MacDonald’s and connect to their free Wifi (even in the car park) Not so in South Africa. A few days ago we I went into a Mac Donald’s to ask about Wifi. The girl answered, "We don’t stock that! “ I explained what wifi was- Oh, ok she said, I will ask my boss. When she came back she said , “Yes I was right we don’t stock Wifi!"
The next day the hostel owner told me that he didn’t have wifi but he knew a restaurant with free Wifi facilities. When we arrived we were met at the door by a young fellow. I said: “ I just want to check if you have wifi.” “Huh” he said, “is that a drink ?” (hahaha) I checked with the owner and yes they did have wifi .
Just west of the Kruger National Park is the largest gorge of South Africa. The escarpment rises to around 2000 meters I guess as the nearby road rises to over 1350 meters. The “land of the two rivers “ could have been a name for the area as two rivers meet halfway down the gorge. The Blyde River and the Treur River which means The Happy River and the Sad River; something to do with the history of the early Dutch settlers in this area.
Several waterfalls make it worthwhile to visit the side tracks. One area is known as “God’s Window” which offer a magnificent view over the low laying area’s about 600 meters below. I noticed a sign which made may smile, it said : “Keep God’s window clean” Is this an opportunity for window washers I thought?
We met many African people over the last few days, both Black and White. All of the them very friendly, helpful and cheerful. It is also nice to see how the local people interact ( Black and White) with each other in a very positive way.
We went shopping and noticed how ”cheap” things are compared to Australia / Europe. If you know your prices you can see it for yourself. Roughly there are ten South African Rands in one Australian Dollar. Conversion is simple , just remove the last digit and you have the price in AUS $. The Super Spar supermarket is better than any supermarket I have ever seen. More variety than any Aussie equivalent and an abundance of personnel. It starts in the car park where parking attendants point you to an empty car space. Then inside the supermarket; say at the deli counter, there are 6-8 people serving ,where in Australia there may be two. The checkout have three persons. Then when leaving, the parking attendant may help you place your shopping in the car. I said prices are “cheap” . Yes for us. We wondered about the oversupply of personnel in inside the shops and car parks. As it turns out they only earn between 200 and 300 dollar per Month! For the local unskilled people this is a very expensive place. Most people earn just enough the feed themselves and have little left for anything else.
Meanwhile smiles all around and a relaxed atmosphere.
Hope you like the pictures
Wifi? …Is that a drink- we don't stock it
When you travel and want to use Wifi? Then in Asia, Europe and Australia there is a 99% chance that you can go to MacDonald’s and connect to their free Wifi (even in the car park) Not so in South Africa. A few days ago we I went into a Mac Donald’s to ask about Wifi. The girl answered, "We don’t stock that! “ I explained what wifi was- Oh, ok she said, I will ask my boss. When she came back she said , “Yes I was right we don’t stock Wifi!"
The next day the hostel owner told me that he didn’t have wifi but he knew a restaurant with free Wifi facilities. When we arrived we were met at the door by a young fellow. I said: “ I just want to check if you have wifi.” “Huh” he said, “is that a drink ?” (hahaha) I checked with the owner and yes they did have wifi .
Just west of the Kruger National Park is the largest gorge of South Africa. The escarpment rises to around 2000 meters I guess as the nearby road rises to over 1350 meters. The “land of the two rivers “ could have been a name for the area as two rivers meet halfway down the gorge. The Blyde River and the Treur River which means The Happy River and the Sad River; something to do with the history of the early Dutch settlers in this area.
Several waterfalls make it worthwhile to visit the side tracks. One area is known as “God’s Window” which offer a magnificent view over the low laying area’s about 600 meters below. I noticed a sign which made may smile, it said : “Keep God’s window clean” Is this an opportunity for window washers I thought?
We met many African people over the last few days, both Black and White. All of the them very friendly, helpful and cheerful. It is also nice to see how the local people interact ( Black and White) with each other in a very positive way.
We went shopping and noticed how ”cheap” things are compared to Australia / Europe. If you know your prices you can see it for yourself. Roughly there are ten South African Rands in one Australian Dollar. Conversion is simple , just remove the last digit and you have the price in AUS $. The Super Spar supermarket is better than any supermarket I have ever seen. More variety than any Aussie equivalent and an abundance of personnel. It starts in the car park where parking attendants point you to an empty car space. Then inside the supermarket; say at the deli counter, there are 6-8 people serving ,where in Australia there may be two. The checkout have three persons. Then when leaving, the parking attendant may help you place your shopping in the car. I said prices are “cheap” . Yes for us. We wondered about the oversupply of personnel in inside the shops and car parks. As it turns out they only earn between 200 and 300 dollar per Month! For the local unskilled people this is a very expensive place. Most people earn just enough the feed themselves and have little left for anything else.
Meanwhile smiles all around and a relaxed atmosphere.
Hope you like the pictures
- comments
Anneke Wauw! Geweldig uitzicht zo.
Anneke Hahaha met een geluksbeertje?! Nice pic!
Rob Wat geweldig om je broer zo te zien zitten, ik herinner mij zijn positieve energie toen wij op trip gingen met z'n drieen. Reminds me of the pic taken at Daintree..
Rob J bent zelfs met een kleine roze beer fotogeniek!! hahaha Jullie zien er goed uit guys, obviously happy chappy's, leuk dat jullie dit samen doen als broers, good for you!
Harry Geritz Hi Richard, interesting and fun to read your journal. Next year I want to visit SA again for the first time in 15 years. I'm interested in what has changed? This time we will be there with the whole family so everyone is looking forward all the Parks and wildlife...Take care!
Jerome Have to do this one day ... Take care JB
Richard Wolters Just male it happen Jerome
Karel Hoi Richard en Frans, Wat een belevenissen, wat een prachtige natuur. We genieten met jullie mee. Je verhalen en de foto's geven een mooi beeld. Niets voor jou om niet te lezen wat je mag en moet, jij komt altijd beslagen ten ijs. Gelukkig was er geen Cheetha in de buurt, dan had je dit niet kunnen lezen. Veel plezier samen. We volgen jullie met plezier.
Suzanna Wat een ontzettend mooie foto's!!! Geweldig mooi landschap zeg!. Leuk roze vriendje heb je :P