Hello one and all. Well. we left South Africa yesterday and arrived in Bangkok today. needless to say that having now been up for 28 hours we're starting to feel a little weary, but keen to try and ride out the jet lag.

We had a great time in SA but were ready to head to SE Asia for a change of culture and weather. We finished our last few days in style. Having left st Lucia and one horrid night in a dirty backpackers, we headed up to the Drakensburg mountains (not sure of the spelling everyone, sorry). We had a quick stopover in Pietermaritzburg where, once we'd been to the gallery there really wasn't anything to do we had a double whammy at the cinema and saw the Dark Knight (which rocked) and Get Smart which put a smile on our face and enusred we were able to sleep without any nightmares. From there we headed up to the Central Berg and stayed in a great place called Ikosana lodge. A very beautiful setting and great accomodation and food. We did a small walk around the central berg mountains which was a warmup for the next day. From there we drove to the northern berg and tackled the Crack! A walk that took us right up through the mountains between a gorge. We had to climb up chain ladders and everything, it was great. There are some pretty horrendous pictures of my arse headin up there if we get them up on snapfish. Once at the top we were gutted to find that the pathway was closed. Rob was convinced that we should carry on, but the DofE and girl scout in me kicked in and we had a row. I called the visitor centre who informed us that yes indeed the path was closed. We had to head back the way we came. A little peeved off but the chain ladder was still fun second time around.

From there we were headed back to j'burg about 5 days earlier than planned. We headed to Pretoria just outside J'burg which is a nicer pplace to stay. Fair enough - a nice town but the backpacker accomodation was terrible and we had 2 bad nights. We decided we couldn't face 5 nights here so headed north to Pillansberg national park where we were able to stay in the park instelf in a little safari tent - much nicer indeed, and very hot showers on the campsite.

We did a couple of gamedrives through the park and there was an alleged sighting of a leopard but we didn't see it - gutted. Unfortunately Rob won the competitn for spotting more animals than me - i blame that ruddy lazer eye surgery he had!

We also did a couple of days at Sun City - a sort of SA Las Vegas but nowhere near as good. We still ahd an absolute ball though chilling out in luxurious hotel pools, gambling at the casino and trying to ride the waves in the waterpool at the waterpark. All in all a good move to get out of Prtoria and it's dodgy accomodation, we even spent out last night before our flight in an F1 Motel which was quite funny.

So we're in SE Asia and about to embark on a totally new adventure. W'ere alredy pi**ed off the oversized Singha beer bottles, Cat, Van & Alex you'll remmber those. I think no sleep for the last 26 hours certianly helps. The weather has really picked up but conseuqently we are sweating like....well you know what!

Finally, just so you know it's not all fun and games we though we'd share some less intersting news from our trip with you.

We've argued 3 times, but only little ones and still love each other.

The best things we bought in AFrica were an electric heater and head torches, as well as a 100% summer hits CD that wasn't sung by the original artists.

Aside from food and accomodation we've probably spent most money on the internet and laundry, followed very closely by beer.

We've spent 3 nights in crappy accomodation, but I didnt cry about it, just sulked!

Hope all is well with you all, we are missing you lots

More updates to follow soon...ping pong balls and all.

Lots of love

Steph & Rob x x x x x