Driving Across South Africa (Days 13-14)

When we originally planned everything, we didn't really take care of our travel plans. We wanted to do a drive where we could see everything, but I realized I 'needed' to get back to work. As such, we had a LONG drive to Mossel Bay, then one to Cape Town. It took about 16 hours the first day, and nearly 5 on the second. Here are some thoughts-

The topography of South Africa is very diverse. In one day we saw a lot of mountains, a lot of beach, and a lot of nothing.

There are townships- poor settlements- EVERYWHERE.

Occasionally the highway would go through these small towns where there were no discernible traffic laws. It was INCREDIBLY different from Cape Town. We called them little Mogadishus, but that was probably a bit harsh. However, even in the most sketch and backwards of these, there was KFC. Incredible.

We got to Mossel Bay after dark and crashed at a beach house. We were up before dawn and on our way to Cape Town. Watching the sun rise over the South Africa winelands is pretty special. Arriving in Cape Town, across false bay, felt like arriving at the promised land.

The guys dropped me off, I went to work (where it turned out that both my bosses were gone), and then they went to the Cape of Good Hope.

Leaving Joburg Behind (Day 10)

The next day was pretty brutal. We tried to remain in good spirits and stay upbeat, but it felt we had just been dumped the night before. We had to wait around for Andy to get his moneybelt that he had left at the Thatchery and the owners were holding on for him, but it gave us an opportunity to chill out on the grounds for awhile.

This is about how we felt all day

There were chicks with awful parents.

We left Joburg. I probably will never return, except for the airport. It is just a city.

We drove to the coast, to Ballito, north of Durban. On the way we listened to the English get smashed by the Krauts. Normally that matchup would make me be all about Winston Churchill. In soccer, after those crumpet-eaters in Rustenburg, I was cheering for the Germans bigtime.

This is in Boston, South Africa.

In Ballito we stayed at Monkey Bay backpackers. The people who ran it were very chill, gave us a tour of everything, and directed us to the hotel bar where there was a good World Cup setup.

Tyler bet that Mexico would only lose by 1 to Argentina. He bet ICE.

Andy ordered Amarula. Scott brought the ICE on the side.