A couple of days at the Indian Ocean in Durban

Durban is the second most populous city in South Africa (according to statistic of 2001 Durban has a population of about 3.2 million). Durban is a real rainbow city where various cultures come together. Here East meets West, First World meets Third and Zulu, English and Indian cultures rub shoulders. Besides,it is famous as the busiest port in Africa. It is also a major centre of tourism due to the city's warm subtropical climate and beaches.


On the 12th of September, very early in the morning (3:50 am) I got on a bus down to Durban. After 5 hours on the bus I arrived in Durban and was welcomed by some friends. During my time in Durban I went to a couple of beaches, went for a swim in the ocean (that was lekker :-) -> Lekker is the Afrikaans word for nice, it is used quiet often here). Besides, I was cycling along the main beaches near downtown where many hotels and restaurants are located. It is a great place for tourists, you can either spend a wonderful day at the beachfront or enjoy yourself in a different way, there is a lot of stuff to do. Last but not least, I have watched an exciting cricketmatch of the current worldcup (SA against India). The wheater in Durban was generally terrific even though it was sometimes a bit windy.


at the beach/ city of Durban in the background


at a local beach (of a district in Durban)


main beachfront in Durban


Cricket: SA - India

Pretoria

I have encircled Pretoria on the map above
Brief Info about Pretoria:Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's two capital cities, serving as the executive (administrative) and official de facto capital.

Well, since one of my friends is living in Pretoria, he offered me to come visit him for a week. I did not hesitate long, packed my bag and headed for Pretoria with a friend from the Reitz (where my hostfamily is living). During my stay in Pretoria, I have discovered a few nice spots of its city, went shopping in one of the biggest malls' in South Africa called "Menlyn"(you can easily lose orientation because it is very big and plenty of shops look quiet similar) ,partied in Headfield (a district in Pretoria with plenty of clubs and pubs) - that was awesome by the way!
The Highlight was hands down the flying excursion with my friend Shaun. He is busy studying in order to become a pilot and he took me along on one of his practical exercises.

Shaun & Me went bowling

Posing on the plane

in the plane

Shaun & Me have spent one evening with some friends

Lesothotrip: 16.-19.8.

My hostparents, some of their friends and me headed for Lesotho in two Landrovers on the 16th of August early in the morning and we arrived safely in the afternoon. For all among you who don't know Lesotho. Lesotho is an independet country in the middle of South Africa and the biggest part of its territorium consist of mountains.The ride up to Sani Top Chalet, high on the Drakensberg escarpment on the border between South Africa and Lesotho was quiet bumpy but exciting anyway. We stopped at several spots to take some nice shots of the wonderful landscape. Sani Pass Chalet is 2874 m high and is also home to the highest pub in Africa. We ended up sleeping in a backpagers accomodation for 2 nights and hiked up the second highest mountain in Africa(=Thabana-Ntlenyana/ 3482 m high) . We hired a guide, who has leaded us all the way up (25 km altogether)

On Saturday we set out to the only ski resort in South Africa. We drove through the mountains and have seen small villages. We got insight into the life of the people living up in the mountains. Almost all the people live on agriculture and animals like caddles. It was a very interesting experience to explore "the other side" of Africa. Those people are leading a modest life and are happy anyway - being happy in life is the most important thing!

Skiing in South Africa was so much fun. The slope was about 150m long and partly quiet steek. It was definetly an experience that I will always remember. If you come to South Africa, it is well worth going there - in my eyes one of the nicest attractions in South Africa/Lesotho.

Sani Pass 2873 m above sea-level

from the left: Wimpie (my hostfather's brother),Me and my hostparents

Here I am spreading my wings :-)

only the sky is the limit

Natives looking after the animals....

Welcome to Afri-Ski, a wonderful Ski Resort in Lesotho


Skiing in Africa :)

More useful Information about Traveling,Skiing etc in Lesotho will be provided on the Links below

1.) http://www.sanitopchalet.co.za/

2.) http://www.afriski.co.za/

3.) http://www.camelroc.co.za/

My first two weeks in SA....

Time flies by and I am in SA since 2 weeks. I can't believe time passes so quickly. Anyway I arrived safely ( with 1 1/2 hours delay due to technical problems) in Joburg on the 9th of August and was heartily welcomed by my hostfamily from Reitz.( Reitz is in the Freestates: it is a Province in SA/ it is about a 2 hours-ride from Joburg) Before I could go through the security controls, a security guy with his snooping dog has checked up on me. I had to open my suitcase since the dog smelled all my gifts like german chocolates etc.! I have satisfied the security guy with a german chocolate and his investigation was finished from that moment on :-). I was really amazed at the wheater here and the climate differences between Germany and SA. During the day it can get quiet warm (up to 28 degrees at the most/spring has started just now) and the sun is lovely. But it gets freaky cold in the evening. So I am glad I took along enough warm clothes to prevent from getting sick. I had a bit of a flu recently( since I am not that used to the climate here) but my hostmother Ansie gave me some good medicine and I felt well again after a short while.

My hostfamily in Reitz lives on a farm. I am busy working on the farm, experience the life of an south african farmer, playing with the dogs (I love playing with the dogs, almost everybody here has at least one dog - my hostfamily has got 4 dogs), driving around with the motorbike, meeting some friends in town or plan my next adventurous trips ( I will visit a buddy in Pretoria very soon/Pretoria is South Africa's main capital). In no way I get bored. Sometimes we have a braii (= barbeuce). Having a braai is something typical for SA/ part of its culture. It is so much fun with all the people here. Up to now, I have just met friendly and open-minded people, especially my hostfamily is very hospitable and I can easily make myself at home here. I am grateful for all their help and efforts. Some days ago my hostfamily, some of their friends and me went on a trip to Lesotho. Pics will be published soon. Watch out :-) But first of all, have a look at the pictures below. I have taken them in the last two weeks except the map of the Freestates ( I have encircled Reitz)

Map of the Freestates

The house of my hostfamily

The driveway right next to the house

It's me on the Motorbike :-)

The dogs and me on the front door's steps

from the left: Jako ( he stayed with me in Germany as an exchange student and we became quiet good friends), his cousin Marina, Jako's parents (Ansie + Bruwer) and the other cousin Anina

Me posing on a friend's bakkie

All about South Africa including Travel Advice for german Tourists

Get on the Link below and you will have access to all kinds of information concerning South Africa

http://www.suedafrika.net

Discover the Beauty of Capetown by this nice Collection

Capetown with massive Mountains in the background


City of Capetown


incredibly nice view on the ocean from Table Mountain...you can look far in the distance


great view on Tablemountain from the beach...


Look at this beautiful Picture of Camps Bay...


Camps Bay (2)


Camps Bay (3)

Discover the beautiful Landscape of South Africa

The Landscape nearby Capetown is simply stunning...


The beautiiful Landscape of the Weastern Cape/->close to Cape Town (2)


The nice Landscape of the Weastern Cape/->close toCape Town (3)


We drove up into the mountains and stopped at several places


Beautiful Sunrise in South Africa