Thursday, February 3, 2011

Day 1 - And we're off...

Its only day one and already this tour is different! South African authorities have decided to limit foreign registered trucks in and out of the country, so we've had to 'make a plan' (a necessary skill in Africa).

Letaloi and Shashe left the workshop and headed over the border yesterday, and we will be following tomorrow, but in the meantime we're in a special South African charter vehicle for the first two days of our adventure. A sense of flexibility and willingness to adapt is definitely a bonus when it comes to overlanding, and two phrases should be kept in mind at all times - "TIA"  or 'This Is Africa' and of course, Africa time!

There are 14 pax (passengers) starting from Capetown and the first stop is a highlight, as well as an eye-opener. The guys head off on a township tour, run by guides who live in one of the largest townships in the area (Langa). The tour includes a visit to local homes, community buildings and historic areas, such as the old overcrowded hostels where men used to live in appalling conditions to be close to their areas of work. On a lighter note, lunch in a local restaurant is included as well as an obligatory trip to a local bar where the guys could try the local ale (looks, smells and tastes like off milk - nice!)

I use the time during the township tour to go shopping for the fresh ingredients we need for the first couple of days of the tour - and once we're reunited, we load onto our temporary truck and start the overlanding element of the tour.

Day 1 is a nice easy drive - only 260km on sealed roads - luxury! We travel past the Cederburg Mountains, and the famous flower fields (its not the season, but still a pretty drive). Home for the night is Highlanders Campsite, with an awesome bar overlooking vineyards and mountains - a perfect setting for winetasting and sunset pictures.

Winetasting is the perfect icebreaker for a new group, and the African Ruby (the local fortified red) goes down especially well...

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