So, my time in South Africa is almost over.

I went on a tour of the Winelands yesterday. Even though i'm not a great lover of wine, quite a few people had recommended the tour to me because of how beautiful the scenery is. They weren't wrong. I got picked up at 9 in the morning and the first stop was at a wine farm in Paarl. We could taste up to 6 different wines and there was also cheese tasting. As were only a small group, there were only 4 of us, our guide took us to an amazing chocolate shop in Franshoek and to quite an exclusive wine farm that the bigger groups don't get to go to because they only allow groups with a maximum of 6 people in. Over the next 5 months, I doubt I will got anywhere as posh as that! Next stop was a farm in Stellenbosch where we had lunch. It's known for being a student town but it looked really nice as we drove through the centre. After a massive burger, we tasted yet more wines, and headed to a couple more farms, finishing off at one where we got to go on the cellar tour and see how the wine is actually made. In all we must have tasted about 30 different wines, red and white, along with some port. There were only 2 I liked and they were on the very first farm. At least now I can say with certainty, that I don't really like wine!

Today was my last full day and the only thing I had left to do was go up Table Mountain. I was supposed to go up on Monday with the barman from the hostel, but he didn't have enough money as he hadn't been working. Then he found out he had to work on reception during the day today so I ended up arranging to go up with the other British woman who was planning on going alone. Typically, I got up this morning and it was so cloudy (it's only been like this one other day) but we'd already booked a taxi to the cable car. Once we got there, the man in the kiosk warned us that visibility was poor but nothing really prepared me for just how poor. We could see absolutely nothing! Looking over the edge was just white so you couldn't even tell how high up you were. On hindsight, I should have gone up sooner but there isn't anything I can do about it now. At least I can say I did it!

The main thing that's struck me about South Africa is just how mountainous and green it is. It's a really pretty country but I still can't get over driving past the Townships and seeing people living in complete poverty just a stones throw away from big, extravagant houses. I could have done a tour of one of them but it didn't feel right somehow, paying a company to take me round and show me just how badly the people live. Having said that, I'm sure we drove past one "shack" with a sky dish!

Next stop: Bangkok.