We are now killing time before leaving Africa. The thin trail from Nairobi has taken us past a beautiful scenery, lonely settlements and dramatic features. As always the people are what travelling is about - they have been friendly and generous. Strangely it is the little things that make you think of somewhere - Ms Balls chutney flavoured crisps are going to be remembered by Liz (best crisps in the world). Stage 2 - Vanuatu is next, we have very high expectati...

There was another backpackers - Amphitheatre which was nearest to the Amphitheatre of the mountains - strangely enough. This place is in stark contrast to the other lodge at Sani Pass. Here there is a sauna, jacuzzi and climbing cave in the bar, and more importantly interesting people to talk to. Cool music was playing and the first night there was lots of locals to see the live local band. Tomorrow we are going into the mountains to the base of the worlds secon...

As the picture suggests the reason for being here is to see the dry craggy mountains. After another day of going up and down in tha car we arrived at Sani Lodge on the only road pass to the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Sani Lodge was promising at the start; staying in a round house with good views, home made cakes, fresh milk from the farm open, log fire and cheap. After less than stimulating conversations with the people I took the opportunity to escape to the ...

The most interesting aspect of coffee bay was getting to it. We had travelled back into the real Africa - thatched circular painted mud huts, people walking up and down the highways and general africa mayhem. The roads had to deteriate as well. My plan to take the potholes fast (fly over the top) was abandoned when there was a particulary wide one and a nasty noise from the suspension and an even nastier noise from Liz. Coffee bay was a rather scruffy place with ...

Chitsa was a days drive north east over hot dry cactus covered mountains. The day was kind of foot all the way down for 10 - 15 minutes then onto the brakes for the way down - is there anywhere in SA that is flat! Buccaneers Retreat where we stayed didn't help as it consisted of a series of bungalows on the side of a hill. The owner build these and planted trees and other plants to make the place lush without spoiling the views of 17km white sand beach and the la...