South Africa

Time to pack our bags for Asia - or unpack actually - although we've only brought a rucksack each, we're dumping or forwarding at least half of it and keeping little more than a change of clothes for the next leg of the trip.

Our stay here has been fantastic and has passed all too quickly.

Highlights:

Graham: eating out - wonderful food, service and value, nights soaking in Montagu's hot mineral pools under bright desert stars, Hermanus Backpackers hostel, stunning scenery, the hospitality of Frith's family, living in shorts!

Frith: spending time with family, warm weather, beauty of the Cape, South African accents, hospitality, food, wine, memories of childhood.

Heather: stroking adult cheetah, hot pools and slide at Montagu, warm weather (reached 42 degrees in the Klein Karoo (little desert)).

Rhiannon: cheetahs, Montagu hot pools, biltong, everyone has a swimming pool or jacuzzi.

Got off the plane in Cape Town to 33 degrees and SUN!

First day highlights:

Watching Rhiannon hold hundreds of bees in her bare hands, under the capable guidance of Nigel the beekeeper.

Going to Blouberg Beach to watch the McNaught Comet over Table Bay, and seeing Venus emerge from behind the crescent Moon, looking like a giant diamond ring in the sky.

The rest of the time has been spent in and out of the pool, with regular trips to the fridge and shade - just getting acclimatised.