Africa 2024

7.0 Durban When:  9 to 13 May Where:  The Oyster Box, Umhlanga Rocks, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. Just outside of Durban  Weather:  Sub-Tropical and warm but mostly overcast.  High temperature from 22 to 28C What:  Final stop in Africa.  Was a few days of R&R and lazing by the pool. Who:  Daniel, Brent, Stephanie, Shane and their wonderful friends:   Jenny and Eric Mark Nola M Sue Judy & Nola Disa & Josh  Workout: just one at a local Planet Fitness.  Excellent gym but way too hot in there. Walking: Just a bit on the boardwalk on the beach Wine:  Sauvignon Blanc and a lovely Pilotage from Walker's Winery in Stellenbosch .  We also got to enjoy some lovely Moët and Chandon. Whine:  We only got one beach day.  But summer has just begun in Vancouver! WTF:  Although the room at The Oyster Box was very nice and with a beautiful view, we decided to upgrade ourselves to a bigger room.  When w...

Africa 2024 6.0 Rwanda When:  5 to 9 May Where:  Kigali (capital) and Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.  Our resort is located at -1.444 lat 29.526 long which puts us approximately 160 km south of the equator.  Just over this mountain range is Democratic Republic of Congo and to the north is Uganda. Weather:  Plenty of clouds but plenty of sun. Pleasant at about 23C. Despite being just south of the equator, Rwanda is quite mountainous and stays cool and wet. The weather on our trek day was perfect.  Mostly cloudy and about 20C.  A touch of rain at the start but that cleared away quickly.  Our final day in the country started with pouring rain.  Some guests at the hotel were going trekking that morning.  It would not be a pleasant experience but still worth it I'm sure. What:  Gorilla Trekking!  Also a Kigali City Tour that included the Rwanda Genocide Museum.   Who:  Daniel and Brent.   Shane and Steph stayed...

Africa 2024 5.0 Stellenbosch When:  30 April to 4 May Where:  Stellenbosch and Franchhoek, Western Cape.  South Africa's premier wine region which is about an hour outside of Cape Town.  Stellenbosch is a major university town as well with about 30,000 students.  A very different atmosphere than other areas of South Africa as Afrikaans is widely spoken here. Weather:  Generally beautiful.  A few clouds here and there with high temperatures up to 30C.  Steady rain on the day we left. What:  Wine touring and relaxing. Who:  The fab four.  Also our host Dion and our driver Mawethu.  We also met two Moniques from Mauritius.  Shane and Steph knew them from their childhood in South Africa. Workout: Hotel gym.  Not a bad gym and got in two workouts (sleeping in far too late). Walking: Very little.  Just around Stellenbosch for shopping.  Wine: Many: These are what we bought and plan to take home.   We vis...

Africa 2024 4.0 Cape Town When:  26 to 30 April 2024 Where:  Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town Weather:  Mostly sunny and nice.  High of about 25c.  But sporadically windy and cloudy.  Cape Town is famous for its changeable weather. What:  Mostly just relaxing.  Did a Cape tour and saw the Cape of Good Hope.  Very pretty but VERY windy! Brent had no problem controlling his hair.  My hairspray did not hold up as well. Took the gondola to the top of Table Mountain.  Weather was not great but still some decent views. Who:  The Fab Four! Workout: I did one workout and my legs are now killing me.  Walking: Not much but we did do a so-called 15 min walk to the waterfront that took over an hour.  Turns out it's a 15 min Uber ride! Wine:  Wine pairings at a fabulous restaurant called Belly of the Beast.  As well, the hotel brought us a bottle of wine each evening.  Just what we need! Whine:  Steph isn't gettin...

Africa 2024 3.0 Botswana When:  20 to 25 April 2024 Where:  Okavango Delta in Northern Botswana Weather:  Sunny and hot during the day with highs of up to 37C.  Quite cool at night with the temperature dropping to 13C.  Even in the early evening as the sun is going down, as Shane said:  the temperature drops like a stone. What:  Safaris!  Jeep safari, helicopter safari, walking safari, water (mokoro) safari. All fabulous. Who:  The fab four.  Also our guide Sinka and our hostess Mz Tee Workout: Not a chance.  I think I'll remove this category. Walking: Walking safari with our armed guide.  I had some ethical concerns about going on a walking safari.  I thought the idea of the guide being armed and having to potentially kill an animal for my selfish viewing pleasure was unethical. However, Sinka assured us that in the past 6 years, there have been no incidents.  He's also very aware of the behaviour of the animals and ...