Day 4 and 5 of the PA team adventures in South Africa, Cape Town

Day 4 – Began with some light shopping at the Green Market, we all had a go at haggling on prices. We then headed to the Museum of ‘The Slave Lodge’, it gave an interesting look on slavery in South Africa and the struggles they had. South Africa truly has came a long way however, South Africans now all have a mixed culture due to the slaves brought from throughout Africa and Asia which shows when walking through the city as it has a variety of restaurants and flavours. The Museum also offered an insight into Steve Bikos life, which seems like he had a lot of influence on Africa and how they have developed in recent years.

After some intense life learning, we went to the most amazing cake shop, Charley’s, to reflect on our learning. Well it wasn’t far off Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, apart from some greedy kids and a chocolate running river, it could have been mistaken with its brightly coloured room full of cakes and buns of ALLLLL sizes. If you’re anyway like me you would of thought you were dreaming and got Una to take photos to make sure it was real! J

Following this eventful afternoon, Una, Shiv and myself headed to the poolside were we talked Una into jumping into the pool fully clothed! – What a mistake I made daring her hehe… Oops – All in all a fairly relaxing day… (Oh with the exception of the parking business but I’ll leave that story for another day)

Day 5 – Another day of a beautiful country and outstanding scenes we saw! Firstly we headed to Table Mountain… WOW what a sight as you go up in a cable car with 50 odd people, that’s floor rotates while moving at a steady rate. I’m telling you it’s an experience and a half. On the Mountain it was like a Sunday oven… whoa Ted! Word of recommendation if you go to any mountains in Africa bring Sun Cream, water and GOOD walking shoes – NOT flip flops, as I did whilst exploring the world 1086 metres above water, its not easy ;)

Finally we made ore way to Bush radio, were poor Debs did finance stuff while Una, Shiv and myself went for lunch! On our return we mingled a little with the Radio dudes and then headed to Camps Bay.

I’m hoping my afternoon on the beach has evened out my butterfly effect sunburn on my back :s Yep… well I’ll let you know how that goes!

Until my reports of Bush radio with the Youth tomorrow, farewell my friends

Caoimhe x

Possibly the funniest thing today was Shiv’s attempt to get rid of one of the hawkers at the beach who was looking for a donation to their charity. Despite various phrases of Spanish from Shiv (in a rather N Irish accent it has to be said) our friend was having none of it and managed to get a few coins out of him with cries of ‘Ah, now you understand!” She knew rightly!

I’m having difficulty formulating coherent sentences tonight, the other guys are saying it all pretty well so g’night from me!

Debs

Yesterday was a an easy day for once as we got to do some shopping. Despite my attempts i still need to improve on my haggling skills. Everyday seems to be an experience and a new learning exercise J Then we headed to the Slave Lodge Museum which was really insightful and interesting. It really helped to put into context what the people of South Africa have been through.

Charley’s bakery was pretty cool and diffently different – we really need one back in Belfast. Best bakery i have even been in!! The buns were difinately as good as the decor J - which first attracted us to it.

Then we had a relaxing evening by the pool J Jumping in in my clothes was diffently a good idea – i always wanted to do it :P may do it again during the week! Although it difinately took us a while to convince Shiv to flow suit – next time I’ll just push him in :P:P

Today was really good! Table Mountain was amazing and the views were really beautiful. The cable car was really good...didn’t expect the floor to rotate! Once we got to the top we walked round the top of the mountain and even went of the path a bit to walk on some ‘Mountainy terrain’ . Some advice – Do not go up a mountain in sandals and a dress (was thinking too much about the beach later). That was certainly an experince!

The beach later on was really good but the water was really cold...That was not expected!! I have now executed pretending to sleep in order to get the ‘hawkers’ away – well my teachnique difinately worked better than Shiv’s. I have now got an invitation to stay at one of the hawker’s houses the next time im here – apparently all i have to do is go to the beach and he will be there :S and i dont have to pay because i am his queen :S Dont think ill be going back to that beach...im a bit creeped!!!

Take note:

- its going to be 27 degrees tomorrow...bet Belfast isnt :P

- Shiv is making our lunch for tomorrow...he does have some uses :P

Cant wait to go to Bush Radio tomorrow and Boulders Bay to see the penguins (they are now my new obsession :P)

Una xx

Today was good, then great, then good, then purely good and in that I mean waking up was crap. Don’t know why was tired as hell but then things improved by far we went to the cable car to table mountain (not table top mountain, don’t know where that came from) but yep up there it was amazing. There was not only outstanding views but really cool lizards and really, really nice smelling wild flowers. It wasn’t that warm up there but it was nice and a Fresh breeze was all over the mountain. Also it was actually great just walking and climbing and stuff not like mad climbing but just walking over boulders. It was really awesome, with the view, breeze and the wild life. From there we went into town when we where waiting on debs, we just got lunch and went for a walk. From there we hit the beach, not my favourite place but it was pretty good.

Shiv