The journey

Our coach finally arrives an hour late. After frantic scenes of loading belongings we set off a little after 6 to join a snare up due to some illegal parking. Much car horns blowing we set off along what is known as the garden route. This is a very scenic route from Cape Town to George. However as it was now dark it I just have to take what the guide book says is true.

The coach stopped at filling stations every couple of hours which made sleeping difficult as most people would get off, rush to the toilet and then to the shop all in a 10 min (allledged) break.

As day bole we headed inland to Georgetown which looked as it had not changed since 1900. Travelling through the countryside I was struch how green everything was. There are scatterings of villages all spawling across hillsides. Some villages had power as you can see a series of poles with wires dangling towards each shack. A few meters away from each one was a smaller hut - the site of the family toilet. We pass sites of former Zulu battles - did you see the film Zulu?

Into bustling King Williams Town and we have street vendors come onto the bus selling ices and sweets.

The main road is A class standard sometimes dual carriageway but straight and flat making for a smooth ride. As we pass Butterfield I notice someone has taken to eating fresh food to the limit. There is a Toyoto pick up truck laden with fruit and vegatables and on the roof is tied a live goat.

Finally we arrivin Umtata - the capital of the former Transkei captial. We meet up with our contact for the 45/60minute journey to Fort St John.

We are based in a bungalow called the Jetty situated beside a river (name ?) which means Hippo. There are no hippos left in the river now. We were told there are no crocodiles in the river now because the sharks eat them.

POrt t JOhn is an isolated community not yet commecialised or indoctrinated by Wester living in other words traditional African.

We stay the night at the Amopaondo Backpackers hostel and meet our fellow volunteers.