Originally Posted by Daxk

Aaah Dianne, mid-summer afternoons, the cumulo nimbus would start building, dark grey with soft white cotton on the sides, flashes of light,the yellow long grass would start waving in the breeze, sussarating is the best way I can describe the sounds, then big, fat, raindrops would hit the hard,red,sunbaked earth, the smell of first rain is indescribable except to those who have smelt it,which is right now to those who have inhaled that dust.
You have never seen smiles as white or heard an infectious belly laugh greater than you would hear on a thursday afternoon on the maids day off when they would get together for their teas and juicy gossip.

The night sky's over the Namib Desert on a Moonless night, The careful way a Namib Elephant walks to not destroy plants

For the Fisherman,the adrenalin as you wait for the wave set to leave the beach, two outboard Motors burbling healthily cos one motor is not enough for those huge waves, the heartstopping scream of a fishing reel when a barracuda or please god, a marlin or sailfish strikes,
The quiet discussions next to a fire fed by tree branches that were young when Ghandi got kicked of a train,old brown sherry as a nightcap,the smell of Boerie and filet,Putu Pap and tomato and onion gravy lingers in the air.
barefeet, shorts and a t-shirt and you know that even if you argue tomorrow is another day.

The laughter, friendliness, go get it attitudes,the humour and sharp ripostes,
the competitiveness, good natured, even amongst best friends for wives,profit,cars,fish,kids,opposing teams, it never stops, and there's a laugh
and a saying "Jaaaa well"

There's also a spirit of adventure and recklessness, a take a chance attitude,
an incredible pride and stubborness. They dont give up easily, they make a plan somehow.
But if you hurt them, they only forgive what they forget, and they never forget, no matter what colour,tribe or creed.
unless it's round a fire, drink in hand, then they talk , dear God they talk, bitter enemies, family feuds, all forgotten next to a fire till tomorrow

Sorry people ,i've just gotten lost here in what my daughter will miss.
what a pity

Originally Posted by DIANE UK

Thanks so much for all your posts. Im glad you can all remember the good times you have had in South Africa. Now i hope you still have good times wherever you are.

Has any boby ever been on the 'Blue Train'. That is something i would like to do but i gather it is vvvvery expensive

Originally Posted by Tegwyn

Did the Blue Train waaaaaaaay back when. It was THE event to travel to the Cape. Not too long ago, tourists on the train had an unfortunate incident where the train got stuck in the middle of nowhere due to someone not filling her up! It was a rather cold unpleasant event apparently. Link is here somewhere because I had written about it when I read it in the paper. Ah Vic Falls, Karibe Dam, Zambezi and all them magical places. Now that is heavenly wild Africa. I preferred the rustic stuff to the typical tourist stuff. I grew up playing in the muck and trudging through bush and it was brilliant. I must have been about 14 before I saw a telly for the first time. Too busy living life.

Originally Posted by TouristTrap

Great life wasn't it?

Originally Posted by vhpacer

I lived in Durban for 3 years in the late 90's. Rented a very nice home in Durban North and worked out at Ballito. I think those years were some of the happiest of my life. I am now looking for a job in SA or East Africa. I was a Helicopter Pilot when I lived there, missing the job and I want to get back into commercial flying. My licence was suspended 2 years ago due to an unrelated injury, but I am due to 'get it back' in a few weeks.

I loved the weather, the laid back lifestyle, the low cost of living, the landscape, the wildlife, the friendly people (on the whole), the cheap, high quality cannabis (so I indulge occasionally), and the quality of the homes......did I mention the weather???

I am single again and I am ready to take another break from NZ, (this country is not heaven on earth, despite what most foreigners think)

Yes the crime is certainly an issue, I would never bring a family to SA. But as long as you pick a good area to live in and you are careful it's not a huge problem. You are asking for trouble if you walk or drive around the poorer areas, sure.

99% of people on this forum will probably disagree with me though, but most people who 'put down' SA have only ever heard about the bad side of the country.....

Each to there own I guess

Originally Posted by vhpacer

Yep, all cannabis smokers are brain dead idiots who cannot function properly outside the living room.

You sound like an old-fashioned, uptight christian. If you were'nt you would'nt be saying things like that. You should'nt insult someone because they chose to do something that you don't approve of.

Originally Posted by Tegwyn

What I said was. "dit is 'n ander storie" that is another story. and the last sentence meant that I still can remember some of the language for a "soutie". Was a favourite, not so pleasant term the Afrikaners had used for foreigners. I think they may like us now.

Originally Posted by vhpacer

I'm not trying to glamourise the place by any means, they do have some major problems regarding crime. I just don't think SA deserves to be labelled as a crime-ridden, wasteland.

Originally Posted by hatfield1

Hluhluew-Umfolozi Zululand Tree lodge one of the most relaxing places on the planet. La Petite Ferme in franschhoek, the wine they make is some of the best I have ever had and the restaurant is to die for. The green dolphin in Durbs, fish and chips a cold beer and watching the surf. If I do nothing else when I next visit I will eat well.