Frankies Travels - Cape Town

So I landed safe and sound in the famous Mother City and after negotiating an exit from the Parking Lot we (being myself and my host)made our way across to the foot of Devils Peak to stay for the next 4 days.

I got a tour of the sights of the area which was to admire the view down onto the city (sparkly yellow and white), how close the burning mountain became burning complex (very close) then to admire the hulking great view of The Mountain (invisible due to clouds).

Yesterday we went and looked at some natural sights of the area. First a visit to the Sea - Camps Bay (altho too cold to take off shoes let alone swim) Then Hout Bay area which became a search for the Hout Bay Embassy (snooty exclusive bunch...) which resulted in a stop for a delicious Lindt Cappucino and a magnificient slice of Lemon Meringue Pie.

We gave up on the embassy and decided to go across to Simonstown. The trip across had me marvelling at the over-mountain bos and sights and once in Simonstown, we went to Boulders beach to see (smell) the penguins. We decided to walk the wooden path before paying entrance and we got so many sights of the pink eyebrowed little black birds that we decided we didnt need to pay entrance at all!

We then decided to drive back into Simonstown and walk the historic Mile - and stopped off for a very generous hake and chips along the way!

We took the scenic route home and after all the walking and eating we settled for baked veggies and a classic movie and were asleep by 10:30pm!

Felt like an old lady by the end of it but it was all together a pretty darned great first day!

Frankies Travels - Cape Town

So after flying every month this year (except February) I am finally flying without needing a passport! I haven't been to Cape Town in more than 5 years and I am pretty darned excited. Firstly I am flying down by myself - this is like a spontaneous holiday all for me... Well as spontaneous as you can be when the flights were just about sold out a month before... Secondly I haven't been to the beach in quite a fair while so being at the sea (with or with out swimming weather) is something to look forward to for this born and breed Vaalie. Thirdly I am seeing a good friend who, despite the fact I see him VERY rarely, I could consider him amongst my long standing friends. Fourthly I just got that awesome monthly email saying my bank account just grew by a salary So I can be a lot less budget conscious this weekend. And finally (five reasons is enough) I have 4 work free days ahead and Ill be flying for at least 4 hours of it.

Let the Frankies (domestic) Travels Commence!

Reason 6 - Window Seat :D

Germany - After Home Hospitality

So where were we.. so after the two day stay back in Regensberg we went to a monastry (Kloster) in Ensdorf that has a whole program for the youth. We spent 3 days learning about alternative energy. I am ever grateful to my supervisor at work for briefing me on the stand that Soth African companies take on alternative energy because I spent a lot of time explaining myself to the german energy peoples.

We went to a solar park on a day when it rained.

The germans love to recycle sewerage and dung. Imaging a mountain of what looks like cocoa powder or a swimming pool of chocolate sauce to those fortunate enough to not be able to smell. the trouble is that the smell is so rich and powerful it did make me think of chocolate. The smell leaps out and assials your senses. the exception being that the smell does not induce a dreammy happiness but rather a strong desire to see your lunch again... mmmm dung!

we also went to a power plant that generates energy from burning trash which was EXTREMELY interesting to me and my camera battery was dead :( :( :( :( Anyway they took us into the main control room and I had to be physically restrained from jumping over the front desk and having a good and proper look.

After Ensdorf we went to a Scout camp near a teeny tiny town called Krickelsdorf - No running water, long drop toilet and sleeping on a hard wooden floor - on the positive side we were right next to a forest and by the wheat fields and the camp fires were awesome casual easy going affairs. I think the camp fires were a highlight of the entire trip for me (that and the bear playing in the rain)

While I was there I went for a walk and took this picture. The sunset and the wheat fields. I love my little blue camera!



Anyway so I stayed at the camp fire on the last night until the very early hours and then when to sleep until I couldnt take the snoring (sorry these were ladies make that heavy breathing) anymore. So I got up very very early for another walk. The only other thing awak was Mr Frog...




He actually stuck around a while for me to try all the different features on my camera to get a nice shot of him. Funny thing is this picture is the first one I took.

Frankies Travels - a desert of connectivity

So after a week in the foreign land I can say this:

Germany is very beautiful. Im getting a sore neck from staring around everywhere round and round and round.

We started in a little village called Regensdorf outside of Regensburg. in a pretty little two story house belonging to the Scouts. Out the window we could see the river Regen

It rained some.

We visited a 'green classroom' at a local youth centre and picked some herbs and made a herb cottage cheese spread. we also picked berries and made a delicious dessert.

then it rained some ... more.

We visited a kindergarten in a forest. it was wesome to see the tall tall trees and the little children playing under them. after lunch we saw the children playing with a hammer and saw. Yes, no lies a 6 year old child playing at cutting wood with a read grown up saw... hmmm... seems these germans take their forestry seriously. Mom, fancy adding a sharp saw to your school toy box?

and then it rained a bit.

we stopped off at a farm to use the facilities because the ladies have impatient bladders and the farmer who was carrying a full bucket of cherries left the bucket with us while he went to show the girls to the bathroom.

Half a bucket of cherries later.... we left... because it was raining

We had a campfire but had to chase the snails away from the beer.

Lesson: Snails love beer. Who would think?? maybe it's just the gernman snails with their little shell leederhosen.

We went for a tour of Regensberg which has a very long history. And tall buildings along the streets. We were set loose to do some shopping for curios, most girls went clothes shopping. I went to vodafone to find out about feeding my addiction to teh internet, only to discover that data is 19c (like €0.19) PER KB!!! dont faint when you do the maths back into rands. So I decided to not have a connection to the internet via the cellphone(das handy)

then it rained a bit

We packed up to move accross to Landshut. but first we swam in the river Regen. it was cold... very cold.

We stopped off at the National Mountain nature park and went for a hike. The forest was stunning but it erained and then poured and then thundered and then rained. I loved it! Hiking in the rain was way way cool - it helps if you have the group umbrella tho ha ha ha. as we ran past in the rain I saw a bear playing in a water pool loving teh rain too. way way cool! wish I had taken a photo or a video or a bear for my collection.

in Landshut we went to the town festival that happens every 4 years celebrating the marriage of the previous king of the area to a polish princes. The pagent and procession of locals dressed up all medeval was amusing and interesting. They kept shouting HAALLLLOOOOOO! - 'tis traditional I think. in the free time I snuck off and got lost in the town and had a nice time getting un-lost again. Landshut is another classically beautiful town. with a castle on the hill.

it rained during the walk back to the sleeping place.

we then went for a visit to an organic farm

Saw some sheep (Lauren, stop laughing) snuck off and snapped some photos of the sheep. the Sheep were cheesed off that it was raining. there was a tour of teh organic farm too. the organic farm... with Sheep :D

Then the whole gang was split up for visits in pairs to peoples homes. where i am now.

Yaay! (now with rain)

Frankies travels Lift off

So after months of preparation and complaining and excitement and running around Finally my trip to Germany is beginning

I assume we are on a massive plane because the queue to check-in was very very very long.

I'm kinda lonely because the girls front Rustenburg keep to themselves and all the Joburg girls are umm.... some what aloof.

Anyway Ill have to use my bossy wit and charm and make myself at home with someone.

Someone has put on some Saffer music and the girls are shaking what there mum's gave 'em Entertaining to tourists mostly. Maybe I should jump in for a dance lesson... Ai ai ai ai ai

Here's to new experiences!

Frankies Travels Germany Countdown One More Sleep!!!

So for those I haven't seen of recent days - I'm off to Germany tomorrow evening. Its kinda different from last time since
A) there isn't a delicious young man waiting for me at the airport (not that I know But Ill stay hopeful)
B) this is not a vacation but an exchange program (the difference being in wearing uniform for 3 weeks, the choice of where and what we do and the fact that I'm expected to be on my very very very best behaviour - as if that is different from normal hee hee hee)
C) I haven't had to scrimp and save and drain my bank account to go...

I'm getting pretty excited tho despite that my bag is probably overweight, I'm going with 11 other girls (interjection: of course they are all lovely nice girls but still 11 headstrong woman together for 17 days is like putting 11 alpha male cats in a basket) and I have a beautiful Amarula Cream fancy tin with a bottle of liquer in it packed as a gift that I hope will not be construed as a bomb - No more suspicious than the white brick of pap.... other than that....

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-(take another breath)-Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!! \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/

Botswana

I got up at 3am this morning.

I got to the airport at 4:30am this morning.

I arrived in Gaborone at 7am this morning.

I left Gaborone at 4pm this afternoon.

I arrived home at 6:30pm

Botswana was sunny and friendly but I am Finished uuuuggghhh....