I am officially an unemployed backpacker... WOW. 

South Africa was a perfect place to begin my trip - it is visually spectacular, incredibly diverse in every way possible and HUGE!  Nearly twice the size of Texas. 

I arrived in Cape Town, South Africa on Monday March 3rd... bought a South African SIM card for my cell phone and rented a car with Air Con(ditioning), Insurance and a GPS.  All necessities.  I dropped my bags (and SHOWERED) at my hotel, the Breakwater Lodge on the Waterfront, which was a former prison and is currently housing the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business classrooms and housing (kinda wild but their 24 internet was great help for planning my next night's stay).  The Waterfront is pretty touristy/cheesy.  Reminds me of Navy Pier.  But there I ate a great meal, including the Cape Salmon (a white fish, so good, not related to the salmon we Americans know), wine from a nearby vineyard and a brownie a la mode (it all cost about $20).

I woke up to birds chirping the next morning... ahhh... Unfortunately, those same birds (seagulls) fought me for my full english breakfast buffet, which I ate outside, but I was not bothered, I had finally begun my trip around the world!!

I noticed right away that Security Guards are everywhere in Cape Town.  It must be necessary, but it definitly makes you feel a little safer.  You pay 3-5 Rand (around 50 cents) for them to watch your car when you park.  Seems well worth it - especially when I left my pack in the car while I was on the beach.  It is a big, crowded city and although I enjoyed seeing different areas, particularly Clifton Beach and Camps Bay (where the sunset was beautiful as were the views of the mountains and the shirts/skins soccer game :), I was much happier when I arrived in STELLENBOSCH.  I enjoyed a 7 hour wine tour, a private room at the STUMBLE INN, and a great pizza & beer dinner with our wine guide, Jacques, and his sister and friends.  Very welcoming, great wine, beautiful area.

I spent last night at WILDERNESS BEACH HOUSE BACKPACKERS.  Another beautiful beach and great group of people staying there.

I will tell you more about my amazing drives later... now I must get some rest, and get ready for tomorrow's trip to the mountains!

So long for now.  ~steph