South Africa... Christmas and after
I don’t know what to start with – stories about a beautiful country full of breathtaking landscapes, or about all those animals I have met on my way. Those encounters meant much to me, they were more than I could’ve ever dreamt of...
I was in Kruger National Park on Christmas Eve – I saw elephants, giraffes, hippos and lions. Can you imagine??? I also spent one day on a safari at Mrs. Ala’s who is a Pole (www.tshukudu.co.za). I even went for a walk with a young lioness and I stroked a cheetah... My heart melted... Well, there was no carp at the Christmas table, but I don’t like the fish anyway :) Instead, I had traditional Polish wafer sent here by my mom.

My New Year’s Eve was also amazing. I climbed Cape of Good Hope (the cable car didn’t work that day). The place looks totally different when viewed from land but it is still magical. The wind blew terribly; I was attacked by monkeys (which leaped all over my car) when I was waiting for the sunset. I owe an apology to those whom I promised that I would call them on New Year’s Eve... It turns out that I slept it through. And it is difficult to gain access to the Internet here (actually it is sometimes impossible). What is more, I hardly ever have electricity or a plug is missing...

So... Tanasza is now resting safe at the marina, watched over by my fellow sailors. I think she’s already got an “itchy keel” in order to sail on to Brasil while I am journeying around.
I am driving, lots of hitch-hikers, beautiful mountains around, the road leads me along the shore so I can see huge waves, surfers’ love, in Jeffreys Bay. I do manage to get sick (lucky me) and I have to cancel beach horse riding, as well as sandboarding.  I have no time to waste for “recovering” so I’m just moving on.

I finally reach Port Elizabeth. First thing I hear is that local club members of Algoa Yacht Club want me to greet Joanna Pajkowska from them!!!! Can you believe it? Is it possible that she stopped at Port Elizabeth during her NON STOP cruise around the world? What terrible conditions made her look for shelter? I also heard that another one of my colleagues was named a heroine of the day after rescue action which took place yesterday at the coast of the Republic of South Africa. I am sincerely worried for I know how dangerous those water can be...  Since I am nearby, I am going to Port Elizabeth without hesitation – I don’t know what condition are they in so I contacted the organiser of the cruise, maybe they need help. Luckily, it turned out that both crew members are safe and they are enjoying themselves on a safari at the moment. I felt relieved. On the other hand, I was worried with what I learned about the rescue action. I hope that Polish sailors will hear the truth about the event really soon!
 

I am going on... an elephant, a giraffe, a scorpio, a kudu, a jackal, a hyena, an elephant... a wine bar!!! – it seems they are making delicious wines here! there are wine bars where you can try some of their products or see how they are made... Still, I am going on...