Snapshot: South Africa

It didn't take me long to fall in love with South Africa. The history of the nation is full of intrigue: there was lots of give and take between the British and the Dutch. The Brits did most of the governing and the Dutch headed for the countryside to develop the land. The 20th century fight for freedom is part of that fascinating story.

Cape Town is the big drawing card for this magnificent country: the water and the coastline, the backdrop of Table Mountain, the gardens and green scape. Friends Anta and Gavin introduced me to many pals-how special it is to sit in someone's home sharing venison pie and funny stories. Took a car trip across the bottom of South Africa, traveling across fields that went forever, splashed with canola amidst a sea of greens. The 'wine farm' hardly describes the Dutch Colonial bounty of the wine lands. Walked the Cape of Good Hope and all I could think was: I can't believe I am at the bottom of the world (pictured above, with guides)! Saw bushman art on the walls of Drakensberg, wandered a stud farm in Zulu country, lived in a glass house in a game reserve, and took Rovos Rail across the dusty diamond lands. I visited townships and homelands, Johannesburg and Soweto. Too bad it is 10,000 miles from home. I must return to this land of contrasts and strength and beauty.