South Africa - Day 1

• Following an 11-hour flight from Paris, we arrived in Johannesburg at 10 a.m., went through customs, exchanged some money and set out for a 6-hour drive to Phalaborwa -- learning to drive on the left side of the road (in a manual no less) was an experience for us both!

• Along the way we passed a baboon eating garbage on the side of the road, numerous controlled burns, countless locals of all ages walking along the narrow shoulder, goats and cows sometimes IN the road, towering banana plants, tea plantations, orange groves, warthogs and termite mounds.

• Arrived at our friends' house just after dark and were treated to showers, a home-cooked meal and lovely conversation (catching up on 10 years!), followed by drinking wine while relaxing on the porch.