Tuesday 6th of October : Thanks Brian, Mikeala and Eloise for drving us to the Airport, along with Mum, Dad, Tom & Lisa for seeing us off.  Thanks mum for the apples, they were much appreciated as the airline food got progressively worse.  Dad wisely was hustling us through customs at 6:20 to meet our 6:50 flight. At 6:30 a breathless steward collared us and made us run the rest of the way to the plane.

Wednesday7th : The flight to Singapore was lovely, good aircon, movies on demand and comfy seats. Onward, not so good.  We arrived in Cape Town 10am local time desperate for some horizontal sleep and a salad (well, I was desperate for a salad – curse me forgetting to reconfirm the vegan meal before we left and getting cheeseatarian all the way). It’s cold and raining in Cape Town and the lonely planet guide has listed the wrong address for the backpackers we have a booking for. After the wrong address it is a series of “no vacancies” before we finally struggle (with six bags between us I really mean struggle) into St Paul’s B&B. They are owned and run by the Anglican church next door and the building is ancient, high ceilinged, full of beautiful dark wood and spotlessly clean. The  sunny  courtyard has two lemon trees growing in it.  The good news about Cape Town  is: tap water is potable, and food is really cheap. The bad news is, the money you save on food you spend on exey accomodation.  After showering we venture out in a losing battle to try and stay awake until the local bedtime (tonight and for the next two nights  we end up napping upright in our clothes at 5pm). We have masala dosa and tea and sit and watch the beautiful people from the window. There are such a lot of beautiful people in Cape Town it is unreal. Well dressed, preened and pressed people of all nationalities parade up and down Long st like a vibrant funky runway. We go home and fall asleep in our clothes, trying to stay awake.