Sharon and Andy's World Tour 2006

Subterranea

We like caves. We have been in caves in a number of places; Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Barbados and maybe others. Thus, we jumped at a chance to visit the Cango Caves just outside Oudsthoorn.

This huge 20 million year-old network of caves was first used around 10,000 years ago as shelter by the Khoisan people. Nowadays, the caves provide yet another breathtaking diversion for tourists - the photos simply do not do justice to the majesty of these rock formations.

Sleepers

Wednesday 25 January we travelled to Mossel Bay. Apart from the natural beauty of the area, we were intrigued by our hostel - the Santos Express - which is a converted train 'parked' on the beach! Our room for two nights was a sleeper carriage; it was 'cosy' to say the least but comfortable, and nothing beats the sound of the Indian Ocean lapping against the nearby shore to send you off to sl..zzzzzz!

and Seals

For some reason we had slightly fuzzy heads on Thursday morning, and so felt that a bracing boat trip would be just the thing to blow away our hang-ov... sorry, cobwebs. A walk to the Port at Mossel Bay provided a trip to Seal Island. Amazingly, this 'island' is a relativily small outcropping of rock which is home to around 3000 seals - and boy! do 3000 seals crammed on a rock stink! Yep, very cute to look at but pass the gasmasks please.