One last time "Hello dear blog readers. Exactly one year and one day, on 11.11.2008, we have entered Africa, and so today is our last entry.
But first let's set up where we left off last time.
South Africa, the Second
As already indicated, we knew that Jonas and Xenia Cape Town were also on the way to and so we decided on the two to wait.
Our last "todo" item on the Cape Town list included the ascent of the world famous Table Mountain, a visit to Iceland by Robin Nelson Mandela where most of his captivity spent, and a visit to the less well-known penguins of the Cape, these two Touriaktivitäten we did then with Jonas and Xenia.
Sarah and Xenia had the rum days after the summit some problems with sore muscles and ran like the Penguins still to be visited (the two men probably had the same problems, but added this had never ;. O)) in particular the visits to shopping malls without escalators had a great entertainment value, since the two women barely three stages managed without complaining.
Another "Tourimuss, the penguins in Simonstown
Robben Iceland:
Actually we already wanted to go on Monday because of rough seas but the visits were canceled. So it was Wednesday. But on Wednesday it had such a stir that Sarah felt sick with sub-total-dose Antikotz tables tablets. She was not the only one, a little boy has filled the bag and the bathroom was always occupied. ;-)
ups, one of the most important events in Cape Town we would have almost forgot! The first of August. That we celebrated a bit unconventional at the campsite, with fondue. The South African temperatures around this time of year can be a Funduegenuss.
Our South African camping neighbors were surprised probably our patriotic posturing (the Schweizerfänlein was not missing of course). Out of respect for Xenia's eardrums, the Helvetic national anthem not forge wear loud, but with fervor, very quietly, humming.
little tip if someone should come at the beginning of August in the position without a pot somewhere in the world to be: Scout pot, a little water in, put another cup pure and so prepare fondue. Although no Grandmother, but it's nice melts evenly.
was of course also for Jonas and Xenia have the obligatory visit to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Agulhas. And we did not take us to accompany them.
photos of Jonah and Xenja at: www.jonasinafrika.bligspot.com
's went further to the northeast. Direct outs for Horn, Strauss South Africa's stronghold. From there we visited the Cangoo caves, famous caves. A zoo was on the program and the Swartberg we went from there.
Cangoo caves:
Swartberg:
's Next along the coast, the Garden Route second.
Knysna and Tsitsikamma After the second we made our way to the Addo National Park, right, here we were with Iris. To make things more exciting the second visit to We did make a guided night drive. Unfortunately, in a rather large Italian family, including mobile Safari. (Axgüsi but diä chönd würkli NIÄ uf d Schnura hockä!)
Said family managed but not quite, all animals to drive away and we saw some Nachtaktivchen ...
adopted after a new outbreak of patriotism in the camp of Addo NP in which we plastered our cars with Schwiezerchrüüzli us for the umpteenth time of Jonah and Xenia. Above all, Flo had the slow tearing after Mozambique.
Next we drove for two to the east. Through the Transkei, one of the most original, but also South Africa's poorest region, with stops we went to Durban. Sorry we missed Sofia (Flos step-sister), she studied in Durban and we had really hoped to meet them here.
So we spent a Stadttag in Durban alone and once again visited an aquarium, o)
It was nice, this time no pictures, glassified fish are also a bit boring in the long run, o)
to our campsite just outside Durban's, we met an older camper-couple (both in the 80s). The two were so enthusiastic about our history, that they invited us right in your children (which operate a spa lodge). This means that we drove a little detour to Tangami Safari Lodge Spa.
Since we met a South African family, the gathering celebrated. Because it is totally impossible is no fridge to get along, to say no meat, we were again invited to dinner. The best homemade burgers you can eat in the west!
Just before the border to Swaziland we stayed in a beautiful small NP. The pitches are not there fenced. Sun grasste the whole evening a Rhino family in our neighborhood. Something weird was already, but apparently Rhinos look very bad and then when it was night we had a more or less relaxed dinner.
In Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland, we wanted to get a visa for Mozambique. Since issuing the good ladies of the embassy just before closing time but no visa, allegedly entered the country because we are on the same day in Swaziland, we drove Ratz Fatz on to Nelspruit. But since going to the Embassy was in vain. That means they would have made us one for 600 Rand. At the border we paid 380 Medical (100 rim), but we did not know yet. Nevertheless, we decided to risk entering into only a few days to get and drove to the border.
25/08/2009 Moçambique
entered after 289 days, 31'808 km 19 countries and countless impressions we finally, with butterflies in my stomach Flo's home. Only Sofia and Angela were informed of our arrival. When we were so unexpectedly in Hausi's office he gave us first for ghosts o) but after the initial shock, the joy was all the greater. Sincerely, we were accepted and accommodated. Tchova had just allowed in the entrance court, not an inch higher it would be!
So we spent almost a month in Maputo. Fed royal had no more laundry and were cared for. From friends was gone and of course made them extensively.
Since the visa is valid for only 30 days, we had again crossed the border into South Africa. Jonas and Xenja were on the way to Kruger. So we made a plan to meet us in Nelspruit.
23/09/2009 South Africa
Sun we went to meet so to Nelspruit to Jonas and Xenia. But first we wanted to shop and stopped at a shoping mall and here it happened. After all the ridiculous traveling circus in Africa, without problems, our car was just on the parking lot of a Shopingcenters broken. Fortunately, only Flo's mobile phone and stole an empty free Bauchtäschli. Blessing in disguise, then, the GPS, cash, camera, laptop, etc were also in the car ...
Tchova got so towards the end of our trip even new door locks: o)
The Funky Monkeys Backpacker we came back to Jonas and Xenia and made plans for the next few days.
The first attempt, a few days in the Kruger National Park to spend, was made impossible because of South African Ferian Moçambicanischen and holidays: All fully booked! So we had to endure
almost a week in Nelspruit until finally a camp site in the Kruger became vacant. The time spent on shopping with us, this time only in stores with secure parking, o), car services, etc. fine Znächtern
When it finally went off, we got to see:
After the wonderful trip we took the scenic route. a well known and popular route with three attractions:
2:10:09 Mozambique for the second:
After the month in the big city we wanted to go north. We slept one night in Maputo and were on our way to Mozambique to learn better.
from our original plan to the far north to drive, unfortunately came to nothing. First, we again had only 30 days and second, we slowly ran out of time. So we went just so far we came.
first stop was in Xai-Xai:
Xai-Xai, we drove to Tofo one of our favorite beaches, where we were with Esther, Raphael, Iris and Martin. We stayed at the Fatima's Nest, a Bacckpakers with camping. Backpackers are certainly among the most exciting places to stay. Here you always meet interesting, funny and sometimes inclined travelers, o)
After a few nice days in Tofo we drove over Vilanculo to Chimoio.
One of our camps between Vilanculo and Chimoio. The place was beautifully situated right in the bush. The Ambiece more suspicious. Besides a night watchman and his family no one was there. We have come to the conclusion that this is a semi-legal poachers camp for rich tourists (vA Americans, according to security guard).
Chimoio is a small town located in central Mozambique. The city has charm, but unfortunately no possibility Camp. We found a place on a lake just outside, but no less beautiful.
We had planned to made in the Gorongosa National Park, the prices are there but so horrendous that we return at the gate to Beira drove. Beira is the second largest city in Mozambique, Maputo quasi in small output. We really liked the city does not have. So we went after one night in the hotel (no camping) south again.
Elsewhere: 
We tried on our way back to Maputo to new towns, beaches and to find gems. and we have found two such places which are worth visiting.
Inhassoro:
located near Vilanculo, slept less touristy, and very very charming. The beach is Vilanculo as anything, and we have heard that you can make from this trip to the Bazaruto Archipelago.
Pomene:
A beach resort in a picture book. on a small spit of land located in and unfortunately can not be achieved without a 4x4 (with his boat). Since we had so have a 4x4 but no problem: o)
Another Wemutstropfen's, prices for camping. Usury is only the first name, but we found there soooo nice that we, despite the price of two Nights stayed (we were not in Gorongosa, o))
Well, as I said Tofo is one of our favorite places in Mozambique, and so we let ourselves do not take a second visit. In addition, Flo finite rank, making use of the diving course. Tofo and certainly a brilliant place to achieve this. Unfortunately, without Sarah, but we have yet to persuade o)
Also this time we met travelers and Exciting spent some wonderful evenings with interesting things conversations, much laughter and too much beer: o)
In Xai-Xai we made to the way back a Zwischenstap, as this city the distance is great between Maputo and Tofo content. But this time we tried something new instead of the main road and took a small dirt road with some deep sand tracks.
Back in the south we went the first time after Maraquene. Here Hausi building his new residence. The last time we were here first passed the building plans, now you can live almost there.
In Maraquene is our trusty travel companion TCHOVA stay and wait for us and his next trip use.
Maraquene drive from Maputo (impressions):
Well, last week in Maputo we friends with organizational matters and with.
Since we had done all the formalities for Tchova. Amazing how long does it take to have a scrap of paper that says that this car parked here (Sorry, parking) must be: o) but after a year of Africa, we had enough time to train our patience and our nerves STR ; select.
Today we have Tchova mothballed in Maraquene. Somehow, it hurts, our homes during the last year so pack up and "soon to tell."
Yes, to find the right final words is not easy! So this is not the last blog entry. The definitive final word needs a little digestion time: o)
We hope nevertheless that you had all the enjoyment of our trip reports and apologized again, the irregularity of the entries.
The next trip is already on, on 14/11/2009's going back to Switzerland ...
... on a new adventure
Abraço grande
Sarah, Flo and Tchova
