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1995
Cape-Durban - Cairo to Capetown
Bec2004-09-20 13:45:36
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Stellenbosch
The vineyards around Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschoek were established by French Huguenots and Dutch settlers early in the 18th century. This is a very interesting region but South Africa's very poor public transport system makes it difficult to visit.
I visited the Bergkelder Winery here and would have liked to visit others but getting around in South Africa is a problem, there are few busses and they don't go everywhere. I came here by train but I had to resort to hitch hiking to leave because of the inadequate bus service.
Sasol
Hitch hiking was slow, it took me 6 rides and 8 hours to do the 250 kms to Riversdale where I got a lift all the way to Humansdorp on a truck laden with wines destined to be made into brandy. I took a shot of this plant when my driver, Andre Halgreen, pointed out to me that it was Sasol's synthetic petroleum refinery. It was worth a photo as being the only one in the world of its kind. It was built during embargo times to produce gasoline and fuels from coal by the Fischer-Tropf process used by the Nazis during WW II.
Humansdorp
It was close to midnight when we got to Humansdorp but Andre's family was there, waiting to wish him a happy birthday. That was so nice that I asked them to take a picture. Andre is the one without a shirt. I slept in the truck cab bunk that night.
Port Elizabeth
The next morning, there were no busses going east from Humansdorp before late afternoon so I hitched a ride to Port Elisabeth with a fishing boat captain. This is the City Hall.
I got here early and had time enough to roam about the city, to visit Signal Hill where this shot was taken and to buy an overnight bus ticket to Bloemfontein.
Lesotho
This is Maseru's Catholic Cathedral.
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See photographs from:
South Africa Gallery
