Hafeezur Rahman Malik
Mr. Hafeezur Rahman is a retired Development Banking Specialist now whiling away his time teaching and travelling. His email contact is: hafeez@khi.comsats.net.pk
I have just returned from South Africa. Here is my travel tale.
On reaching the airport, I booked a seat on the Pretoria Shuttle and was safely delivered to a hostel called Word of Mouth. I got a room for $14 and went to sleep. Next morning, the manager briefed me about the safety conditions and marked an area around the hostel, which he said was perfectly safe. However, he advised me to keep my passport, air-ticket and cash in a safety box provided free by the hostel. I stayed for three days and then bought a Baz Bus return ticket for $250 to travel from Pretoria to Cape Town. It is a hop-on, hop off, door to door service with no time limit. The drivers are most friendly. In a country where Sun City is called Sin City, Cape Town as Rape Town and a visit to Johannesburg is not complete without getting mugged, Baz Bus is like a dream come true.
Next, I proceeded to Swaziland, a land locked country within South Africa, and stayed at Sodzilla camp. The place was right at the edge of a game park and guests could be on safari the moment they left the room. A trail guide was provided for me. I was advised to look back in case of getting lost as the flag fluttering atop the camp would be visible from all directions.
Later, I went to Zululand and stayed with a hostel run by ladies - mother and daughter. It was well decorated. I was told that the daughter had a husband but he was kicked out as he was not matching the overall decor. The mother had reduced her own husband to a safari guide and the two women were firmly in command. I had the best food in most hygienic conditions. The oldest game park, Shulushue, Cheetah Research Unit and Zulu Culture Village were nearby. The Zulu dance is worth remembering as it is performed by young topless girls in a bid to attract a suitable match. The price of a bride is 11 cows and one cow can be bought for $300. It takes a total of $ 3,300 to get married. I had that amount but not the time to enjoy a blissful marriage.
From Zululand, I want to a very scientific sea-city, Saint Lucia, before bumping in Durban. I liked the latter as there were many Muslims hailing from Pakistan, India and African countries. Also, I got an opportunity to see Indian films at the local movie houses. At all these places, I went to waterfronts, museums, aquariums, planetariums and took part in river journeys and walking safaris.
A week later, I moved to Coffee Bay. It was quite fascinating for me to enjoy fresh fish grilled in the lawn and served in a most friendly atmosphere. Next was Cintsa where I found a beautiful hostel, atop a hill, called Buccaneer. Since, I was to cover a lot, I went ahead and reached Port Elizabeth, Knysna and finally Cape Town. On reaching there, I thought I would stay a while to unwind. But it was cold and cloudy. There was no out-door tours and it looked as if everything has come to a stand still. I got panicky and planned my return without waiting for the sunshine which was two days away.
Gradually, I returned to Johannesburg and had a conducted tour of Hillbrow, the most notorious area. I saw massive hotels like Holiday Inn closed down and chain stores abandoned. It was indeed a dying city and would turn into a ghost town if nothing was done against the international Mafia, the Nigerians. I had a chance to gossip to an Indian shopkeeper who advised me not to step out of his shop till the tour van stops right in front. What a precaution? However, he told me that I looked like a South African and no one would hurt me but why take a chance?
The final three days were spent in Pretoria seeing Sun City, the flea market, the museums and the zoo.
I would love to come back again but there are many other countries. Moreover, I feel that age is creeping over me very fast. I could not keep up with other travellers, even on roadside walks, and asked them to leave me alone so I could catch my breath. Hence, it is all the more urgent to go to unseen countries like Brazil, Chile etc.
On my return, I went to my doctor who said it was a combination of chill, height and acidity. Reminds me of a joke. One old fellow was telling his friend in a pub, "By Joe, you would never believe!! Last night, in the fog, hog and cog, I picked up an auntie of mine."
In all I spent $850 during my 30 days stay and that puts me in $30 a day class, well above the $10 group.
Hafeezur Rahman
|
