Madeira

Madeira is a beautiful island west of Morocco and north of the Canary Islands. Madeira comes under Portugese rule.

It is a very popular holiday destination for the English and Europeans. The island has stunning views and a very relaxed atmosphere. Surprisingly, there are more eucalyptus trees that I have ever seen, including Australia. The local government says they are a pest and are trying to cut them all down, there are so many that I doubt it will happen in my life time. We visited Pico dos Barcelos, Eira do Serrado and Pico do Serrado. Beautiful island, beautiful people.

Canary Islands - Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of the seven Canary Islands and is regarded as one of the most beautiful.

Our tour took us to the city of La Laguna, the first capital of the island and into the village of Tacoronte. We had a walk through the narrow streets of La Orotava and visited Casa de los Balcones, a traditional 17th century Spanish home. Then onto the holiday town of Puerto de la Cruz with its tree lined avenues, large modern hotels and a variety of shops.

Cape Verde - St Vincent Island

Cape Verde is on the western promontory of Africa and the name is for a group of islands, St Vincent being one. Mindelo is the main town on St Vincent and it is a place with colourful and picturesque Portuguese colonial buildings.

Our tour, provided by a very energetic guide, took us around the city, a stroll through an African market and a visit to the Mindelo Cultural Centre.

Namibia

Namibia is a small country on the south west coast of Africa. The country has unusual scenery, on one side is the ocean and the other side is the Namib desert. The ship docked in Walvis Bay, a quiet little town. Our tour took us to Swakopmund, a German colonial town on the desert coast. On the way to Swakopmund, we stopped at Sand Dune 7. It is as high as a small mountain. Husband extraordinaire decided to walk up the top. He didn't quite make it ( he isn't 30 any more). When he came back I thought I would have to give him mouth to mouth he was so exhausted.

South Africa - Cape Town

Situated on the Atlantic shore of the Cape Peninsula, Cape Town is the "Mother City" for South Africans. Table Mountain is the most famous attraction and can be reached by cable car or road.

On our way to the Aquila Game Reserve we passed by a number of wineries as well as small towns and a couple of 'shanti towns' which for me was a very sad sight.

While on safari, an elephant took exception to us and started to charge at our truck. The ranger reversed out of there so fast I think we broke the sound barrier.

We saw a baby rhino feeding from her mother....it was so cute and I saw a an adult rhino sitting in the same position as a dog does. I couldn't believe my eyes.

South Africa - Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is known as the "friendly city" and has a busy commercial and industrial centre on the eastern Cape. The current population is approx. one million.

We decided to do a safari tour at Shamwari Game Reserve, the tour included lunch and I had some of the tastiest food ever, all I can say is yum, yum, yum!

Reunion

Reunion is an island that comes under French rule. It is not very well known to the general tourist but is visited frequently by the French particularly during their winter months.
Our tour took us to the capital St Dennis then onto a street that had creole style houses. This island has a beautiful coastline, high plains and spectacular mountain ranges. The island is very clean and even though the unemployment rate is 25% the crime rate is very, very low.