Pamplona - Spain

The Place: In the north of Spain (Basque country) the San Fermin festival is held annually for the running of the bulls, where everday from the 6 - 14 July the bull run commences at 8am and the festivities never cease.

Some highlights: Camped out in Ezcaba (15 min from Pamplona) with Tim, Steph, Alexandra and Carlos. Our arrival was momentous since it seemed the bus drivers were having their siestas - had to walk for 2 hours along the highway with our luggage to the campsite. Enjoyed fireworks and float processions on the eve of arrival. Soaked up the sun and enjoyed swimming in the camp's pool. Walked the streets of pamplona with its bands and parades during the 4 days there and partied till late during the nights. Watched a matador show which was cruel yet spectacular. The atmosphere was amazing (and so was the sangria - which ended up all over us). Ran the bulls on the sunday with Tim, had a balcony viewing the mon and ran again tues.

The run: The 1st time (8th July), in sheer terror, arrived in the arena before the bulls. Once all bulls are in they are herded out, and then 6 are released one by one charging into the arena to the cheers of the crowds. Half the fear was not knowing how long this would keep up for (roughly 40min) and the other half was knowing the bull was charging around dropping people like dominoes, out of sight because of the crowd. Got the hang of it and realised its better to chase behind the bull (so that he's in sight all the time) and then flee when he changes direction, then try to get behind him again.

The second run (10th July) was much more fun having picked up tips from the first. For starters actually ran with them in the street this time. Managed to touch a bull in the arena with my rolled newspaper and had one bull jump over me as I crouched with about 10 others at the gate from where they're released (they do this every time a bull is released and though sometimes someone catches a hoof I didnt see anyone get hurt).

Most intense adrenaline rush!! Will never forget!!

Capoeira - London

The event: The 5th batizado of our London capoeira group (ACER).
Some highlights: Some great capoeira from the best - some from brazil and some from the UK. Maculele (a dance linked with capoeira) was displayed. Samba band and dancer getting the crowd excited. Getting graded!

Beachy Head - England

The place: On the mainland's south coast lies the white cliffs of Beachy Head not too far from Dover (further west).

Some features: Cliffs . . . that are white. Had a great time with Ilse and her friends seeing the cliffs aswell as driving to some of the other little towns in the Sussex region.

Paris - France

The Place: After getting my Schengen visa a day before departure (phew), I took the Eurostar under the English channel to arrive in Paris. Together with Ilse, Gordon and Lea we had an amazing easter weekend.
Highlights: Visited Rodin Museum to see his works including the famous ‘The Thinker’ and ‘The Kiss’.
Partied locally (near the hostel) in a jungle-house-acid-sort of-drum-bass little club till 3 in the morning.
Breakfast at the Sacré Cœur which was my favourite – a white 3 domed church looming on top of a steep green hill. If you’ve watched Amelie this is where she leads the weird id photo collector guy to return his briefcase.
Eiffel where we made a day of it chilling on the grass, watching some capoeira under the tower, waiting in queues and walking up. Great views of Paris from the top!
Found a salsa club in the latin quarter and watched some interesting moves between some weird couples – a good laugh.
Took a trip on the Seinne past major landmarks including the gargoyle-guarded Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel, and other impressive bridges and architecture.
Had supper at a greek restaurant (Les Argonauts) in Paris’ latin quarter – very vibey, lots ofs fun. The greek waiters/dancers picked up Lea and Ilse and made them dance on the tables!
Went out afterwards and danced the night away in a club next to the Moulin Rouge.
Our last morning took a trip to see the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees. Had some crepes at a sunny sidewalk café.
Last but not least went to take a peek at the Mona Lisa and wander in awe amongst the Louvre art galleries.
Strange observation: French waiters have to be in control of everything otherwise you get some serious attitude! Walk up to ask for the bill ‘L’appetite s'il vous plaît’ before they’re ready and they may simply command you to ‘Sit!’.

Transkei - South Africa

The Place: On the wild coast, 3 hours from East London, including a 2 hour journey over muddy roads through the rolling green hills of Transkei, stopping for cattle or to hoot ‘hello’ to the locals we reached the Wavecrest resort.
The event: The marriage of Shaun and Leigh.
Some features: The resort’s sundeck with swimming pool and jacuzzi overlooks lagoon, beach and dunes, cows and horses roaming freely around the resort.
Highlights: Cricket on the beach on ‘the oval’ (a patch of beach between lagoon and sea), swimming in the lagoon and sea, afternoon booze cruise along the estuary.
18 March the sun, earth and moon aligned to call an enormous tide which in a day covered the entire beach. With the oval submerged and no beach we were left to wonder in awe at the enormous waves and the visibly powerful tide pushing into the estuary in sets of waves.
The weather cleared long enough for a great wedding (which was held indoors just to be safe), and to top it off a rainbow appeared outside the glass sliding doors as the vows were being told.
The wedding included djembe drums, African chorus, piñata smashing, drinking from the quafe (not sure of spelling), poi, and lots of dancing!

London - England

The Place: With easy access to Europe and a strong currency to make other countries affordable, London for me represents the centre of the traveller's world. Now in my third year of living and working here, there are a number of highlights that make London an amazing city.

Some features: My favourite sights on the river Thames are without a doubt St. Pauls Cathedral (2nd from top), Parliament buildings, and the tower bridge. What's great is that a stroll down the South Bank presents the opportunity to see all of these sights within walking distance from one another.

London is great for its art museums (Tate Modern and the Dali musem being my favourite) as well as its Theatres and Productions. Enjoyed 'Rocky Horror Show' in Wimbledon, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (performing Carmina Burana) at the Royal Albert Hall, and rhythm spectacular 'Stomp' on West End.

The parks are incredible in summer, especially since the sun goes down after 9 during that time, which enables a few hours after a full working day to still enjoy sunshine (though admittedly these days are few and far between). Went to the Hyde Park Calling Fesitival to watch Aerosmith, O2 Wireless Fesitival with my capoeira group to do some demos.

Modern London is also crazy. Canary Wharf (bottom), where I'm currently working, is like a glass antfarm with trails of suits scurrying in and amongst the skyscrapers.

Strange observation: The amount of nationalities in London. I stayed in a houseshare with 2 Poles, an Italian, Columbian, New Zealander, and Ghanian Londoner!

Johannesburg - South Africa

The Place: Took a trip to Johannesburg to see my folks for Christmas and catch up with my buddies from school. Great to the see the few that I could. Unfortunately couldn't catch up with everyone in the fast-moving but fun five days.

Met most buddies at 'The Boomhuisie' which is a typically South African restaurant decorated in funky artwork, african design, and other novelties including a Volksy bus parked thru the wall with the front sticking into one dining room and the back into another. Also as the name says, a tree house stands proud and lit up outside the entrance.

Went to see my buddy Shaun and his fiance Leigh at a Christmas Charity lunch at Dorah's Arc in Roodepoort. Met their kid Nicholas. They played an active role in organising and preparing a cooked lunch for roughly 500 underprivileged people. The lunch was a huge success (after many unforeseen problems they had to overcome) and the kids and adults all ended the day with big smiles, hugs, handshakes and full stomachs. Particularly touching were the songs they sang including Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica.

Had a delicious Christmas meal with my family on Christmas day after many gift exchanges, before heading back to London that evening.

Rust de Winter - South Africa

The Place: About three hours from Johannesburg, took a trip in a landie to spend a day of knee boarding with Ian, Robin, and Ian's father Steve and brother Michael on Rust de Winter dam, a really secluded dam. It's a great spot for fishing and the water is clean and inviting. Although you may find yourself wiping leaches off your feet after standing for too long in the shallow water.

Was a great day of braaing, waterskiing and swimming in the sunshine.

Stange observation: Spotted a waterbuck with only one horn on the banks of the river.

The Bush - South Africa

The Place: A trip on the wild side roughly an hour outside Johannesburg.

Took a drive thru a lion park with my sister Lauren and Mark. In one of four lion camps, all with about six lions, they keep white lions which are a magnificent sight (especially the massive blonde mane of the dominant male).

We saw one stupid tourist try to get better pics by driving closer to the lions (off the road). On entering the lion's resting ground he had 2 large females attack his bakkie. After getting bored of trying to jump on the bakkie, one lion lay down again but this time boxing in the overeager photographer by resting between his vehicle and the road. After about 5 minutes, the lion got up and walked out of his way, but as the guy drove off one of the lions actually jumped front paws onto the back of his bakkie, running after him with his back legs!

Outside of the lion camps, they keep a variety of game including zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, impala and ostriches. Part of the attraction of the park is a lion cub petting zoo where the public get to play with the cubs. It's legal 'till the cubs reach 8 months old, afterwhich the playful cubs become too strong for the safety of tourists.
Though the experience of the lion park is not as authentic and grand as a game drive in the Krugerpark, it's great to know that if you're pressed for time (like I was, having only 5 days in Joburg), there's a selection of wildlife parks within an hours drive from the city.

Strange observation: If you look at the line of trees closely, you'll notice that the leaves of the whole row of trees stop in a dead straight line. That line is the height of the giraffes, since they eat every leaf within their reach off the trees.

Cape Town - South Africa

The Place: Back home to the mother city, spent an awesome week in Cape Town, to meet old friends, great weather and good times.
Some Highlights: Entering as one of the crew (me being more of a spectator) in a sailing regatta at the Royal Cape Yacht Club with Rob and four others. We didn't do so well but being out on the water on the yacht was great, and offered an excellent view of table mountain and lions head.
Nick entered the downwind dash from Rivermouth to Doodles in Tableview. Anneli and I supported and followed the sky collage of kites and sails to the finish after which Nick and I went for a windsurf at sunset beach.
Party at Rob, Fro, and Rosie’s. They organised a pool party where they bought a portable pool for the back garden. Had sangria in the pool wearing wetsuits (cause of the windchill factor). Braaied up a storm (with Fro as braai master). Had an energetic ‘Fill Up 97’ reunion jam with Rob, Fro, and Melike, and then danced the night away. Great fun!
Went for a morning surf (7am) at Muizenberg with Rob, Fro, Anneli and Melike in the Revel adventures combi. A morning surf always has to end with breakfast at Empire Café, great crunchies, muffins and coffee!
After another surf the next day went on a wine route in Constantia to Steenberg and Klein Constantia wine farms. Free tastings, good wines, and great surroundings!
Good times.