Departing Namibia and our first night in South Africa jingled nerves a little. Pulling up to the immigration parking, M stopped the 4x4 1 metre over the stop line and had a long lecture from the very excited Namibinan police lady about breaking the law and traffic violation.   Things only got worse when we handed in our passports to immigration and they told us we had “over stayed by 5 days” and this was a very serious offence.  When we checked into Namibia, M was asked how long our stay was and M casually said two weeks, not even thinking this date would actually be our exit date as we are allowed to stay for 90 days. After a lot of teeth sucking and chin rubbing from another excitable immigration officer, we were told our action could be arrest, locked up, court and jail.   Wow, after a lot of humble apologising, and claims it says on the government website it says 90 days, we eventually got through.  

When entering South Africa we knew the dodgy police would take something off us, so when they told us fire wood was illegal, after our previous scare, we just gave him the bag having no appetite to challenge his corrupt confiscation.

All was going well and we had a lovely drive south in the Namakwa National Park until we arrived at our lodge.  An elderly lady booked us in then started ranting on about farm murders which un-nerved us.  She boasted she felt safe as she had a fortified house, a gun and Pitbulls as she left us in peace in our wooden unprotected lodge house.   A howling gale, dust storms and 80 Km from any main road added to our nervous night’s sleep.

Not the best entry into South Africa and when we finally got down to Cape Town driving around the suburbs skirting the townships to hand in our 4 x 4 and pick up our new car did not make things any better.  

Despite some unease in Cape Town, we had a fab day out in true tourist mode. We spent the morning up Table Mountain, lunch in the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront,  an afternoon visit to Robin Island to see Nelson Mandela's 18 year home and dinner in a plush Indian restaurant.   

On Robin Island the guided prison tour was by Mr Sparks, a former political prisoner himself, brought the tour to life even though the prison has been done up to look modern and far more comfortable than it was when in active use. 

Sitting in the upmarket swanky V&A Waterfront it is hard to believe the Cape Town has huge areas where it is a crime infested hovel and one of the most dangerous cities in the world.  Cape Town boxes ticked so we are off to the Garden Route via Cape Point.