After breakfast in Malelane I headed to eSwatini, formally called Swaziland. When planning my route, I try and not drive for more than 5 hours a day. The drive to the capital of eSwatini was really beautiful. Through fantastic mountain villages where the children at the side of the roads would wave and smile. I think I was expecting eSwatini to be like South Africa (ignorant, I know), but the people were so different. Obviously I was only there for a very short amount of time, but the country seemed much ‘fairer’ without the segregation that I have seen in SA. It felt like the people were proud of their country and history and that the British (colonisation) hadn’t caused devision. I’m sorry if I have this completely wrong…this is just my opinion.
One of the exciting things about going into eSwatini is the boarder crossing. I am just about old enough to remember these in Europe. Who knows, after Brexit, maybe we will have to go though this again. I’m sure the novelty would soon wear off. New stamp for my passport.
I had a very comfortable stay in the capital, Mbabane. This was made even better by the fact that the hotel I was staying in had a washing machine I could use….as I was down to my last pair of clean knickers, it couldn’t have come at a better time. The girls on reception thought I was hilarious by being so excited about clean clothes!! I unfortunately didn’t get any photos of eSwatini, because the roads were to dangerous to pull over and get any (Narrow roads, cattle, goats, fast traffic, potholes etc). You will have to take my word for what a beautiful country it is, or google it.
Before leaving Mbabane, I popped into their local museum and learned about some of the history of Swaziland, their traditions and British involvement in shaping the country. All very interesting.
Then another boarder crossing backing into South Africa and 2 more stamps for my passport.
The rest of my journey took me to Sodwana Bay. Sometimes following google maps choice of route is difficult. At one point I was on a dirt track in the middle of nowhere and couldn’t believe I was on the right route, but I stuck with it and eventually got to Sodwana Bay.
Finally after over 6 weeks, I was back by the sea…well ocean if we’re going to be pedantic. I LOVE THE SEA/OCEAN soooooo much and had really missed it. It was a long walk down a rickety walkway to the beach….but it was so worth it. The sand, sea, waves, sound, smells…everything was perfect. I sat there for ages, just taking it all in and watching crazy crabs running backwards and forwards.
Crazy crabs 
Huge sand dunes 
It was a long way down and even further back up again ?
I spent 2 nights at Sodwana Bay and spent most of it on the beach…I even had a little swim. Ocean was warm but a bit rough, so not the best swimming conditions. The area seemed mainly for people taking boats out to go fishing or scuba diving. One of the mornings I woke to find a small gift, left on my car by one of the local monkeys, well I hope it was a monkey and I hadn’t upset one of the staff!!! BTW my poo is all ok now ?
View from the resturant 
Thought I would treat myself as I wasn’t driving 
This monkey clearly isn’t a fan of BHAFC either ? 
1st cloud Ive seen since leaving UK 
Was it you???? ??
After leaving Sodwana Bay I travelled to Durban. Here I am staying in a very ‘white privileged’ suburb. A really lovely guesthouse, great staff and service. Durban, however, is the first time I have actually felt a bit unsafe. I have no reason for this, other than some of the people look really desperate, poor, no shoes and wearing rags. Even though I saw ‘poor’ people in Joburg, I still got the feeling that the community were looking after each other, as in Soweto. I don’t get that feeling here in Durban.
Durban has a wonderful seafront, with lots of surfers, miles of sandy beaches and if the weather had been better, great swimming conditions. After having a short walk along the seafront, I decided to trust my instincts and have a quiet day back at my lodgings. Here I managed to watch Palace lose against Chelsea and catch up on my blog!!! It was actually nice to have a day doing nothing much.
I think a ‘christening’ or blessing was going on. 
Palace lost!!! 
Get to the ocean and the weather changes for the worse ?
And finally, because there is a big HIV problem in Africa, you can collect freebies from the girls loos??? And in case you were wondering why I was feeling a bit unsafe…I’ve included a poster to the entrance of a shopping mall!!!
- Ok, I’ll leave them at home
- Jake will be upset ?
- Ooopse broke that rule
Oh michelle you are making me blush with those pics lol.
You are such a prolific writer. I find myself going back over your text absorbing more of what you have written. You really sound like you have settled down in your travels. It all sounds absolutely wonderful.
How many years have you been in healthcare??? And you still blush ??
And thank you for your kind comments xx