Spoiled in Joburg, South Africa

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With Derek Stretton, Distiller of Stretton's gin

Talk about getting spoiled!  Despite our flight's super late arrival in to Johannesburg from Nosy Be, Madagascar, we were greeted at the airport by a very chirpy and gregarious Paige.  Now, Paige is a good friend of our friends Steve and Kerry-Lyn in London, and she had invited us to stay in Jo'burg, and wow, lucky us!!  Steve and Kerry-Lyn, I know, will be super-jealous of the warm and homely welcome that we received from Paige and her husband Roger, and daughter Zoe.  We had a fabulous stay while we attempted to figure out our next adventure, and how to do it.

We wanted to get to Swaziland to volunteer at an orphanage there (we had met some girls from the orphanage when we were in Pretoria our previous time in South Africa). Our dilemma: budget versus safety. Renting a car to head to Swaziland and out the other side back into South Africa would be convenient, but not the most economical since the car would sit idle for a couple of weeks while we volunteered at the orphanage.  After a couple of days of research in Jo'burg, we came to the conclusion we would just take an "expensive" bus to Swaziland, as we had no other safe options!

Michelle and Paige

While struggling with our research we were wonderfully pampered and deliciously fed and watered! Not to mention Paige and Roger's friends and family that we got to meet and enjoy. In true Jo-burg winter-style we warmed around the camp fire in the garden, ate gourmet steaks from the braii (or barbecue), and ate fabulous pasta made by their great Italian friend, Adi. For me it was also an extreme honour to meet the Distiller and namesake of Stretton's Gin - Paige's father Derek Stretton. As some of you may know, I like my G&Ts. And believe me this was delicious gin!

Sign at Apartheid Museum

We were lucky that Paige had some time to take us to the famous Apartheid Museum - something we had missed doing when we were in Jo'burg a month ago. It was fascinating and thought provoking. The hardships and challenges were unimaginable.  It was an extensive (and emotionally exhausting) museum with so much info - we really needed 4 days rather than 4 hours to appreciate it!

With Paige, Roger and Zoe we certainly discovered the spirit of Ubuntu - South African generosity and hospitality at its best. Thank you! * Mush