SOUTH AFRICA

Greetings from South Africa! Groete van Suid-Afrika!

The wonderful diversity of South Africa - from the magnificent wildlife and scenic splendour to the sophisticated metropolises:

• Johannesburg 
• Durban
• Bloubergstrand

The beach featured in the main picture is Bloubergstrand

• Eastern Transvaal - The eastern Transvaal still has more than a hint if wildness in its glorious visual scope. Mountains, valleys, rivers, waterfalls, pockets of primal forest and a colourful profusion of flowers and birds decorate the countryside. The savannah lands of the lowveld teem with wildlife, including the 'Big Five': lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo, offering an unparalleled experience.

• Garden Route - Between Mossel Bay and the Storms River, the Garden Route runs parallel to a coastline which features lakes, mountains, golden beaches, cliffs and dense indigenous forests. From sources high in the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains, ambercoloured rivers plunge into an ocean of mercurial moods. Surrounded by indigenous forests, the delightful town of George (principal town of the Garden Route) nestles on a coastal plateau at the foot of one of the highest peaks in the Outeniqua mountain range.

Received from Lynne, Cape Town

CAPE BEACHES

The choice of beaches in the Cape Peninsula is vast (more than 100 to choose from) but to make it easier each beach is unique, offering something to suit every beachgoer. There are family beaches, beaches for suntanning, snorkelling, boardsailing, surfing, fishing and for swimming! There is also an unofficial beach for nudists at Sandy Bay.

• Hout Bay >> http://theworldofpostcards.blogspot.com/2014/10/HOUTBAY.html

• Muizenberg  >>  http://theworldofpostcards.blogspot.com/2014/11/MUIZENBERG.html

• Bloubergstrand >> http://theworldofpostcards.blogspot.com/2014/11/BLOUBERGSTRAND.html

Cape Town's Beaches.  The fun of surf, sand and sun together with magnificent scenery on a picturesque shoreline

• Sandy Bay - Well-known unofficial nudist beach. The beach is backed by steep sand dunes and bushy mountain slopes. Poorly protected from the south-easter wind, Sandy Bay has no access roads, shops or facilities.

• St. James - Named after the first church built here, in 1874, this is a charming village, with beautiful holiday houses, residences and a small, sheltered beach and a large tidal pool ideal for toddlers. Characterised by its parade of brightly coloured bathing boxes. There is a cafe on the main road.

• Clifton - Four sheltered beaches seperated by enormous granite boulders. Cold for swimming, but noted for bikini-clad sun-bathers. Many houses are built on stilts or on overhanging cliffs. The area between the sea and Victoria Road is a scenic and botanic reserve. Cape Town's most glamorous beach packed in season with consequent parking problems.

Received from Lynne, Cape Town

BLOUBERGSTRAND

Holiday resort with a spectacular view of Table Mountain and Cape Town. Wild flowers abound in spring. A clear day affords a view of Robben Island. 'Ons Huisie', a restored fisherman's cottage, and a national monument, now a restaurant. Safe swimming opposite lifesaver's club where a lifesaver is on duty. Fishing is good, as is surfing and swimming, despite the cold surf. A small beach (Little Bay) for swimming, sunbathers and families; a large one (Big Bay)for angling, surfing and paddle-skiing competitions. Braaing permitted on grassy verge behind car park. International windsurfing competitions are held here annually.

The beach from across the waters of Table Bay - with magnificent panoramic vistas of Devil's Peak, Table Mountain and conical Lion's Head

Received from Lynne, Cape Town