Joanna's country

Humanity began in Africa. We are all, ultimately, African.

The joys of Africa are in the basics - it brings back the excitment of seeing a giraffe in the wild, it makes you understand the laws of the jungle. The people are unendingly nice, and its history (only too well-documented) is inspiring. South Africa is as untouched and wonderful as Europe is beautifully manicured.

We started at this fantastic game reserve, where we had a beautiful honeymoon suite. With twice-a-day safaris, we were up at five in the morning and done sometime by 10:30 at night. We met the most amazing people, and rediscovered the best part of travelling - understanding this world and its people better.

Three leopards, eighteen lions and many, many giraffes later, we flew down to Plettenberg - bay area of the Garden Route and the Monaco of South Africa. Roaring beaches, lookout restaurants and a really nice New Year's Eve made it pretty special for us but if you do a holiday shorter than two weeks, please skip right over to Cape Town; fantabulous city.

So we did everything there is to do in Cape Town; and something more - CRICKET MATCH, BABY!! Yes yes yes we watched the third day of the third test, prime tickets at ten dollars and spoke to VVS, Zaheer and Sreesanth (in Mallu to the last one thengyuverymuch). We saw the entire team and witnessed a Sachin century. Gods of India, my initiation in complete.

The good 3G is quite the sport so we also ventured into bad-ass SA - Johanneburg. The Apartheid Museum is a must-see; the most touching set of exhibits I have seen yet. And now, sun-kissed, happy and just a little tired, we are back in Bombay for the weekend before we fly out to face 2011.

Happy new year, dearies! May it be healthy, happy and full of love. Muah.