+East London, South Africa.

[Madoldcatlady]

We're going there in 2 weeks for DBs wedding. He's marrying a South African girl and her parents live on a farm in East London, complete with compound, electric fence, security man, and a gun.

We, on the other hand, are staying in their beach front appartment a few miles away. It has no security at all.

Is this a problem? I've started to give myself sleepless nights now, what with that and the great white sharks!

I'm beginning to think Whitby might be a better idea!

None of you been then?

I am from SA, but I dont know East london. But farms always have more security I wouldn't worry
Sorry, not much help, but things always sounds worse than they are iyswim?
Swim in the tidal pools of you are too scared to swim in the sea

Thanks for your reassurance. I've told DH to pack a spade so he can dig me a paddling pool on the beach.

LOL! I am sure you will have a fab time

Crime in East London is no worse or better than other SA cities.

Take the usual precautions:

1. If you are driving at night, be absolutely certain of your route and keep your windows closed and doors locked.
2. Driving in the day - keep your doors locked
3. Driving at any time - beware of all the nutters on the road - SA drivers are pants!
4. Your apartment is probably patrolled by external security company - most big buildings are.
5. Don't walk in busy areas with jewellery prominently shown.
6. Be careful at atm's
7. Most of all just be a bit more vigilant about what's going on around you than you might normally be.

You'll probably find yourself pleasantly surprised a the friendliness of most South Africans.

Words to note:

Hello - Molo (mawloh)
Goodbye - bye
What is your name - Ngubani (gubani) gama lakho (laako)?
My name is - Ngubani (gubani) Joe Bloggs
Thank you - Enkosi

Have a fab time. SA is actually a great destination!

Thanks dejags.

I am very excited really. The kids are off the scale on the excitemonitor!

We've never been so far from home before, (actually never been further than Europe before) so it's a huge buzz for us all.

I will be doing most of the driving I'm sure as DH will be "on holiday" and will drink accordingly so thanks for the tips.

Where would you get your money from? i.e. UK or when we get to SA? Can we use Barclay cards etc? SIL has a very laid back attitude to these things and says just to use ATMs over there but I need cast iron advice so I don't screw up our holiday by leaving us broke.

My sister rang today to tell me there was a double page spread of a shark chasing a man in a canoe in yesterdays Mail. So glad I don't get it.

Enkosi for the translations, I'll train the DCs up before we go.

ATM's on every street corner. I'd use these to draw smaller amounts of cash (I never have more than R300 on me).

Just one tip - petrol stations do NOT accept credit cards (South Africans have special Garage Cards linked to their credit cards).

So make sure that when you fill up that you have enough cash.

Also, we still have leaded fuel available at petrol stations (please make sure you instruct the attendant to use unleaded fuel in your hire car (no pump your own fuel in SA due to criminals running off without paying).

If I can be of any other help let me know.

electronic banking in SA is excellent and always has been

East London will be FABULOUS at this time of year. Has some of my fave beaches there.

If you have a chance and fancy travelling, the beaches of St Francis Bay (south past Port Elizabeth) are just amazing (Port Alfred, Jeffreys Bay). Jeffreys Bay is a big surfing beach if either of you like that sort of thing.

Foxinsox are you mad!

You'd never catch me surfing

It's good to hear that the beaches are fab though. I plan to keep my butt firmly planted on the sand for the duration.

Very good tip dejags. Thanks. Will sort some cash Monday to get us started when we arrive.

What's the situation re. tipping for petrol pump atttendants and the like?

Is it expected and if so how much?

Hi,
Yes you do tip, a couple of Rand I think, whatever change you have.
Also, "car guards" are the norm there, when you park somewhere someone will come up to you and tell you they will watch your car for you, they are usually wearing reflection coat type things . It is expected you will say yes, and when you get back - assuming your car is still there (!!!) - you pay them R2 or so. It can be a pain in the a**e when you are just popping into the shop to get bread, but it is actually very good as car theft has greatly decreased on the whole.

You will have a fab time!

Tip about R2 not R20 as I did FEb last year, after not living there for 19 years...

Yes..definitely try to get to Jeffrey's bay. If you don't mind a bit of a drive, you are (in South African terms) not that far from the Cango Caves... the BESTEST limestone cave system in the world. And also the very interesting ostrich farms. But it would be a few hours drive.

Am !!!

Tip #1: as a courtesy SA drivers pull over in to the hard shoulder to allow traffic to overtake. And when you overtake someone who has pulled over for you switch on your hazard lights for a few seconds to say thanks!

Tip #2: shoppers are charged for plastic bags in most supermarkets

Tip #3: do yourself a favour and buy a local network pay- as-you-go SIM card for your mobile, as Virgin and most likely all the other networks charge ridiculous rates - something like £1.60/min - we found Vodacom had reasonable coverage and was about R200 for the card with R25 worth free airtime, we popped R50 worth on top of that and it lasted about 2 weeks for us - there is also MTN and Cell C to choose from, not sure about costs and coverage though

Tip #4: it is illegal to walk around with an open alcoholic beverage and you can't purchase alcohol from shops on Sundays

Have a LEKKER (trans. : great) time!!

We got back from South Africa this afternoon.

I'm totally in luuurve!

We had the most magical time. The people, without exception, were wonderfully friendly. Glengariff where we stayed was heavenly. We could lie in bed and watch dolphins swim in the bay below our apartment.

The kids got to see and toutch animals we've only seen on TV before (lion cubs, cheeta, elephants and girraffes).

The nearest shop to us was about 6 miles away and we had to drive through a small game reserve to get there, so we passed by herds of zebra and gazelles every morning.

The cost of living was amazingly cheap. A great meal with plenty of drinks and puds for 14 people cost £90!