East London, the second largest city in the Eastern Cape, is a good starting point to visit South Africa's ex-Homelands: Ciskei and Transkei. It is in and around this mostly black city that Steve Biko was born, held hostage and later buried. This town is an interesting contrast to the white and classy Cape Town. For the adepts of surfing, whale watching or simply swimming, this is a good spot.

Nested in the Amatola Mountains, Hogsback is a beautiful village to come for a taste of the magical. Locals like to say that J.R.R. Tolkien was inspired by this place when he wrote "The Lord of The Rings". I certainly felt transported in a fantasy of mist, fairies and exotic trees. Countless waterfalls supply the surrounding greenery and steep mountain hiking provide with incredible views.

Once you have stepped into the Transkei / Wild Coast, South Africa can never be the same. In Umtata shuttles will pick you up and drive you through rolling hills dotted of numerous villages of mud huts. This coast line is wild in many more ways than one and it is better to let one discover it for oneself. Enjoy!

Continuing our route towards Durban, we stoped in Kostad for a look at the Drakensburgh(Dragon Mountains) via Sani Pass. As we set off to go up the pass, we were amazed by the surrounding mountains coverd by this green velvet coating. Using all our skills; hiking, hitch hiking and pushing a VW bug, we made it safe and sound to the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, on the Roof of Africa.

Durban is the main port of South Africa and as well as the financial center of KwaZulu-Natal. It is a surfing hub, a happening harbor as well as an interesting cultural center with its many markets.