Aliwal North - Maputo

Good afternoon my friends!

The time is going by and I’m just slowly heading north. I still found the way to Maputo and now I can totally concentrate on going up north.
It’s already some time ago, I last update my blog but I try to remember what was going on in the last weeks.
After the last update I headed out of town to find a place to sleep and asked at a farm, if I could pitch my tent for one night on there property. The farmer’s wife found as an excuse, that her husband isn’t at home and I would need his permit and so I left and tried it at the next farm again. I saw a big sign with bed&breakfast but wasn’t planning to pay for my stay. I thought I give it a go and asked the lady at the reception. The lady showed me around the house a nice place for my tent and I started to build it up. Not even finished, the lady came around and told me, that her father refuses to let me stay in the tent and I have to take one of the cottages. I wasn’t to sure if that’s a good idea because I hadn’t a shower for more than one week. The lady resisted and told me that I have to move into the cottage when I want to make them happy. So I undid my tent and took my clothes into the room. I brought the family some Vanillekipferl, which I got of the Austrian baker master Johann, who I left on the same day, to say thank you. Once I was back at the room, the son came to tell me, that his mother wants to cook me something for supper. I took a wonderful and much appreciated shower and felt clean again but not really confident in such a pretty room. The step was like of a “homeless” to a “millionaire”. I jumped from the sometimes not all to clean rainwater channels, to a pretty cottage with shining bathroom and a totally white bed. I wasn’t feeling too confident but I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy my stay. In the evening I got a great lamb steak with potatoes and gravy and how usual to the South African dishes a nice pudding. I spent a great night in a real bed and started the next morning with the destination Lesotho. I made good distance and was good in time. I turned off the tar road, pushed towards Mohale’s Hoek and hoped to reach the border before the closing hour at four o’clock. After lunch a big sting made me a puncher but I was still relaxed and fitted a new tube. Just 3 km later another flat tire made me stop. With all the complications I still reached the border in time and crossed on Basotho land. The difference was strange. The country was with a lot of hills and mountains, the houses rustically but with a strong construction out of stone and the people really nice with hellos and smiles on there faces. My first thought was, that it’s that, what I expected and hoped to see in Africa and that I was sure to enjoy this country. I headed to the orphanage, where my American host Ann is staying. I passed the town and faced the hills of Lesotho. I started to drive down and climb up hill after hill and I was just hoping to reach the destination soon. After the long cycle on this day, I wasn’t to motivated to add to the 120 km’s some more kilometers uphill. Just before I reached the turn, the car with Ann, Andrew and Barbara stopped next to me and we headed to there house in town. On the next day, we attended the wedding party of Mr. Herbert’s boss and I saw some Basotho traditions. On Sunday I cycled down to the orphanage, where I should stay for the next two weeks. I just loved it to have so many children and young people around me. I fall in love with all the kids and had to extend my visa to stay for longer. Lucy, an English girl, who raises funds for the orphanage visited the house too and I helped as much as I could to realize her projects for this time. I left the house with a heavy heart and carried on to cross Lesotho. Because of the terrific traffic on the narrow main road, I chose a remote way through the beautiful mountainous area. The gravel road made me some problems to make more distance and I spent the first night in Ha Machele, at a nice family’s house. The next morning I continued towards Maseru but couldn’t reach it because of a cold and some headache I got and I stopped in Morija to ask for a place to stay. Some school girls accompanied me to ask for a camp spot and finally the owners, Vaphe and Ma Selebalo, gave me a place to stay. They served me with nice Basotho food and I enjoyed the night in a bed but wasn’t feeling good on the following day. I stayed in bed for almost the whole day. The next day I visited Maseru in company of Vaphe and enjoyed the time with my new found friends. I stayed for another day to recover my flu and crossed on Saturday the border to South Africa to catch up time for my way north. I passed the next days the beautiful landscapes of Ficksburg, Clarens, the gorgeous Golden Gate NP, Harriesmith and Verkykerskop, where I stayed for some nights on the farm of Jaap, Judy and Linda. From there I continued to Newcastle, where I stocked up my spare parts and some comfortable camping equipment and passed Volksrust. Near Piet Retief I met the German speaking farmers Heino and Anke and spent another night in there home before I crossed over to Swaziland. Just some kilometers before I reached the border Barend picked me up and helped me to cross the border and invited me to his farm house. There I met his nice parents and his mother’s sisters. I enjoyed my time and the beautiful farm area that much that I stayed for another night and hit on the following day the road towards Mozambique. After some nice conversations on the way, I just arrived on the border before the sunset and got the chance to pitch my tent next to the border on a nice spot with lawn. I occupied my tent to escape the mosquito’s and found on the next day Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. While the time in Bangkok I required already accommodation through Hospitalityclub and had because of that the contact with Helder. With the knowledge to be quite late, I got Helder’s phone number of my e-mail account and phoned him in the late afternoon. He told me to be busy but he still picked me after a short time up. We pushed my heavy grown bicycle through the sandy suburb roads of Maputo and he brought me to his house. On the following day he showed me around the City, introduced me to his friends, and he and his family are giving me a great time.

The first but a small part of my trip from Cape Town back to Austria is done and I want to say thank you to all the people, which gave me such a great time, entertained me in lonely times, gave me nice conversations, invited me in there homes and let me feel to be part of their families. It was never easy to leave my new found friends but that’s part of life and especially part of my trip. I’m sure to stay in touch with all the people and to see them finally again. You are heartily welcome in Austria and/or wherever I will be.

On the way I fulfilled 10 000km on my bicycle and I hope that it’s strong enough to carry me to Austria. Also when I haven’t many clothes and things, my luggage reaches now around 40 kg, what makes a total of 60 kg with the bike. In the moment I’m slowly making distance and I have more the feeling to be a donkey, especially going uphill. At least I have now good nights, sleeping in my tent and I my equipment is enough to solve emergency situations.
The 2500 km from Cape Town to Maputo, which I have done till now, haven’t been the fastest, especially because of my comfortable stays in all the houses but I can say that I enjoyed every minute. Now I’m a little bit in delay that I reach the north of central Africa before the rain time is starting but I’m confident that I’m able to do it in time. In the next weeks and months I will cycle through the long country of Mozambique and cross into Malawi, where I will cycle along the lake before I enter Tanzania and cross over to Kenya. Yes, this is the plan for the coming 3 months to stay in time and find my way back to my home in Vorarlberg.

I hope you all enjoy your time, you enjoy the nature in whichever season you live and you let me know, how you are.

Have a nice one and see or better hear of you soon!!!

Golden Gate NP

Helder and me in Maputo

Vaphe and his family

faster speed with shorter hair

good nights rest under the bridge

Knysna to Aliwal North

Yeah, today is a special day and so I update my travel blog once more. It's a long time ago, I haven't been to the internet and today I haven't much time either. I parked my bicycle full packed at the parcel store in the shoprite in Aliwal North and because today is pay day in SA the town is full of people, who for sure wouldn't mind a bicycle with some camping gear. So please understand when my spelling and grammar is worse than ever before. You will ask yourself: Is that even possible? Yes it is!!!
So let's go.... Last thursday I finally left Joy, her family, friends and lovely Rheenendal. I had a real great time there and enjoyed every second. All the people gave me great hospitality and it was a pleasure to meet them.
I headed north towards Uniondale and had a great cycle on a not too busy dirt road. I totally enjoyed the great landscape and couldn't reach Uniondale the same day. I told myself it's the heavy luggage and the climbs but I lost actually my good form of before. I can't explain myself why it shouldn't be good to eat 5 times a day and as much as possible. But it wasn't any problem and I got a great camp spot on a farm up in the hills. The family invited me in and served delicious rye bread, goat cheese, butter and everything selfmade. The next day I continued towards Avontuur, Uniondale and finally Willowmore. I had a nice day and enjoyed the night in a rainwater channel under the road. The following day I cycled to Aberdeen. I heard that my friend Marius from Cape Town is close on a farms property on a hunt. It wasn't too right. He was on a hunt but not on the farm near Graff Reinet but in Landsburg. So I hadn't to plan much more and slept once again under the bridge and kept myself warm with a small fire. The next day I reached Graff-Reinet with plenty of wind and made myself a nice day. I planned to visit the Valley of Desolation but because of the late hour and my way of transport it was to late. I decided to find a place to sleep along the dam but because I wasn't allowed to enter the road along the lake because of the Game farm I changed my plans, stocked up my food and headed out of town. Around 20 k's out of town I saw such a wonderful place up the hill that I had to stop and pitch my tent there. I enjoyed the great view on the fields with different plateous and made a not all to bad braai on my fire. The following day was going slow with all the head and side winds and I arrived around late afternoon in Middelburg. The cycle was great with two passes on the way and enjoyed the landscape a lot or heaps like Joy would say. I spent the night out of town on a field and cycled towards Steynsburg on the next day. There I saw per accident some Austrian flags and had a look. What I found was Johann, the Austrian Bakery Master, who owns now a small take away there. I had a nice talk with a man with a long and interesting history and headed out of town to sleep on a nearby field. I came back on the following day and planned to support his business where you can have all the delicious Austrian bakeries. We talked almost the whole day and I slept the night at his place. I left on the next day but he persisted that I don't have to pay all the snacks I enjoyed. I headed finally via Burgersdorp to Aliwal North, where I'm in the moment. Tomorrow I will hit the road towards Lesotho, where I will enjoy my next week before I return to South Africa and continue towards Swaziland and Mozambique.
Have a good time and hear of you soon guys!!!

Cape Town to Knysna

My dear friends,

It’s now 5 weeks ago that I started my Africa-Trip.
I’m sorry for all the unanswered e-mails you sent me but internet isn’t that easily accessible as in Asia. I will try to keep the contact going with you all whilst I’m on my travels.
Because I don’t want to spend all my time in the slow and not all to cheap internet cafes, I will update my travel blog in English only and hope it’s accessible for all which are interested in my travels.

Three weeks ago I started my cycle trip at the Cape of Good Hope. On the same day I cycled back to Cape Town, where I stayed another night at my friend Marius’ house who gave me a cozy home whilst I was in Cape Town. I wanted to start travelling the next day but because of the weather and the distance to my next destination I decided to start the day after. Marius’ father Cyril gave me a place to sleep at his flat because I locked myself out of Marius’ house. Cyril also helped me with the route through South Africa and the ongoing countries I will visit on my way back home. With a lot of advice, I cycled out of Cape Town and soon reached the coast where I got a good wind for the way to Hermanus, where I wanted to spend the night at Roger’s house. In the late afternoon the weather got windy and rainy and I was quite happy to be in a cozy house with a warm fire. We enjoyed the evening with Roger’s friend and had a nice braai. In the late evening Roger’s flat mate “The James” and Max joined us, with which I went up the hills to have view over the coastline and enjoy the cold but pretty star-studded sky. The next morning it was raining, so we had a chilled day and tasted the beers of a local brewery. I was a little bit disappointed and my friends quite excited over the taste of two special beers. We left and continued with our relaxed day. After the great Lasagne for supper I was ready to leave the next day. The day was as cold and wet as the day before but I didn’t want to waste my day waiting around for better weather. “The James” equipped me with a helmet and some sewing needles and I started my journey hoping to reach Swellendam by evening, which didn’t work out as planned. The weather was changing often and I got some rain which made me feel cold and uncomfortable. Looking like a poor equipped cycler searching for warmer weather I got the pity of a passing construction worker and added a rain jacket to my travel gear. In the afternoon I reached Bredasdorp where stocked some food and cycled out of town looking for a dry and safe place to pitch my tent for the first time. I found a nice spot on a field and made myself a place to sleep. It didn’t take long till I was lying in my sleeping bag, trying to get myself warm again. The night was alright and I headed after some breakfast to Swellendam. There I stocked up on some food, wasted my time in a slow internet cafe and got more money from the ATM. Some guys tried to mug me and I fled out of town. I cycled to Suurbraak and up the pass towards Barrydale. It was already getting late and I needed a safe place to sleep but wasn’t sure where to find somewhere on that narrow mountain road. Finally I found a great flat spot hidden by some bushes where I pitched my tent. The night was much more comfortable and it was great to wake up to bright sunshine. It didn’t take long to get to Barrydale, where I contacted my friends and met per accident a German, who invited me into his house. After some lunch and a lot of stories I left and tried to do some necessary kilometers. In Ladismith I asked for a safe place to sleep but the nice lady got mad when I explained to her that I was not looking for an official campground in a country of such abundant space. I left with a smile and went have a look for myself. 10 Kilometers out of town I found a nice spot on a farmer’s property next to the road. I had a great night but somehow it felt cold outside, and after I found the way out of the warm sleeping bag, I soon discovered why…I had to scratch all the early morning frost off my tent before I could dismantle it . The morning was cool but it was a wonderful day and it was good fun to cycle surrounded by so many mountains. I passed Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn and continued back towards the coast. The narrow road heading to George was quite scary as the cars passing me drove far to close. After a couple of hours I had had enough and wanted to call it a day, but it was not too easy to find an open spot in that area. Every piece of land is fenced and locked with a big gate. I didn’t see a farm, and too tired to jump a fence or even continue. Needing a safe place I decided push on down to a small village and ask for somewhere to stay. I met some coloured guys and asked to camp outside their house, but they sent me away to town to ask there. I got sick of searching so set up my tent on the lawn next to the entrance of the village. Quite sure that I didn’t have the best nor safest place, I kept my camp dark, ate in the dark and dismantled my tent before sunrise and left. The following day I feared for my life yet again, due to all the crazy and useless car drivers, and reached George by late morning after a 10 km downhill ride. With some more useful directions I ended up on the old George to Knysna road which brought me mostly by myself all the way to Rheenendal. On the way I met another cycling couple, who were on their way from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. In the nice area of Rheenendal I met Joy, another contact of Couchsurfing, who gave me a home for the next bit of my journey. After the great pleasure of a shower we headed straight to Joy’s old school friends birthday party. This one made me cry and ask why my parents never organized such a nice party for me?! Anyway after great food and meeting a lot of nice people we went back home and had a good night’s sleep. What can I say, the days and weeks passed, I met Joy’s family, more friends, two German couchsurfers, we visited birthday parties, went swimming in freezing water and spent rainy days in the house next to a cozy fire, and I’m still here. I really enjoy the countryside and silence of Rheenendal but life goes on and soon I have to leave.
I’m already counting the fifth week in South Africa, met a lot of lovely people and have really enjoyed my days here. The next weeks plans are to cycle up to Lesotho, freeze my ass off with my dodgy equipment, continue to Swaziland and then head onto Mozambique. It will take me at least four weeks to leave the cold behind and enter the warmer coastal area of Africa.
I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing from you all soon.
Have a good one and enjoy!!!

Pics of Malaysia and Cape Town

save sleeping spot under the bridge


indian dordi workers


Kuala Lumpur City


Petronas Towers


Shopping Center with Waterpark





coastline in Cape Town






shed village in Cape Town




viewpoint towards the city


view on Lions Head


Table Mountain













view from Lions Head



the Cape










exhausted Hiker on Devils Peak


Bay on the way to the Cape of Good Hope


the Cape of Good Hope


start point of my journey








Lighthouse on Cape Point








the air distance to Amsterdam is 9635 km
let's have a look what it's gonna take me to the Laendle

Change of the continent

Hello my friends,

I arrived two weeks ago in Cape Town, South Africa and started yesterday my trip back home to Austria.

In my last report you could read about my tour from Thailand to Malaysia.
On the Monday three weeks ago I headed with David towards Kuala Lumpur. On the way we visited some friends and made a break on the Dordi plantation of his friend. After some lunch we continued to Taiping, where we took a shower in the public park. Afterwards we cycled in the town for lunch before we returned to the park to pitch our tent. To stay dry, we camped in a pavilion near the lake. I didn't spend the best night because heaps of mosquito's attacked me and had no pardon for me. In the end I got some good sleep deep wrapped in my sleeping bag. After a shower and some indian breakfast we cycled in the direction of Ipoh, where we wanted to stay the next night. We made some distance but in the afternoon it got quite hot and David prefered breaks instead of cycling. At one of them we met some American cyclers, which had the same destination. So we made a group and pedaled together to Ipoh where a friend of David picked us up on the highway and showed us the way to his house. We had a pleasant evening in the restaurant with him and because it became quite late we went straight to bed. The next morning I had some breakfast together with David and afterwards we headed in different directions. I had more than 200 km to KL in front of me and was already quite late. I had a good run and made a lot of kilometers. In the afternoon it got once again really hot and I was slowly running out of power. A rain shower saved my life and could continue well. After 180 km the cycling became hard work. I wasn't to motivated anymore and was short of energy. Because I knew that my hosts in KL will go in the movie in the evening, I wanted to hurry up to arrive in time. At the entrance of the city I couldn't figure out where I have to go and so I asked but wasn't to sure if the informations are right. So I asked another time in a pharmacy and they told me another way but only to the central train station. I tried to find that way what wasn't all to easy, it was raining cat and dogs, I was feeling cold and nobody could tell me the way there. I got quite annoyed by steering around without any plan where to go and made a break where finally a trustworthy guy explained me the way to the station. When I wanted to pay my ticket to my destination some staff notified that I have to leave the station with my bicycle. I asked him how I could get the bicycle in the train when I'm not allowed with it in the station. So he left and wasn't able to give me directions. Another group of staff denied the entry to the platform and so I waited and annoyed them for 10 minutes till they opened the gate for me. At my arrival station I they denied me to leave the station and wanted to fine me but after another 10 minutes of talk I was free and hadn't to use any railway anymore. The next 4 hours I spent on the bridge and waited on my hosts Ivy and Lou to return from the cinema. They picked me up, and I followed them to there flat, where I took a fast shower and fell really tired to bed. This was my longest day journey till now with around 230 km and I wasn't up for cycling on the next day. We started the day relaxed and visited the Pretonas Towers and Shopping Centers in KL. On the evening we met some friends of them and had a nice evening. The day after we made our way again in the center and visited different areas. The last day in KL and so the last one after 9 month in Southeast Asia I spent with dismantling my bicycle and pack it up to take on the plane. Ivy and Lou brought my to the train station after we had some dinner together and headed towards the airport. It was again a problem to transport the bicycle on the train but after I paid 10 times the price for my bicycle than for me I entered the train to the Central Station and continued with a bus to the airport. There I balanced my allowed check-in luggage weight and took all the heavy and non-dangerous things in my handbag, which was already way to full and far over 3 times of the allowed hand baggage weight. After midnight I entered the plane and left after a really nice time Asia towards Africa.
I left the plane in Johannesburg where we had a stopover and when I wanted to return my boarding pass was gone. The staff couldn't explain what they did and they have been quite confused. They tried to find it again but hadn't the best actions to get it back and so I got on the plane without anything. We landed in Cape Town I picked up my baggage and assembled my bike and rode to my host in Mowbray afterwards. We spent the afternoon watching the finals of the Confederations Cup. The next days I spent around Cape Town cycling along the coast and hiking Lions Head several times, Table Mountain, Devil's Peak and so on. I really loved the time in the mountains of which I had been such a long time apart of. My host Marius gave me a great time in his house and made the start of my tour the best I could think of. I really enjoyed Cape Town and could stay for much longer but I want to see other parts of South Africa too and so it's after almost 2 weeks time to leave. Yesterday I started my tour officially at the Cape of Good Hope, which good Karma should accompany me till I'm back home.
My bicycle did till now 7937 kilometers and now we are on zero for my new trip. It will get several thousand kilometers more till I reach my home and finish my first long trip.
I did some pics online of the time in Kuala Lumpur and Cape Town.
I will update you in the next weeks and months about my travels.

Have a good time, enjoy the life and keep going.

See you
Stefan

Wechsel des Kontinenten

Grüße euch!

Das vorletzte Wochenende habe ich bei meinem Gastgeber von den Couchsurfern verbracht. David, mein Gastgeber ist 57 Jahre und pensioniert und seit dem Jahre 2003, als er auf Fahrradabenteurer kennengelernt hat, selbst begeisterter Radler. Sein Herzschrittmacher haltete ihn nicht ab, Radtouren durch Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Kambodscha, China, Indien und Indonesien zu unternehmen. Wie ich schon im letzten Bericht erwähnt habe, radelt er diesen Monat für einige Spenden durch Malaysia und wird im nächsten Monat in Europa unterwegs sein. Ausserdem hat er sich als Ziel gesetzt, so vielen Reisenden wie möglich, speziell Radlern, seinen Lebensraum und die Kultur Malaysias näher zu bringen. In den letzten Jahren hat er über 200 Abenteurern ein zu Hause gegeben und diese Teilweise von der Straße aufgegriffen und zu sich nach Hause gebeten, um wenigstens eine Nacht in seinem Haus zu verbringen und ihnen etwas zeigen zu dürfen. Am Samstag hat mich der Freund von David am Eingang der Stadt abgeholt, zu Davids Haus gebracht und später zu seinem Resthaus gefahren, wo ich beinahe einen Wellness-Nachmittag genossen habe. Zu diesem hat erstmals eine Dusche mit richtigem Strahl und ein Zimmer mit Ventilator gehört. Am Abend hat mich David abgeholt und wir fuhren gemeinsam zum Haus seines Freundes, wo wir einen indischen Kindergeburtstag mitfeierten. Am nächsten Tag ließen wir es gemächlich angehen, genossen indisches Frühstück, chinesisches Mittagessen bevor wir uns für den Club-Lauf fertig machten. David gehört einem Hash-Club an, welche sich immer Sonntag Nachmittags treffen. Hash ist ein Sport welchen die Engländer in der Konolialzeit ins Leben gerufen haben. Dabei geht es darum, dass jemand eine Strecke mit zum Beispiel Papier makiert und diese dann von den anderen Läufern später verfolgt wird. Die Parcours führte auf einen kleinen Berg, durch Wald und über Stock und Stein, welcher meist gerade nach oben führte. Da die meisten Mitglieder älteren Alters sind, war das Tempo nicht so hoch, was mich zum Erstbesteiger gemacht hat. Am Abend besuchten wir abermals eine Geburtstagsparty. David war wirklich der beste Gastgeber, den man sich wünschen kann. Er ist sehr engagiert, Reisende, vor allem Radler, in seiner Gegend herumzuführen, diese in alle Kulturkreise Malaysias einzubinden und ihnen alle Wünsche zu erfüllen. Am nächsten Tag startete ich und David, welcher mich für zwei Tage begleiten sollte in Richtung Kuala Lumpur. Auf dem Weg besuchten wir einige Freunde, aßen und tranken und hatten einen gemütlichen Trip nach Taiping. Außerdem probierten wir den Wein, der aus der Kokusnusspalme gewonnen wird, welcher mit Most zu vergleichen ist. Leider kamen wir in Taiping mit ein wenig Regen an, was unserem Campingunternehmen, jedoch nicht im Wege stehen sollte. Wir nahmen in der Einrichtung des Parkes eine Dusche und gingen anschließend für unser Abendessen in die Stadt. Später kehrten wir in einen kleinen Unterstand am See zurück, wo wir unser Nachtlager aufbauten. Natürlich rechnete ich nicht mit Mücken, welche mich jedoch schon nach wenig Schlaf aufweckten und mich tief in meinen genüsslichen Schlafsack trieben. Am Morgen gab es wieder eine Dusche in der wirklich guten Einrichtung des Stadtparks und anschließend radelten wir in Richtung Ipoh. Am Nachmittag wurde es ziemlich heiß und David bestand immer öfters darauf, eine Pause einzulegen. Bei einer davon, trafen wir ein amerikanisches Mädchen, das seit einigen Monaten mit dem Fahrrad in Südostasien unterwegs ist, und ihren Bruder. Anschließend fuhren wir mit diesen gemeinsam nach Ipoh. Da wir schon viel zu spät für unsere Verabredung in Ipoh waren, kam uns Davids Kollege entgegen und zeigte uns den Weg zu seinem Haus. So kamen wir in den Genuss, in einem streng gläubigen Muslimischen Haus eine Nacht zu verbringen. Wir wurden bestens aufgenommen, die Betten wurden vorbereitet und nach einer Dusche gingen wir zusammen essen. Da es bereits spät war und ich am nächsten Tag eine Strecke von über 200 km vor mir hatte, gingen wir gleich ins Bett. Am Morgen musste ich entdecken, dass David mich nicht aufgeweckt hatte und ich schon wieder ein wenig spät dran war. Wir aßen ein wenig zu Frühstück und starteten gleich in Richtung Hauptstraße, doch setzen uns schnell ins nächste Restaurant um uns richtig zu stärken und genug zu bekommen. Um 9 Uhr verabschiedete ich mich von David, der eine andere Route einschlug und ich radelte in Richtung Kuala Lumpur. Ich versuchte die verlorene Zeit einzuholen und kam gut voran, doch es waren immer noch viele Kilometer zu bewältigen. Mittags rief ich meine Gastgeberin in Kuala Lumpur an und berichtete ihr, dass ich gegen Abend in der Hauptstadt sein werde. Der Nachmittag wurde ziemlich heiß und langsam ging es körperlich bergab. Am späten Nachmittag kam mir ein Regen zu Gute, der mich vor dem Kollabieren rettete. Der Eingang der Stadt war nicht mehr allzuweit entfernt, doch allmählich wollten meine Beine nicht mehr. Da ich wusste, dass Ivy und ihr Freund, meine Gastgeber in der Zeit in Kuala Lumpur, am Abend einen Kinobesuch planten, drückte die Zeit, was mich nicht wirklich motivierte. Ich überlegte, eine Nacht draußen zu verbringen, doch da es gerade geregnet hatte, stellte ich es mir nicht all zu gemütlich vor und zog eine Nacht im Trockenen vor. Gegen 7 war ich am Eingang der Stadt doch natürlich wusste ich überhaupt nicht wohin. Beim Nachfragen wurde kam erstmals gar nichts raus und beim zweiten Versuch wurde mir ein Weg erklärt. Da ich jedoch eine zweite Meinung wollte, fragte ich in einer Apotheke nach, welche mir nur den Weg zum zentralen Bahnhof erklärten. Durch einen Anruf ließ ich Ivy wissen, dass ich es nicht schaffen kann und wir machten ab, uns nach dem Film zu treffen. Anschließend radelte ich in Richtung Bahnhof, welcher nicht wirklich einfach auffindbar war. Beim Nachfragen stieß ich auf etliche unwissende Gesichter, bis mir endlich jemand den kurzen Weg beschreiben konnte. Da in Malaysia Fahrräder so selten gesehen sind, war ich natürlich im Zug nicht wirklich willkommen. Erst wurde ich beim Kauf der Fahrkarte aufmerksam gemacht, dass ich den Bahnhof verlassen soll und daraufhin wurde mir der Zutritt zu den Bahnsteigen verweigert. Da ich nichts besseres zu tun hatte, wartete ich vor den Schranken für etwa 10 Minuten und nervte das Personal so lange, bis ich durchgewunken wurde. Beim Aussteigen stieß ich auf das gleiche Unverständnis, doch nach wiederum 1o Minuten wurde ich ohne Strafe durchgelassen. Nun hatte ich noch 4 Stunden warten vor mir, bis meine Gastgeber vom Kino zurückkamen. So machte ich es mir auf dem Übergang gemütlich, entledigte mich meiner nassen Kleider und tauschte diese gegen warme, trockene ein. Gegen 3 Uhr folgte ich Ivy und Loo zu ihrer Wohnung und legte mich nach einer kurzen Dusche todmüde und erschöpft schlafen. Am nächsten Tag fuhren wir gemeinsam ins Zentrum und durchwanderten die Einkaufszentren und besichtigten das ehemals höchste Gebäude der Welt. Am nächsten Tag durchliefen wir abermals die Shops und schauten uns ein wenig um, was wir nicht haben wollen. Dann war auch schon Samstag und es wurde Zeit, das Fahrrad fluggerecht zu verpacken. Bei einer Pappkarton-Druckerei legte ich mir eine Box zu, welche nun nur noch zugeschnitten werden musste. Nach einiger Drecksarbeit war das Fahrrad zerlegt und alle gefährlichen Teile in der Box verstaut. Da ich mein Fluggewicht von 20 kg nicht überschreiten wollte, gingen alle schweren und ungefährlichen Teile, wie Pedale, Sattel, Reifen usw. in mein Handgepäck. Außerdem machte ich Bekanntschaft mit der thailändischen Nachbarfamilie, welche Kinder mich gar nicht mehr gehen lassen wollten und mich ständig umkreisten. Zum Schluss wusste ich nicht mehr wie ich sie zum Bremsen bekomme, da mein Thai nicht auf diese Situationen ausgerichtet ist. So gings nach einem gemeinsamen Abendessen mit meinen Gastgebern zum Bahnhof, wo ich wiederum Probleme hatte, mein Fahrrad transportieren zu dürfen. Nachdem ich für mein Fahrrad den zehnfachen Preis von mir bezahlt hatte, wurde mir der Zutritt gewährt. Beim Zentralbahnhof stieg ich in einen Bus um, der mich zum Flughafen bringen sollte. Nach der Ankunft dort, überprüfte ich gleich mein Reisegewicht und musste feststellen, dass ich noch ein halbes Kilogramm aus meiner Box loswerden sollte. Somit entledigte ich einen weiteren Reifen, den ich in meinen übervollen Rucksack steckte und gab das Reisegepäck anschließend ab. Nach Mitternacht setzten wir auf dem Grund Südostasiens ab und eine neue Reise konnte beginnen. Kurz nach dem Start wurde auch schon das Abendessen serviert. Es gab Steak mit Kartoffeln und schmeckte extrem köstlich, was beim Flugzeugessen nicht wirklich selbstverständlich ist. Ich bestellte daraufhin eine zweite Portion, wählte jedoch dieses Mal Reis mit Hühnchen, welches überhaupt nicht gut war. Schnell war mir klar, dass ich einfach zu lange in Asien gewesen war und mich schon gar nicht mehr an ein Fleisch erinnern kann, welches größer als wie 1 Quadratzentimeter war. Am frühen Morgen hatten wir eine Zwischenlandung in Johannesburg, wo ich für die einstündige Pause das Flugzeug verließ und mir in der Aufenthaltshalle die Zeit vertrieb. Bei der Rückkehr wollte ich meinen Bordpass wieder zurückhaben, doch dieser war auf mysteriöse Weise verschwunden. Die ungefähr 10 herumstehenden Mitarbeiter wussten gar nicht mehr was zu machen ist und nachdem immer wieder aufmerksam gemacht wurde, dass das Flugzeug sich verspäten wird und das Konsequenzen haben wird, wurde ich ohne Karte ins Flugzeug gelassen. Um 9.45 Uhr Ortszeit landeten wir in Kapstadt, wo ich mein Gepäck entgegen nahm und anschließend vor dem Flughafen meine Rad wieder zusammenbaute. Daraufhin radelte ich zu meinem neuen Gastgeber Marius, welcher am Eingang der Stadt wohnt. Nach einem kleinen Snack fuhren wir gemeinsam zu seinem Vater, wo wir das Platzierungsspiel des Confederations-Cup anschauten. Am Abend schauten wir noch das Finalspiel, bevor wir wieder nach Hause zurückkehrten. Den nächsten Tag ließ ich langsam angehen und besichtigte ein wenig das Zentrum der Stadt. Die Stadt, inmitten Berge das Zentrum bilden, liegt wunderschön am Meer. Am nächsten Tag machte ich eine Radtour um den Berg und radelte an der Küstenstraße entlang. Auch die darauffolgenden Tage nutzte ich für Radtouren und Wanderungen auf die Gipfelspitzen der Umgebung. Da das Wetter in den zwei vorangegangenen Tagen eher mäßig war, musste ich meine Gipfelstürme ein wenig verschieben. Heute habe ich den Tabelmountain bestiegen, womit jetzt nur noch eine Plichtwanderung ausständig ist. Da ich sowieso erst Ende August in Mosambik einreisen darf, habe ich jedoch genügend Zeit in Südafrika ausständig. Höchstwahrscheinlich werde ich in den nächsten Tage meine Tour am "Cape Point" welcher am Kap der Guten Hoffnung liegt starten und in den darauffolgenden Tagen entlang der Küste unterwegs sein, bevor ich mich ins Landesinnere begebe und andere Höhengipfel unsicher mache.
Meine erste Woche bestätigt, dass ich einen richtigen Schritt gemacht habe und ich bin froh, in diesem Teil der Welt unterwegs zu sein. Mein erster Eindruck ist vollkommen positiv und es gefällt mir so gut, dass ich am Liebsten für immer hier bleiben möchte.
In den nächsten Tagen werde ich noch einige Bilder online stellen!
Ich wünsche euch eine gute Zeit und bis bald!!!

Going south

Hello my friends!

I try to update the blog in English too but as you know it's not so easy for me. The biggest problem is for sure the laziness.

After my four weeks cycle trip through parts of Burma I flew back to Bangkok, Thailand. There I spent the next 2,5 weeks to get things sorted out for my next trip.

Because I spent almost the last 9 month in Southeast Asia I thought about a new trip and a new challenge. I don't want to say that I have seen enough of that beautiful part of the world but I would say that it's enough for this time and that I'm ready for something new.

A long time ago I had the idea to spend the last time of my travels in Africa. So I had the idea to fly to South Africa from where I'm cycling back home to Austria. I will try to avoid another flight then the neccessary one to Cape Town but I'm not sure yet if I can enter or cross every country of my route and how that will happen. All that I will see when I'm there and I think it's the best to work on the spot on the problems.

My flight is going on the 28th of June from Kuala Lumpur to Cape Town. From Cape Town I search my way through the inland of South Africa. After I cross to Swaziland and continue through Mozambique to Malawi and after to Tanzania. The route is mainly heading up north on the east coast because traveling there is much easier and the central countries are restricted because of civil wars and so on. When I arrive in Egypt I want to cross west to Morocco and head through Europe back home to my family and friends.

In the moment I'm cycling from Thailand south to Kuala Lumpur. This trip started last sunday with a train ride from Bangkok to Surat Thani because time is running short. I had a pleasant ride in the 3rd class and enough space to stretch my length. Because I arrived in the early morning I continued on the bike in the direction of Nakhon Sri ..... . I didn't reach my destination because I was to lazy on this day. I escaped two heavy rainfalls and camped overnight under a nice bridge. The day after I cycled further south and ended up shopping for longtime necessary T-shirts. I would say there is nothing better then a 2-nd-handshop on the way. In the afternoon I reached the sea and after a short swim and some washing I called it a day. Some boys of a small fishing village played football on the beach and so I joined them and got later invited for food and stay the night. I had a good night and continued my journey in the direction of Hat Yai which I neither got to because I met another nice girl which invited me to her restaurand and later to stay the night in her place. I got the following day to Sadao, which is close to the border, where I spent my last night in the Thai forest and crossed the day after to Malaysia. I got the stamp and the customs took me to the doctor to check the H1N1 Pig-Flu. After they had the confidence that I'm ok I continued to Alor Setar where I had some problems to change my Thai Baht in cash. By 2.30 o'clock I left the shopping-centre without cash because the moneychanger hadn't returned yet from his lunch break. I cycled to the 90 k's distant Butterworth and called a man, which should host my for my first night. Because he is living out of town and I didn't want to leave the town without any cash I bought myself food with the credit card and ate the first day in Malaysia for sure no local food. I fed myself with bread and chocolate cream and so on. The night I spent in the forest near a small dirty lake and changed the next day finally my money. With some cash in my pockets I cycled to David, my host and had a relaxing day there. On Monday I'm touring south together with David.

In KL I will get the last things sorted that I'm ready for my new trip to the African continent.

I hope you are all well and you send me some news of your daily life and adventours!!!

Have a good time and all the best

Stefan