Shosholoza

Thursday 15th September

On a train, North West Province

South Africa doesn't really go in for public transport, certainly not on long-haul routes.  Driving or flying are really the only ways to cover any distance.

But today, we tried out two of its (very different) train systems.  First up, the Gautrain.  Opened six years ago, this ultra-fast, ultra-modern metro-style system connects major destination around Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Today, we handed back our hire car and took the Gautrain back to Jo'burg city centre.  The trains have a bit of a futuristic look, run to a schedule Mussolini would have been proud of and are governed by almost as fascist a set of rules - I could have been fined R700 for daring to take a sip of my water!

All-in-all, it is an incredibly impressive transport system, designed to convey a sense of safety and security within a city notorious for danger.

That said, walking around Jozie's streets felt no less safe than many parts of London or Glasgow.  We even found time to visit Smit Street in Hillbrow - one of the places my parents lived.

Premier Classe Train

From Johannesburg, we boarded the Premier Classe train to Cape Town, the public operator's (significantly cheaper) version of the Rovos or Blue Train luxury journeys.  It doesn't pretend to meet the Beverley Hills style of its rivals, but offers fine dining and well appointed cabins for this 26 hour journey across the country.

Leaving the city and passing right through some of the poorest townships we've seen, it did make one feel a tad uncomfortable sitting down to a silver-service five-course meal.  Such is the wealth divide in this land.

We are currently about half-way between Johannesburg and Kimberley.  Bed is calling, and with all being well, we should wake up somewhere in the middle of the Karoo.