Table Mountain at dawn, 1st Jan 2012

New Year’s Day 2012 and there’s nowhere I’d rather be than right here in beautiful Cape Town again. I’m typing this from the wonderful Victoria and Alfred Hotel, as the sun rises over majestic Table Mountain – surely one of the world’s great hotel-room views.

Last night, the waterfront throbbed with New Year’s Eve revellers – including me – soaking up the incredible backdrop amid a colourful melee of African singers, marimba players and, at midnight, the loudest and most prolonged firework display I think I’ve ever seen, right over the harbour.

For me, this is the start of my latest road trip adventure in Africa. In a couple of days, I’ll be heading north from the Mother City towards Springbok, then over the South African border into Namibia to cross the Namib Desert and explore the mighty dunes and – if I can make it that far – the mythical Skeleton Coast in the far North West of the country. It’ll be my third trip in Namibia and I can’t wait to be back there exploring its furthest reaches and really getting off the beaten track again.

Meantime, a rented 250cc motorbike is proving to be a fabulous way of exploring Cape Town and its environs. I’m heading down to Cape Point today, taking in some of my favourite haunts and hiking in the National Park at the southernmost tip of Africa. This really is the place for outdoor adventures and I intend to make the most if it.

Happy New Year, y’all – and here’s to a 2012 filled with adventures great or small! Must dash, Africa awaits… 🙂