If you're planning an exciting trip to South Africa, a few things will catch you off guard shortly after you arrive. You'll be with the antipodes 😇

The adventure starts at the airport. If you get into the vehicle from the side you are used to, you will find that someone has taken the steering wheel away from you 😄 It is on the other side than you are used to, because here they drive on the opposite side of the road. And there are more of those opposites. That there are more blacks than whites you certainly expected, the rest may surprise you.

If you observe closely while washing your hands, you will find that the water as it drains spins in the opposite direction to the northern hemisphere.

The windows open principally outwards, for here there is no danger of snow falling in.

As you admire the magical night sky with a glass of wonderful South African wine, you will notice that when the moon is waxing its shape will be exactly the opposite, here it will look like the letter C.

The shady part of the house is, of course, the southern part.

The houses usually don't have chimneys, as central heating is practically non-existent here. Only some old houses have a chimney, because they still have good old fireplaces.

What about the time of year, you probably left home in bitter cold weather and arrived in full summer? Yes and the seasons are reversed here.

Well the last difference is a bit of a challenge to exercise your fine motor skills. South Africans count backwards on their fingers. How? Try counting on your fingers from one to five, the way you are used to ... well now try it like a South African, nice and slow, pinky one, ring finger two...etc 😊.

If you're planning an exciting trip to South Africa, a few things will catch you off guard shortly after you arrive. You'll be with the antipodes 😇

Come and see for yourself and when you find another difference I've missed, let me know and we'll fill it in together.

I look forward to seeing you.

Zuzana, your South Africa guide