I walked into one of the shopping centres in Johannesburg over the weekend and commented to David that although 'very posh' and with wonderful stores it is no competition for the centre we visited in Buenos Aires.
As our driver whizzed us through the beautiful boulevards, we were rather alarmed and wondered where we were going. He stopped outside the Principe Mall which is one of the nicest shopping areas I've visited for a long time.
Wide passages, shops with no 'Made in China' labels - please don't tell me everything has to be made in China! Shoe shops with high heel shoes in every colour, flat shoes with soft leather, sandals with straps in just the right place.
Coffee and food shops in just the right places and of course chocolate shops. One 'boutique' store simply sold small soaps and candles that looked good enough to eat. Great for small gifts.
Even the men's clothing stores beckoned David who actually slowed down to gaze at the well tailored smart and casual clothing.
So, I sit now and gaze onto the emerald green grass of our garden with the sun streaming through the leaves of the pinoaks and ponder on the remarkable experiences we've had over the past few weeks.
I don't have the 'ice bug' that so many of the Zodiac drivers and expedition leaders have - too much of a Bush person for that - but I certainly would certainly like to explore the Northern Arctic areas for another experience. And what about the Ross Ice Shelf? Now THAT'S a thought!
But Buenos Aries - as someone famous once said 'Ve vill be back'!
