South Africa lll The Brine Pool

Kevin here--
I have found heaven and its name is Brine Pool. The brine pool simulates the dead sea and is kept just below body temperature at 35 degrees. The only thing one needs to enjoy the brine pool is the ability to remain inert. I have that abillity.

The idea behind the pool is that the extremely salinated water keeps you afloat and there is a gentle current in the pool that drifts you around in lazy circles. Given my group of friends I am something of an expert in lazy circles. At any rate, you just lie there and keep your head in the water so that your ears are beneath the water level. This is done so you can hear the massage music piped into the water. Above you is a black ceiling with star cutouts that gives you the impression you are floating in space.

The brine pool is located in a very nice resort called the Westin Western Cape an hour south of Capetown. The resort is quite nice, golf course, pool etc., but it is the brine pool that will be the main reason I remember our two day stay.

All in all I was captivated by South Africa, perhaps a little more than Abigail. On any given day you can hear any number of languages. It is eaasily the most diverse place I have ever been. The poverty is disturbing, especially with the contrast of extreme wealth in some places. I wish we had more time there, but I am reasonably sure we will be back as we would like to take Connor on a safari at some point. We did not have time to do the Garden Route along the southern coast, so that will be another trip at another time. As a tourist, I must say SA is the best bargain as the Rand to Dollar ratio is very favourable. The golf courses look appealing as well, and the next time I will bring my clubs.

If any of you are looking for an affordable "exotic" vacation this is the place.

One last thing about the brine pool. On our last day we went for a workout and then off for a last trip to the brine pool. I should have added that the spa in which the pool is loacted is nudity optional. In our time there we never saw anyone actually atke advantage of this option Anyway, we were the only ones there and Abigail thought it would be clever if she didn't get her suit wet, so she went starkers. As luck would have it, she got busted when a guy came waltzing through the doors. Giggling to my self, as I watched Abigail, I noticed the guy take one wide eyed look in the pool and then quickly turn away and duck into the bathroom. Abigail quickly jumped out and got into her house coat, but not before she had made someone's morning.