I was fortunate enough to be in South Africa for Nelson Mandela's birthday on a Saga Holidays press trip. Capetown, Kwazulu Natal, Pretoria, Johannesburg, like most visitors I was a little anxious about my visit, mainly due to my preconceived ideas about the people and the country, most of it from the News and my knowledge of the country's racial segregation history. The irony of blogging about my trip on 121 (a website set up to provide alternative takes on countries to challenge negative perceptions) was not lost on me. As the trip drew closer I became very uneasy about my anxiety, mainly due to the fact that I moan more than anyone I know about the image of Africa in the West and people's lack of willingness to challenge the negative perceptions they have of our beautiful continent.

My fears were laid to rest on arrival in the country, the warmth, hospitality and humour of South Africans I met everywhere added to a luxury trip that ended up exceeding all my expectations. The country and the people felt like home and family. I now know how the negative images we see repeatedly of a country and it's people form our opinions even when we ought to know better.