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Published: November 7th 2008
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On the road with the Baz Bus
The driver stopped to give out some bread and sticky buns to the kids en route The internet has been becoming increasingly hard to get onto as I get more remote. I have tried a couple of times, but in one place the computer broke down, in another there was a power cut...and here they only have limited times in the day to use it.
Thats an explanation for why this blog has been a while coming. Its also really slow here so there may be very few, if any, photos for now!
So - Buffalo Bay seems a long time ago now. Not much else happened there, except I met a few bikers who turn up every Sunday for a braai and a catch-up.
Plettenberg Bay was fairly unexciting, possibly my least favourite stop so far. The hostel was run by an ex-schoolteacher, and you did feel a little bit like you were at school. There was also a moody Australian. Ooh, before I forget -
A few things I've learned:
Every hostel has a dog.
Every hostel has a quiet and slightly strange German backpacker.
Its hard to make pasta sauce from a packet without a measuring jug.
Some girls snore.
I'm sure there's more, but thats it for now.
So,
whilst in Plett (as its known) I did do a ferry trip up the Keurbooms river (snake count - 2), which was fine, and a trip back to Knysna (which I never really saw when I was in Buffalo Bay) to drive around the rich areas - of which there are many, in stark contrast to the Knysna townships.
So then it was onwards to Storms River - the Dijembe backpackers - a total contrast to Plett. Much more rural, dirt tracks, friendly locals etc - although it does still feel a bit like a resort town.
I'd barely been there for 2 minutes when I was invited to join a trip to the local township tavern. My main memories are bars on the bar (if you see what I mean), enormous bottles of beer (not drunk by myself) and some scarily good pool playing by the locals. A couple was there on their honeymoon - we all drank "champagne" (pink, fizzy and sweet).
I had a walk in the forest the next day (decided it was best to get back in the saddle as soon as possible), and then joined a trip to the world's highest bungy jump
at Bloukrans Bridge. I very nearly started thinking about possibly doing it - but not for long! I watched a couple of fellow travellers do it and cheered them on whole-heartedly.
Other than that - time in Storms River was spent lying in a hammock.
Then on to Port Elizabeth (P.E.) where I was staying with friends of friends for 2 nights. They looked after me very well and on Saturday night I found myself at an old rockers' band night down at the marina. Friendly people. I was judging the dodgy "old people" dancing and then somehow found myself doing the twist.
On the Sunday morning it was off to the Buccaneers in Cintsa, a much praised backpackers by the ocean that was recommended to me (thanks Al). It was a beautiful spot, and the location of my first late party night...I blame the Irish.
After a couple of nights there, it was on again (I'm not bored yet of packing and unpacking, but it won't be long) - driving through some stunning scenery in the Transkei. East of P.E. it started to feel much more like Africa to me, and I kind of wish I'd
Buccaneers in Cintsa
The Irish doing what they do best. spent less time on the garden route, which was beautiful, but not full of new experiences for me.
I was dropped in a place called Mthatha and picked up by a shuttle to take me to my next hostel in Port St Johns - a good 100k from Mthatha and again, some really staggering scenery of hills, valleys, planes and scattered villages. I don't think I have a good photo of this as we were driving at some speed - except for when we stopped to pick up and drop off people along the way.
Port St Johns (in Pondoland) is a lively bustling noisy town - I liked it very much. I bought some bananas for R1.20 each (about 5p)
I also went for a trip along the coast to the Poenskop beach and lagoon. There was a nasty moment where we thought we were lost (deja vu) and had walked through some of the lagoon knee high (trying desperately not to think of what might be in there), when a canoeist, who knew our "guide" came out of nowhere - he was going fishing. I think I must be being looked after by someone up there.
Buccaneers, Cintsa
The view from my dorm of Cintsa beach. After a long transfer yesterday, I'm now in a quiet hostel near the Sani Pass. I think this blog has gone on long enough now, so will talk more about that next time. I will also try to put more photos up when I can.
xxx
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