Tsitsikamma and Storms River Village

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We arrived in Storms River Village, which is right next to the Tsitsikamma (ta-tit-see-kama) National Park, basically an indigenous forest and ocean wildlife santuary, and checked into Tsitsikamma Backpackers, a quiet and very clean establishment. There wasn't much going on here, and nothing as far as ambiance goes, but we needed a night to rest. We found the Rafters restaurant and sat outside amidst lots of birds, plants, and a little stream to provide some music. Filled with a great meal of fish curry, tomatoe bredie (a lamb stew), and some more good wine, we walked back to the backpackers for some sleep.

The next day we switched to a place with more of a lively atmosphere-- Tube n' Axe Backpackers. We dropped our things off and drove a short distance to the Tsitsikamma National Park. We chose a trail--the blue duiker trail--and began our hike through the forest and along the coast. It was about a 10km hike, through pristine Forest and at times felt a little strange. I guess as city folk, being out in the forest takes a little getting used too. During those few hours, we never crossed paths with another human, but saw a Knyser Lowry (which they tells us was lucky) a Duiker, and a school of about 50 dolphin hunting along the coast. It is possible to come across leopard in the park but no such luck...or luckily, depending on how you look at it.

That evening we had a great dinner at Tube n' Axe with Marias, the owner, Sheldon, the bartender, and Lucanya, one of the workers who lives in a tent on the property and has to move every time the overland trucks pull in with a car full of campers. It was pretty funny listening to him recount the details in language not quite appropriate for a PG blog like this.

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Photos

Rest Stop on the Trail
The trail runs along the coast and up into the forest. Very quiet and peaceful

On the Trail
By this Point Andy had already run out of bread crumbs to drop, no turning back now

Ont the trail
one of the indigenous species

On the trail
The greens were awesome. I'm glad i didn't clash

On the trail
...and another

On the trail
looking forward to trying this in the Amazon

On the trail
and one for good measure...

In a tree
Big tree..Little person

Dolphins
In you look really really closely you'll spot some dolphins in the waves. there was a big pod of them hunting along the coast, herding fish up against the rocks

Tube n' Axe Bar
Having a cold beer after a good walk. The place filled up a bit later and we got some good advice from fellow backpackers about our onward journey

Ochi
A Boerbul with the biggest head on a dog I've ever seen. He was about to become a daddy for the second time to Keira's pups, although he never seemed too concerned about it.

Storms River village
Having a bite to eat after a day on the road. The food was spot on! and setting was great