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Published: September 12th 2009
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Wilderness
B/P in Wildernes Hello again everyone!
I have just arrived back in Stellenbosch after an absolutely incredible 10 days!
It was our mid-semester break this past week and this will just be a brief blog to show you some photos of my adventures, as well as tell you about the ones that no camera's were allowed on.
We left early Friday morning, our form of transportation for the week being a hop-on-hop-off bus, and headed off on our journey across the Southern coast of SA along the Garden Route. Our first stop was Wilderness, about a 4.5 hour drive from Bosch.
We went to Wilderness for two reasons:
1-Beautiful beaches
2-I have a friend that I met in Res who lives in Wilderness, and suggested we stop
So, we arrive..our backpackers lodge was amazing; it was positioned right over the beach. We bought some wine and cheese and spent the evening on the beach enjoying our new scenery. The next morning we got some sun, and then Ryan picked me and the twins up and took us to his house for the afternoon. As seen in the pictures, it was a stunning house that ran along a river (only about 200
yards to the other side of his house was the ocean). His family was so hospitable - - we all watched the SA vs. Australia rugby game, his grandma "granny," ordered us delicious pizza's and then they even took us to see their horses about 5 miles up the road. They have 4 of the breath taking horses I have ever seen, thoroughbred race horses. Ryan's family was great, being in a house with couches was awesome, and the whole day could not have been a better start to our trip (although it did make me miss my own living room at home :-/). Thanks Ryan!
We left wilderness when our bus picked us up around 5pm Saturday afternoon, and we headed to stop #2, Knysna - - which we went to for only one reason: kloofing!
Kloofing is basically cliff jumping I suppose. We hiked down a huge gorge and put on wet-suits, proceeded to get into a slow flowing river that could not have been a degree about 50 and then froze! We floated through canyons and at times we could touch the gorge on either side, the coldness wore off fast and it was an amazing
Ryan's
Back of Ryan's house "swim." Sporadically throughout the journey, we would climb up 30-55ft cliffs, and then take the plunge into the cold water below. It was scary! But so fun! We also got to slide(?) down some waterfalls. All-in-all kloofing was definitely a highlight of our trip, which unfortunately got no photographs because we were wet almost the entire time. Once again, Sunday evening we boarded the bus and headed towards storms river.
In advance, I would like to apologize to all the adults in my life, and Carlie, who are still mad at me/will be after what they are about to read...bare in mind - - I am still alive and well!
We went to storms river for one reason:
1-The Largest Bungy Jump in the World!!!
Ahhhh--it was incredible! It is over the Bloukrans River (bridge shown in photo) - the jump is 216m = 710 feet. WoWW was it insane. Just the sight of the bridge is intimidating. We purchased not only the bungy jump tickets, but also the "flying fox," which is a zip-line to the bungy location on the bridge. By taking the zip line, we avoided walking across the catwalk (shown in photos) until
girls
On the dock @ Ry's after the jump, which not only took a bit of the edge off the jump, but also ensured that we all made it to the peak of the bridge. All five of us jumped! I was last, and thought I would be fine since I had watched everyone else jump and love it...then I got my feet tied up, and approached the landing and decided I didn't think I could jump. So, as the men were counting down 5-4-3..I turned around, told them they were going to have to push me if I was going to do this...and they did! HAHAH next thing I know, after a 7 second free-fall, and about 1 minute of bungying, I was hanging by my feet in the air...talk about scaryyy!!!
With all of that said, and another apology to my parents for not telling them first, it was an unbeatable experience!! Not only did I bungy, but off the largest one in the world...incredible!
So, that was Monday. Tuesday morning we remained in Storms River and Adrienne and I went horseback riding through the Titszikama National Park. It was educational and the closet thing to a rain-forest that SA has. Then, we
Bungy time!
Sorryyy everyone, here is just a few from the jump! came out along the beach and got to gallop as fast as we could for miles. This was also a great day, it has been a long time since I have been able to ride a horse, let alone run as fast as I could on one. That night, we had an authentic South African dinner of milli-pop, which is kind of like grits, smothered in a meat stew, with some acorn squash on the side. Mmmmm. Then we headed out again for Jeffrey's Bay
Also, only one reason to be here:
1-Beach!
We spent the whole day Wednesday wishing we were on the beach, but unfortunately we got a day of bad weather. Instead, we caught a shuttle into town and saw a movie. Then Thursday it was beautiful and sunny, and we were on the beach at 10am. All day we tanned, played frisbee, and enjoyed the sun. Also a great location - - lodge right on the beach, with a restaurant attached and tons of activities to do if you wanted. Again, Thursday night we boarded the bus for one last time and headed to Port Elizabeth.
We came to PE because not only
was it the location of our flight back to Cape Town, but we wanted to go on a safari before spring-break was over - - and we did. We went to the Shamwari Game Reserve Friday around 1pm and went on safari until about 9pm. As you will see in the pictures, we saw lions, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, springboks, antelope looking things that I cant remember the name of, hippos, horses, warthogs, and rhinos, amongst others. The safari included a delicious rustic dinner in a hut.
Saturday morning, we woke up early and went to the airport and flew back to Cape Town. A shuttle ride later, we were back at Stellenbosch and here I am, alive and well, with a better tan then I left with, back in Metenoia!
What a week! This trip sure has turned into more of an adventure then I had ever dreamed it would have.
As for this week, it is Alexis's 21st birthday Monday so we are throwing her a bday party on Saturday. I also have some serious semester papers and tests due within the next few weeks so I have a lot of work ahead!
I will keep you
all posted on my continuing journey!
Hope you enjoyed the post!
Love you all and miss you more
Cheers!
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Court
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I love it all! haha I am so proud of you for jumping off that bridge...I dont think I could have done it. I miss you tons and I know we skyped yesterday and chatted but I just wanted to say HI. I cant even believe the things you are getting to do over there. I am so happy that you love it so much. After all this adventure I hope you are ready for some realaxing and bonding time with me!