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Published: January 16th 2011
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Happy new year!!
After three days in Cape Town it was time to wind our way down the Western Cape and explore the Garden route. The flashpacker experience that was Ashanti Hostel was left behind as we reaquainted ourselves with cooking out a truck, makeshift toilets, sleeping in a wet tent and all the many other delights of the camping experience!
First stop was Mossel Bay - after several hours on the bus we were keen to get off and explore. Unfortunately we were greeted by lashing rain - quite an adjustment after getting used to the stifling heat of the Namib desert! After a quick scout around we were all a bit damp and keen to drive are way out of the grey clouds - not that Claire seemed to aware of the weather as she rocked back up on the bus ice cream in hand! After a few more hours on the road we arrived at our campsite just outside the town of Knysna. We spent the evening playing on makeshift swings and savouring some more sweets.
The next day we visited Storms River - home to the worlds highest bungee jump at an eye watering
Tsitsikama National Park
There is a lost iPod somewhere in this photo! 216 metres. After watching daredevils jump off the huge bridge and down into the deep canyon below we both quite fancied a bungee but after the wallet crushing week before we resisted the urge - it will be happening in Oz or NZ though! We feasted on fish and chips for tea that evening before being entertained by some local lads with some traditional dancing around the camp fire.
Next day...more rain!! We spent News Years Eve getting some much needed exercise walking around Tsitsikama National Park. Was a class hike through the lush mountains right on the coast. On the way back by the beach I decided I needed some further exertion and hit the waves. After adjusting my body to the cold (and my mind to the sharky waters) I swam out to a nearby float. I even got a (small) applause from the group and some nearby locals for my efforts!! Then...disaster! While busy snapping me out at sea Claire dropped her Ipod. After hunting around for a while we realised it was lost in the icy waters of the Southern Cape - gutted!
That night we rocked up at Island Vibe Guesthouse on Jeffreys
Bay - an absolutely jumping hostel in party mode for hogmany. While the guys had a few drinks myself and other Claire (from the tour group) cooked the biggest steak you have ever seen! This thing was huge, it looked like someone had just taken a chainsaw to a cows shoulder! We partied that night before me and the bear went off to have a drink and take the bells in just the two of us. Happy new year!
The next morning we said our goodbyes to most of the rest of the group who were continuing their travels up to Jo'burg. We had a bit of a lazy day before heading to get the night bus back to Cape town. Wow this bus made the Megabus seem like the Orient Express!! We were all jammed in to these tiny seats with no leg room and surrounded by people bashing about, making loud phone calls and snoring. After a while it got to Claire when the woman in front reclined her chair. Claire jammed her knees into the back of the womans chair and she shot up like a bolt. Haha I thought it was going to kick off!
Lesson learned - do not mess with a grumpy Bear on the bus!
We are now back in Cape Town and the home comforts of Ashanti Lodge. We fly out to Thailand shortly and really can't wait! We have both been blown away by the Southern African experience - the variety of people, activities, wildlife and landscapes has made every single day a different experience. Fom the waterworld of the Okovango Delta to the mighty sand dunes of the Namib desert we have had a truly memorable month. No pressure South East Asia!!
Bring on Bangkok,
Love James and Claire x
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