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Published: April 2nd 2008
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THE JUMP
highest bungy jump in the world! 216m So I just got back from my fall break, and it was amazing. I travelled for ten days along the Garden Route. I was really excited for this trip because I heard that the Garden Route is some of the most beautiful places in South Africa and everyone told me that I must go there before I leave. Well, everyone was right, everyplace that I saw was gorgeous. For the first half of the trip I travelled with my AIFS group. All 51 of us piled into eight white vans. I have to say that I felt very VIP riding in eight matching white vans along the coast of South Africa. Anyways, we stayed two nights at Antlers Lodge in Pletts Bay and three nights at Buffalo Bay Backpackers in Buffels Bay. The backpackers was right on the ocean with spectacular views.
The entire week was packed with so many activities, so just warning you now that this blog might be a little long. But I will try to be short.
Friday:
we started the trip of right, by jumping of the world's highest bungy jump! I was terrified all week to do this, but I knew that I had to
Monkeyland
looks like he is up to something...haha do it. come on, it the worlds highest. haha. The atmosphere on the bridge is intense and crazy. They blast techno music and everyone in dancing and cheering you on! The jump was awesome (216 m/ about 650 ft). You hear the guys count down 5-4-3-2-1 and then you jump. Everything goes silent and you just see the earth coming towards you. I didn't even feel like I was moving. I just tried to spin around and see the view. Then before I knew it I was falling again.... its hard to explain the feeling but it was one of the best things I have ever done in my life (and everyone should do it). When I got back to the top of the bridge I felt the adrenaline rush. I couldn't stop smiling and dancing and cheering on the rest of the group. IT WAS AMAZING
Also, on friday we went to monkeyland. Which pretty much sounds like what it is, a land full of monkeys. We had a guided tour and saw different types of monkeys from all over the world. It was awesome.... we weren't allowed to touch the monkeys but we were very close to them.
Saturday:
We started the day seas kayaking. For a couple of hours we kayaked along the coast. It would have been better if we saw some whales or dolphins, but its not the right season for that. by the end my arms were exhausted, it was quiet the workout. But no time to rest because we had to rush to go see elephants!
We went to Knysna Elephant Park in the afternoon. We learned about the knysna elephants and then were handed a bucket of fruits and veggies... after a short ride around the park, we stopped and were able to feed the elephants. You could feed them through their trunk or in their mouths. It was pretty slobbery but still really cool.
Sunday:
We went exploring through the Congo Caves. The caves started really big. The first cave was used for symphonies until people started vandalizing the caves. As you kept exploring, the caves started to get smaller and smaller. You literally had to climb through small opening to get to the next cave. The smallest hole was called something chimney and was only 27cm high. Previously they had a women get stuck in the cave. She was trapped
in the cave for eleven hours and she was blocking the only exit out of the cave.... so everyone else was trapped as well. I didn't bring my camera in the caves, so I will try and find some pictures ASAP.
Ostrich Farm Museum, the only museum for ostriches in the world. here you can feed or even ride an ostrich. A couple of people from my group rode and ostrich. some were surprising good and others fell right off.
We had two surprises in the afternoon
the first was a drum session. We all learned how to play the drums and then we broke up into smaller groups. each groups had a theme (earth, wind, rain, or fire), my group was FIRE. Then we had to prepare a performance for everyone. And I have to say that fire was the best. haha
the second surprise was a reggae band.... so awesome. The band was from a local community and they played in the backpackers we were staying at. It was sweet.
Monday
We actually got to visit the band that played for us the night before. We went to the local rasta township community. They were more than happy
Riding an ostrich
First to ride an ostrich... and he got the crazy one to show us around and teach us about the rasta beliefs. We also walked in the forest behind the township. the rasta community has worked extremely hard to keep this forest preserved. They have been in contact with the government and have received funds to help them with their goal. Everyone in the community was open and excepting, I wish I could have stayed longer and talked to them more. ONE GOAL ONE AIM ONE GOD ONE LOVE!
Then we went to a nature reserve on the other side of lagoon in Knysna. we took a short ferry ride to the reserves and then took a short hike along the mountain. We started at the top of the mountain and walked all the way down to these caves by the ocean. Incredible views.
The trip with AIFS had to come to an end sometime. It was amazing being with everyone. So for the last night, we all went out to dinner at a restaurant on the ocean. First, we all met outside and opened a couple of bottles of champagne to celebrate a fantastic week.
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