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Published: November 24th 2008
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Today I spent in Plettenberg Bay.
The hostel was very nice - very clean and super comfy beds. But I didn't sleep in; I was up and off early. It was about a 15 minute walk down to the water, to Central Beach. As soon as I turned a corner and could see the shore, I literally spoke aloud to myself "No way!" - because it was so beautiful. (Traveling alone, I frequently find myself speaking aloud to no one!) The beach itself was almost empty, so quiet. But I found Dolphin Adventures, the sea kayak company I'd decided to do a trip with. Joining me were 3 friends from Cape Town and a couple from England with their 4 year old son. He was so cute! Also, an incredibly brave one!
I was paired with the instructor, Lance. Let me say, sea kayaking is no easy task! The waves were really big - immesnsely big when you're riding over them. Watching the other kayaks go out and be tossed around had me nervous. But out we went. Getting past the surf was intense, a bit scary and freezing! It was a baking hot day (close to 30 degrees
celcius), but out on the water, you wouldn't know it! Then once we were finally out there, there were steering issues. The kayaks have pedals for steering and I was in charge of them. I was increasingly fraustrated. I could steer but couldn't seem to just stay straight - I'd end up over-steering and zigzagging. We were pretty far out, so the waves were large. We were continually hitting the water so roughtly, I've ended up with bruises along my spine from my bathing suit knot continually pressing into me! So yes, difficult. But it was still very cool.
We spent about 2 hours out on the water and kayaked probably about a kilometre or so along the coast. But we were plenty far from shore. Apparently on about 65-70% of their trips they see some sort of animals: dolphins, seals, whales. We didn't see any. But I was okay with that; I signed up for the kayaking as a way to enjoy the scenery of Plet.
And wow did I! It was gorgeous. Down the coast (to the SouthWest), a heavy fog and cloud hung over the mountains. But it was really quite lovely, the pattern and
swirl of the fog. Owen (the 4 year old) point out to us that we musn't go into the clouds, because that's where ships will hit rocks and sink because they can't see. (So cute!) We assured him we wouldn't go ther.
Sometimes one might say that scenery was unreal, usually because it is so perfect and precisely detailed in it's beauty. But the view up the coast (to the NorthEast) was unreal because it actually looked surrreal. A mountain range extended as far away as I could see, but it all appeared like a pastel blue shadow. The sea, the mountains and the sky were all different colours of blue. It looked like a piece of artwork. So incredible.
I was quite tired and cold by the end of our time on the water and ready to head in. The ride in on the surf was also intense. Lance and I were tossed out, but we made it.
Back onshore, I savoured a day at the beach. Now, at noon, it was packed! Everyone was out for the afternoon it seemed. I had a nice lunch in a 2nd storey restaurant overlooking the bay - beautiful
view. (Also: meal, wine dessert, tax and tip for under $10!) I laid out in the sun for a bit, but it was too scorching hot to do that for long. I took a long walk along the beach, as far as I could go. Sat on some rocks, then later in the shade, and read. It was such an easy, calm and relaxing day at the beach.
When there's snow on the ground back home, I will not complain about heat, but eventually I was just too hot and I headed back to the hostel. The walk back, all up a steep hill and in the sun was exhausting! I actually went and walked around in the grocery story just to cool off. Then I just relaxed a bit at the hostel until the bus came along.
I'm really happy with my choice of taking the hop-on hop-off bus around the country. There are some really beautiful sites that we pass along the way.
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swills82
Sarah Willett
I like that your shirt matched the kayak :P