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I am sitting in a relaxing hostel in the coastal city of Maputo, Mozambique commited to a day of catching up. Wash some laundry, do some typing and make some good food today. The last month has been a whirlwind of excitement going from location to location seeing southern Africa. I am nearly a month behind on my updates. Those that get my cousin Justin's blog have been more frequently updated. If you would like to join his blog just Google Justin Hintz travel blog and his link will show up, or http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/JJH99/ then subscribe. Computer time for me has been a least priority with so much going on around me. I will attempt to do a summary of all the places I have been with highlights and some photos, to catch up before the upcoming World Cup of soccer I will be attending starting next week.
I left off last just leaving Cape Town heading for the garden route city of Plettenburg bay. Known as Plett bay, a very popular resort town with local South Africans to get a way from the stress of city life. I was in Plett because my parents were kind enough to put a whole
week of there time share in my name. It was a much needed week of a comfortable bed, relaxing down time, good food and great beaches. Much different from the hostels, campgrounds and Top Ramen noodles I am accustom to while backpacking. My cousin and I stayed at the fancy Beacon Island resort, walking in with backpacks, we were definitely away from our normal crowd, as we passed 50 somethings with there Mercedes Benz and stylish fashion. I used it as a good opportunity to meet the well off South Africans whom were all quite nice and interesting. Activities during our week at Beacon island included table tennis, walking the beach, lounging on the beach and by the pool, a favorite BINGO and a lot of nothing. A great week, a time to collect thoughts reflect on travels and prepare for a busy road ahead. Thanks mom and dad!
After a week of down time Justin and I were ready for the long eastern coast of South Africa starting with Storms River where the world's highest bungee jump is at 216 meters. I opted to pass as I am not that fond of jumping off bridges with a mega rubber
band lashed to my ankles. However Justin was not going to pass it up after doing a few jumps in New Zealand. We met a good travel buddy Hanan from Tel aviv who we have been backpacking with for the last three weeks. We make a good team of three full of laughs and meeting people from all spectrum's together. Going be tough when we part from our Israeli friend in a few days. After the bungee or lack there of we headed east to the famous surf break of Super Tubes in the well named town of Jeffrey's Bay. What a wave a long tube that provides long lasting rides for only the very experienced or insane. A very nice town, modern with many restaurants and bars, we camped at the very nice Island Vibe hostel with great views of the beach from the opening in the tent. J-bay is host to the international super tubes tournament in July when the waves are at there peak. After a few days watching the big surfers and waves we moved on to the mountain town of Hogsback and the hostel Away with the fairies. What a beautiful indigenous forest the camp/hostel
is surrounded by. With hiking trails right from the camp it was perfect for the much needed trekking. Waterfalls, stone bridges, giant yellowood trees, edible mushrooms a very mystical place, frequented by monkeys, baboons, fire fly, glow worms and fairies a place you could get lost in. However we only spent three nights exploring the trails, on the last night we found out our tent has a few leaks and isn't that rain friendly. From Away with the fairies, we had a quick stop at Chitsa and Buccaneer Backpackers one of the coolest hostel/resorts in South Africa. With daily activities volleyball and wine, nice pool, monkeys, surfing, canoes, and accommodations from private houses to camping I wish we had a month just to enjoy the great people and wonderful activities Chitsa has to offer. We however were exited to explore the Transkei (wild coast) and the Xhosa people and there simple way of living. We set up in the small village of Coffee bay, once again with amazing camping right by the beach. The first morning a delight waking up to the five rastas in camp chanting and drumming praises to Jah. With daily food made by the local Xhosa
women was delicious, the veggie option of course. Hiking and being with the people occupied the five nights at the hip coffee shack hostel. Ok maybe some billiards and beer at night. The coast here is amazing truly one of the nicest I have seen in all my travels. The circular homes made out of a form of cob scattered the hills, as people live in traditional ways. The transkei was considered a independent territory until apartheid ended in the 90's. One of the poorest regions monetarily, I feel very rich in happiness and culture. A true highlight of South Africa. From Coffee bay Justin Hanan and I decide to hike south 8 hours along the unmarked coast line through villages to the sustainable hostel camp at Bulungula. An incredible hike that had the most amazing views from the coastal cliffs and excitement of the unknown. Who would we encounter, would we recognize Bulungula, did we have enough supplies. Everything went perfect and smoothly after a long day of going up and down coastal hills. A highlight half way through was the hole in the wall rock that gives a nice photo and land mark. We encountered a few fisherman
that were a delight to chat with, although they only have limited english, and I speak zero Xhosa.
Bulungula is paradise, its the dream, set on a long stretch of beach in a small village the hostel also named after the village is totally self sufficient. It harnesses energy from the wind mill and set of solar panels, which power laptops, charges phones and any other needs. The toilets are all composting in a circular traditional building with amazing artwork throughout. The dorms lit by candle and community areas full of books, games, and instruments. The hostel is partially owned by the community and all activities are run by community members who earn the profits. Activities include horse riding, hiking with herbalist, fishing, village tours, and women power which involves doing chores with local women and building bricks out of cow dung, sand and dirt for houses. Bulungula is a very special place, something that I would like to imitate someday to spread sustainable living culture. Less consumption more happiness on the local level within our communities.
After Bulungula we headed for the big city of Durban real nice city that has done a full face lift for the upcoming
world cup. Only in the city for two days to catch up on grocery's and internet, While in the city we checked out the nice beaches frequented by many surfers, and the poisonous snake exhibit. Was able to see the green and black mamba's two of the most feared snakes in all of Africa, as well as the puffer head snake the most deadliest in Africa. Hopefully be the only time, as a bite turns fatal with minutes as the venom circulates very quickly. Leaving Durban we headed for the Drakensburgs mountains to get in some more hiking. While there I did some day hikes while Justin went on a trip to the mountain kingdom of Lesotho A country high in the mountains completely surrounded by South Africa. Amazing views in this region, we needed much more time to explore. However we were in a hurry to get to a world music festival in Swaziland just this past weekend. The music was amazing and all of the10,ooo people that attended had such positive vibrations. I will end this update here at the beginning of the Bush Fire festival in Swazi. Since then I have only made it to Mozambique and
Justin & Hanan
Just arriving at Bulungula looking forward to Kruger park next week before we head to Pretoria for the opening match of the world cup next Friday. Hope everybody enjoys the update and I will post again soon starting with The Bush Fire Festival. Bless all
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Amanda
non-member comment
OMG...
Your entries have been going to my spam folder...I'm just seeing this! Grrr... LOVE the pics and the reading! Don't run into any of those snakes on your hikes kid! You're the man!! XOXO