Coffee Bay was wonderfully welcoming. The hostal was different, in a good way. Upon arrival, it seemed like we were stepping back into our first year uni frosh days: lots of backpackers (hippies and surfers), bar, free arrival drink (which you are only allowed to drink with your left hand or you have to chug it - drinking game anyone?), music, etc. But, the place was very community orriented. They hired local students as guides, as long as they remained in school, created a scholarship to send one student a year to high school for the required 3 years, support local handicraft, etc. We were treated to a traditional dance by local teenagers from the village nearby which was amazing to watch as they sang, whistled and beat upon drums.
We spent our time there trying to figure out what we are going to be doing in S Africa...we think we have it now! (check in on our calendar for an update) And, we managed to do a 4 hour hike along the coast as well. It was hot thirsty work! We were of course followed by school children wanting to be our guides and trying to sell wares. We are definitely in much more of what we imagined Africa to be like. Farm houses and huts dotted jagged coast line and wavy fields of grass covered the hills, it was very picturesque.
We left Coffee Bay yesterday with a desire to go diving. But, as some of you may have heard, S Africa's Indian Coast was hit by the largest swells in over 30 years. Don't worry we are safe, but it has affected the visibility of some of the diving spots as well as caused Millions of Rands of damage to coastline businesses. So that, and things have closed, or changed operating procedures...not to bore you with details, but the first place we stopped didn't offer any diving right now, so we are now are trying to get to Umkomas (currently waiting for a pick up and we found internet, hence the blog).
Our plan is to try and get a couple of dives in at Aliwal Shoal, supposedly ranked in the top ten dives in the world! Then it is going to be off to Kruger National Park for a self-directed safari! We are trying to arrange renting a car and booking some huts in the park to stay at. Our plan is 4 days in the park, and hopefully seeing the BIG 5! From there it is going to be a whirlwind tour backtracking and such, and we hope to work out the details.
All this planning is getting to us... arg.
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happy belated easter/bday season. khmr has closed and work may have picked up after a dry spell. kids have over 25 days each and i made over 45. Tares just came through on his way north. will send video to address if you think you have secure intercept location. try not to get eat'n over there.
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