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So, all is good in the Eastern Cape!!! We got picked up ok at 6.45am on Saturday from PE and only had quite a short journey to Storms River. Stayed at an amazing hostel, called Dijembe Lodge; another chilled our hippy type place in the middle of the woods. We had our own room and en-suite which made a nice change. The weather wasn't great again (cloudy and drizzly- again on a day we are travelling and have nothing planned so can't complain!). We walked to the village where there was a shop and, randomly, an American diner with all Elvis and Marilyn pictures and fancy old American cars- a tad out of place, but we had a nice toastie and soup. (Sorry Mum Chris- you have just missed the Elvis festival weekend). Mooched back to hostel and booked to go tubing the next day. Sat chilling by the log fire. In the evening, we had tea there and got chatting to a couple of older SA ladies about to go on a big hike- they were crazy!!!!! But very funny and totally wasted!! We all sat round the camp fire outside and had a go on the African drums- we were crap! But some of the guys got a good beat going!!!
18/11/2012-Sunday
Lovely, sunny day today :) We woke early and chilled; had breakfast included- a traditional porridge stuff and toast! Sat in sun waiting to go tubing at 10, but when we asked at 10.20, they said it had been cancelled because it was only us booked to go. We decided to do the zip line trip and then the bungy!!!
So we got a lift with a couple of others (in the back of an open air pick-up truck, so much for seat belts, or even seats! Felt like a local!) to the adventure place when we got harnessed up and then went out in the forest to do some zip lining over a small river and waterfalls and the forest! It was good fun!
We got picked up from there and dropped at Boulkrans Bridge; the highest commercial bungy jump and highest bridge bungy in the world!! 216m!! We paid and were weighed and harness up! Had to wait around and then were walked out to the centre of the bridge via a little metal walkway under the bridge; you could see through the bottom, which didn't calm the nerves!! They have a platform just under the actual bridge where they have all the staff and equipment and loud music pumping out to help you relax!! We was with a few guys who had already done it and they went first; wasn't reassuring that they were s***ting themselves!! Gareth was next................ He was extremely brave, he went forward and they attached the cushion to his ankles and then starting attaching the bungee rope. Next thing I knew he was shuffling to the edge and then they were counting down from 5 and he was gone and I could see his fall on the screen. I was very relieved to see him springing back up! A bloke lowered himself down to attach himself to him and then help pull him back up!! He said it was nice to get blood back in his feet! A couple of the others went, then it was my go!!!!!!! I kept telling myself I was doing it for my clients, because if I could do that then they can do anything and that worked well until they started strapping up my ankles! I was like "I can't do this!!" Gareth (now full of smiles) was cuddling me and reassuring me and the guys doing it were great! Their motto is "fear is temporary, regret is permanent". They kept telling me it was all ok and explaining about the attachments and the back up fixing. I stood up and was still saying I couldn't do it. They told me just to shuffle to the edge and then decide. All I remember thinking is that their breath smelt!! They told me to close my eyes and next thing I knew I had been pushed off and was falling!!!! It is only a 7 second fall, so it was nice to feel the pull back up and then the bouncing in mid-air. Beautiful views- can see the see one way and mountains the other! Soon felt the guy grabbing me and pulling me up and attaching me to him; I was like "don't let me fall", but luckily I got pulled up and back onto the platform ok! And the group we was with clapped me- haha!! Felt totally exhilirated and on such a high; so pleased they pushed me! You will be able to see it all on our dvd and photo's- had to buy them!! Also got a t-shirt!
Went backto hostel and had tea there again, chilled around the fire, listening to the drums and stuff.
19/11/2012- Monday
Actually done the tubing today!! Got picked up at 10am and taken to get a helmet and life jacket and tube. We thought we'd get wet suits so had jean shorts and a t-shirt on, which got soaked, as did my walking shoes!!!! We drove to the river and started with a jump into the river- freezing cold! And it was like the Majorca cliff diving all over again. Then got our tubes and set off; bobbing around the river. Amazing place- just surrounded by woodlands and the mountains; little bit weary of creatures but they said you only get fish! Lovely clear, well coke cloloured, water. We went through several lots of rapids and then paddled in the calm bits. Sat on the shore halfway for a chocolate bar break. The guides done some crazy jumps from scraily high trees!!! It was a lovely hot sunny day again. Good fun, although no bars on the edge to chuck us drinks Sophie :(
Went back to hostel and had lunch. Chilled in hammock in the sun then went back to American diner for tea.
Really liked the hostel and could of stayed longer- had a really chilled atmosphere and very friendly. Lots of cute dogs and a cat and horses!
20/11/2012-Tuesday
Got up to another glorious day! Had breakfast and got packed, then sat chilling in the sun waiting for the Baz Bus. It arrived about 11.15am. A very short trip to Wild Spirit Lodge in the Crags! A very secluded lodge in the woods and mountains. But again a lovely, hippy type atmosphere (they have a yoga room and everything!). We got a free upgrade from a dorm to the most gorgeous double room overlooking the woods and mountains with it's own balcony! We dumped our stuff and headed straight off on a hike in the woods to a waterfall. Lovely short walk and beautiful waterfall- had a paddle but it was freezing!! We walked back and to a local farm shop, bought some fresh cheese and beetroot chutney!! Gareth got fudge and jam! Then sat outside chilling, before coming on here to update you guys!! Only here tonight, moving on Oudtshoorn tomorrow. Hope all is well in cold Ipswich!! We might just stay here and become new age travellers- making and selling jewellery or wooden statues! Take care!!!
- comments
Auntie Vic So now the bungy is out of the way (and i for one am furious how dare they push you off the edge) please dear god can that be the end of extreme sports! Holidays are for relaxing and taking it easy although i may wear the t-shirt and pretend hell yer i jumped!!! Tubing sounds fab as does a hostel with a balcony overlooking mountains and woods and zip lining. Your blogs are fantastic and a joy to read but no mention of scrabble i notice?????? our blog..worked sunday early stayed for the late pool shift and overtime rate!! back of the net! worked late yesterday now off till sat. yummy. jake got physio tom then back to work after 4 long weeks. luke and ian are fine so alls well here. loves yous xxxxxxxxxx
DAD DAD: Bungee jump!!! - well done the pair of you. It must have taken some guts, but I would imagine an almighty thrill afterwards. Gareth well done for doing it like a man, and Alex well done for overcoming your doubts and going for it. Well done indeed. It all sounds v exciting and you will come back with stacks of unforgettable memories. We're sleeping in your bed tonight Alex, as cleared our room and painted ceiling and put first coat of paint on walls. Wallpapering to come - should be fun! Heard nothing from MFI Alex so up in the air no doubt whether you will become a self-fit furniture saleswoman or not! Enjoying your blogs so much like everybody else - and Auntie Vickie's comments as well! xx
Mum Mandy Hello Peeps! Did she jump or was she pushed? Fantastic well done to you both, can't wait to see the dvd's! I've always fancied a go on the zip wires and tubing too! You're certainly keeping busy but I'm with Vic on the idea of some relaxing and no more extreme sports!!! Your father and I are Bodger and Badger bedroom decorators and we're getting a NEW CARPET! Although sadly not in the lounge! Been a busy time socialising and am out for lunch tomorrow with the 'Racing Chums' Will probably be a bit porkier again by the time you get back! ha ha! Keep enjoying yourselves and the sunshine! Love you lots xx
mum Hi guy's so great to catch up on your adventures very very well done on your jump just great you did it, so looking forward in seeing the DVD and pictures you have so many memories to look back on congratulations again well done, Oh the ELVIS festival weekend did you go ?? boy I would have spent the whole weekend there, I think you would miss us all back home if you bacame new age travllers Ha! thanks again for keeping us up to date with all the blogs you are doing a great job take care all o.k here love from Dad and Mum xxxxxxx
Auntie vic Glad i amuse you dad dad. A little jakey boy arm update.... had physio yesterday hoorah he can take sling off at home and whens hes behind his desk so i have a very happy little chappy!! He went back to work yesterday and alls good there although on the downside in a moment of madness i offered to take him and pick him up from work this week so at 7.30 he shouts mum we're leaving in 10 mins!! and he didnt make me a coffee either (he will in future as it thought everyone knew that it was illegal to wake me up without a coffee) All good here i shall pop in and see bodger and badger later (and check your sheets) Love you enjoy have fun and stay close to the ground xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx