Gap Year Experiences

Updates and info from on the ground during our 11 week and 5 week Experiences in South Africa

Moments from Coffee Bay

Friday 12 March 2010

And then we were in Coffee Bay! This is always one of my favourite stops along the route as it is set in an extremely rural part of South Africa, and allows us to truly escape for a little while. Once again our five nights spent at the Coffee Shack went by in a blur of hikes, live slaughters, sunrise surfs and many a BUFFALO!!!!!!'s. Some of the great bits was the luck of our timing in the fac t that we arrived the day before the 10th anniversary of Coffee Shack with the Coffee Bay community. This meant that on our first morning we were able to be part of a celebration in true Xhosa tradition. We witnessed live slaughtering of some cows and sheep, speeches, dancing and drumming from locals in the community as well as a chance to take part in the celebratory feast which included some dangerous locally brewed Xhosa beer.

The days that followed included an incredibly scenic (and hot) walk along the dramatic Wild Coastline to Hole in the Wall. We spent the afternoon at the Hole in the Wall beach devouring fire grilled toasties, doing some rock jumps and finding other ways to entertain ourselves with our new found human art form!

hike-to-hole-in-wall-low-704772.JPG

Hiking along the Wild Coast

pepper-artwork-low-705157.JPG

Human Art Form

We managed to fit in a few sundowner drinks up on the hill, in which Annie and George had their own private show of traditional singing from some local kids and our last two days the beach was definitely the mission. With our time along the coast running out, guys were serious keen to improve their skills on their boards as well as topping up on that all-important tan. A sunrise surf was a huge highlight as this is one of the most serene places to witness a sunrise. With cocks crowing and the community coming to life at the first rays of sunshine, it was great to soak in this time of day.

singing-on-hill-low-715912.JPG

Local kids showing off their singing skills

sunrise-surf-low-719905.JPG

Freddie in the water at sunrise

On a final Coffee Bay note, let me say that once again the whole team at Coffee Shack were amazing! Dave and Belinda really have a gem of a spot and everything from the meals to the awesomely friendly staff to the daily activities are done to such perfection! And of course the Babalaza Bar saw its fair share of action over the days we were there with Mali’s tunes setting the mood perfectly.

georgie-and-beads-low-715601.JPG

Georgie swamped with choices of local beads

So after five days in the rural Transkei, decked out with our local beads and customised Afritude shirts, we headed further north to our last few days on the coast until Mozambiuque. W are now soaking up the extreme heat and warm waters on the North coast of Durban.

Till next time,

Pip.

Comments