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Gap Year Experiences
Updates and info from on the ground during our 11 week and 5 week Experiences in South Africa
Secret Spot – Beach bathing, bunny chows and booze breaks
Tuesday 16 March 2010
Leaving behind Coffee Bay the Pepper Gang headed further up the West Coast, cruising into a little hideaway just north of Durban. Secret Spot (yes it is actually called that) is a villa hidden away down a little track of trees and bushes. The surf camp is run by surf-crazy family, and has enthusiasts of the sport stopping by for a spot by the sea, a drink at the tab bar, using the surfboard workshop or just for surf chit-chat. Bunked in one big dorm, we spent the first afternoon by the pool (an amazing treat after such a long time with only the sea to cool down) with a few brews, and had a (amazing I might add) long overdue greens packed dinner whipped up by Annie, Harry and yours truly. After a failed attempt with the shicha, we opted for early bed.
Energized, day 2 at Secret Spot was a solid day of beach bumming. Heading down the road from the house, we hit up Salmon Beach and had ourselves a very relaxing day. I must say that day was highlighted by the invention of a particular activity. Still without a name, the game is more or less a run into the hectic waves hitting the beaches around Durban. None of the run ups led into a perfect dive, but rather huge wipe-outs and flips. For dinner that night we had a particular treat from Pip and Liv – bangers and mash with all the trimmings, followed by grilled chocolate stuffed banana’s. Epic.
The newly found game in action
Fred and the G's jumping the dunes
Day 3 we headed off to the beaches of Durban. The surfers went off, some were happy for another day lying in the sun, and others went to the city’s aquarium. My personal peak of the day was lunch. Since Cape Town Ed has being repeating the legend of the ‘Bunny Chow’ that dwells in the curry houses of Durban. Essentially it is a loaf of bread hollowed out and packed with piping hot curry. Scoffing down the heavy mess, the wait to Durban was so worth it.
Annie and Liv loving the turltes
Our final full day was another one on a local beach, full of bathing and sea diving. That night the folks at Secret Spot lit up the pizza oven and we had the opportunity to make our own pizzas. They were humungous and sloppy, but such a treat. A few mouths were unfortunately casualties, as there were copious quantities of chillies available for those foolish enough. That night we teamed up with a few surfers passing through, and hit up a few night spots along the coast. There was much fraternization with some young boys from Jersey – memories to be left at Secret Spot. On to the mountains tomorrow....
Watching the pro Durban surfers in awe on our final day on the coast
Till then,
Josh.
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