Hi All,
We're now into the final three weeks of our trip and the girls are getting the last minute worries about not having enough of a tan to show off back in England. But the last three weeks have been amazing...as usual!
We started out by staying just outside Durban for a week and starting our open water diving course. A couple of pool dives, 5 ocean dives and an exam later and we all are able to dive around the world. The place is called the Aliwal shoal and its in the top 10 places to dive in the world, and you can tell; On our dives we saw loads of underwater life, including eels, rays, and huge (3m) sharks circling in front of us!
Our next spot was the 'secret spot' surf camp in a place called Ballito just north of Durban. The aim of this place was 2 weeks hardcore surfing as it was our last chance before moving inland. We woke up for lots of dawnys which were painful and pretty much surfed twice a day if conditions let us. By the last day we were all paddling out to the backline on monster days and catching some peaches!
The second week we were there we surfed in the morning, and visited Gozololo for the rest of the day. This is a shelter for 2-14 year olds that have either lost their parents or have a bad time at home. They have about 150 kids that go there everyday and have limited staff, so have no time to fix anything. In 4 days we managed to clear up the library (which took 2 days on its own!), buy and replace/fix: 3 windows, 7 doors, garage door, urinal, a tap and coat hooks. We also donated lots of art materials and the girls taught the kids how to get messy with paint!
We've now driven into the Drakensberg mountains on our way towards Jo'burg. Today we went for a horse ride up the mountains and a sunny fishing/swimming trip...i caught a metre long Bass, but obviously there's no pictures as we thought it would be cruel to keep it out the water for too long!
More pics uploaded,
Enzo. xxx
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Finally at DURBAN!!!!
Alright everyone!!
Greetings from Durban! It's pretty incredible here even though the weather's pretty dreary. We've just arrived at the tekweni backpackers and in the infamous words of vincent, "it's a pretty chilled spot". The road trip has been UNBELIEVABLE!!! i literally have to pinch myself when i think about all the things we're experiencing. Hogsback was honestly the most beautiful place i've ever been to with an amazing party vibe, especially for such a remote spot. it took me a while to get used to topless ten thirty, the racist jack russell and the hysterical cleaner who basically screamed the place down after someone suggested she'd stolen some socks...intense stuff. oh and i'm extremely proud to announce that i broke the record for most spent on a bar tab in one night! so well done me! The Buccaneers was awesome. It was so beautiful and seeing as i was pretty much broke from the night before, i thouroughly enjoyed taking advantage of freewine and volleyball (more the free wine than the volleyball). The raves in our dorm became legendary, with random strangers walking to join the fun - slightly odd.
I think i have to agree with Vince about Coffee Shack. You have to go there to really understand what its like but chilled doesn't begin to describe this place. The pizza place was pretty legendary. There was one table next to a bedroom and a bed in the kitchen which also doubled as a bar but it had a great atmosphere and i'll never forget johnny's face as he desperately tried to escape the mother of all moths!!!
We're all missing Marisa so much. Maris, you really are such a special, if insane, person. I would reminisce about all the hilarious moments we've had together but somehow i don't think anyone back home would approve of our antics. I can't describe how much we'll miss you, i've really made a friend for life. Love you sushi girl.
So here i am, sitting in Durban and all i can say is - it's a tough life.
Big kiss
Hattie xxxx
p.s. if you haven't skydived - DO IT!!! i really feel like i know how to fly now. And to the King and Gwynn clan - i miss you all so much and hope you know that i'm thinking of you all the time
Greetings from Durban! It's pretty incredible here even though the weather's pretty dreary. We've just arrived at the tekweni backpackers and in the infamous words of vincent, "it's a pretty chilled spot". The road trip has been UNBELIEVABLE!!! i literally have to pinch myself when i think about all the things we're experiencing. Hogsback was honestly the most beautiful place i've ever been to with an amazing party vibe, especially for such a remote spot. it took me a while to get used to topless ten thirty, the racist jack russell and the hysterical cleaner who basically screamed the place down after someone suggested she'd stolen some socks...intense stuff. oh and i'm extremely proud to announce that i broke the record for most spent on a bar tab in one night! so well done me! The Buccaneers was awesome. It was so beautiful and seeing as i was pretty much broke from the night before, i thouroughly enjoyed taking advantage of freewine and volleyball (more the free wine than the volleyball). The raves in our dorm became legendary, with random strangers walking to join the fun - slightly odd.
I think i have to agree with Vince about Coffee Shack. You have to go there to really understand what its like but chilled doesn't begin to describe this place. The pizza place was pretty legendary. There was one table next to a bedroom and a bed in the kitchen which also doubled as a bar but it had a great atmosphere and i'll never forget johnny's face as he desperately tried to escape the mother of all moths!!!
We're all missing Marisa so much. Maris, you really are such a special, if insane, person. I would reminisce about all the hilarious moments we've had together but somehow i don't think anyone back home would approve of our antics. I can't describe how much we'll miss you, i've really made a friend for life. Love you sushi girl.
So here i am, sitting in Durban and all i can say is - it's a tough life.
Big kiss
Hattie xxxx
p.s. if you haven't skydived - DO IT!!! i really feel like i know how to fly now. And to the King and Gwynn clan - i miss you all so much and hope you know that i'm thinking of you all the time
Monday, March 10, 2008
Marisa's farewell Pepper blog
Well here I am, back at base camp in Cape Town where the fun began.........."The Pepper experience". I'm badly suffering from Pepper withdrawal symptoms, as yet again I've just been reminded that the Pepper gang are not with me. I just opened the cupboard door of what was "our" cupboard for storing our food. Not only to find George's bottle of spice gold rum, it was no surprise to find only a tablespoon worth of rum left in the bottle. I go to the fridge and cheekily rummage through everyones bags to seem if I can find any pesto sauce for lunch as I'm also suffering from pesto withdrawal symptoms, (Maddi Genna and Annie know what I mean) I get to the bottom of the fridge and find a Spar bag with Enzo's Vienna packet and a moldy roll smothered in tuna juice. I couldn't atchually believe it was still there!
I couldn't think of anything better then ending my Pepper experience on the Road trip, the past two weeks have been as Jonny would say "insane and incredible" This is all down to Jonny and Vince's organization of ensuring we got to see all the best spots in South Africa, I could really tell they had laboured long and hard over making sure we didn't miss out on a thing, which for sure we didn't as every hostel had something extremley beautiful and individual about it. I think Hogsback breaks the record.....that doesn't mean Hatty's bar tab but the unforgetable scenery that Away with the faries was surrounded by! It was like Lord of the rings all over, waking up to a view of lapping green mountains and the sounds of waterfalls below the forest was deffinatly a nice wake up call, not forgetting the toadstool and wizzards artwork on the walls as George would say " There not toadstools there magic mushrooms."
Whenever we packed up the van and moved onto the next spot I always felt intrigued and excited to know where Vince and Jonny were next taking us. I felt in safe hands and had every bit of faith in them that it was going to be another spectacular location! Although Vince's description of "Its a chilled little spot" was starting to become a little tiresome as there's only so much chilling i can take! We always knew that if we arrive in the morning at hostel then it was time for a cheeky surf, or if it was a evening arrival it was gin and tonic o'clock which means its about 5 o'clock somewhere in the empire!
Jonny and Vince have deffinatly tailored this trip to perfection, what i have done and seen in 7 weeks, I didn't think was possible to do in a year! What i also thought was impossible was to form such a special relationship and bond with the fellow Pepper travelers, I don't even have that kind of relationship with my friends who I have known all my life as I said to Maddie on my last night we have deffinatly made friends for life! Jonny and Vince are very lucky to share there next month and a half traveling with these amazing people.
The last day had to end with a few practical jokes played upon the Pepper tour guides Jonny and Vince, Yes Jonny that was me that put that wet and sticky object in your pocket that I atchually found on the floor probably left over from some giant stick insect rampage, oh and Vince it was pure sweet revenge watching you break into sweat about the loss of your chocolate bar............so long suckers as unfortunatly you cant get me back.......both of you DIE!!! (For those of you not part of the Pepper crew, you have to say DIE really quickly!)
Thanks guys for all making me extremley happy over this past month and a half, miss you all!
Love Marisa
P.s Im on the computer second in from the right, ha ha ha ha if only they knew I've been on it all day without paying a bean.......whoops!
I couldn't think of anything better then ending my Pepper experience on the Road trip, the past two weeks have been as Jonny would say "insane and incredible" This is all down to Jonny and Vince's organization of ensuring we got to see all the best spots in South Africa, I could really tell they had laboured long and hard over making sure we didn't miss out on a thing, which for sure we didn't as every hostel had something extremley beautiful and individual about it. I think Hogsback breaks the record.....that doesn't mean Hatty's bar tab but the unforgetable scenery that Away with the faries was surrounded by! It was like Lord of the rings all over, waking up to a view of lapping green mountains and the sounds of waterfalls below the forest was deffinatly a nice wake up call, not forgetting the toadstool and wizzards artwork on the walls as George would say " There not toadstools there magic mushrooms."
Whenever we packed up the van and moved onto the next spot I always felt intrigued and excited to know where Vince and Jonny were next taking us. I felt in safe hands and had every bit of faith in them that it was going to be another spectacular location! Although Vince's description of "Its a chilled little spot" was starting to become a little tiresome as there's only so much chilling i can take! We always knew that if we arrive in the morning at hostel then it was time for a cheeky surf, or if it was a evening arrival it was gin and tonic o'clock which means its about 5 o'clock somewhere in the empire!
Jonny and Vince have deffinatly tailored this trip to perfection, what i have done and seen in 7 weeks, I didn't think was possible to do in a year! What i also thought was impossible was to form such a special relationship and bond with the fellow Pepper travelers, I don't even have that kind of relationship with my friends who I have known all my life as I said to Maddie on my last night we have deffinatly made friends for life! Jonny and Vince are very lucky to share there next month and a half traveling with these amazing people.
The last day had to end with a few practical jokes played upon the Pepper tour guides Jonny and Vince, Yes Jonny that was me that put that wet and sticky object in your pocket that I atchually found on the floor probably left over from some giant stick insect rampage, oh and Vince it was pure sweet revenge watching you break into sweat about the loss of your chocolate bar............so long suckers as unfortunatly you cant get me back.......both of you DIE!!! (For those of you not part of the Pepper crew, you have to say DIE really quickly!)
Thanks guys for all making me extremley happy over this past month and a half, miss you all!
Love Marisa
P.s Im on the computer second in from the right, ha ha ha ha if only they knew I've been on it all day without paying a bean.......whoops!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Week 4, 5 & 6
Hi All,
I've had to group these three weeks together, as during the road trip from Cape Town to Durban we come across a computer rarely, and when we do its an ancient one. Lots has happened since then though!:
We left Cape town and headed 2 hours north to a place called Misverstand Dam. We had 5 days here with a sponsored SA pro wake-boarder and a house 20m from the glassy water. He had one of the best wake boats you can get and we could go out whenever we wanted day or night...we went moonlit boarding way into the morning most nights! Tried pretty much everything you can do, and realised that wake-surfing is easily the most fun you can have behind a boat!
After an incredible time, and a drastic change in water temp, we headed east on the start of the road trip. Our first stop was Vic Bay, a famous surf spot in SA. We were camping right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the bay, and surfed and BBQed all day and night.
The second stop was plettenberg bay, and this time we had a house!! Everything seemed like a huge luxury after a month, like a washing machine and a proper bed! Two days here. On the first we went for a 32 degree mountain bike ride and the second we went skydiving! As it was my second one we did a few acrobatics and he let me fly us down...only one more needed before a solo one!!
We were on the road again and had a 7 hour drive that was interrupted by the worlds biggest bungee jump...the most amazing feelings ever! Kind of feels like falling to your death, like in one of those falling dreams! All but three did the jump...although two of the girls needed a couple of large glasses of wine downed at the bar 10 minutes before to secure their nerves!
On the road again and the next stop was Hogsback. This is deep in the mountains, and the place that Tolkein was born, so apparently the inspiration for lord of the rings. I can believe that as the scenery was unbelievable. No surfing here, just hikes to the most amazing waterfalls that you can swim to and stand directly under!
The next place was a couple of hours away, at a place called Chinsa. The backpackers was like a tropical paradise, and basically lots of surfing and a bit of sand surfing!
5 hours to the Transkei. This is one of the old homelands of SA, and during the apartheid, black people weren't allowed to leave the area without a special passport. The hills are covered in coloured shacks that are about 3m by 3m and home to lots of families. This was the first time we have experienced '3rd world' Africa. We took a trip to a local school to give the kids a football and cricket set which was an amazing experience! Most of them were about 8 or 9 and the kids would chase us around and line up to be lifted up and swung around! Other that that we surfed a lot and everyone is improving rapidly! This place had the best surf that i have experienced so far.
We're now in a place called Port Shepston, about two hours from Durban just for a night to break up the drive. The first good computer is a relief but costing me a fortune (well, by these standards!) I have just uploaded 300 photos to http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/enzocav , so check them out.
Love to everyone, Enzo.xxx
I've had to group these three weeks together, as during the road trip from Cape Town to Durban we come across a computer rarely, and when we do its an ancient one. Lots has happened since then though!:
We left Cape town and headed 2 hours north to a place called Misverstand Dam. We had 5 days here with a sponsored SA pro wake-boarder and a house 20m from the glassy water. He had one of the best wake boats you can get and we could go out whenever we wanted day or night...we went moonlit boarding way into the morning most nights! Tried pretty much everything you can do, and realised that wake-surfing is easily the most fun you can have behind a boat!
After an incredible time, and a drastic change in water temp, we headed east on the start of the road trip. Our first stop was Vic Bay, a famous surf spot in SA. We were camping right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the bay, and surfed and BBQed all day and night.
The second stop was plettenberg bay, and this time we had a house!! Everything seemed like a huge luxury after a month, like a washing machine and a proper bed! Two days here. On the first we went for a 32 degree mountain bike ride and the second we went skydiving! As it was my second one we did a few acrobatics and he let me fly us down...only one more needed before a solo one!!
We were on the road again and had a 7 hour drive that was interrupted by the worlds biggest bungee jump...the most amazing feelings ever! Kind of feels like falling to your death, like in one of those falling dreams! All but three did the jump...although two of the girls needed a couple of large glasses of wine downed at the bar 10 minutes before to secure their nerves!
On the road again and the next stop was Hogsback. This is deep in the mountains, and the place that Tolkein was born, so apparently the inspiration for lord of the rings. I can believe that as the scenery was unbelievable. No surfing here, just hikes to the most amazing waterfalls that you can swim to and stand directly under!
The next place was a couple of hours away, at a place called Chinsa. The backpackers was like a tropical paradise, and basically lots of surfing and a bit of sand surfing!
5 hours to the Transkei. This is one of the old homelands of SA, and during the apartheid, black people weren't allowed to leave the area without a special passport. The hills are covered in coloured shacks that are about 3m by 3m and home to lots of families. This was the first time we have experienced '3rd world' Africa. We took a trip to a local school to give the kids a football and cricket set which was an amazing experience! Most of them were about 8 or 9 and the kids would chase us around and line up to be lifted up and swung around! Other that that we surfed a lot and everyone is improving rapidly! This place had the best surf that i have experienced so far.
We're now in a place called Port Shepston, about two hours from Durban just for a night to break up the drive. The first good computer is a relief but costing me a fortune (well, by these standards!) I have just uploaded 300 photos to http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/enzocav , so check them out.
Love to everyone, Enzo.xxx
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