First day back home

I’m writing this, sitting outside in (surprisingly!) sunny Hastings, listening to Goldfish; one of the Pepper bands who we got to see play at Joe Cools (a pretty cool beachside bar in Durban). It was weird waking up this morning for the first time in 3 months without the Pepper group discussing what to have for breakfast/complaining of hangovers/ trying to wake up the boys etc!
Thinking back to our first week getting to know each other feels like such a long time ago but it has gone so quickly. Cape Town was an INCREDIBLE place to begin the trip! It’s definitely not a place that can only be visited once. I can’t wait for another chance to go back and visit our old hang outs; drinking ‘Mules with extra cherries’ in Caprice, chilling on Clifton Beach and trying out surfing and kite-surfing in water that is claimed to be colder than in England (it’s not, Vince). Learning to surf in Cape Town was pretty schweet (ay?). One of the most memorable sessions was on the evening of George’s birthday. It was raining, the beach was completely empty and I couldn’t feel my feet but it was awesome to just sit out back with everyone and the instructors, paddling for the odd cheeky wave and just generally chilling. When we left Cape Town for wakeboarding, we all agreed that it felt like we were leaving our home, but, wakeboarding was QUALITY! I started off the week as a beginner and by the end of the week I was seriously hooked. I'd like to carry on with the sport but I’m certain that no other wakeboard session will ever live up to those experienced at Misverstand!
One of the many highlights of the 1st road trip was the night we slept outside in Vic Bay. Apart from the constantly deflating mattress, it was PERFECT. We then woke up to watch the sun rise and then headed down to the beach for a surf with our new boards which was probably one of my bests. I seem to remember catching a few ‘James’s’ (a giant peach (a big, nice wave (well, big for me anyway which actually is pretty small))) as Enzo would say! Getting into warm water was AMAZING after 3weeks in a wetsuit.
So then, on to Durban! What I miss about Durban most is the Secret Spot. It’s a beautiful place and is run by the friendliest people and had some friendly other guests too (hahahahaha!………what?)
Diving in Durban was very cool, we saw sharks! On the last day the visibility was OBSCENELY good! I remember swimming along being able to see the ocean floor clearly 20m down, very, very cool.
The best moments of the trip have definitely been when the whole group has been together. Whether we were hiking through RIDICULOUSLY beautiful scenery in Hogsback or the Drakensberg, tracking rhino in the game reserves or just chilling telling horrific jokes. I think we were all quite surprised at how well everyone got on with each other. It was fun watching everyone come out of their shells and pick up each others phrases and quirks. Mainly Johnny’s to be honest. i.e. talking in that strange high pitched voice, saying what you see in the tone of offering it to someone (ostrich?) and fitting in 2 or 3 ‘amazing’s’ into each sentence! Oh Johnny, you’re a freak. And Vince is a child. In a good way. You have done extremely well though! It really was a truly incredible experience and I’m very jealous of the next Pepper group! Although they won’t be as good as us originals, right?
If you’re reading this considering whether or not to sign up to a Pepper trip then DO IT! It is probably the best decision you will make! I’ve met some AMAZING people, made some AMAZING friends and have developed a huge passion for South Africa. It’s a pretty chilled little country!
Gen Xx xxxxx AMAZING