About a month ago, I put most of my belongings into a backpack that was bigger than me and set out to explore southern Africa. It wasn't always fun, I wasn't always smiling, and I was never very clean, but it was the most inspiring, life-altering adventure of my young life. Although most of the true wonders of the trip were undefinable moments that left me speechless, I will try to fill you all in on what went down when Africa got real. So get a map and try to follow along.
Chintsa, Wild Coast, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
The first few days of our epic journey were pretty dull, I won't lie. My girl Jozi and I were driving with a mission: reaching Chintsa, the first official town on the Wild Coast. With a few mandatory stops for carrots and crackers, some Malawian hitchhikers and a whole lot of Adele, we finally made it. Our destination, of course, was found only after getting a windshield full of the gnarliest bugs (the ones you imagine when you think about Africa), getting plenty lost on dirt roads in the dark, and nearly hitting a Springbok. Even after we pulled into Buccaneer's (our bad ass hostel), the sun refused to shine and we kept it mellow by exploring the neighboring lagoon and beaches.
Our amazing little bungalow!
The lagoon and beach.. would be a sick place if the sun was out!
We had a lot of fun in Chintsa, but the best part was a little on the heavy side. Since the sun was hiding, we turned to the cultural side of traveling. We went with a few other people to hang out with school kids at Buluhga Farm School and watch them practice for National AIDS Awareness day where they were performing some songs and a skit. There were maybe a hundred kids at this under-resourced, impoverished school because, according to their teachers, the Eastern Cape is one of the last providences to get any money from the federal budget for education. The people are mostly black, mostly poor and mostly uneducated, so I guess it doesn't matter, right? Anyway, it struck me that the kids with the least opportunity were some of the most eager and obedient students. In broken English, they told us what they wished to accomplish with their lives, and I couldn't help but feel guilty. We take school for granted in most first world countries. We fake sick, snore in class and blow off our homework... yet, generally still end up at top notch universities with respectable careers to follow. I hope the future holds the same for those who want it so badly.
The little cuties themselves.
Coffee Bay, Wild Coast, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
After the gloom and glory of Chintsa, it was time to move on. My birthday was around the corner, and I wanted to be in Coffee Bay for the big day. My boyfriend David had told me of his unforgettable trip there last year, and I knew it was the perfect birthday destination. So, Jozi and I were pluggin along on the N2 and as previously agreed upon, were looking for a hitchhiker to help out when - TO MY COMPLETE SURPRISE- we turned the corner to see David standing in the rain with his best friend Simon, waiting for us to pick them up for a birthday celebration! We drove a while longer, pumped on our new passengers, and reached the Coffee Shack backpackers in no time.
David, being the pimp that he is, booked us an incredible private suite (the sickest thatched hut you've ever seen), and we started off our weekend by eating dinner with local villagers as they showed us their traditional food, dance and home made beer. To be honest with you, it felt a bit invasive.. a bit exploitive, not the kind of traveling I like to do. But it was interesting, to say the least.
Ladies and gents - the most amazing guy alive.
frolicking through the village
of course, they made Jozi and I dance with them... but we rocked it.
The next day was my birthday and the four of us spent it roaming around the enormous green hills, playing with whatever animals we came across, exploring ever trail and beach we stumbled into and doing other things that I don't imagine would be great to write about in a blog that my mother and her friends read. The night was filled with endless birthday drinks and a VERY forced speech to the entire bar, rewarded by the gift of a bottle of champagne and the addition of Simon's sister Kelly and two German girls that were staying with us in Noordhoek, Aileen and Charlotte! I never imagined my 21st birthday would be shared with a hostel full of strange foreigners and a couple of close friends on the most secluded stretch of coast on the most southern tip of Africa, but it was, and I'm the luckiest girl alive.
the view from our suite!
birthday hike
taking a break to scope the indian
luckily hitched a ride back
celebrations!
The next day was equally as epic. We took a goomy trip to Sacred Pools and hiked around before swimming in a completely secluded, deserted fresh water pond. Then headed over to the beach, monkeyed around on some trees and rocks and headed home to a chilled night. It was absolutely stunning - one of the best days of the trip by far. This is the type of place that makes you think you've somehow managed to go back in time. The only other beings around were cows and the occasional local who tended to them or fished from the cliffs. Tiny round huts made of mud dotted the hillsides and made for some pretty mind blowing scenery. Unadulterated nature.
And then, out of nowhere, the weekend was over. David had to head to Jo'burg on business and we went onward to Durban with Kelly and Simon close behind. It wasn't a long time to stay in a place like the Wild Coast. It's a complete vacuum, a place where time stands still and you not only forget about the outside world, but completely stop caring about it. For the most chilled out holiday of your life - get here.
Live Wildly,
KG
