The Indian did it

Road Trip near Buffalo Bay

Where were we? Right, that nice dinner at the bay. Yummy!

The next morning, with a view on the same bay for breakfast, we debated about what we should do. My copilot said it : we MUST swim in the ocean.

So we left for Herold's Bay, a beach nearby, not too crowded, at the bottom of a few mountains.

They may say we should be careful in Africa, but other than a couple of kids playing in the water, there was nobody around. We left our stuff on the beach and ran towards the waves.

What had to happen happened. A few minutes later, I found out my watch had disappeared. Gone in the waves of the Indian Ocean, of course. As if someone wanted to tell me to take my time and live in the moment (Jason Mraz can already stop whistling in my head).

Resigned but not mad, I got in the car to leave for the second beach of the day : Victoria Bay. They say it's nicer, between the cliffs. I disagree. More commercial, more crowded, and the car is parked further. Then again, what hit me was how easy it was for the kids to have fun, just laying on the sand and running around.

There, we got more sun than we needed again before going back to the car. The parking guard started following us. "I watched the car for you. Everything is still in its place", he says.

"He is obviously searching for tip", we think.

Until we get to the Ferrari, proudly showing the doors were left unlocked. Oops! Worried. Passports, computers, travel documents, cell phones, iPods and credit cards were technically supposed to be locked inside. After a quick check, everything was still in place. The guard got the tip he wanted.

So we went back on Highway 2 where, still disturbed, my copilot was going a little too fast. He smiled for the radar... and his picture was taken. His moral was going down fast.

Along H-2, we encountered baboons. And in some places, people hitchiking. Usually near townships. Even right under the signs stating it is forbidden to hitchike.

At the end of the day, we stopped one more time on a long and deserted beach near Buffalo Bay. No need to swim there. But the sun had already started to set.

We then rushed to Storms River and the amazing Dijembe Backpackers, a hostel where almost everything is made of recycled wood. Nice!

One employee got us in a section of Tsitsikama park for free so we can watch the sunset. When we came back, we found out the restaurants in Storms River were closing really early. A race against the clock started to find food. We were starving.

You know when they say it's impossible to get lost in a village that only has four streets? Well, when you search for a restaurant in the dark, 15 minutes from closing time, of course you're gonna have a hard time finding it.

After several adventures, we were entitled to a sighing waitress who still accepted to serve us. No need to say she didn't try to have us spend more money than we needed by offering coffee or dessert. Still lucky she didn't kick us out. But we had better pay the bill fast, because it was probably coming...

Unexpected Africa

They say one should fight fire with fire.

Which means?

Which means that after the blues of being back from a long adventure, it is sometimes better not to ask too many questions. And to seize the opportunities when they come.

So South Africa invited itself in the portrait. Nowhere on my radar yet : a little far, expensive, not easy to take time off from work... again.

Or maybe... The proposition came from an Austrian friend who bought his ticket for Cape Town. Stars aligned themselves. Too bad for the doubts and the expenses. After all, money is made to be spent.

True we hear South Africa can be dangerous. I asked other travelers. Nothing too bad at first glance. I for one have no doubts.

No need for a visa to get in Oscar Pistorius country. At least, not when you're a simple tourist. The only hard thing is to find a "short" flight. From North America, one needs at least one stopover... three sometimes. In my case, the best and shortest option seemed to stop in Amsterdam before leaving for 12 more hours towards Cape Town. If lucky, you can find a ticket for less than 1500 $.

The plan, for now, is to spend two days near Moutain Table, also visiting Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. They say it is better to buy tickets in advance, online, to visit. Done!

We'll then ride along the south coast towards Addo National park, known for its elephants population. Crossing our fingers to see lions, rhinos and other big 5 animals. We have already booked a night drive in the park to get the best experience possible. We'll also sleep in the park for two nights, one of them being in a tent near the water hole. There again, it is better to book ahead of time. Especially in summer. I was lucky to get the last lodge for the night I wanted, booking three weeks in advance.

The website for the South African national parks is a good source of information and allows some bookings. It might be hard to navigate on it though.

I also found a ziplining experience in Tsitsikama park. We'll see if it seems as fun once I really have to slide up in the air.

If technology allows it, I'll update as I go.

Crossing my fingers, I say a temporary adios to winter.