safari sistas

Jaimi is right now adding our post from yesterday on computer #1(we had to compose it on paper over wine last night since we did not have a computer), so I thought I would come over and add a posting from today!

So, after finishing our bottle of wine last night, we climbed into bed, and before Jaimi could ask me if I had locked the door, I was asleep (of course).  This morning we woke up just in time to make it for breakfast (Kevin did not – he slept for about 14 hours straight, and he’s the one that DID sleep on the plane.)  Jaimi and I went over for a lovely breakfast, save a pair of other hotel guests who started out friendly enough, but became rather annoying with the course of our meal (we realized this after we agreed to have dinner with them tonight; don’t worry, though, we agreed right after breakfast that we would probably get stuck out and about somewhere and not make it home in time to meet them.)  So with that plan in mine, we were able to fill in some details with the help of our very nice and friendly hotel owner who gave us a few beach and dining suggestions, and a pretty good map to help us on our way.

 So, with 2 bags full of supplies, we headed out for a day hiking along the coast and playing at the beach.  It was a great success with rocks to climb on, beautiful remote coastline and beaches, a little wildlife (beautiful butterflies, maybe African penguins, and a big turtle on the side of the trail.)  Unfortunatley, about 2 hours down the coast, we realized with all of the supplies we brought (and let me tell you, that backpack was heavy!) we did not manage to bring a crumb of food or drop of water!  Very smart!!  But we carried on without despair, hopeful we would be rescued by Dieter’s Wurst Wagon at our destination beach, reputed to have bad curry wurst but plenty to drink.  I guess the wurst wasn’t selling, though, and Dieter had to pack it up back to Germany, because he wasn’t there!  Fortunatley, our haggard appearance and pathetic pleas got us a couple of cups of water at a private beach party nearby.

Rehydrated, we spent a couple of hours in the surf and sand (and i really mean sand; we didn’t have any beach towels either.)  But had a great time and are well on our way to improving the white leg condition.  Finally, hunger pains and a little bit of haze compelled us to head back up the trail.  Singing “The Ants Go Marching” and “5 Little Monkeys” enabled little legs to pick up the pace on the way back.  At the car, we changed clothes and drove to our next stop for dinner, Barnacles, on the Beach…cheap drinks, great food, and another pleasant evening…

Okay, running out of internet minutes, and we must get back to hotel, where we will hopefully not run into aforementioned hotel guests/supposed dinner companions..  Wish us luck. 

 

Le Bonheur is the name of the pleasant South African cab – and we are enjoying it on the terrasse outside our room, 5 meters from the pool. Yes, we have arrived!

The official start: a 3:30pm glass of Prosecco while throwing together the final packing (no wonder I forgot my lens cleaner). Taxi waiting at 4, as the sistas downed the final Prosecco while juggling 7 pieces of luggage out the door and down 3 flights of stairs.  Luggage-juggling became our favorite pasttime: house, into taxi, out of the taxi, entry and exit into first s-bahn…at which point, Jill helped throw 4 pieces out the door as Jaimi & Kevin disembarked. We all waved and shouted “see you in Africa!” as the doors closed and we went our respective routings.  20 hours later, we resumed luggage juggling at PE baggage claim where we re-united; J & J looking much worse for the wear, Kevin bouncing off the luggage carousels, having utilized his & 2 other peoples’ seats to get a good nights’ sleep.  Jill, on the other hand, was too thrilled to have ready on-demand movie access to seriously consider sleeping – despite having 3 seats to use!  The 4 movies, though, were apparently quite good.

The 22 hour trip culminated in an adventurous left-hand driving escapade: comprising left-hand stick shift, “wrong” side of the road, 18 traffic circles, radio blaring reggae (we are, after all, on vacation!), Jill proclaiming “I don’t think I can navigate from this side”, and Jaimi driving-while-sight-seeing while Kevin carried on a constant Mantra of either “we should live here; all 3 of us” or “They really drive on the wrong side of the road here!”.

BUT – we are here!  Made ourselves right at home, laying claim to the courtyard pool area all afternoon.  “south africa Kevin” stopped by to visit, little Kevin set up his own pool maintenance service (being enraptured with the hose floating around – I’m sure they appreciated the free labor), and Jill immediately started consulting on the house dog’s diarrhea situation.

After some R&R, we strolled from our hotel down to the beach and to the boardwalk shops and restaurants.  At one point, we were passed by a truck full of young locals (and I do mean full – the back was packed with at least 20 of them!), all catcalling in our direction.  We made a big effort to nonchalantly carry on our way without noticing, when Kevin stops in his tracks, does a full arm point at the truck, and proclaims loudly, “Look, Mama, Africans!!!”

As you’ve seen, it’s been an eventful, long, strenuous day.  We’re now enjoying our last heady whiffs of Pakistani flower filling the courtyard, finishing off the final drops of cab, and heading in to bed.  Oh, and did we mention that it’s all of 8 pm?!  Good night! 🙂

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