First weekend trip: (Feb. 11 – Feb. 13)

Jeffery's Bay.

Zip Lining.

A group of 9 of us rented two cars and took off for Jeffery’s Bay on Friday morning. One car was driven by Scott (an Air Force dude from Wisconsin) and the other by Patrick (a dude from Chicago area) with both filled with the rest of us girls, Shawn and our stuff. The two cars were very different – one was luxurious with AC, automatic windows and a nice body! haha The other didn’t have those things and at first we didn’t even think that it had reverse – until one of the Irish guys showed us Americans how to work the car. I just know they were thinking ‘stupid Americans.’

Of course I decided to go for the nice car and to take shotgun – Patrick drove and Alyssa and Sarah were in the back. We followed the crappy blue car with Scott, Shawn, Chelsea, Bridget, and Becca. We rolled up to J-Bay, got our of our car and started to change in the parking lot but then decided maybe we should just try to find our accommodation (a nice hostel on the beach). We finally found it, parked the cars and decided to explore the town and get some lunch. Fish and chips were my choice and a very good one – hake was the fish. Of course the chips (fries) were awesome as well.

We got into our rooms and went out to explore the beach – for the next several hours we spent sitting around soaking up sun and loving our lives. Some were brave enough to get in the freezing water – this girl however not so much - just enough to get a couple fun pictures with the girls. That evening we drove into town, got lost for a little while, had a nice lady show us were the restaurant was that we were trying to find, got some great Greek food and then went to bed happy once back at the hostel. Most of us slept well the whole night – the boys had a bit of an interruption but that story is for another time! We were able to wake up that morning right as the sun was rising – It was gorgeous but I wish I could have been up just a little sooner.

That day we hoped back in the car to head to our next destination – the bungee jump place (apparently the largest commercial one in the world). We first stopped by our hostel in a Podunk town (Storms River) which was found by our car (the silver one) without a good map.. point for us. Four people bungee jumped (Patrick, Bridget, Sarah, and Becca – well she kind of did it.. mostly she was pushed)! Watching was even a little scary for me. Seriously there is no way I could have done it. I would have freaked right out.

After jumping was time for zip lining…. More of my style. We got all harnessed up and headed for the forest to ride on metal wires around trees, landing on platforms. It took about 2 hours to get through the course. We would take turns, one at a time getting hooked up to the line and then flying through the jungle like Tarzan. When we reached the other side the guy would tell us when to slow down (by pulling down on the wire behind your pulley) and if you didn’t in time they had a contraption that would slow you. But if you slowed to fast (Chelsea) then you would end up back in the middle of the line and have to pull yourself to the end.

At the platform we would get off the line and put onto a line that went around the tree to make sure we didn’t fall off the platform that was near the tops of the trees. Some of the trees we were on were around 500 years old! What the crap – I didn’t even know they could live that long. I guess things in Africa can’t really kill trees just small children and pets I guess.

That night was filled with laying in the hammock, sitting around a fire, watching the sun set, getting yelled at for climbing on the roof of the hostel (I just wanted to see the sun set and that was the highest point that I could find!) beating the locals at some foosball, watching the bungee jumpers take a bungee shot that was on fire, and getting a great nights sleep.

The next day we woke up kind of early (most of us wake up with the sun or soon after) and we got ready for our day of hiking. We found the Titsikamma National Park and began our hike to see the waterfall right near the ocean. The trail started out nicely – nice path through some grass with small hills.. something I could handle. Then the path led us onto massive rocks that we had to slowly make our way across. They would kindly place a bridge here and there but other than that we were pretty much rock climbing and hanging off cliffs at some points (or so it seemed). We learned no to follow wilderness, survival Scott. I decided I would find an easier way then listening to him.

I was at the back of the pack – of course and finally made it to the beautiful oasis. A few in the group were attempting to climb the rocks so they could jump off the waterfall into the pool of water. The lifeguard/mother in me did not like watching this even occur. But no one died – so it was all good. After pictures and such we started our trek back to the car. It seemed much faster on the way back (I think we found a better way then walking over the massive rocks like on the way there). Then we ran into a baby dear as we were nearing the end. When we finally reached the cars we got a slow clap from the expert hikers and people who love working out! I am a – ok with not being in that group. But I do like being in the group who eats ice cream or finds four-leaf clovers!

The ride home was a little long but we made it safely home to only head down to Friends and Pick-N-Pay for some Internet and food. It was a perfect time for me to get a watermelon and other heavy foods since we had A CAR! It was sad to see the car go. I loved the AC and the freedom that it brought and great times but having to pay for it - not as great (although it was pretty cheap compared to renting one in the States!)

What a great way to start off term 1 is South Africa.