I am currently in Queenstown, South Africa volunteering at a low fees school called Get Ahead College. During the end of term/Easter break, I was able to go for a road trip from Queenstown to Cape Town, along the beautiful Garden Route. During the trip, along with seeing a giant pineapple, a big tree and some incredible views, I was able to do some of the things I have on my bucket list!
In order of completion;
52. Try surfing
One of our stops on the road trip was Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, commonly known as J-Bay. J-Bay is one of the top 5 most famous surfing spots in the world (according to Wikipedia), so I figured I had to surf. Along with my two companions on the trip, I rented a surfboard from a local surfshop and headed to the ocean. After a number of failed attempts, I was able to stand on the board, even if it was only a couple seconds. We had so much fun that we rented boards again the following day, before heading to the next stop on the trip.
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| Surfing Jeffreys Bay |
4. Go bungee jumping
Not only did I go bungee jumping, but I bungee jumped at the highest commercial bungee jump in the world! Near Storms River, South Africa, off the Bloukrans Bridge is a 216 m bungee jump. After getting a chest harness, the group of about 20 jumpers walked out along a catwalk to the center of the bridge. To be honest, the cat walk was the scariest part, as you walked along the grid that sagged with every step, looking down to the broccoli size trees below. Once we made it to the center of the bridge in a fenced in area, loud music came on. Everyone danced around while one at a time people were strapped in for their jump. I remember talking to one guy, when out of no where a guy grabs me, drags me to a seat and begins strapping my legs in. After being carried to the edge and a very quick 5-4-3-2-1-Bungee, I was free falling down to the river below. Biggest adrenalin rush of my life!
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| Bungee Jump at Bloukrans Bridge Storms River, South Africa |
61. Zipline through the jungle (again)
In the Tsitsikamma Forest, there was a zipline operator. Even though I have already done it, how could I say no to the chance to do it again. This zipline zig zagged (alliteration?) its way 40 to 50 feet above a set of waterfalls and rapids. It gave some great views of the river and forest, as well as being a blast!
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| Ziplining in the Tsitikamma Forest Plettenburg Bay, South Africa |
36. Ride an elephant
Throughout the trip there were the typical stands containing hundreds of brochures for various tourist attractions in the area. At one of these stands we found a brochure advertising elephant safaris, safaris where you rode on the elephants back. How could anyone pass that up? So we headed out to Botlierskop Day Safaris and signed in. While killing time on the back patios with some cold beers, we saw the elephants coming towards us. Going on a safari on the back of an elephant is one of the most incredible feelings. We were able to walk right up to a herd of black impalas and other bucks, and got within 10 meters of two rhinos!
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| Elephant Ride at Botlierskop Day Safari Mossel Bay, South Africa |
Which brings us to the next thing on the list....
65. Take a picture of an endangered animal
We approached the rhinos from a distance, and slowly made out way towards them, getting within 10 m of them before they snorted and ran off. Getting so close to the two rhinos was an incredible experience. To be so close to such a rare animal, yet still being in a wilderness setting was awesome.
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| Botlierskop Day Safari, April 3rd 2012 Mossel Bay, South Africa |
Overall an amazing trip. I would recommend the Garden Route to anyone thinking of travelling in South Africa.
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