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| Erin's South Africa Journals - 11-15-02 to 11-16-02 Today we were to leave Oodtshorn and head to Buffalo Bay for a couple of days relaxing on the beach. We knew the shuttle by the hostel left at 12:30pm for 35 Rand each, but we asked the owners to drive us to the taxi stand instead at about 10am. Thus, it cost 15 Rand each instead of 35!!! Of course, the minibus was crammed with 14 people - you wouldn't put more than 8 in back in the US, so it was REALLY crowded. But we made it to Knysna, where we hiked to the local backpackers hostel for a free ride to the Wildside Backpackers, which we'd seen a card for in the Cape Town hostel - it is literally right on the beach!!! Within 10 minutes, the owner was there to pick us up - we'd lucked out, as there was already one lady waiting for him! He stopped so we could get groceries for the self-service kitchen, and we got enough for meals for 2 days. Then we travelled out to Buffel's Bay (no wonder nobody knew what we meant when we said Buffalo Bay!!!), and checked into a ratty little room which fortunately was redeemed by its close proximity to the pounding surf! The beach was glorious, and we were right on it. I loved the place, dirt and sand and all, and we walked down the bay a bit before sunset before cooking our stirfry with a lady we'd just met. Dinner was great, and Glenn hung out with some of the other travellers playing cards while I watched a rented Star Wars Ep. 2 with the owner until crashing time! Glenn joined me at bed time, and we lazed a bit in the morning too. For all day Saturday, we were in a state of lazy. I didn't want to do anything ambitious or planned, and since I was still on doxycycline for malaria immunity, I couldn't sunbathe. I spent most of the day reading my book in the shade of the common room or exploring the tide pools at low tide. It was great! Just what I needed - nothing to do!!! We joined the residents' dinner that night, and played a few card and board games over dinner near the indoor fire pit - too windy outside for the campfire! Finally we crashed, pretty early but luxuriously. |
| We had some fabulous sunsets at Buffels Bay - this view was right outside the hostel! |