Wilderness, Oudtshoorn and Mossel Bay

It's been an active few days involving long hikes and longer cycle rides. Plus some rather interesting conversations...

The last thing I would say before we get into it is that Wilderness gave me a lot of time to reflect as I chose to be alone for most of the time - I think I had a case of 'new people overload'. During this time I had a couple of what I'm going to call 'travel epiphanies'. 

1) If you have a connection with someone - be it friendship or more, chase it down. Don't be afraid to say, hey wanna swap details, even if you've just met? The chances are they are probably thinking the same thing and you could end up being good mates and good friends can be hard to find, which brings me onto...

2) I'm discovering that I don't like everyone, I've just, quite subconsciously, chosen the people I hang out with up to this point to suit my own likings. Though I am very flexible and accommodating, I've realized that I don't need to bend myself out of shape to accept someone who is fundamentally not good for me. Now that sounds quite serious, but I think what I mean is that I don't need to put up with people who are rude, or negative in their outlook. If it might actually kill someone to smile once in a while, I don't need to hang out with them or try to understand them. They are them, I am me and we can quite happily go our own ways.

Wilderness

So Wilderness was OK, as a place it has a nice beach and an few shops. I had a great night with a group of international students studying at Cape Town University, who invited me to dinner, which then became drinks where I met this painter, sculptor and carpenter called Neil, along with his wife and his mother, plus his dog Joy, who was the cutest! Our now extended group then headed back to the backpackers where everyone (especially me) got drunk. At one point a dog attacked Joy and I heard her whining in pain from across the bar an went running over. I gave her big hugs and she threw her head on my shoulder and calmed down - this was the moment that tipped the balance and made me a dog (and cat) person. I then made friends with a bunch of Germans and the night ended with some bloke trying to convince me and another guy to have a threesome, that's when I went to my own bed alone!

The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful. I went paragliding with a girl that I met. It was nice being up there, very peaceful, though I didn't like how the instructor kept forcefully hitting on the girl I had come with, but as she didn't mind I didn't say anything. If it had been one of my friends I would have gone into full protective mode for sure!

I also did a local hike twice which was paved for most of the way (so actually just walking), though I did take a harder non-paved route up a mountain which was actually hiking.

That was about it really, the beach house where I stayed was very nice and the view of the beach from the bedrooms was amazing! Though you had to pay for WiFi and it didn't come cheap...

Oudtshoorn

I love this place and specifically the Paradise and Joyrides backpackers! It's such a great place and the staff make it so much better. Plus free WiFi and ostrich egg in the morning (not whole ones, have you seen an ostrich egg?!).

I arrived and immediately hit it off with Petra an Greg at the check in desk and got to my dorm which was nice and all mine for my entire trip. At one point three mini busses turned up and they still had enough room to give me a dorm to myself!

The atmosphere is laid back and I'd suggest trying the cinnamon rolls, they're cooked daily. Petra insisted I had it warmed through and was she ever right! Dangerous NOM!

The next day I took on the backpackers most challenging tour by myself. 54km of cycling from the top of the mountain range (oudtshoorn is inland, mountainous and arid), to the backpacker, taking in the Congo caves and an ostrich farm on the way. 

The caves were magnificent and very tight in some places - not for the claustrophobic at all. That being said it wasn't overly challenging to do the avdenture tour and the cold and dark was a welcome break from the dry heat on land.

The Ostritch farm was great and I got to sit on an Ostritch, though you'll see from the picture I more held myself over it as I was worried I might be too heavy for it. I also fed the ostriches. They really pinch if you're not careful! 

I also ate there, ostrich of course. It's weird that the meat is more like stead or venison than chicken or turkey given that ostrich mean is lean and poultry.

The final leg of my journey to the hostel was the hardest as the wind was relentless and all the down hill elements were behind me. I was mess by the time I got back, but everyone at the hostel congratulated me. It was a really nice feeling.

What also made my time at Oudtshoorn great was the company. I met a very inspiring couple from the UK in their fifties (Hi Barry and Sarah if you're reading) who invited me to join their table when I walked into the eating area looking a bit lost. These guys are travel masters and certainly got me thinking about more travel destinations and much more besides as we discussed various topics  over the course of my stay. 

I think that the only thing left to tell you is that the music in Paradise backpackers is amazing! By day they play really cool, relaxed remixes of artists like CSS and Doves alongside Garbage and Lamb. By night they played Bowie and The Stones! Amazing.

And on that note, I think I've come to the end of this blog. Hope you enjoyed. As alway please comment, share, etc. it gives me joy to see that someone is reading this :)

Mossel Bay

My final stop before Cape Town was Mossel Bay. I have to say, after hearing so many good things about the place, I was a little underwhelmed. It didn't help that it rained most of the time I was there. I did stay on a converted train, which was fun and the woman at the check-in desk said I was very handsome, something she then shared with the 'carriage', embarrassing, but I'm not complaining!

I think people love it because it's their first taste of South Aftica outside of Cape Town, but to be honest the town is nonexistent and the beaches in Transkei are much better. If you just want to chill on the beach it's a good spot though.