Hello and welcome to our first blog from Cape Town on the July Ticket to Ride Southern Africa trip. Well a lot has happened since everyone’s arrival last Tuesday but most importantly we have been having a great time. Cape Town’s winter has really played along and given us endless days of sunshine and no wind. This is of course fantastic but I think that the group think this is normal and don’t realise how lucky they are!
First things first, with everyone having arrived safely we had a great braai (barbecue) on the first night. This was a great way for everyone to get to know each other sipping on a couple of beers and enjoying a meal together. In typical South African fashion we braai’d lots of boerewors and chicken and cooked up potatoes, mielies (sweetcorn) and made a salad. Everyone was tired from their flights so we retired early allowing a good rest before their first surf on Wednesday morning.
Surfing wise we have been exceptionally lucky on this trip so far. Our accommodation is based right on, and overlooking, Muizenberg beach which is the best learn-to-surf and improver wave I have seen in the world (I have traveled a fair bit). Since last Tuesday every day has been in the 1-2 meter range with clean long lines coming in. What is great is that this wave caters for both those who have not surfed before as well as those who are more experienced and who can be inspired by many of the local rippers busting airs and making the most of the conditions. From the first lesson everyone in the group did really well and despite a diverse mix in abilities everyone got some good waves. Moving forward everyone is improving nicely and we are going to go over some video footage tonight so that they can see themselves surf!
In amongst the surfing we went to Robben Island on Friday, the island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for so many years. It seems fitting to be writing about this today as it is ‘Madiba’s’ 93rd birthday today! I had never before been to the island before and it was really interesting to see it and to hear more about how things worked on the island. It was a prison for many years, taking in only hardened criminals and of course the political prisoners. During apartheid it was a way of separating the political leaders from their people in order to remain in power and to enforce segregation in South Africa. The tour was well-run and for those in the group that came it was a good history lesson as well as a powerful experience.
This weekend the group also got to see some of the night-life in Cape Town, going to the Brass Bell for some drinks as well as getting to see what Long Street in the centre of Cape Town is all about. It was fun times and with more great waves and sunshine everything is going well.
Despite the busy week behind us we have an equally busy and exciting one ahead with penguins, wine tasting, table mountain, community work and more surfing to come.
Catch up with you soon,
Chris