Molweni (Good day) to all you readers. ?I thought I’d give Chris a bit of break from writing the blog and it seemed quite a fitting place for me to dive in, it being exactly a year ago and in the exact same place I first met the Ticket to Ride Crew.??Actually, you are quite lucky to have this blog as contact with the outside world is not the protocol in the Transkei. Normal practice is to take off watches, turn off phones, steer clear of computers and absorb the surroundings of one of the most beautiful and enchanting places in the world (I’m not kidding either).
The scenery here is something out of a J.R. Tolkein book. Luscious green rolling hills fronted by dark rock cliffs, small secluded bays iced with white sand and as per usual in the Transkei, a herd of cows or goats lazing on the beach soaking up the afternoon sun.??Well Trip 1 has had a knack so far of scoring a run of epic waves and weather at each destination we have been to. Coffee Bay is no exception. The first 5 days have flown by in a blur of perfect waves and evening feasts. I have to say that in my time working in the Coffee Shack last year I never had waves as good as we have had these last couple of days. The swell has ranged from playful waist high waves to some slightly more testing and sizeable conditions and the wind has blown offshore almost everyday making the waves super fun whatever the size.
As for the water temperature? Well let’s put it this way, you can definitely tell we are in the Indian Ocean. It’s utterly balmy here. The wetsuits have been banished to the bottom of everyone’s boardbags and out have come baggies and bikinis. Not only is the water warm as a bath, but it is also crystal clear. I for one have got sore eyes from opening them underwater to get a perfect view of one of our crew riding past on a wave.??For both Chris and I this has been a notable milestone in the trip. The fruits of our labour are shining through and it has been so rewarding watching everyone surfing. Every single person on this trip has suddenly upped their surfing abilities. I have got a permanent smile on my face as I watch our guys and girls take to the water. I am not sure why there has been this sudden and remarkable jump in everyone’s ability, I’m guessing it has something to do with the atmosphere in and around Coffee Bay. The beach here is a pretty magical one in terms of the surroundings and also the vibe of the area is so very relaxed and easy going. ??
After all this hard and impressive surfing, there was obviously going to be a few beers cracked open for celebration. It just so happened that Tuesday night was ‘Jungle Theme’ in the bar. Chris and I walked down to get dinner in our shorts and tee shirts and were confronted by a motley crew of primeval jungle dwellers. We immediately felt out of place and were heckled into shedding clothes and donning some of the local foliage. We kindly have left Trip 2 with some community work here replanting all the trees and bushes used for our outfits. The Coffee Shack cocktail list kept everyone entertained, and slowly but surely Jack realised his potential to become a great artist of our time as gradually more and more paint seemed to find its way onto any bit of exposed skin. The’ Killer Pool’ competition kicked off with everyone fancying themselves as a bit of a pool shark, however Milly took the crowd to pieces sinking 3 balls in one shot.
The prize for winning is a free day trip of her choice provided by the Coffee Shack, and with the surf not looking great for the next day or two, this looks like the opportunity for everyone to explore what the local area has to offer. On the cards tomorrow is Mapuzi cliff jumps and bat caves. A cultural walk into one of the local villages en route to some extraordinary bat caves, followed by toasted sandwiches cooked on the open fire and then cliff jumping into the beautiful Mapuzi River.??Tomorrow is also a ‘Full Moon Party’ here. We are looking forward to ‘Vors’ rolls, oysters, mussels and champagne on a cliff top over looking the whole of Coffee Bay, whilst being serenaded by a young, local sing and dance group.??So until next time this is me signing off. Sala Kakuhle (Stay Well).?Sam