We loaded up the trailer and packed in the Banter bus for the second time last Wednesday to travel to Jeffery's Bay. Little did we know the long anticipated bungie jump was a lot closer than we thought. We passed over a few bridges on the way. Each time we peered out the windows to see how high they were and tried to imagine plummeting face first over them. Nikita enjoyed watching us wriggle in our seats so much that she would convince us each bridge was "the bridge" that we would be jumping off. When we arrived at the correct bridge, however, we all knew right away. For we could see the covered path leading towards the bottom of the bridge and the sign reading "Face Adrenalin". We were doomed.
We were told that if we could make it across the metal mesh bridge that hung under Bloukraans bridge and led to the bungie platform that we would be capable of doing the 216 m. Jump. Some people like Lindsey had no problem with either the see through bridge or the bungie. Ashton, Emma, and I on the other hand were nervous to say the least. Watching Ashton prepare for the jump was the best part of the bungie experience. He was petrified to the point of bailing out but the group rallied together and he got up the nerve.
We were welcomed into Island Vibe Backpackers, well known for its parties, by a traditional African dance group. The place is conveniently situated right on the beach which was ideal for us avid surfers. We surfed Kitchen Windows twice a day normally and occasionally traveled to other swells. We spent a very sunny day at St. Francis Bay after a few days of cold rainy weather and another session with Etienne, our surf instructor, at Point where the South Africa Hurley Juniour Champs just concluded. We were lucky to catch the finals of the competition as well.
One of my favorite stops on the trip so far was to the cat park. We not only got to see the cats from inside our cars but we each got to pet a full grown lion! Laura almost got eaten along with one of our cars. It got ambushed by a pride of lions as we drove inside their enclosure quite like when we arrived at Madiba Bay Crèche and were jumped on by kids, another one of my favorite experiences. We went to do some gardening and to just play with the students. When we arrived Tico told me that the children were shouting " white people" when we got out of the bus. We all had so much fun together even though we could barley understand one another. They loved to dance, wear our sunglasses, braid our hair and play with our watches. Most of all I think they appreciated us fixing their swings. I have never seen kids swing with as much enthusiasm as them.
The only unfortunate part of arriving in J-Bay was that we had to say fairwell to one our beloved trip leaders Cameron. He added a great vibe to the group and we are going to miss him, but even though he has left we have added a new member Klee to our trip. We are all getting to know him well as is he to us. Can't wait to continue on to East London!