It was our second week of the stay on the Bluff, Durban. We had an awesome first week and this week was just action packed. We started the week off with the second last day of the lifeguard award. The crew worked on CPR and went over the other work they had learnt. They had to learn the do's and don'ts when giving CPR. They felt like they had learnt a lot and were ready to do the test. They were all also of course amped to get it done. Deon their instructor was very impressed, but gave the crew a day to just revise over what they had learnt.
We took advantage of that day to go on a game drive through Tala Game Reserve, we woke up and left at 6 am that morning, we were one of the first people to enter and drove straight to the hippo pond. We were very fortunate to see around 6-8 hippos just relaxing in the morning, by now boiling, sun. We then drove more around the park, looking at the other wild life; zebras, buffalo, buck and giraffes. We then went to the restaurant for breakfast. While having breakfast we had a kudu just feet away relaxing. It was a memorable experience. After our food was done, coffees were drank we left for the last part of the park and to hunt down a rhino.
On the rest of the drive we saw some ostriches and sable antelope. We were almost at the end when we came around a corner, and there they stood, three massive rhino. The guys were just freaking out and so stoked to see them up close, we edged closer and were at one stage a meter or two away. It was unbelievable to see how big they are, pretty much almost the size of our 12 seater van. We snapped away and quietly drove on not wanting to startle the giants. The guys were so happy, they were overwhelmed by how large the rhinos were, and so was I. We got home, relaxed and the group had an awesome dinner from Heidi.
The next day was the final day of the course and crunch time. It was a long day but everyone did well and showed they had learnt lots and would be able to help if they were needed in a situation. They did torpedo rescue and spinal board in the sea. The waves were really good so, once they were done with they were able to go surf. That afternoon they surfed as well and got to clear the nerves of the course and relax. That night they had a celebration beer.
We gave them an hour or two more sleep the next day, as we had been getting up super early every day. The waves were pumping in town, and we headed there to get the best conditions, on the way picking up some brand new custom boards, which the guys ordered last week. There were big smiles when they were collected and great designs done on their boards. Beth with her bright orange and pink, Peter with his electric blue flames and Buddha, George with his orange stripes, Jamie’s mixed colours joining as one and Emily with her South African flag. We surfed for a few hours, the waves were really good and the guys got some fun waves.
Friday was Jamie’s 19th birthday and he got lots of love from everyone and Durban gave him a sunny day with another day of great waves. We did a ding repair demo with Rudy Palmboom, he showed us a basic run down on how to use his ding repair kit. We then went and surfed and did a little drill with the group as they start the surf instructor course on Sunday, we then headed home, got braai meat on the way and had a chilled afternoon around the fire and pool before heading out for the evening to a club to burn some rubber on the dance floor.
It's our last week in Durban
Klee Strachan