This week has been packed with action
with everything from diving with sharks, climbing through caves, riding
ostriches and camels to cliff jumping and jumping off the world’s highest
bungee bridge!
I have barely ever travelled in a
train never mind sleep in one, and our backpackers in Mossel Bay gave us that
experience. The area is famous for great white sharks so John, Ian and I
decided to get up close and personal with a shark cage diving experience.
Despite John’s fear of losing a limb, the three of us equipped in our wetsuits
and goggles jumped into the water and after a long wait a two metre great white
was within about a metre from us. Seeing a shark on TV and seeing one up close
are completely different and definitely worth the wait!
After a six hour drive in our jeep
(SUV for the Americans) we arrived in Oudshoorn. Our backpackers was more like
a hotel and we immediately decided to stay another night after we were upgraded
to first class rooms! On Tuesday morning we went on an adventure tour of the Cango
Caves requiring us to squeeze through small openings between the cave
formations. Some of the chambers were huge and one was once used as a national
concert hall. In many ways it reminded me of the Marble Arch Caves. Later in
the afternoon we went to an ostrich farm where we got the chance to ride
ostriches – one of the coolest things I have ever done! After sitting on the
ostrich and holding on to its wings it ran at a ridiculous speed through the
pen before we fell off as it turned sharply! The chance to ride a camel was
also fun but not quite the same speed!
After a day showing our friends
around our favourite town Plettenburg (Plett to the locals) and relaxing on the
beach we drove to Bloukrans Bridge to do the world’s highest bungee. We
arranged to meet some of our American friends there and everyone showed a mix
of nerves and excitement. There are no words to describe the adrenaline rush as
you fall through the air trusting your life with a rope – all I will say is
that it is something you have to do! I decided to do things a little differently and tied a South African flag around my shoulders as I jumped! Having survived the jump it was time to
travel on to Jeffrey’s Bay, well so we thought until the American’s 1980’s
Volkswagen Fox decided it wanted to stay! After a late night sitting by the
edge of the road watching a movie on Lynsey’s laptop and a local mechanic taking
the gear box apart a man cycling past offered that they could stay in his
backpackers nearby. It just goes to show that plans can change very quickly. 
After a late night drive to Jeffrey’s
and a good nights sleep, Lynsey, Emily, Ian, John and I, still buzzing with
adrenaline from the bungee decided it would be a good time to go cliff jumping
at a local quarry. Gradually as we got braver we moved to higher jumps until
Ian and I were at the highest point at about 30m. My jump went well and was
actually scarier than the bungee, however Ian hurt his back. Thankfully after a
few days rest and a few tablets he was fine!
Our adventure was finally over when
we travelled back to PE that day but it was nice to be back in our own rooms
again. It was also a chance to introduce our Irish and international friends. I
have realised that there is so much attractions in Ireland that I have never
seen and I will be making weekend trips a regular occurrence when I get home!
Next week we start teaching practice and needless an extra workload will soon
follow!
Hope all is well at home!
Glenn
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