What’s that? Its an Elephant!!!

After plummeting 216 meters it was time to head off on our next adventure.  Leaving Bloukrans bridge behind, the adrenaline slowly fading off we headed direction Port Elisabeth towards a small town called Addo.

Driving for two hours, seeing more change in the landscape with the resemblance of northern France, we arrived at Port Elisabeth, which was almost identical to Southampton except without the hot sun.  Stopping off in Port Elisabeth to pick up supplies at Pick n Pay “Tesco”, consisting of a large pack of chicken, beer and wood.  With supplies sorted we hit the road again and headed to Addo, arriving at 4pm. We pitched up camp at Addobackpackers. An hour or two later the Braai was lit, a few cold beverages later the braai was ready and dinner was served!

Schalk - top quality braaiing. 

The next morning we were off to Addo Elephant game reserve and hopefully to see the big five (elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino, and leopard)! Packing up camp, we drove 8km down the road towards the game reserve.  Arriving at the gates we were asked  “are you South African?” we immediately said yes – a trick we had learnt, by saying no we would have to pay quadruple the price, a large 120 ZAR compared to 30ZAR per person. In we went and were free to roam the 180,000-hectare game park as we pleased. However one strong rule was in place “ Please avoid Elephant Dung!”

Driving around on the dirt tracks, dodging elephant dung we eventually found our first warthog.  Many photos later we moved on and the landscape opened up to huge green fields, zebras, elephants and a buffalo all standing and eating posing to the cameras.  

We kept on driving, stopping for every dung beetle and elephants crossing the dirt track. Then came across my first ever sighting of a tortoise.  Still on the dirt tracks we saw more elephants this time drinking water and placing sun tan lotion on themselves (mud). 

After many hours of driving around this vast game park and taking photos of every animal we encountered, we decided to pack it in for the day!  Only seeing 2 out of the big 5, but seeing dung beetles and a tortoise was good enough for us, maybe next time Heading back to the backpacker, setting up camp for a long drive the following day!

Photo's of Addo Elephant Game Park! 

Bungee Jumping – Facing Adrenaline!!!

Bloukrans Bridge holds the worlds highest bungee jump at 216metres.  Today it was our turn to experience it.

Arriving at the site we got ourselves kitted up, harness tightly secured. Our guide walked us over to the jump site. On route to the jump site we walked over a caged walk way seeing 400 meters below, making the experience even more intense. Once we arrived at the center of the bridge loud Dub Step and Drum&Bass was playing to calm our nerves! Schalk, myself and the other three that were with us, were given our jump order numbers, I was jumper number 2

Jumper number 1 sat down strapped in and was ready to Jump! My turn!

Butterflies flying around franticly in my stomach, my feet tied together, straps tied to my harness. This was it. I stood up with the help of the guides and hopped to the edge of the bridge, feet peering over, head up and arms out. 3.2.1. BUNGEE!!!!

Moritz (me)

Falling 216m listing to the wind screaming past your ears and the view was mind blowing. Waiting for the bungee cord to tighten, made those butterflies disappear, what a relief! The first bounce, then the second, followed by a lesser third. Spent 30 seconds dangling upside down waiting for guide to come and pick me. Up I went, standing at the top with all the blood rushing to my brain I lost my balance and was walking around like a drunk man, finally got myself back together!

Schalk

What an experience so worth it even if you hate it.

Just do it!!!

Road Trip Through South Africa!!!

I’ve finished working at Mellasat winery and am desperate to visit the rest of South Africa.  Trying to decide how I go about this, I had two options, either catch the very popular Baz Bus meeting lots of new people or make my own road trip. 

After umming and erring I finally make my decision to road trip through South Africa.  I phone my friend Schalk who works at Nederburg winery in Paarl.  After very little persuasion he is up for the trip.  With only two days to plan our trip, all was booked.  Me having a weird obsession with Land rovers and 4x4 in general, I decided to hire a Nissan 4x4, which was fully kitted with a fridge, roof tents, 140liter fuel tank and much more.

Schalk and Me

Departing on the 7^th of April 2011 we left Paarl.

 

Along the route of our 8-day journey we spent the first night in Mossel bay at the Point Campsite which is right on the Atlantic Ocean. We arrived at 6 in the evening and the Braai on the way with Lamb chops for dinner. At the campsite we met two people in there late 20’s who had driven all the way from Zurich – 50,500km taking them 10 months.  After a windy and restless night thanks to the Atlantic sea breeze, we set of to Plattenberg Bay for a dip in the sea. Not a chance was that was going to happen, grey clouds + no sun + Atlantic Ocean, not a good idea. Once arriving in Plattenberg Bay, the resemblance of Cornwall esc town, we stopped for a late lunch and headed to Forever Camping to set up camp for the night.  

Set up camp.

Spending the night at a very beautiful campsite and having amazing showers. Wait, am I really writing this!? dinner was interesting, we fought with the gas stove, sounding as if the gas cylinder was about orbit to the moon, taking us 30min to boil water.

Morning came quickly and we hit the road again leaving at 8 am. Are aim today was to fall 216meters off a bridge……  The landscape was changing from the dry brown land in the wijnland – wineland to green wetter land with some similarity to Switzerland. As we kept on driving and seeing the beautiful scenery driving over many bridges, we found it, Bloukrans Bridge. Time to plummet 216 meters can’t wait….

P.S. I’m wearing extra large Pampers!!