Plettenberg Bay

Well, the rain continued to fall all day yesterday as we made the drive from Outdshoorn to Plettenberg Bay. Since most of the activities we want to do are outside, the rain certainly puts a halt on our plans (we don’t mind doing things in the rain, but most of the time these activities are cancelled.) So, we took yesterday to regroup a little as we tried to keep drying our belongings from the previous day’s excursion. Last night as I slept on the top bunk, I was showered with raindrops falling from the leaky ceiling all night and I realized that we may have to wait until our arrival in the States to warm up.

We woke up to some sunshine today and it brightened everybody’s spirits a little. We headed out to the Plettenberg Game Reserve where we went horseback riding and saw wild animals. While on our ride we got to see rhinos, wildebeests, hippos, zebras, crocodiles, springboks and giraffes. This is the first time we’ve been able to see some of these animals since our arrival in South Africa, so we were all really excited. It was a little unnerving when we saw the hippos and our guide told us how dangerous they are and how many people they kill each year. He told us to walk very slowly past them, as if we had any control over this or knew how to convey this message to our horses. Chestnut, Roy and Blast were our horses’ names, and they treated us very well. Laura’s horse, Roy, was a lazy horse and was always quite a distance behind everybody else. My horse Chestnut was a little mischievous, constantly wanting to eat and stubborn about letting anybody pass him, he actually reminded me a lot of myself. Amy’s horse Blast cooperated perfectly and mostly hung back with Roy. By the end of the journey the horses are usually excited to get back home, so it’s normal for them to take off running. Our guide told us that “this is the time when so many people fall off the horse,” reminding us to hang on and making us all feel very comfortable. It may not have been graceful, but at least none of us fell off!

After our horseback riding was over, we drove to Stormsriver Village, where we will stay for the night. We have now officially made it to the Eastern Cape! This place is an odd little town surrounded by mountains and the Tsitsikama National Park, and I would say the word “village” accurately describes it. It looks like everybody will get a chance to shower tonight, which is a rare occasion these days and also quite a treat. Tomorrow we are booked to do a canopy tour in the rainforest before making the drive to Jeffrey’s Bay, where we will stay for two nights before taking off for our safari. Stay tuned.

Me and Chestnut

Amy and Blast

Off to find some animals!

Laura and Roy

Rhinos

Springbok

Stopping to look at the giraffe

This picture is for Laua H. who requested a picture of a giraffe.

Zebra

Crocodiles, it was a little scary being so close to them...on horse.

Roy and Blast bringing up the rear

As soon as the rhinos heard us coming they jumped in the water. They can only stay under water for about 5 minutes before they have to come up for air.

No more sitting "by" the fire, it's so cold that it's time to sit in it.