9/2/2011 After a half-hour key hunt because Fleur had lost it, we set off on Hogsback hike. It was a shame that the weather was so bad for the couple of days we visited Hogsback but still it was enjoyable. The woodland walk entailed some slippy trekking over mud, rocks and running water, a variety of trees (sounds dull but these boys were interesting, some of them monstrously tall and wide), monkeys inhabiting the tops, a few birds (we didn't see the rare [parr...

8/2/2011 Chintsa looked awesome and Buccaneers backpackers was sweet. On the decking you were overlooking the small town east and west, the lagoon, ocean and the glorious bright blue skies and sandy beaches! Jack and Mike canoed across the lagoon (I chickened it as I didn't want to risk getting my camera wat) so we could go and buy some fillings to make sarnies. Ham and chutney was the verdict to save the rand, and after a quick dip in the pool, I joined the Ki...

7/2/2011 Paid off a 60-quid bill thanks to Jack (who owed me after he lost a wager lasting three months) and caught minibusd-taxis from C Bay to Mqanduli to Mthatha to Chintsa. I fell asleep on literally every journey. As Grandad would say, I'd been burning the candle at both ends. The drives were as scenic as ever and as excit,ing, not knowing whether you're going to plough down a cow, dog, goat, donkey or local. It's better than the tourist bus though as you ...

6/2/2011 Recovered from hangover with egg amd bacon sarnie with chilli sauce (as instructed by the Kiwis) with eggs and toast! Chocolate and coke was the treat as we chilled on a misty, and later, rainy beach for the day. Had to walk through a couple of rivers on the way following cows but found a nice spot where a local woman sold us some cheap bracelets (we were in a hangin mood and felt like buying). Played some pool and ate some food at another bacpackers f...

5/2/2011 Joined all the backpackers on the long trip to the 'Hole in the Wall'. Hiked ove some big hills, coming across a variety of farm wildlife and locals having just caught mussels. Some brave people tried them raw. I wasn't up for that. The views on the wak were picturesque, hiking along the coast being able to see the sea out to the horizon in the heat of the day was perfect and an excuse for me to get topless once again. It was quite diverse aswell actua...