We arrived in Chintsa at 11am our shuttle was much better than the other one. We were staying at Buccaneers backpackers and had chosen to stay in a safari tent again. This tent was even better than the last one as it had our own private decking area complete with deckchairs AND it was sunny. Infact it was really hot and we spent the first two hours sitting sunbathing in our deckchairs. It was so hot which made a change from being cold as the last few days had been really cold. So having got our legs out by putting our shorts on we went to the bar to see what we could have for lunch as we had ran out of food to make ourselves anything and there wasnt a shop near by. We ordered toasties and sat outside to eat them on the balcony. There was a really nice view of the bay, the sky was blue the beach was yellow and the sea was brght blue, it looked beautiful. Whilst having lunch my friend Mpho from Swaziland rang to ask me where I was as he was also travelling on the Baz Bus but in the opposite direction. It just so happened he was going to be in Chintsa that night as well so I would get to see him. After lunch we went back to our tent and painted our toe nails and had a little rest before doing the free activity for the day which was a booze cruise. We walked down to the river that ran into the sea and got on the little boat. Mike was driving the boat and Richard was playing his drum as entertainment. We had free wine to drink whilst we cruised along. We saw quite a few kingfishers and other birds. We also passed some people fishing but they werent very pleased with us because we drove through their fishing lines, oops. We turned the boat around to go back which meant passing the angry fishers again but this time they saw us coming and moved their lines. On the way back Richard wanted someone to play the drum and he picked me because he thought I didnt look relaxed in the boat and it would distract me but I was fine. I still had to play though so Richard would beat a rhythm and I would copy it. I wasnt too bad but sometimes I put an extra beat on the end. Richard said I was really good at copying but I bet he says that to everyone. We got back to the shore and walked back up the hill to the lodge. When we gt there the other Baz Bus had just arrived so I said hello to Mpho. It was almost dinner time so we went to get ready for our 3 course meal. We had soup for starters, a traditional main and cake and icecream for dessert, it was delicious. After that we went in the bar and played a game of pool before the entertainment started. Richard was putting on a drumming show and guess what? He made me go infront of everyone and do more drumming with him because I was good. There was also a girl there fire dancing as well. After the entertainment Sarah went to bed as she had toothache but I stayed and had a catch up with Mpho and a nice chat to Lucy the girl he was travelling with. They kept giving out free shots in the bar but they were Sambuca and I hate sambuca so I gave mine to Mpho, hehe. He gave me his jacket to wear as I was cold, it kept me really warm and I looked like a biker chick in it! We went to bed about 2am.

The next day we got up and enjoyed our free breakfast as it was Sunday and packed our things up ready to leave for Coffee Bay. So at 11am I said goodbye to Mpho and got on the bus, it had been really nice to see him. We drove to a service station where we then got off and caught the shutle to Coffee Bay. It was quite a slow ride as the roads were very pot holey and there were animals in the road. It was ver much off the beaten track. We arrived and got shown around which included a free welcme drink in the bar and they had Buffolo rules meaning you could only drink with your left hand. We were then shown to our room which was across a river. There was no bridge, we had to hop across using the stepping stones, not an easy task with a massive backpack on! We were sleeping in Hut 3, a local style mud hut building. It was very nice. As we arrived on Sunday it was a free local meal so we enjoyed that, played in a quiz to raise money for the local school and took part once again in killer pool. The winner would win the next days activity free. Needless to say we didnt win but we chose to do the activity anyway.

So the next morning we got up and went to the bar to meet everyone for the activity. It was a village walk which included a local lunch. John and Jerry were our guides, they were quite funny and everything according to them was "Amazing!" We walked around through the hills looking at the mud huts and they explained how they made them round because of the wind. Square houses get blown over quicker than round ones. They also were painted in a greeny colour which they get from limestone. We also saw their animals, cows, goats and to Sarahs horror chickens. They also kept dogs for security and a few times we got ran at by barking dogs! They took us to the sacred pools that they believe their ancesters are below. They dont swim there as they are sacred, they were very beautiful. Then they painted our faces using the red mud on the floor so we could be members of the red tribe as that is what they are known as. Next we visited Mama Josephs house to have lunch. She had cooked us a vegetable soup / gravy to go with pap which is white fluffy stuff made from maise and we had some cabbage as well. In the house the girls had to sit on the floor whilst the boys could sit on chairs. In the house were two beds on either side and at the back a wooden dresser with plates and bowls on. She had cooked the meal on a fire outside using a cauldron type pan. There was also a chicken layed on one of the beds which decided to lay an egg much to Sarahs discomfort. The lady found it quite funny that she was scared of the chicken. After our lunch we headed to the local Shebeen which was there pub where we were given the local bear to try. It came in a carton so looked more like milk and had the warning "Dont drink and walk, you may be killed" written on the side! We had a sip each, it wasnt very nice but then I dont like beer anyway.

Then we went back to the Coffee Shack and signed up for dinner as it was a roast chicken dinner complete with roast potatoes and gravy, YUM! Once again there was a pool competition and again we didnt win but at least I potted one this time so im improving! We decided not to do the next days activity anyway.

The next morning we had a bit of a lay in and then went out for Lunch. I had fish and chips from a little restaurant down the road. That night there was a red party in the bar and they had left out cardboard and paint so people could make costumes for the party. Which was quite good as I didnt really have anything red. After thinking for a while me and Sarah decided to go as flowers. We painted lots of red petals on the cardboard and later sewed them onto our headbands and threaded some to make a necklace so hopefully we would look like a flower. We also went back to shop as earlier we had seen face paints. We drew red flowers on our cheeks just incase you couldnt tell what we were, and drew leaves on our arms. I think we looked "Blooming Marvelous" even if I do say so myself.

So we crossed the river dressed as flowers. Most of the guys had used the paint to paint their faces red or in some cases their whole body. One girl had cut up some red material to make a boob tube and mini skirt and others had not quite gone to so much effort and just had a red T-shirt on. Once again killer pool took place and once again we didnt win but everyone who took part got some vodka jelly! After pool they announced the wnners of the fancy dress. The girl who made a top and skirt came first, me and Sarah came 2nd and a guy painted all red came 3rd. We got a free cocktail each so that wasnt too bad. After that came free punch as well. It was a good night and we crossed back across the river at 1:30 to go to bed.

The next morning we woke up and packed our bags ready to get the shuttle to the Baz Bus, which was gonna take us to Durban. Two girls and Richard were also going to Durban as well.