Scribbles Abroad

Super Tubes at Jeffery’s Bay

At times traveling can be stressful especially when things don’t go according to plan.  Although we were unable to go to Central America due to uncooperative airlines (click here to read about what went down) we looked at it as a blessing instead of a curse.  At first I was greatly disappointed at the thought of not going to Central America.  We were suppose to meet up with friends and I was really looking forward to practicing Spanish and tasting all the yummy foods, not to mention surfing some epic waves.  Kahi helped me to realize it was not the end of the world, we could always go another time and instead we could go to South Africa and spend more time exploring the neighboring countries.  Although our trip was delighted a couple more days in Cali it was well worth it and soon enough we were back at the airport on our way to South Africa.

I wasn’t sure what to expect of South Africa.  To tell you the truth I knew very little about the country and was a little nervous.  When talking to others about South Africa I’ve heard both really good and really scary things.  Someone actually told me that you couldn’t buckle your seat belt in the car because if you were car jacked and went to unbuckle yourself you may get shot because they would think you were pulling out a weapon.  Because of the spontaneity of our trip I didn’t get a chance to research the country to find out much about the area.   Traveling has taught us that you can’t believe everything you hear and the best thing is to talk with locals to find out the real deal.  There are many dangers in South Africa as well as in other places in the world, its all about knowing where not to go, what to look out for, and being aware of your surroundings

It was a long long journey to Cape Town.  First we flew from San Diego to DC, made a stop in Senegal to refuel, then on to Johannesburg and finally to Cape Town.  After picking up our bags and going through customs, which was a breeze, it was an hour cab ride to Hout Bay where we arranged to stay with our friend Darrel’s down hill skateboarding buddy Stu.  To fight jet lag we went out for a drink at Stu’s friends house down the street, it ended up backfiring  because we ended up staying out till around 3 in the morning.  Needless to say we slept almost the whole next day.  It was totally worth it though, these South Africans know how to party!

The area we were staying in was really nice and our room was more than we could have asked for.  The next morning I looked out the window and got my first glimpse of Africa during the day.  It was not quite what I was expecting.  I don’t know what I was expecting, maybe some crazy animals to be running around or a lion eating an antelope.  Haha!  Not quite.   It seemed like we were in a small town in Cali, big fancy houses surrounding a cute little town with small cafes, a grocery store, and a few shops.

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Stu was super cool, he showed us around town and took us on an amazing hike.  The mountains were beautiful with their steep and rugged faces.   I kept expecting to see a baboon or some other animal straight out of the Lion King.  No animals but the view of the ocean and town was unforgettable.  Fresh water springs were coming from the mountain side creating small waterfalls.  We watched curiously as Stu cupped his hand and started drinking the water, we hesitated but gave it a taste.  Best water ever!   So cold and as fresh as it gets.  As we were making our way down the mountain the sun began to set, what a spectacular site.

The surf was pumping and we were desperately trying to arrange a car so we could get to Jeffery’s Bay, the best right point break in the world.  Our friends Kohl and Sarah were also in South Africa surfing J-Bay at the time.  We’d getting calls about how good it was and that we needed to get over there ASAP.  Stu hooked it up and found us a car for the month through Best Beetle.  The next morning we were outta there and making our way east to J-Bay.

The roads in Cape Town were a little heck tick and we didn’t have a very detailed map, so Stu gave me some awesome directions to the N2 which would take us all the way to J-Bay

The drive to J-Bay is usually 8 hours but in our little putt-putt car it would take a little longer.  We had spent three days in Hout Bay and really hadn’t ventured very far.  After driving only a few blocks we passed by the township where the majority of the black/coloured community resides.  The change was so drastic that literaly on one side of the street are nice large houses surrounded by electric fences and barbbed wire, then right across the street are people living in make shift shacks mostly built out of corragated iron.  It was especially surpising to me because we arrived at night and did not notice it as we drove in.  As we continued our drive down the coast we realized that a similar situation existed in many of the towns along the way.  After 7 hours of driving we pulled into Plettenburgh Bay to have a drink with Kohl and Sarah our friends from Hawaii.  It was good seeing them and to hear about J-Bay and all the things to look forward to.

Town of Jeffery’s Bay on the horizon

The next morning we were back on the road making our way to J-Bay.  We wanted to get there early so we could find a good place to stay.  Somewhere close to the beach with a view of the surf and affordable too.  Sarah and Kohl told us about Lazee Bay B&B, a nice cozy bed and breakfast that’s only a short walk from the surf.  After checking out the town and a few accommodations we found ourselves at Lazee Bay.  Our room was amazing!!!  It was on the third floor of the house with a great view of the ocean.  Best part of all was it was only $15 per night for both of us.  This was great considering we were paying over $50 a night at the last couple places we stayed.

Lazee Bay and the view from our deck

A humble dinner in our room using the Alia board as a table

After our first surf session at Supers we were hooked.  We could get used to this place, real used to it.  Fast pealing right point break barrels (huge stand up ones) that go on for what seems like forever.  Only a couple days had passed when we decided to stay here for a month.  The Billabong Pro was coming to town in a week so we needed to secure a place to stay soon.  Lazee Bay had just been sold and we were told we’d have to move out in three days.  I was crushed.  I loved it there.

Super Tubes

Super Tubes

The Point

The next day we drove around town looking for a place to rent for a month.  Most places were booked for the contest and some were just too expensive or far from the beach.  We found a place that was a little further from the beach and quite affordable, both of us were pretty stoked on it but it didn’t have an ocean view.  On our way back to Lazee Bay we passed a house with a sign advertising self catering accommodation.  We called and asked if there were any rooms available starting July 3rd and they told us they had just finishing renovating a one bedroom one bath and that it should be finished by then.  The price was right, the room had its own kitchen and the view of the surf breaks was unbeatable.  We were sold.  Plus the guy who owns the house, Curt, is also from Hawaii.  Small world or what?  Strange how we keep running into people from Hawaii and the influences they have on our trip.

The view from our new home

A brai (or BBQ) with our new friends a the house

We are looking forward to kickin’ it in J-Bay for a while.  Staying in one spot makes traveling a heck of a lot easier.  When you move around a lot, like we did in South East Asia, you’re constantly looking for new places to stay, carrying your stuff, and getting on bus ride after bus ride.  This type of traveling is exhausting and although you get to see a lot in a short amount of time you never really get a good feel for the places you visit.  Moving into a house and staying in a small town would give us the opportunity to meet locals, settle down and really enjoy our time here.  Not to mention our chances of scoring epic surf would greatly increase.  Its difficult to score good surf when you spend a week at one spot then move on to the next.   What’s the rush anyway?  We have three extra months of traveling time since we had to cancel our Central America leg.  Why not hang out in J-Bay and rack up some tube time.

Walk in beer fridge at the local beer supplier. You can get a six pack for about $3

A traditional South African lunch from the Die Kospot of roasted potatoes, broccoli, rice, sweet potatoes, and roast beef

Tortilla chips and salsa from The Mexican that really sucked, their enchiladas were really really good though

Biltong!!!  Similar to our beef jerky is soooo yummy and very popular here