Scribbles Abroad

After spending so much time in J-Bay, it was a little hard to say goodbye but we were excited to hit the road again.   The clock was ticking and there were still so many things we wanted to see and do in South Africa before we left for Portugal.

Our first stop was the Blourkarns Bungy Jump.  At 708 ft (216 m) it is currently the world highest bungy jump.  After feeling the adrenalin rush from the Oribi Gorge Jump, there was no way Kahi could pass up this opportunity.  During our drive to the jump I was trying to decide whether I would also bungy.  I had gone skydiving but bungy jumping was a whole different kind of rush.  First of all you can clearly see where you would plummet to your death if your bungee failed.  Second you’re attached by your ankles and it looks like you’re about to receive the worst case of whiplash ever.  Then after you’ve completed the jump you’re hanging there upside down and all the blood in your body is rushing to your head.  I was scared, but I knew this would be an experience of a lifetime and if I didn’t jump it may be something I would regret in the future.

Kahi was pumped and ready to jump.  I was still trying to make up my mind.  As we walked up to the booth I knew I had to jump or it would drive me crazy.  I surprised Kahi and told him I would jump too and he was stoked.  We paid, signed our disclaimer forms, and walked over to get outfitted with a harness.

Bungy prices from around the world.  Not only the highest but also the best bang for your buck.

Instead of walking out to the bridge we opted to take the zip-line that dropped us off right at the jumping platform.  It cost a little extra but we though it would be a good warm up for the jump.

Once we got to the platform everything happened so fast you didn’t have time to think about what you were about to do.  Kahi was first.  They sat him down tied up his feet, hooked him to the bungy, helped him to the edge, then it was 1-2-3 BUNGY!!!  Before they even brought him back up they were helping me to the edge.  I tried not to look down to keep me from getting nervous and concentrated on the beautiful mountain backdrop.  They counted down and before I knew it I was falling over the edge.

Kahi getting tied up and ready to go

Here we go!

Oh crap!!!!!

For the first two seconds I though, “I’m going to die!”   Then I remembered that it was going to be okay and I was able to truly enjoy the experience.  The rush and the feeling of being so very alive.

Flying

You bounce up and down for a while and then you’re there hanging up side down.  Not for too long though.  They send down someone to flip you right side up and bring you back up.

This was definitely one of the craziest things I’ve ever done and I’d do it all over again in a heart beat.  These things are relatively safe (no one had died at Bloukrans……yet) and the feeling is exhilarating.

The jumping posse

Check out the video of our jumps, its radical.

Worlds highest bungy jump, check!  Our next stop was Knysna a town built along a beautiful bay.  Knysna is known for their seafood harvested fresh from the bay, mostly oysters but giant crabs as well.  Both of the Back Packers in the Coast-to-Coast (a backpackers guide) were fully booked, but a nice guy at one of them suggested that we stay at a new backpackers that had just opened toward the east side of town near the Total Gas Station.  He also suggested that we drive up the heads for sunset for a breath taking view.

.

View from the Kynsna Heads

Fresh crab from Knysna Bay

.

The main reason we stopped in Knysna was to get a special type of hat they sold there.  Steve Black from Khotso Horse Trails in the Southern Drakensburgs had this cool hat that Kahi fell in love with.  Steve told us to stop in Knysna to pick one up, so that was our mission.  It wasn’t easy to find but after a little searching we finally found it.

When we started our journey around the world we decided that we would try to ride as many different animals as possible.  We got to ride mini-horses in Java, elephants in Bali, horses in J-Bay and the Southern Draks, and now we had the opportunity to ride an ostrich in Oudtshroon.

Victoria Bay was on our way to Oudtshroon so we stopped to check out the surf.  The conditions weren’t the best but there was some fun head high surf so we jumped in the water.

.

.

.

Ewwww!  Cigarette butts are litter too!  The beach is not an ash tray.

.

Oudtshroon is the ostrich capital of South Africa.  With many ostrich farms this is the place to visit if you want to eat ostrich, ride an ostrich, or buy ostrich feathers, leather, and eggs.  That night we went out to dinner in search of some fresh ostrich steaks.  If you’ve never tired ostrich it is a must!  So so so tasty!  Its not like turkey or chicken and is more similar to red meat.  Its also very low in cholesterol and fat, making it a healthy alternative.  YUMMY!

.

.

.

.

Many of the backpackers in Oudtshroon offer free ostrich eggs for breakfast.  One ostrich egg is equal to 36 chicken eggs.  They drill a hole in the bottom of the ostrich egg and shake out the contents into a large bowl.  The result, scrambled eggs to feed an army.  We chopped up some veggies and made a tasty ostrich egg omelet.  The eggs had a slightly different texture than chicken eggs.  They were a little more mushy, like when you add too much milk to chicken eggs.  None the less they were just as tasty.

.

.

.

.

So we got all the info on how to get the opportunity to ride ostriches.  First we would need to go to an ostrich farm and go on the tour.  When the tour was coming to an end they would ask who wanted to ride an ostrich.  Four people would get the chance to ride and you would need to be under 75Kilos (170lbs) to qualify.

We showed up at the ostrich farm at around 9:30 and luckily there were only four of us in the tour.  First we watched a little movie about the history of Oudtshroon and how it came to be the ostrich capital.  Then our wonderful guide took us to look at the baby and juvenile ostriches.  We learned A LOT about ostriches.  Did you know that it is a myth that ostriches stick their heads in the ground when they get scared?

Kahi trying to kiss the ostrich

Ostrich feathers and leather

It was time to ride ostriches and I was a little nervous because quite a few people told me how common it was to fall off the ostrich.  First they gave you the chance to just sit on the ostrich.  It was a little scary sitting on its back.  It seemed like at any moment it could turn and peck your eyes out.  It was rather calm though and really enjoyed when you stroked its neck.

.

They had us sign liability release forms then it was time to ride.  I volunteered to go first.  They put a bag over the ostriches head to keep it calm then the guides helped me onto its back.  They lifted the ostriches wings, I tucked my legs in under them, and tried my best to wrap my legs around its body.  They told me to hold tight and we were off.  It was hilarious!!!  The bird ran around like crazy while the guide ran after us making sure I didn’t fall off.  It was fun but I don’t think it would be a reliable sources of transportation.

.

Me cracking up and Kahi about to cry.  Hahaha!

Kahi’s turn was next and they guys helped him onto the ostrich.  They let the ostrich go and it began to run.  Kahi tried to hold on but he began slipping off the back.  He didn’t make it very far around the corral.

Check out a video of our ride: