The Wild Coast

South Africa is a stunning country. The landscape is spectacular and changing from region to region. Its a mix of the plains and mountains of America with the coastline of Australia. We arrived in Johannesburg and made a speedy exit in our rented Toyota Tazz (more later) down the motorway towards Durban. After stopping few a couple days in the Drakensberg Mountains we arrived in Durban. Durban is South Africas 2nd largest city and has a really nice feel. The suburbs of Durban are very similar to the suburbs of Sydney, lots of hills and leafy streets. Durban also has potentially the best snack delicacy anywhere in the world. Anyone who visits in inclined to try a 'bunny chow', which is either a 1/4 or 1/2 loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with wonderful spicy vegetable curry. It's fantastic and all for about $1.50.
The coastline south of Durban is called the Wild Coast. It consists of steep hills falling onto wide white beaches that are constantly pounded by big surf. There is no coast road so the beach communities that dot the coastline have a secluded feel. After leaving Durban we drove to Cintsa for a few days of fun in the sun. Leighanne fulfilled her dream of horseriding on the beach and continued sampling the inexpensive South African wine. We have determined that South Africa must be the only country on earth where wine is cheaper then beer. The hostel in Cintsa is South Africas best. A fantastic view of the beach below, plus loads of free activities and great rooms. We were even able to cook ourselves bangers and mash using some authentic kudu sausages (boerwors) recommend by the friendly Afrikans man at the beach shop. After our exploits at kayaking in Malawi, we tried our hand a canoeing up the river from the lagoon. We faired relatively well, apart from a few running aground moments.
After Cintsa, we left the coastline and headed back into the mountains to the small hamlet of Hogsback, which legends has it inspired Tolkein to write Lord of the Rings. In Hogsback we stayed at the hostel with the best name, Away With The Fairies. It has a beautiful garden with monkeys and birds filling the trees.
Our next stop was Port Elizabeth to visit Ronnie and Sybil at the orphanage Oceans of Mercy.