A dose of ShipBoy

Road Trip: Knysna to Addo

Well, we arrived at Eden's Touch mid afternoon on a drizzly and cool day.

Driving into the forest are between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay is an experience itself, but I think the perfect time to do is in fact on days like that. It adds an air of mystery to the forests.

Eden's Touch is a great getaway but is still close enough to civilization that if you forget the bottle opener or backed beans you can get one in under half an hour. We spent 3 wonderful nights here: braaiing, playing scrabble, and enjoying wonderful bottles of wine.

Leaving Plettenberg Bay, we took the N2 towards Port Elizabeth, and while we did the obligatory stops at various curio stops, I did not tell Marcell that we would be stopping at Bloukrans Bridge. For those who don't know, this is the site of the world's highest commercial bungy jump: 261 heart pounding, adrenaline pumping meters.

After the usual shall we or shan't we debates, we put down our moolah and got rigged up to do the deed. This was my second time to do Bloukrans, which made it a lot easier than the first time. I will say this though, this time it did not feel like flying... it felt like falling! However, I still thoroughly enjoyed it! Marcell also did it, and we both did the flying fox onto the bridge instead of the steel cage walk. That was definitely worth it. Had a quick bite to eat after we got back on solid ground and then it was time to get back on the road.

We drove on towards Port Elizabeth, through a ton of road work and the turned off the high way to make our way to Kirkwood, where we were staying next to use as our base to explore Port Elizabeth, Addo and Grahamstown.

More about that next time...

Later

M

Road Trip: Oudsthoorn to Knysna

Its been tough trying to stay connected and to trowel through hundreds of photos each day. I guess that is one thing one can say about digital photography: One doesn't have to be careful of how you use your exposures.

Marcell and I had a great time in Oudtshoorn. The Celtic Bushman where we stayed was a really comfortable and inviting B&B. With the high temperatures of an Oudsthoorn Summer, the pool right outside our room was the best thing ever. Was perfect just to jump into when the heat got too much. Roxanna was the perfect host and really spoilt us with great breakfasts and wonderful hospitality everyday.

The day we left the cooler weather set in and our drive across the Outeniqua Mountains to George came as a bit of a temperature shock to our systems. It had cooled down considerably when we got to the top of the pass and shorts and t-shirts were no longer adequate. Fortunately as we got to the coast and stopped at Victoria Bay, the weather was certainly much more pleasant albeit cooler.

We stopped at Dolphin Point between George and Wilderness and could see where the rock slides have blocked the railroad for the Outeniqua Choo-Choo causing its seemingly indefinite shut down. A great pity as we really wanted to do that while in the area.

We arrived in a warm and muggy Knysna just at lunch time and enjoyed walking around my old stomping grounds which has changed dramatically in the 3 years since I was last there. Shopping Mall city now. But still maintains some of its rustic charms when driving out to the Heads.

We stayed at Inyathi Lodge for 3 nights which is the heart of Knysna but still gives the feeling of being away from it all. Bungalow 6 which is at the top of the hill, has the added benefit of being well away from noise and bustle.

We unfortunately managed to to be in Knysna during all the rain so spent a lot of our time trying to be out of the rain. But we did manage to do a sunset on Buffels Bay beach with one of my friends who is still in town.

So far this trip has really been about relaxing... Lets see how the next few weeks go. Off to Plettenberg Bay and the Tsitsikamma next.

Later

M

Road Trip: Barrydale

Hi All

We managed to post some photos on the Barrydale section of the road trip page.

Check out the first batch :D

Martin

Road Trip 08

Hi All

So Marcell and I are in South Africa and have begun our road trip. So far the weather has been amazing and wonderful. Really been good for us.

We have set up a map to track our trip. As we get to places, we will update it with photos and such.

We will post more blogs below this one in the near future so please stay tuned.

UPDATE: We have posted pictures for Barrydale, Oudtshoorn and Knysna

Later

M

Time to fly...

So once again the time has come for me to leave another ship.   It has been a very, very interesting contract.   The hardest part was being apart from Marcell for 5 months.   The best part was him cruising with me this last week.

Tonight we fly to South Africa via London which basically means a 6 hour lay over at Heathrow.    Not as bad as I have had in the past.   Pity about the terminal change though.  Past experience has never been good there.   (and again..)  All I can say is: thank you for putting the hand luggage limit back to normal!

So what is happening this vacation?   Well a lot actually.   Marcell and I are doing a road trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg over 30 days.   Going to be a really interesting time.  Taking him to places where I haven't been in years and also to places I have never been too. 

We will certainly be blogging and writing about it so stay tuned...

Well,  I will get back to waiting for our turn to leave.   Looking forward to seeing everyone in SA!

Later

M

Like a Duck to Water?

Its back to the grindstone...

Got back to work today after the most amazing and hectic vacation. So much happened to make everything so interesting and also so hard to get back to work.

The flights back were long, but for a change nothing went wrong and I actually got to Miami feeling quite refreshed! I stayed friends out in Hollywood which was great. I had a cool afternoon and evening hanging out with them and got to see friends from many moons ago. Tammy, it was so good to see you to! Good luck with everything in the next few months.

Internet access is going to be a bit on the hard side, but I heard of a great new cafe in St Thomas right on the pier that offers free wifi!

I am not really sure how I really feel about being here yet. Hopefully during the next week or so I will be able to sort that out.

Right now I am so jealous of Marcell... he is able to verbalize so well in so few words, and I try so hard to put the right words down but don't ever seem to get it quite right. Its really hard sometimes maybe because its so public, but then I struggle when I write emails too. Any tips?

Anyway, hopefully I will get my head around everything going on. Tomorrow its back to gym! Boy do I need it after all those wonderful meals and wines in the last 2 months!

Later

M

Hot, hot, hot

Hi everyone...

Marcell and I have spent the last week and a half doing a lot of running around. Finalizing a number of wedding arrangements has been taking up most of our time. We have also been looking around at properties in the area to buy and have found something that we are waiting to hear on.

It has been incredibly hot here in Vancouver. Today it is expected to go up to 36 degrees celsius which is about the same as the last 2 days. Coming from a hot country in the first place, I just laugh at the locals who are all suffering from the heat. Although it is hot, its not very humid which makes it very bare-able. We may go seek refuge in a cinema if it gets too hot though - Harry Potter starts today. Looking forward to seeing that! I also pre-ordered the last Harry Potter book and waiting for that to be delivered - probably next Saturday (21st).

Not much other news on this side. Will keep you posted on the property side...

Later

M

Home Sweet Home

Hi Everyone

Just to let you know that I have arrived safely in Vancouver and have gotten home in good condition..

Just waiting for Marcell now who should be home just before Midnight tonight :D

Later

M

Travel Travesty Part II

Ok, so I am now in Houston. Unfortunately my delayed flight from Miami caused me to miss my connection. Continental has accommodated me at a nearby Holiday Inn with complimentary Internet Access which is great!

So know I will only get to Vancouver at Noon tomorrow, but in a way its better - it gives C&A the night off :)

Anyway, not much else.. Flight to Houston was fine if late, not much in the line of entertainment or food, but then that has pretty much disappeared from the North American Airline industry.

Well, my dinner has just arrived so I am going to log off now.

Later

M

Travel Travesty

So after my loooong day of standing in queues and waiting for things to happen, I finally get to Miami International, check in and relax waiting for my flight to Houston. No problem so far.. until they announce that the flight from Houston is delayed by almost an hour!

I only had a 47 minute layover in Houston in the first place.

It sounds like all flights are delayed in and out of Houston, but who knows by how much. So right now they cannot tell me if I even have a chance of catching the Vancouver flight or not. But our expect arrival time in Houston is 10 minutes after the other flight is due to leave.

This is going to touch and go..

Wish me luck everyone!

Later

M