Phuthu Stay Phut, Don't go!

The rugged and unspoilt Wild Coast is a place of spectacular scenery. If you want a holiday miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the Transkei is definitely the place to go, and the small community of Coffee Bay is in particular a charming destination. There’s not much more here than some huts, a trading store, a couple of camping sites and a hotel, but the coast is absolutely stunning and the beach untouched between the green rolling hills and the sea.

I visited Coffee Bay a couple of years ago and am dying to return again soon. Back then, driving down the potholed road towards the sea, I was desperately trying to avoid hitting one of “Transkei’s Big Five” as goats, pigs, cows, horses and sheep crossed the road relentlessly. A rather nerve wrecking drive, but definitely worth it once you reach Coffee Bay and feel your body unwind rapidly.

In 1893 a ship carrying a cargo of coffee beans wrecked in the bay. Many beans washed ashore and germinated, resulting in coffee trees growing for a few years. The trees have long since died, and although Coffee Bay hasn’t grown into a big town tourism has become the lifeblood of the village.

Due to the inaccessible terrain and because of the Transkei having been ruled by the Xhosa nation since their arrival from further north in the late 1700s, the land has never been divided up into privately owned lands. As a result the Transkei, in all of South Africa, is where you are part of real Africa with functional tribal law and structure in place.

For the best Wild Coast experience I would without doubt recommend staying at the Coffee Shack, idyllically set under the trees at the mouth of Bomvu River. Owner of this rustic backpackers, renowned surfer dude David Malherbe, has always had an affinity with the Wild Coast and growing up he used to visit regularly for surfing and fishing trips. “I actually believe that Coffee Shack is a large part of the Coffee Bay experience, as arrogant as it may sound. It gives people the opportunity to feel comfortable and let their hair down, having loads of fun meeting a multitude of incredibly interesting people from the area and around the world,” he says.

With unemployment in the area being over 60% Coffee Shack is trying to involve the community as much as they can. There are several interesting and challenging activities to take part in, and all the guides on their tours are local kids who speak English. There is an overland route through the hills to Hole in the Wall, a famous Wild Coast landmark. You can swim across the Mpako River to the Hole and the bravest can do daunting cliff jumps. There is also a coastal hike to Hole in the Wall where you visit Shelly Beach, which boasts over 200 species of shells. Other exciting expeditions are the Umtata River canoeing trip through mangrove swamps, the Mpuzi cave walk, forest walks and visits to local families for tribal dancing, singing and dinner. The Coffee Shack also offers surfing lessons.

In years of living abroad and travelling around the world, David has always felt that the Wild Coast is the most unique and special bit of coastline he has ever come across. “There are many beautiful, untouched areas in the world, but there are few that are inhabited by cultures which are effectively more than 500 years old and still following their traditions,” he says. “I’m in Coffee Bay making my living, and it is an incredible place and environment to do so. I really love to see guests leave happy – or sometimes never leave.”

Every night as the sun disappears behind the cliffs in Coffee Bay, Coffee Shack Backpackers comes alive. There are always plenty of cold beers in the fridge and as reggae music mingles with laughter, the smell of yet another delicious, homemade supper (such as butternut soup and fresh bread) wafts through the camp… Can life get any better than this?

By Katrine

Accommodation in Coffee Bay:
The Coffee Shack
Bomvu Backpackers
Ocean View Hotel

I’ve asked the Phuthu girls a tricky question this week: What animal, found in the African bush, would best describe you and your personality? We all agreed that it was difficult to identify ourselves with just one animal. There are just so many of them, all so different and with such distinctive characteristics. But here’s what we all finally decided on..

Louise:
What animal would best describe me and my personality? Sjoe, this is a hard one! What animal is hard-working yet relaxed, playful yet serious, solitary yet social, organised yet clumsy, smart yet silly, loving yet guarded…told you it was a hard one! Perhaps I should choose a chimpanzee since they share 98% of their DNA with us. Then again, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll exude my complicated qualities. Mmm… I love elephants but does that mean that they would best describe me? I’m not sure that I know enough about them to say for sure. But what I do know is that they are family-orientated, strong, loving and they know where they’re going – irrespective of how long it’ll take to get there.

Elzet:
I would say I definitely fit in with the cat family for two reasons. When all is good I purr happily, but when I’m on the warpath I flaunt my nails, stand tall and get into fight mode (I would stand up against an army to fight for what I believe in).
If I have to choose a cat type it would probably be the leopard because of its elusive, shy nature. They prefer living in solitude and are capable of killing prey much larger then themselves (fighting the Giants, as in obstacles). And a leopard usually does not tolerate intrusion except to mate, which means my hubby finds himself on purrrfectly safe ground.

Kerry:
I would have to say a giraffe. They seem to be the most chilled out, as the one thing I have noticed about the bushveld is that all the animals are running around wondering when they going to be the next meal, always looking behind them or up to the skies. But the giraffe seems to be on Prozac or something, they even eat slowly. Can you imagine being able to look over everything and see when danger is coming? Man, it must be a fantastic view from up there!

Katrine:
I have decided that I am a chameleon. I might not have those parrot-like feet or those separately mobile and rather freaky stereoscopic eyes. Or that very long, highly modified and rapidly extrudable tongue. But I think I might have the swaying gait (at least when I have had a bottle or two of red wine). And what I definitely have is the ability to change colour. I can easily adapt and fit into most situations, and I like to think I can handle what’s thrown my way (most of the time). I don’t change the true me though, what you see is what you get… Take it or leave it! But I do know how to adjust and acclimatise myself – whether it’s into a new country and its culture, a new social group or a new job. Colour change in chameleons is also used as an expression of its physiological condition and as a social indicator to other chameleons… So watch out, I can be green, blue and grey all in one day (well, at least my eyes can) – depending on my mood.

We’re on a group ride in the valley of 1000 hills and I’m riding along the dead flat road, minding my own business, taking in the scenery around me and then all of a sudden – and I really mean all of a sudden – my handlebars and Binki Bonker’s handlebars are interweaving like koeksisters and I’m sliding and bouncing all over the ground watching my bike do the same thing two metres in front of me. It.all.happened.in.slow.motion.

I wouldn’t have thought my man was to blame had he not turned around quite so suddenly and said “Sorrrrry” with a guilty grin on his face. He felt real bad. He was bunny hopping into puddles and splashing Tania and Bink Bonker and somehow his actions set in place a chain reaction. The events unfolded like so: Tania sees imminent drenching of muddy water and swerves across into Binki, Binki swerves into me and I go break dancing on the gravel.

The suspect

The evidence.

A close-up of the evidence. Ewww!

This wasn’t sore but just thought I’d show you the evidence whilst you’re having breakfast. Hee Hee! Aren’t you glad I spared you the photo of my grazed buttocks? Yes, I see you nodding.

Emla – this is an anaesthetic cream which is great because you can clean the grit and dirt out of the wound without pulling your husbands chest hairs out.

This was the sore part: not the actual injection but the bruised feeling in my arm the next day. Apparently, it’s a side effect of Tetanus injections so if you ever get one, don’t feel alarmed if your arm feels as though you’ve just been shot with a paint ball gun the following day. Also, if you plan on doing the Tetanus shot yourself, remember that it’s a subcutaneous injection so you need to pinch the skin slightly and aim the needle at a slight angle. You don’t want the needle to go into the muscle.

If you haven’t had a Tetanus shot in the last 5 years or if you’re a paddler or mountain biker or someone that just likes to roll around in mud puddles or thorn bushes for the hek of it (psychos), it’s recommended that you get a jab.

As my man says, we’re all in between falls – mine are just more frequent than his.

The African Grey Parrot is a medium-sized parrot endemic to primary and secondary rainforests of West and Central Africa, and experts regard it as one of the most intelligent birds on Earth. Feeding primarily on palm nuts, seeds, fruits and leafy matter, they have also been observed eating snails. Their overall gentle nature and their inclination and ability to mimic speech have made them popular pets.

This photo was taken by Kerry Horrocks at a quaint little restaurant  just outside Cape Town – where the parrot, the restaurant’s mascot, is carried around on the owner’s shoulder all day.

Kiss Cancer Goodbye Pretoria

When: Saturday, 22 August 2009
Where: Velmore Hotel Pretoria

This year, in celebration of Women’s Month, the Kiss Cancer Goodbye Ladies Day, will be held at Velmore Hotel in Pretoria on Saturday 22 August 2009.

Loads of entertainment with celebrity speakers including Edith Venter, the personal branding guru Mala Suriah as well as the saxophonist Brad Neille, Look out for, spot prizes, mini-expo, a fashion show with Look Good…Feel Better patients and a silent auction.

Make an effort and contribute to the Kiss Cancer Goodbye tribute wall, you contributions will go towards Look Good…. Feel Better Foundation.

Tickets cost R350 each and includes a lunch and a goodie bag.
For more details contact: Elfin Events on +27 (0)11 465-8521
More Info: Website

Every single one of us as has known someone who has battled Cancer, whether it’s a distant family member, friend, immediate family or even yourself, cancer can be beaten and it up to each one of us to make a difference, contribute when and wherever you can.

If you are not in the Pretoria vicinity and would like to contribute towards the cause, the Cancer Association of South Africa takes donations of any amount, big or small.

Click to donate: CANSA……. click click!

Caster Semenya, South Africa’s young running sensation shook off gender speculations and went on to win the women’s 800m final at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin on Wednesday night. In a winning time of 1 minute, 55.45 seconds, she was streaks ahead of her competitors, including the defending champion Janeth Jepkosgei who she beat by a staggering 2.45 seconds! With such a convincing victory at only 18 years of age, Semenya certainly has a bright future ahead of her. Well Done!