WILL YOU WIN R1-MILLION?
FINDERS KEEPERS
TLusikisiki and Flagstaff, our mood buoyed by the sight of shop names such as “Good Luck Charm” and “New Feelings”. We also stopped to watch the Pondo Chiefs Football Club doing afternoon football practice on their dusty makeshift pitch.
Everywhere we went, people had a tale to tell, such as Lin whom we met at a little bar on the Mtamvuna River who gave us tips on what to see when we get to her “favourite town of Port St Johns”.
By the third day, we were enjoying its beautiful beach — where cows roam free — and its amazing views. Thanks to legendary bush-dwelling resident ex-politician Ben Dekker, we also took an awesome 3km hike down the coast to the blowhole at The Gap.
Then to Mthatha and down the rocky, winding road to Coffee Bay (see the story on the next page) where we chilled for two days — and recommend that you do too.
Coffee Bay is small, but has a good vibe which attracts tourists from all over the world, and for good reason — it is surrounded by immense beauty, and offers many diversions and attractions.
We would have liked to linger but it is a long road from Coffee Bay to Queenstown — our next night stop — and we had to move on. If you like road trips, it is a pleasant drive, just go slowly and take it all in — the rolling hills, the kids waving from the roadside, and soon, the barrier of mountains that rise into the sky as you approach Queenstown. In short, a beautiful journey. RADING the concrete jungle for a lush green environment is always a pleasure, especially when the trip starts with a drive from Durban down to the Wild Coast.
With no clue of what to expect, excitement filled our Europcar-sponsored bus as we drove south, all of us alert to see what we could explore along the way.
First stop was a moment to touch the ocean in Scottburgh as the TOMSA/Sunday Times Finders Keepers team took a moment to breathe in the good sea air.
Then we headed to Oribi Gorge where amazing adventures await the brave. There’s the “Wild Gorge Swing” on which you swing into the gorge, abseiling, ziplining and whitewater rafting on the Mzimkulu River. For R5 you can walk across a high suspension bridge too.
An hour’s drive took us to a VIP welcome at the Wild Coast Sun Resort & Casino. There are plenty activities here too, such as a boat ride on the Mtamvuna River, Segway and quad bike trails, the fantastic Wild Waves Water Park, a spectacular golf course and walking and horse riding on the beach.
Since we arrived at sunset, the boat cruise was the best way to end the day, followed by a braai on the opposite river bank, which meant we were, really, still in KwaZulu-Natal.
After a quick visit to Beaver Creek Coffee Farm — a great stop for those interested in how coffee beans are prepared — we hit the road to Port St Johns, passing through Bizana,