Day seven Oudtshoorn

DAY SEVEN - OUDTSHOORN

Breakfast?

MICHAŁ MARCINIAK

We started day with breakfast at Spur. And now it is time for adventure. We are in Cango Caves and we are all terrified a bit. It is all because we are supposed to take an adventure tour through the caves. Eventually, only me and Adrian took up the challenge. I barely made it. Everything was more or less okay until so-called Devil's Chimney. This must be some kind of a joke! I freak out...justifiably. It is a steep shaft about 45 centimetres wide which leads upwards for some 3,5 metres. First attempt- I got stuck. Second one- success. One minute later I encounter another, even smaller opening. NO WAY! I crawl. The only exit route is a low, wide slot. It is only 27 centimetres high. I had to inhale, otherwise I would not be able to make it. Fortunately it was the last obstacle. After all, I was angry but proud of myself. Later on we went to Cango Ostrich Farm. First we all tried ostrich meat. I had the opportunity to feed an ostrich with my mouth and I saw a dwarf ostrich. I could not ride on an ostrich because I am too heavy (probably because of yesterday's dinner.) We finished the day with dinner at Spur.

Oudtshoorn

ZUZANNA WALISZEWSKA

Second day in Hartenbos was the day of ostriches. And also the day of chickening out. Even twice for some of us. Firstly we had an opportunity to visit Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn. We didn’t know that Professor Olivier bought the tickets for adventure tour. Anyone who knows us, is aware of the fact that we are not those kind of people who crawl and climb on some rocks, tens of kilometres below the ground. Adrian and Michał were the only one who faced this challenge. We, girls, said “No way”. Instead of that we could just take a walk in the caves, admiring the beauty of nature. Boys came back looking like they miraculously survived the battle. At least they proved their bravery. The next challenge was just waiting for us.
Before coming to South Africa everyone was keep telling me how awesome riding on ostriches is. I was quite excited to experience that, but I’m not hiding it now, that at that time I wasn’t quite sure if I wanted to do it. We arrived to Cango Ostrich Farm in Oudtshoorn. Firstly, we ate ostrich meat and then we had a short lecture about ostriches. Some of us could hug and kiss them. We also could stand on an ostrich egg and it was still in one piece. Without a single crack. At the end, we had a great opportunity to ride on an ostrich. And it was the time of chickening out. Boys appeared to be too heavy, even for the strongest and biggest ostrich. The rest of us decided that we are not going to hurt this cute and innocent animal. We were so proud of our brave move that I couldn’t wait to tell that to Professor Olivier. But it turned out that it wasn’t something to be proud about. Apparently, riding on an ostrich was something that we were supposed to do. No one expected that we’ll get so emotional. At the end of the day, we spent some time on the beach and then we ate dinner at Spur. During that dinner we tried ice cream float. That was something. Soda with ice cream. It’s like combining the most unhealthy food into one drink. I didn’t become a fan of it, but maybe I’ll try it at home during hot summer days. That would be a nice reminder of South Africa. 

Ostrich lunch

ILONA KARNIŁO

In the day, after a big breakfast at Spur, which we rated as the best breakfast in chain restaurants, we traveled to Cango Caves.  After we all got entrance tickets to the caves, we learned that it is an extreme tour around the caves, which includes crawling in very low corridors or walking through very barrow spaces. Michał and Adrian were brave enough to accept the challenge and went on this so-called adventure tour. The girls and I gave up end didn’t enter the caves. As we were walking back with frowns on our faces, one of the guides approached us and suggested that we go on the mild and safe heritage tour, so we don’t waste our tickets. When the boys had come back, they were terribly exhausted.

The second stop that day was the Ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn. Firstly, to get the feel of the place, we ate some ostrich for dinner. It was nothing special, but definitely worth trying. We then learned a lot about ostrich from our guide at the farm, fed an ostrich and hugged one as well. We didn’t ride one, as we felt too sorry for the animals.

Michał with his new friend

Cango Ostrich Farm

AGATA LEŚNOWOLSKA

Around our trip to Oudtshoorn I realized I like the Karoo. Driving through the Klein Karoo I fell in love and I started to be really curious about the Great Karoo. I wish we could spent more time there.

Prof. Olivier told us the most amazing thing: when there are no trees sheep stand closely and give shade to each other.

There was so much hustle and bustle and emotions that I almost forgot what the Cango Caves were all about. They were really remarkable in terms of the size and formations that could be found inside. Although we only went for the heritage walk, it was very magical when in the end our tour guide used one of the formations as a drum, because its sound was very similar, and sang Shosholoza.

Now, ostriches are actually more scary than they are cute. They are cute from afar. I’m not really sure what happened with the ride. I know I was scared, like I always am of this kind of adventures (from my youngest years animals including dogs, horses, goats, donkeys and ostriches tend to bite me when I try to pet them) but even I must admit the ride itself was quite grotesque, as it lasted three seconds and there were two guys holding the ostrich during it.

Anyway, a big sensitive issue aroused causing much distress in the group and the CP Nel Museum was a perfect place to run away from it. The museum itself was very traditional but it was surprisingly interesting (or relaxing after the whole day of adventurousness). Of course the Polish element drew everyone’s attention; especially that it was quite a remarkable little story. 500 refugee children finding home in South Africa during war years. One would like to see similar hospitality in Poland now. On a lighter note, there were a lot of dresses and I don’t even know how to call them, rich, fluffy accessories, hats, gloves, all emblazoned with ostrich feathers. It made me laugh. I have never seen fashion less reasonable. 

CP Nel Museum

The “exhibition” ‘Kliplokasie en sy Mense’ was the highlight of the day for me. There was a wall of photographs taken by children between 8 and 14 who were documenting everyday life in their community. It was done as a visual art project by a local photographer and its effects were stunning for me. You could literary see the world through child’s eyes. And it was a beautifully natural perspective. A lot of smiling, dancing, running, playing. Nothing staged, no tricks – just kid’s life.

ADRIAN PTASZYŃSKI

The Harrowing of Ostriches

The infinity of my manlihood just got doubled. Me and Michał took an Extreme, also known as Adventure, Tour at the infamous Cango Caves and (barely) survived. The girls busted out as soon as they heard about all the crawling, ducking and squeezing that awaits in the infernal depths of the underground complex, but for me, it was a definition of an enjoyable afternoon. I have learned that my body is much more flexible and adaptable than I thought. The only moment I thought I might not handle it was the dark Devil's Chimney, a vertical shaft of narrow rocks where there is only one, quite challenging move possible at any given time, including push-ups using only your hands to lift up your whole body. But we made it and I am proud and are still awaiting my Medal of Honour. Sadly, we have also visited a terrifying concentration camp for ostriches in Oudtshoorn, where they are forced to run around carrying fat tourists on their delicate backs. A harrowing experience! The meat was nice, though... I have also kissed with an ostrich lady, largely because I had some special treat in my mouth, but is it not the case for most of the kisses you get in life? Metaphorically speaking, of course...

Klein Karoo

And dinner in Hartenbos again:

famous ice cream float