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

Day six from Grahamstown to Hartenbos

DAY SIX - FROM GRAHAMSTOWN TO HARTENBOS

Prickly pears for breakfast

ADRIAN PTASZYŃSKI

People's Republic of SA

Another half a day of driving through the country. The amounts of kilometres we traverse every other day is just shocking – in Poland we would have already crossed the country from north to south already. Twice, I presume. Finally we arrived at the little seaside town of Hartenbos. Ah, Hartenbos – cold wind, constant rain, the Baltic-like beach and the ATKV's holiday resort which looks like a post-communist hostel straight from the 1950's. If I would not know better, I would feel like home. The evening was accompanied by a delicious vis en patat braaied by the local ATKV, as well as the unlimited ''serve yourself'' fridge with such native delicacies as Castle and Windhoek. The meal was considerably easier – and faster – to digest for my picky stomach than the braai in Durban – I still could not finish all of it, but the chewing was definitely smoother. We have also met the funniest woman up to date in South Africa – a lady from ATKV littering us with interesting stories about how she has met the 'Mampoer King' once, apparently a skilled spirits brewer and drinker, and how she herself is not much worse than him.

AGATA LEŚNOWOLSKA

So we’re traveling again. On this road we were supposed to bungee jump but we were too scared or too sick. So we stopped next to some other high, high bridge and look down. Very impressive, very scary. Everyone was relieved they wouldn’t bungee-jump.

What was incredibly important about this day is the fact that we ate our first 

pie. I got the black pepper steak one and it was amazing. Again, we need to pie Poland up.

We visited a beautiful place that we later identified as Natures Valley Beach. It was very peaceful and calm and one just wanted to sit there and think. We also encountered a bokkie with white dots on her back which I now using my Kruger Park Map identify as bushbok. Not a big score after Kruger Park, but then it was very exciting.

Another ATKV braai made me realize I liked the first one better. The big, empty hall was quite intimidating as well as the amount of food which landed on my plate. I enjoyed my fish very much but after I started to sweat trying to eat it all I knew I had to give up. And then of course the dessert. Delicious. But I had tears in my eyes because Michał wouldn’t hoover and so much of it was wasted on my weak stomach. 

Natures Valley Beach

ILONA KARNIŁO

For half of that day I was regretting that I decided not to bungee jump. Everyone was encouraging me to jump, however I don’t think I would be brave enough to do it. The jumping point was on our way to Hartenbos. The weather, to our surprise and relief, was quite gloomy that day. We’ve stopped for a short stroll along the Nature’s Valley beach. Once we arrived to Hartenbos, we hurried to the beach. The waves were as high as in Durban, so, again, we just jumped for a while and then got bored. Then we freshened up a bit and explored the neighbouring shops. In the evening, while it was pouring down outside, we had a pseudo braai (it was indoors). We ate freshly baked bread with jam, fish with sweet potato and some kind of dessert. People from ATKV were very friendly, especially a guy who gave us a lot of takeaway beer.

Our first bushbokkie

ZUZANNA WALISZEWSKA

Next day we were leaving Grahamstown and heading to the next destination. In the morning, during a breakfast, we thanked our hosts and gave them some gifts reminding them of Poland and our tour. Thanks to that we could talk a little bit more about Poland. Liz and Chris were amazed by the Polish architecture and monuments. Isn’t it a wonderful feeling when people from a different continent, living thousands of kilometres away from you, are interested in your own country? I wish we could have talked more. I got a feeling that they really wanted to visit Poland one day.

On that day we were supposed to do a bungee jump, but according to Professor Olivier’s  we “chickened out”. Well, thanks to my chickening out my heart is still beating and I could have taken part in the rest of the tour. Although none of us was brave enough to jump, on our way to Hartenbos, we actually could see the bridge we were supposed to jump from. At that time I realised “Thanks God for my heart condition, because I don’t have to come up with more ridiculous excuse for not doing that”.  Just a few hours later, we had a next stop, just to admire Natures Valley Beach. That place took my breath away. There was no sun, just grey clouds hanging above turquoise ocean and fog-covered mountains. In the afternoon we finally arrived to Hartenbos, where we stayed at ATKV’s resort. Although the weather wasn’t like a South African weather, it didn’t prevent us from going to the beach and having fun. If this essay is read also by someone who is unfamiliar with our group, you need to know my dear reader, that we can have fun everywhere. Especially when there’s Michał or Adrian or Michał and Adrian around. At the end of the day we had a great opportunity to enjoy our second braai. It was the time when we all realised, that eating two pieces of brooitjies and drinking two bottles of beer won’t help you in eating the whole meal afterwards. Before coming to South Africa we heard that people eat a lot there. But the phrase “a lot” has changed dramatically during the tour. I remember sweating and almost crying over my plate, because we were all so full. And surprise surprise. There was a dessert coming. 

Hartenbos

MICHAŁ MARCINIAK

On our way to another ATKV's resort in Hartenbos we tried our first pies. I had the one with minced meat but my favourte one is pepper steak pie that I tried from Agata.  We unanimously stated that we lack something like this in Poland, especially at  the university. We even plan to start up a restaurant with pies in Poznań. I think we would make a fortune. We could stuff them with some Polish flavoures like we stuff 'pierogi'. We are in Nature's Valley which is extremely picturesque. We spent some time on the beach admiring the beauty of nature and taking pictures but we had to move on. We got to Hartenbos and immediately go to the beach before dinner. This time the ocean is not so warm, but still enjoyable. We all sit at the beach, drink some cold drinks and eat some snacks. Then we went to dinner. I think that after the meal we were all at least five kilograms heavier than before it. We had braaied fish, sweet potatoes and salad. We also tried fresh, homemade bread with homemade tomato jam. I was surprised because I have never tried jam made from tomatoes.

Chasers performing for ATKV Hartenbos