Playing Tarzan and Jane in Tsitsikamma Forest

I just finished a treetop canopy tour in the Tsitsikamma Forest in Storms River. It was really fun zipping from tree to tree via cables on a little pulley! The guides tell you a bit about the forest and birds, but really all I can remember is that I was traveling between South African yellowood trees (that have another name as well), because I was more interested in the cable system and platforms that were put together without any nails in the trees. Quite a thrilling ride too. :)

Before arriving in Storms River today, I was in the Eastern Cape/Transkei/Wild Coast, and spent a few days in Coffee Bay. Stunning coastline, nice beaches, but if anyone wants to know what kind of beach person I am they should ask Laura about our trip to Croatia, and how, upon returning, what's-his-name-volunteer said I didn't look like I had been near a beach at all I was still so pale. Plus, since I'm still nursing the wounds on my feet, I didn't think salt water would be so much fun. Thus, I did a nice hike along the coast and that was that. There was decent coffee in Coffee Bay, which has been a constant issue for me. Nescafe instant "coffee" is NOT acceptable. Blech. Anyway, the Transkei is often refered to as "real Africa" which I find annoying, since last time I checked I was in South Africa on the continent of Africa, so if somewhere I've been so far is fake Africa, I'd really like to get some money back.

Other SA randomness: Did you know that in SA, all hostels are also called backpackers? But not all backpackers are hostels... Cookouts and bbqs are called braiis, and the SA beef jerky (though not always beef) is called biltong, which would only be more amusing if it were pronounced "Bill Tongue" (alas, it is not...). I picked up a few Zulu words two weeks back, but of course since I'm no longer in a Zulu area, they are not so useful. People are nice when they are not trying to scam you at the ATM (and failing miserably - don't mess with the herd of backpackers), and the landscapes are awesome as I think I've noted but should reiterate again. Tomorrow I'm going to check out more of the forest on bike and relax. Because traveling and doing whatever I want every single day is somehow tiring at times.

Happy Birthday to my Dad today too.