“So we’re in Africa, the southern part, about seven hundred kilometres up out of Cape Town and we’re travelling up from Buffalo Bay to the Storms river mouth in a bus we have affectionately christened “The Beast” for the manner in which she turns a four hour bus ride into an eight hour one. But that’s cool, because it gives everyone enough time to get to know one another really well and that’s nice on a road trip and this is Episode 4.”

On route, we stop of at a farmstall to buy a few goodies.

“I’m down to one bottle of wine a day, and it’s this one (chuckles)... (laughter)... It’s supposed to be just a whole group of friends, travelling together, having a good time... and... its logistically, it’s a nightmare, its three meals a day...”

“Now camping is not everyone’s scene, but I’ve got to tell you. When you’re with a group of friends who all go the extra mile to set up a little village purely dedicated to waking up with a view of the ocean, you’ve got to know you’re in good company.”

We setup camp that night, everyone chills, Jenny feeds us and early the next morning, Justin cooks Tortilla, and our energetic crew take a walk through the forest to the suspension bridge.

“Now the whole point of waking up before dawn, is really only one thing. To maximize the hours in the day that you can play. And play we do. And at the end of the day, we really are just big kids.”

“Now, we’ve found this... awesome little spot that you can see from down there. Up this ravine, here, take a look. It just disappears, and then it’s like this cavey (cave) thingy down there...”

“Now. You could imagine having lived here 2000, 3000 years ago, you would have had, like, your fireplace here. You would have woken up in the morning... to that, everyday.”

Later on in the day, we head off to a balcony, compliments of the restaurant, overlooking the ocean to prepare late lunch, early dinner - kebabs in 3 or 4 different ways: chicken, seafood and vegertarian. While Justin and Fran prep the ingredients, some of the crew go tree topping in a nearby forest and later that evening, we grill them (the kebabs) on a fire.

"They reckon the abseiling wasn’t fun at all. Yeah, Yeah... Okay guys... hungry... or those that are hungry, come!"

"When we woke up in the morning, the weather had taken a turn for the worse and it was time for us to get out of here. After all we needed the sun, and it was time for us to head inland towards Hogsback via Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth and to stay with Ron and Liz at the Coolin Trout Lodge."

Short description of Accommodation:

Forest huts: our basic units, with 2 single beds in each hut, cutlery and crockery for 2 people and linen is provided, communal kitchen and communal ablution facilities, situated in a created forest.

Forest cabins: equipped with 2 single beds, a bathroom with toilet and shower, and a partially equipped kitchen (no stove), situated right on the ocean.

Chalets: 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, sleeper couch in the lounge, fully equipped bathroom with a shower/bath and a toilet, kitchen is fully equipped, situated on the ocean front and on a hill.

Family cottages: 2 bedrooms with 2 single beds in each, fully equipped bathroom and kitchen, has an ocean view.

Oceannettes: apartment-type flats, open plan unit with 3 single beds in them, fully equipped bathroom and kitchen, situated on the ocean front.

Camp/Caravan Sites: communal kitchen and communal ablution facilities, with or without electricity.

Directions from closest major city:
65km from Plettenberg Bay
95km from Knysna
160km from George
600km from Cape Town
190km from Port Elizabeth