After a day in Durbs we went straight down to the Transkei, 6 hours south from Durban. Still very rural and untouched, it’s like walking into a time warp and a slice of old Africa.
The green rolling hills are dotted with rondavals, (round thatch huts big enough for a bed and table) and the very friendly locals that wave as you drive by. After endless dirt roads we finally caught a glimpse of the sea, a light south west blew, flattening the ocean and cleaning out the water. We stayed at Umdumbi backpackers, a minute from the best beach in Southern Africa as voted for by a local travel mag, and if you saw what we saw you’d have to agree! A long white beach, flanked by green rolling hills. You have the entire place to yourself, and are kept company by the cows. It’s a bit of a strange site and totally unexpected but somewhat stereotypical of this place- the cows that is. The backpacking scene in S.A is class and well organized, and I’ve been very impressed with just how friendly everyone is with us, no more so than here. (Transkei). After 4 days surfing crystal clean waters and spotting marlin tailing just beyond backline the weather forced us back to Durbs, where we are staying with granti , my roomie from kibbutz. The last few days have been spent cruising around Durban and the surrounds as well as catching some pretty hairy shore break in the afternoons. Durban has a much laid back lifestyle that’s centered around the beach, and I have enjoyed very much getting back into the scene. Just like the Transkei, Durban Fever has gripped me like a warm friendly hand, but with less than 7 weeks left its time to say bye-bye and head for the hills.
