South Africa - Garden Route

Just came back from Garden Route, which I explored the lazy way - with Baz Bus, a hop-on hop-off bus service that shuffles backpackers from one hostel to another in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. It is quite convenient, but restricting - no interaction with the country.

I found Garden Route to be backpacker's paradise with the nicest hostels I have ever stayed at. All owners were super friendly; beds and sheets - soft and clean; bathrooms as good as at home.

My first stop was at Wild Tongue Backpackers in Nature's Valley where I spent the day hiking near Tsitsikamma National Park.

Next stop was Jeffrey's Bay (or how locals call it - J-bay), the mecca of surfing. Annual Billabong Pro contest packs this rather smalls village for a week. However, now in the winter on a cold day J-Bay was dead. At the hostel Ubuntu we were seven (max 26). On Sunday night we watched Casino Royal (every time I am trying to convince fellow travelers the main guy resembles Vladimir Putin, but I guess only Russians see it) on the big projector. Tucked between the pillows I felt I sneaked into somebody's house and should be kicked out. In fact, Ubuntu is the house of two surfers-owners living on the surfer's schedule - go to bed by 11 pm, rise at 7-8 am, check the surf. If the wave is good, surf.

The third stop was Storms River, where I tried Canopy for the first time. Maybe I was not swinging in the trees like Tarzan, but it was still pretty cool. Storm River is also home to the world's tallest bungee jump (216 m).

Then on to Wilderness, The Beach House Hostel with the views of the Indian ocean to the right, left and in front of you. I did nothing besides walking on the empty beach and hiking to Victoria Bay following the rail tracks.



The last stop was Swellendam, the third oldest white settlement in South Africa. Mountains, hiking trails and the town are charming.


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