South Africa Reflections

Here's a video that I put together that sums up our amazing time in South Africa. It really was a most memorable trip. Enjoy.

South Africa - April 2010 from Chris McMorris on Vimeo.

Bouldering at Uvongo

We had spent a further 10 days (unplanned) in South Africa - but we certainly weren't complaining. Emily and I had both been in contact with our employers in the UK and we had both been told that we would still be paid our usual salary, regardless of the situation. An excellent problem to have!

We were lucky because we had Bini's folks to stay with and we had spent most of the past week lounging around on the beach and generally just chilling out. As we had made the most of our time in South Africa, we hadn't had a great deal of time to just chill out and enjoy the good weather - so now we were certainly making up for it! But today was our last full day, as we had managed to get booked onto flights back home tomorrow. Originally I was a little concerned about not getting home for another three weeks (which was what we were told originally) because I was due to lead my first Project for GWC on 10th May - so I really needed to be home to sort things out.

Bouldering at Uvongo beach, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Bouldering at Uvongo beach, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

We spent today at the stunning Uvongo Beach. While the others topped up their tans for one final time, I turned my attention to the shady sandstone cliffs towards the back of the beach. As I got closer, I could see a couple of bolts glinting in the sun; sport climbing routes. There was a very prominent overhanging roof a short way from the ground that was just crying out for some bouldering. The rock was a little damp but the friction wasn't bad and there where lots of big features to grab hold of to pull along the roof of the overhang. It didn't really matter that I was without my rock shoes, as it was mostly all about the arms. I had great fun traversing along the roof and occasionally pulling up and through on to the main headwall of the routes. The lines didn't look too difficult (as the difficulty seemed to be pulling over the initial roof to gain the main face) and certainly looked worthwhile. Wish I had a rope and some 'draws.

Bouldering at Uvongo beach, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Bouldering at Uvongo beach, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Bouldering at Uvongo beach, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

A great end to an amazing trip.

Tala Game Reserve, Durban and a big cloud of ash

After an amazing time in Cape Town, we all headed back to Pietermaritzburg for an excellent few days of Greek-style South African wedding celebrations. Bini and Terri had a great day and it was great to meet all of their friends and family. We were due to fly home to the UK in a few days but we were keen to make the most of our remaining time in this amazing country. We borrowed a couple of cars for the day and set off for Tala Game Reserve, just a short drive up the road. It was nowhere near on the same scale as Hluhluwe Umfolozi and was more like a commercial wildlife park. However, as the others hadn't experienced that until now it didn't diminish the day in the slightest. It was a great place and had most of the usual animals that we were all keen to spot - the highlight was the hippos in the middle of the lake catching some rays.

Rhinos at Tala Game Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

A Giraffe at Tala Game Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Zebra at Tala Game Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

The next day we said our goodbyes and headed to Durban airport to start our journey home. However, at the Emirates desk we were refused check-in and told that they weren't allowing any more passengers into Dubai airport (where our connection was) due to the Giant Volcanic Ash Cloud. We were told that they didn't have any more information for us at this stage and said that we had to call a number to try and get booked on the earliest available flight - because at the moment we were booked on a flight on 9th May 2010! Realising that we were stuck in South Africa for the foreseeable future, we all made plans to go our separate ways and make the most of the extra few days. Terri and Bini were going to head back down the coast to Margate and spend some time relaxing on the beach while the others were keen to head to Hluhluwe Umfolozi to have a proper safari experience. Emily and I decided to head back to the excellent Blue Waters Hotel and spend more time exploring Durban. It was decided that we would all head to Durban and have an evening meal together to reflect on and discuss our options over the next few days and how we were going to arrange to get home. We all headed to Durban and parked at the brand new Moses Mabhida football stadium - built for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. It really is an impressive sight and if you're visiting Durban it really is a must see attraction. The main feature of the stadium is the giant arch that spans high above the pitch and, of course, has a funicular-like train that travels up to the viewing platform at the top of the arch. Of course, being British and tourists, we jumped at the chance to look at the amazing views over the Durban skyline and to watch the sun go down - spectacular. It also gave me the opportunity to scout out the possibility of trying the Big Rush bungee swing tomorrow. It looked like a brand new and highly professional setup - unlike the one I had seen a few weeks ago at Oribi Gorge. After a nice meal, we all parted and Emily and I headed to our very comfy room in the hotel just up the road.

The Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa

The next morning we headed straight back to the Moses Mabhida stadium and I signed myself up for the bungee swing. After filling out the usual disclaimers, I was fitted with a rather shiny and new-looking Petzl full-body harness. I was then taken through the jumping procedure on a small platform in the reception area, as Emily looked on taking pictures. As I was getting geared up, a tour group of local primary school children came in and a few minutes later one of their teachers was gearing up beside me. The two of us where then led outside and were clipped onto the via ferrata-style setup to walk up the many MANY stairs to the jump platform. Meanwhile, Emily headed into the stadium to take pictures and document the chaos. As we climbed the steps with our instructor, the teacher told me that they were here on a school outing and part of the deal was that one of the teaching staff were able to have a jump for free; she drew the short straw. When we got to the platform at the top of the steps, we were able to look around and down into the stadium; getting an idea and a feel for the exposure - an amazing situation. In the stadium below, we could see all the kids waving, chanting and gazing up at us. I quickly suggested to the female teacher that she should go first so we weren't keeping the kids waiting! Without hesitating, she stepped forward and headed down the ladder and out onto the final platform. The kids below started to cheer loudly and chant her name and she was clipped into the bungee and was now ready to go. The instructors gave her a countdown but she froze at the last second, hesitated and then stopped completely at the edge of the platform; terrified. The instructors gave her some words of encouragement and started the countdown for the second time. This time she didn't hesitate and took a big step off the platform into the stadium - much to the delight of the class below. As I watched, I noticed that she got a good few seconds of free-fall through the air before the bungee kicked in - cool! She was winched back up to the platform and soon standing next to me again with a huge grin on her face. "It's brilliant!", she shouted at me. I turned around and made my way down the ladder onto the jump platform - no turning back now. I was soon clipped into the bungee, standing on the edge of the platform and gazing down towards the pitch below.
The count down began and I took a moment to look around and take in the situation and the stunning views all around. Then I took a big step forward. There was certainly a good few seconds of 'air', as I headed straight towards the perfect grassy playing surface, before the bungee kicked in with a gentle kick. Then I took a giant swing towards the other side of the stadium - on the way back I looked over and waved at Emily who was videoing the whole thing. It was a surreal experience dangling there in the middle of the empty stadium and being hauled back up to the platform - crazy stuff! After a long walk down the steps I was back on the ground a grinning at Emily from ear to ear - what an experience!

Practicing the jump before heading up to the roof for the real thing...

Inside the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa

Looking up to the jump platform inside the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa

Climbing down onto the jump platform - no turning back now...

Hanging in the middle of the stadium after a very big swing

On the way down after the jump... buzzing!

Nearly back on solid ground

We then headed to the massive Gateway Shopping Centre a short drive up the road. It was a pretty impressive place and they even had a large indoor climbing wall and a surf / wave simulator.

Wave simulator at Gateway Shopping Centre, Durban, South Africa

"The Rock" climbing wall at Gateway Shopping Centre, Durban, South Africa

This evening we headed back down the coast to Margate to spend a few days with Bini and Terri.

Champagne Valley, Drakensberg

After a long drive yesterday evening, we arrived safely at The Champagne Castle Hotel - situated deep in the Drakensberg Mountains. En route from Durban we drove towards an stunning red sunset behind the mountains. Unfortunately by the time we arrived at the hotel, it was completely dark and we had no idea what the surroundings looked like.

Champagne Castle, Drakensberg Mountains, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

In the morning we were treated to the most spectacular view of the mountains all around us. It turns out that the hotel is actually situated directly under the Champagne Castle ridge and we had great views of Cathkin Peak (3149 m), Sterkhorn, Mount Memory, Monk's Cowl and Dragon's Back. A stunning view that I would struggle to survive. I suddenly wished that I had done a bit more research into the mountains and that we were staying longer. I was drawn to the ridge but we had not the time or any equipment. Still... an amazing place... that must be revisited in the future (something else for the list!).

Champagne Castle, Drakensberg Mountains, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Emily and I at Champagne Castle, Drakensberg Mountains, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

We set off down the road again down the Midlands Meander tourist route towards Pietermaritzburg.
It would be the big day for Terri and Bini very soon and we were due to stay with Terri's parents in Pietermaritzburg. Before the wedding the plan was for us all to head to Cape Town to meet up with the rest of their UK guests - can't wait!

Durban and Margate

Emily and I are currently in South Africa combining our friends' wedding with our Easter break. Over the last few days we have been mainly based down the coast in the seaside town of Margate - Bini is from here and we have been staying with his parents.

Highest gorge swing in the world! Oribi Gorge, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Don't fancy it...

Highest gorge swing in the world! Oribi Gorge, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

The other day we visited the Oribi Gorge and the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve. As well as being a truly stunning natural feature in the landscape, Oribi Gorge is also home to the world's highest gorge swing - which I was keen to check out. Bini's folks had given us a lend of their courtesy car (their car was in the garage being fixed) for the day; a classic VW City with no A/C! As we left the built up areas of the coast and headed further in land, we passed quite a lot of townships and got an idea of what the real South Africa was about. It was quite an intimidating experience at first but we soon realised that it was just a different way of life. We left the main road and the road quickly turned into a dirt track - we noticed that all the other vehicles we met were 4x4s and there we were in our wee City... hilarious. After about an hour we arrived at the main gorge entrance, parked the car and got out to explore. It was now midday and the sun was beating down on us from the clear blue sky. The gorge was an amazing sight and it was certainly unlike anything I had ever seen before. As for the swing... it looked like a bit of a cowboy setup and the gear (harnesses, crabs, etc.) all looked a bit old school and looked like it could do with a safety inspection! Because of this, I didn't fancy it - I had also been told that there was a new bungy swing that had opened in the new football stadium in Durban which sounded much more appealing than what I was currently looking at!

Oribi Gorge, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

A typical South African road...

A typical South African car...

After deciding against the swing, we explored the gorge - there were a couple of trails around the top and a couple of rope bridges to cross. We then headed down the road again to explore the main game reserve. We paid our entrance fee and were simply given a map of the reserve. We spent some time exploring and spotting some of the animals. It was good fun but the animals weren't that exciting to be honest. The highlight was certainly the viewpoint with the viewing platform out over the side of the gorge. Standing there we really got a feeling for just how massive it was and the scale of the whole place.

Oribi Gorge, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Oribi Gorge, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Oribi Gorge, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

After we had told everyone back in Margate about our great day out, it was recommended that we go on a 'real' safari. To be honest, we hadn't even considered it because we didn't think we had time. But when we looked into it we realised that we could hire a 4x4 and drive there ourselves and still make it to Pietermaritzburg for the big day.
So yesterday we hired a brand new dual cab Toyota Hulux 4x4 and made our way up to Durban. We checked into the Blue Waters Hotel and went to explore the brand new uShaka Marine World. It's a really great place, especially for kids, and would recommend it to anyone visiting Durban and the surrounding area. It would seem that the South African government has spent a great deal of time, money and resources getting Durban ready as one of the main citys to host games in the Fifa 2010 World Cup - and it looks fantastic!

Oribi Gorge, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Impala. Oribi Gorge Game Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Durban Beachfront, South Africa

Durban Beachfront, South Africa

Clown Fish, uShaka Marine World, Durban, South Africa

Tomorrow we are heading further North to the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve for our very own Safari!