Arriving in SA - land of MEAT
We arrived happily in Richards Bay on the 1st
of November. It was really crazy! The wind was totally mad and we spent most of
the day averaging 12.6kts (the fastest we have ever been!), with 3-4kts of
current.
We arrived on the international dock which had
electricity AND water which you didn’t even have to pay for!
But even SA was not safe from the
hurricane-condition winds that were forcing their way along the coast of South
Africa: we got into the harbor of Richards Bay just before the wrath of the
winds came! The very next day, at 4 O ‘ clock in the morning we all were up and
about, gazing in terror at the dock that had snapped in half and was giving way
in the weak points!
The next minute, all you could hear was all of
the creaking of the dock and the smashing tiles that fell from the poorly
maintained roof of the mall.
Some
boats endured quite severe damage; boats even got some dents outside the
structure of the actual boat!
And, as all boats do, we had to haul out in
Zululand marina and do some underside work on the paint in our boat. We all
really hated being on the hard: dust would be flying everywhere, monkeys would
be eating our fruits and spilling half of the juices and food everywhere – even
on the cushions (Mum got so ANGRY when they did this)!
So then we got so fed up of having to clean up
the boat all the time that one day we rented a mini car and went on a mini
safari to St Lucia National park. We got to go on a mini boat ride up the river
and got to see Nile Crocs and Hippos! For me, it was really fascinating how all
of the hippos were grouped together in families and how if you were 1.2m tall,
you could fit inside a hippos mouth: standing up!
Soon, we were back in the water and smiling a
friendly “Hello!” to our friend Mike who had come all the way from England to
see us and a bit of SA.
I really liked the title, as I can imagine a meat lover like you would be eager to taste some proper steak.
It was amazing trying to realize the windy trip that took you to SA and the early morning fright!
I am looking forward some pictures of you all in the safari!.
Take care, we love you all!