Goodbye my friend :(

  Jefferey's Bay, South Africa
Monday, February 13, 2006

Kirsty's time was running out, fast, before she had to be back at work (boo!). We only had a week to get her to J'burg, and after the taste of Capetown, Kirsty was ready and roaring to see a bit more of South Africa. So, we attempted to get a lift along the 'garden' coastal route to Port Elizabeth. We did the rounds of the hostels in Capetown and put up signs. Yet again lady luck was with us, in the form of a wonderfully polite Canadian gentleman going by the name of Colan.

Colan was visiting South Africa for a few weeks on a quick break from life working as a HR manager at an oil refinery. He had hired a car and had already picked up two German ladies (Kristina and Simone) and was willing to give up the extra breathing space to squeeze us and our bags in the car. So, with little space to spare, off we set, cozy as could be, down the very scentic route to Ostrich-ville (some place that starts with 'O', and NO, I don't want to ride an ostrich!). There we met up with some Norwegian nurses Colan had befriended previously (quite the ladies man he be) and did some good ol' fashioned communal cooking. Life is great!


The next day we headed for reputedly, one of the top 3 surf beaches in the world, Jeffery's Bay. The local backpackers was (fortunately) full so Kirsty and I took Colan around town, determined to find him decent accomodation. We saw a posh looking place and decided to try our luck. Only a 3 bedroom apartment was available that night. We were gutted, but being a sucker for punishment and all, Colan asked the question: "For the sake of my morbid curiousity, can you please tell me the price?" The answer was 250. "250 RAND?" we asked, not quite believing it (250R is about US$35) - and the answer was indeed rand. Trying not to look like the cat ate the cream we hastily made further negotiations to allow all 4 of us girls to stay there as well, before we settled into our very own APARTMENT on the beach front. We were in paradise! It was a waste to only stay there a night so a full 3 days were spent at Jeffery's Bay, enjoying our space, the sun, the shopping (lots of surf shops) and the beach... and trying not to think that Kirsty was soon to leave.


Unfortunately, very unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Including the end of Hannah-and-Kirsty-do-Africa. What a great trip its been, and what a great combination we have been - when I didn't feel like talking Kirsty did it, and vice versa. We shared the attention, our food, our money, our lives for the last 6 months. Its been pure joy (and the odd fight or two, but who's counting!) to travel my first big trip with my great mate Kirsty. So, the last night out was going to be just the two of us and a huge bowl of alcohol and a plate of seafood. The next morning the goodbyes were said at PE Airport and the odd tear shed. And now the loneliness of travel without Kirsty sets in :( As James Blunt says "goodbye my friend...." (just ignore the "goodbye my lover" bit which comes after that phrase!). Thanks for the trip of a lifetime matey! Ganbare back in Melbourne, and hopefully see you on the road to Iran!