Chintsa

Next stop along the Wild Coast was Chintsa, yet another gorgeous beach stop. We stayed at the notorious Buccaneers, and although they were very busy (we had to change room after the first night), it actually seemed to have quite a tame atmosphere. The backpacker place itself is set on a huge dune that overlooks a nice lagoon, beyond which is a fabulously long, unspoilt beach. It was actually a great walk down to the lagoon and along a narrow sandy path to the beach proper.

We just spent a couple of days here, with me talking huge walks up and down the beach, and swimming in the backpacker's pool. We took out a free canoe on the morning we were leaving and paddled around the lagoon, which was great for exploring and trying to catch glimpses of the bird life.

I think it was here that also had a lovely reservoir that was a brilliant spot for some tranquil contemplation, followed by a bracing walk up and around the hill.

From Chinsta we drove through East London. I was thinking it might be worth spending a day or two here, as the Rugby World Cup had started and I thought a biggish town might have a good atmosphere to watch some of the games. But after driving around the town for a bit we decided to keep moving on as the town seemed a bit rundown. So after stocking up on groceries it was on to Hogsback, leaving the beaches for the mountains instead.