Aug 2006

Just got done with a surf at the bay. As you can see I have suffered my first wound of possibly many of this trip. J-bay breaks over shallow reef and this is the result of falling over shallow reef ha-ha and South Africa is not a place you want to be bleeding in the ocean, might have pushed it a little though because the waves were real fun. So I guess my mommy skills will have to come out to doctor myself up. The surf was fun and it was a nice day. A little over cast and about 60 degrees. Swell projected for tomorrow is 8-10ft but we will see if that happens. I also posted a pick of the view I have from where I am sitting right now. That is the Indian ocean with sand dunes in the background where you can go sand boarding (snowboarding down dunes) pretty sleepy day as rain is expected might make myself a sandwich and watch a movie. Hope all is well. Nick

p.s. Kate you should see the wildlife here its crazy there is lions and rhinos and the odd baboon running down the streets every now and then like a dog or something. You would love it ha-ha oh and uncle ken I ate the worst pretzel in Germany especially compared to the elephant steaks they have here. Which reminds me there is talk of the hostel taking us on a poaching expedition soon, really get in touch with the wild animals ha-ha

Not much going on today around sleepy j-bay. No waves today so not much to do. Cold front is coming tonight and the reports are saying 10 foot waves for tomorrow so I am stoked!! I slept until about 1 o’clock in the afternoon about 5 in the morning your time. I have never slept past like 9 so it was weird ha-ha. Went to town today to go to the bank to exchange money. They accused me of having counterfeited (sp?) money because of the colors on all the new bills and I had old ones as well so they were confused. Everything is so cheap here. It is 7 rand to the dollar. Good steak at the grocery store cost about 2 dollars and a six pack of beer cost like 3, not like I would know anything about that though. I will probably be in j bay for another two weeks then head up the coast for a week or so then on to Bali. I am going to ride my bike into town tomorrow so I will take some pictures and post them. Until then Chow, Nick

So I am here in j-bay my final destination for the time being. I am loving it. The waves are unreal I have never seen such beautiful things in my life. Got in last night about 8 o’clock after three days of travel but so far has been worth every bit. The hostel I am staying in is right on the beach and awesome!! There are about twenty others living here all surfers. So as most of you know I left my credit card in the states. What a dumbass. Good thing I had about 150$ in cash. Everything is so cheap here. I just went to the grocery store and bought about 4 days worth of food for 10$.just about got hit by 3 cars walking there because of the fact that they drive on the other side of the road and forgot to look the right way when I was crossing ha-ha. I wish you all could see the view I am looking at right now. I am staring out of a window at the Indian Ocean with sand dunes in the background. Absolutely breathtaking!! I will post pictures as soon as I can. Another American is staying here and is letting me use his comp. but I will put pics up when I get to another computer. I love seeing everyone’s comments on here so keep them coming, I love you all will post again soon until then pura vida, Nick

Here I am, made it to Germany. I am currently wondering around a town which I think is Frankfurt. I jumped on the nearest train to the airport and was told by five different people different ways to get to downtown. The city is nice but not unlike any other large city such as downtown Orlando except for the fact that the buildings look like a big breasted women with a green hat and blonde hair and duck shoes (clogging shoes or whatever they are) could walk out any moment. The architectural side of it seems to be kind of Dutch influenced. The weather is beautiful!! I don’t think I have ever experienced weather this nice growing up in Florida. About 75 degrees sunny and not a cloud in the sky. I came upon the coolest place. An actual beer GARDEN. This place is a park with seats and benches under beautiful trees. Completely outside with what it seems to be a portable bar right in the middle. The place opens in about an hour so I am counting down to the time I call my uncle Chuck while having my first beer on this trip. My departure yesterday was not as I expected it to be. I had to jump on an earlier plane at the last minute so I could make my connecting flight in Washington which I made quite fine. After all the planning of this trip over the months seems to have paid off because I feel so relaxed and at ease right now in a country I have never been to. This might be the first place my best friend Nicholas will ever beet me to (he was here for world cup) well I miss everyone and look forward to hearing from you all. Sorry for the rambling on I am trying to get used to this blogging thing. twanis, nick