Storms River Mouth (Eastern Cape, South Africa)

April 9^th, 2011 (January 2011) – After leaving Addo Elephant National Park we headed south along the coast of Eastern Cape to the Storms River Mouth area. We spent two glorious nights camping right on the ocean and were lulled to sleep both evenings by the incessant crashing of the waves. Oh, how I do love that sound. We pitched our tent at the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp managed by South Africa’s National Park Agency (SANParks). Not even an abundance of other tourists can spoil that place (although the fewer the better).

The area is famous for the Otter Trail, a stunning five day/four night hike along the coast. Not doing this hike represents one of my biggest regrets in South Africa. Problem is the huts along the trail are booked long in advance and self camping is not allowed. When we inquired we were informed that there were cancellations and seven open spots for the following day. Unfortunately, we were not prepared to leave that soon as we had just purchased a lot of perishable food items and needed at least a day to ready our gear. In retrospect that was a terrible excuse. We should have just gone for it. That's all kinds of stupid dumb.

Luckily, however, anyone can do the first section of the trail that leads to a magnificent waterfall situated right on the ocean. We spent a few hours taking it all in. The place is simply incredible. And while I showered beneath the frigid waters of the falls while gazing out to sea I fully realized what a mistake it was to pass up the trail. At one point a dastardly sea bird pilfered our bag of nuts/raisins the moment we let our guard down. Dirty bastard.

At night we sat by the water along the jagged rocks sipping cheap and delicious South African wine while watching darkness slowly blanket the coastline. All this to the sound of ardent lesbians (it was someone’s birthday) raging like rock stars around the cabins behind us. They were having so much fun it almost made wish I was a lesbian.

Photo by Leslie

Tide pools. I see faces. I see dragons. I see ghosts. What do you see?