By Sonja Carey

And so after a few nights we moved on in our trusty yoghurt pot to The Crags and stayed at Rocky Road. This place was introduced to us by two chaps doing a marketing tour whilst we were at Cape Agulhus so we were promised 50% off if we showed up so who are we to say no to an offer like that! And so here I explain the title of this section - Gettting stuck at Rocky Road. As it was cheap we decided to stay for 3 nights. This area and indeed the backpacker is stunning! Just down the road from Storms River and Natures Valley - two awesome places you just have to see it to believe it! The backpacker - which also runs a program for volunteers working locally in the area's township - is set in the most stunning gardens with a beautiful mountain for the main view every morning you wake up. Just perfect.

Due to the beauty of this place, the price (about 5 quid a night) and a few very drunken nights where we were unable to move the next day, we actually ended up staying at Rocky Road for 9 nights. We had our own room to so no dorm to worry about potential thieves etc etc. In fact when we first arrived here there was no one about so we just relaxed, made some lunch, did some washing and waited for the owner - Rocky of course - to arrive. The bars set up is an honesty bar during the day so there is a very comfortable, safe and trusting feel here. So we stayed and stayed. It was actually very nice to chill out and not do so much driving for a while. Saved on petrol too so all in all a good money saving opportunity! We made some great friends here who we have exchange details with and have already sent them a postcode from Africa. The wife of Rocky - Marietjie - actually asked us to tips on where they could improve the place as a backpacker - it has primarily been the volunteers place for some time and the backpacker part is very new to them. Sarah and I were the only backpackers for that duration - the rest were volunteers. So we gave Marietjie our thoughts and she is passing them onto Rocky himself ;o)

Sarah and I spent one day at Salt River and Natures Valley which was a stunning river which blends into the sea. Aside from 2 olds for about half an hour we had the whole place to ourselves all day - it was amazing. We managed to amuse ourselves with a spot of bathing,  paddling, swimming and building a raft! Yep - that we did! Wait until you see it!!! After we finished the day, we went to where the car was parked and a bunch of the guys from Rocky Road had left a note on our car saying 'we have a cool box of beers by the lagoon - come party' - what a lovely surprise! How they found where our car was parked I don't know - but it was a lovely lovely thing to do! And so to the lagoon we went, supping beers and watching the sun set . A perfect end to what really was a perfect day.

Canoe skills were tip top!

One of the other exciting things I did whilst here was jump my first ever bungee. And it is the biggest bridge bungee in the world too at Bloukrans Bridge, Storms River standing 219m. And yes I was nervous to say the least. Sarah had decided not to do the bungee so I went with a couple of the volunteers from Rocky Road. I have to say there are no words to describe the feeling of a bungee but is/was absolutely awesome and I just wanted to go again as soon as I was back up!!! I believe there is a good one in New Zealand so I may just have to treat myself to another go when I am there!
So you can see why stayed so long. Everything about this place was just wonderful and I will be sure to be back here some day - maybe as a volunteer. In fact when we did finally say our goodbyes - we were told to 'come home soon' – very, very touching.
And so we departed this truly wonderful part of The Garden Route, spent one night at Jeffries Bay - very little to report as it was literally a stop over before our flight the following day which would take us to Joburg and onto Safari!!!