Shona’s wonderful Wild Coast walk – Days 7 and 8
All good things must come to an end!
The crow of a rooster wakes us up like an annoying alarm clock.
ALSO READ: Shona’s wonderful walk on Wild Coast – Day 6
The daily routine of a homestead starts early, as we have quickly discovered.
The happy hikers leave Dakane village and ramble to Noqhekwana (Poenskop).
Like crabs we scamper along the coastline, climbing up the steep rocky hills and then descending into scenic bays, even crossing a river carrying our bags on our heads.
At the age of 50, our guide Sinegugu Zukhulu is super fit, and we stride along the single-file track to Ingo beach.
At this spot, Sinegugu stops us, and explains that some fishermen’s cottages in the area were demolished in about 2008, as they contravened sections of the Environmental Conservation Decree of 1992 – a structure was erected without a permit or lawful authority, and had damaged the natural vegetation within the protected coastal zone.
Sinegugu explained that the community was not happy about this ruling as many people employed at the cottages had lost their jobs.
During the course of the day, we learn about dung beetles, the different uses of lemon grass, mangrove swamps and the pretty snails that climb up the mangroves when the tide is rising.
We venture on.
‘What kind of animal does that rock look like?,” asks Sinegugu, pointing his stick at a large bolder.
It’s a rhino, dinosaur, hippo! – we all shout out our guesses.
“No, no, no… it ‘s a baboon,” says Sinegugu.
Today, we certainly walk on the wild side!
We crawl down a cliff-side pathway, at times, guided by our hands.
It appears the tide is coming in and it is virtually impossible now to get to shore without getting drenched.
The group then has to step out of their comfort zone – they have to individually climb down a rockface (and time it well), so they don’t get hit by a wave, before making it to shore.
Our last night is spent at the wonderful homestead run like clockwork by the remarkable Ncumisa Sonakepu (38).
It’s mixed emotions at the dinner table, as it is our last supper together and we know our Pondoland adventure is drawing to an end.
Day 8:
The last day has arrived!
We leave the village of Noqhekwana and hike to Port St Johns, where we catch a taxi for the two hour trip back to the Wild Coast Sun.
If I was asked to describe this eight day journey in one word?
Extraordinary!
* Shona Aylward is taking part in the Wild Coast hike sponsored by the environmental journalism training agency, Roving Reporters (www.rovingreporters.co.za) and the 8 Mile Club, an adventurous group of charity swimmers who raise funds for various deserving charities.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
To receive our FREE email newsletter, click HERE
