DOES it never stop? Cooking, grooving and moving. That’s the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast for you. Sleepy hollow. Hahahahahhahaaha. That’s town people. Stuck in their little fluorescent light boxes called offices and then straight to that aircon place called gym to keep looking sharp, only to hide that six pack away behind a suit.
So very, very natural. Such a sleepy existence. Robotic and unaware of anything except billboards reminding you of how to spend your money, not your time.
Ok, so I am being nasty but that’s only because I am making a point. Ninety percent of humanity is missing out. There truly are real ways to do things. The natural way. The South Coast way.
Let me give you an example. Let’s compare two TV shows. ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ and ‘Who wants to go on an Expedition?’ Ok, so that show doesn’t quite exist, but work with me here.
How many people would choose a million bucks? Most would I guess. Why? So that they can escape their concrete jungles and find solace in nature (and to pay their membership subs to the Club of Virgins).
So why would I choose an Expedition? Because I am the millionaire already. I have everything I could ask for. Maybe not 6 zeros preceded by a one in the bank account but how do you quantify quality of life, beauty, nature, real and happy people to an institution which runs your life? See where I am going with this? Starting to see the stars and skies for the fluorescent lights now?
Then follow this little ‘I started off as a tourist and now I have changed’ person’s train of thought for a minute – the tourist whose life is changing day by day, slowly but surely dropping off the drudgery of yesterday, the ten pound weight on my shoulders and the car fumes from daily traffic clogging up my brain and the fifteen daily calls from unknown numbers selling me insurance in case I die.
Guess what, living the life and following your dream means no fear. No fear of the ‘what if’s’. No need to earn more, chase the bucks, just to get a good night’s rest ‘just in case’.
Ok, enough philosophising. Just saying, that’s all. So let’s jazz it up and go on an expedition. First up, alert alert – diarise the 28th June this year. You’ve all heard of the Cape Town Jazz Festival. The jazz that emanates from New Orleans. The jazz from down south. Well, it’s happening here. Down the South Coast of KZN.
Now going into its 3rd year, the line-up is looking amazing. Thousands of people flock from the cities to find some coastal vibes each year. Even the musos themselves can’t wait to get here. It’s an event calendar of note and one no doubt, which will have you tapping to a bit of Louis Armstrong’s vibe long before the event kicks in. That’s just about two months away. So plan now to come and play. Get into the groove at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre.
And from music to mother nature. Guess what’s coming to the South Coast’s shores? Expedition Africa. This is one gruelling event. Twenty international teams and 20 South African teams competing to be the greatest, strongest and most hard core endurance athletes on the planet. Some 500km of running, cycling, kayaking and just about everything in between to get you from start to finish, that’s what it’s about.
It’s such a big thing that each team brings their own media journo with them so the visual spectacle of the South Coast will be broadcast daily via social media to over 20 countries at the end of May.
And these world famous guys are giving a little back to the wonderful rural communities in the Port Edward area. They are going to teach 40 children how to paddle into the surf and give them some tips on ocean safety.
And never mind all the traditional sporting sponsors, how is this for the locals being supportive of these foreign fitness freaks? Apparently the stunning Port Edward Hotel is sponsoring nearly R100 000 worth of accommodation for these talented athletes, their media and all the hard workers on the ground to ensure the logistics, night and day, are smooth and memorable.
Good one on you Port Edward Hotel. You make the South Coast proud and give us even more reasons to stay… longer and longer…. Hospitality and big hearts like no other.
So keep your dreams alive and start ticking off that bucket list. Get out of the concrete city, find your map and get into the real world. The South Coast it’s becoming increasingly clear that this is THE original playstation.
I’ll help you navigate the map. I’ll show you a good time, that’s for sure.
So until we meet again, get your people to call my people. 0800 FINDME. Erratum: marketing@tourismsouthcoast.co.za
Signing out,
Inspector Clueless WITH a map,
Tilley the Tourist.
