This was a much needed break from work and modern day living and enjoyed by everyone. There are so many highlights and so many examples of God’s perfect timing that I can’t list them all. Surviving the roads, or should I say the mad drivers on the roads, in the Transkei(I know it is called the Eastern Cape now but it will always be the Transkei to me) and getting through Umthatha unscathed is a miracle in itself and that was just the start of the holiday. I will never forget that last 200 meters of driveway that we had to negotiate and then arriving at the cottage which was hidden in the beautiful coastal vegetation and only 3 metres or so from the sand dunes and beach. The cottage has no electricity and running water which meant candles, lamps and fetching water from the nearest tap in the area or boiling the water from the Jojo tanks. It was never a chore to make a fire and heat up water etc but then again nothing is a chore when you are on holiday. Sitting around the big dinner table in candle light was such a treat. My poor family had to deal with an hyped up and excited kid for the first few days, I’m talking about myself, as I couldn’t get enough of the fishing, surfing and beautiful scenery to take pics of. I did calm down after a while but only barely. The rugged and unspoilt coastline of the Transkei is something that you can never get tired of experiencing and although I have been going to the Transkei since I was about 5 years old I love every trip and can’t wait till the next. The kids were amazing and never seem to tire of walking and exploring although Mandy had to carry Tom who fell asleep on her back on the way back from a lot of the walks. My mom and gran loved being back at their old cottage and my gran who is in her eighties once again blew us all away with her youthful manner and her enthusiasm to still catch a fish or two. There aren’t many people her age that still fish. We all loved the holiday and all have our own special memories and it’s just unfortunate that we had to come back to the so called land of the living, I thought I was living down there quite fine. Once again God was looking over us on the 10 hour journey home especially since just about all of that was in thick mist and with so many crazy drivers on the road it was a relief to arrive home safely. A big Thank You from all of us to Michael for letting us stay at the cottage, it was a real family holiday to remember.
Sunrise over the Umdumbe River
A local hoping that the early bird catches the worm.
These shaggy donkeys were so cute which resulted in Tom saying “can I take one home” just one of the many animals that he wanted to bring home in the car with him
Amy just loving the walks and playing in the sea
A surfer’s dream, the view from the dining room table
The local restaurant
Tom’s knew thing- walking with one hand in a pocket
The view of the Umthatha River
The view from the hills was breath taking especially with so many dolphins around
The view from the beach in front of the cottage
Mandy and Tom on one of our long walks. Those long beaches were so inviting to walk on.
The skies were so clear and full of stars something you can’t see in the city
Umdumbe point doings it’s thing, and this is only half of the wave on a big day. I was blown away how good and long this wave was.
Some locals fetching water
The picturesque Umdumbe river
Em and Amy waiting for the ferry(a rowing boat).
Dolphins at play. I felt much safer surfing when they were around.
The wave in front of the cottage, not bad at all.
Tom loved playing on the dunes in front of the cottage
Amy walking with her Granny
The spectacular view from the hills above the Umthatha River
Em and Amy loving the walks
This point just before Coffee Bay was really, really good. I am not sure if the front part in front of the cliffs is rideable but it looks good from a distance
Beautiful swell lines moving into Umdumbe Bay
Emily having fun on the dunes
The Spaza shop was such a treat
Umdumbe point at sunrise with a solid swell running
This was just the start of the never ending wave. I called it Toothpaste point as it was like a tube of toothpaste that never seemed to end.
I don’t ever remember seeing so many dolphins, there were so many all day every day.
Emily fetching water while the huge waves in the background go unridden.
Full moon over Umthatha Mouth
Spectacular panoramic shots of the estuaries, Wade!
And I love the picture of the single dolphin leaping ahead of that crystal clear swell just as it starts to curl.
Such a peaceful and beautiful part of our world. Thank you, I feel as though I have just had a mini-break-away too
PS Tom is getting so big!
Wow Wade – you captured everything so beautifully – you are a genius my boy! & it was just as you said – a truly beautiful holiday – another world completely!
Thank you & Love from Mom
epic!!!! I want to go there!!!!
Oh Wow!! Wade, these pics were looking good on our TV on Mon night but are even better second time around. We are so thrilled that the Howard family had this truly amazing break. Will go with you next time.
Gary & Jen
If I get home and the trailer is packed I will take you there personally.
A magic piece of coast. Thanks for sharing it so beautifully. Ronald.
WOW Wade, your talent is indescribable! Don’t ever stop doing what you’re doing.
So glad you guys had such an awesome time away, and such stunning pics to remember it by.
Well done Brother.
xoxox
Spectacular, just as I remember when I was little. My Dad was Errol Schroeder (son of Violet Schroeder, who was sister to My Aunty Fanny (Schulz). Please remember my Dad to your Gran Mavis. He was very fond of her.
Thank you for bringing back the memories, I haven’t been to Umtata Mouth since 1975!
Jeanette
These pics bring back so many lovely memories of our many chilhood holidays at Umtata Mouth in the 1940′s/50′s with our cousins(eg Schultz&Schroeder) and other friends(eg Hawkes).
wow, just one word “wild coast ” the most fantastic place in the country.
Many thanks for sharing your wonderful photo’s of the Kei. As as expat living in the Rocky Mountains for the last 20+ years this pictorial makes me super home sick. I have such good memories of loading up the one six double 0 Escort sport and heading south to camp at Mpande and surf Sharks point. The wild coast is indeed heaven on earth! THANK YOU!
Super pics Wade! Looks like an age-old paradise! Thanx for sharing these amazing memories, from MIchael, Lyn & Allan.