Cintsa

Trip Start Dec 27, 2008

Trip End Jun 27, 2009

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Where I stayed

Buccaneers

Flag of South Africa Cintsa, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Friday, January 16, 2009

Having heard everyone we spoke to bad-mouth East London and rave about Cintsa as if it was heaven on earth we ended up at Buccaneers Lodge and Backpacker's, Cintsa. I immediately knew we had made the right choice or rather took the right advice. It sits on the hill, lodges half buried under the trees, looking down on the lagoon, the beach and the sea. Unfortunately the weather was changable so we didn't spend as much time on the beach as we would have liked but we did make use of the free canoes and boogieboards. Sometimes it's hard to imagine living the local way of life day in, day out; a walk to the shop involved paddling in the lagoon and kicking sand on the beach, just to get there. All the shops are independantly run, there are no chain stores here, it's paradise.

The hostel staff went out of their way to make guests enjoy their stay and it's not hard to see why it's one of the "Top Three Hostels in the Country". Free activities everyday at 4pm (with free wine), quality meals everyday at affordable prices. On the first night we had a braii and on the second a traditional Xhosa meal which wasn't that great (everyone was sat round saying "Man, this is delicious!", I was thinking "This is pretty bland" It's what the poor eat - beans and maize, i'm glad I tried it but it's just not that good).

And of course, we spent Charlotte's birthday in Cintsa, so she had a pedicure at the beauty bungalow, much deserved as we have walked endlessly. There's a really relaxed vibe at Cintsa, definately a good swap.

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