Chilling out at Buckaneers in Cintsa

I stayed at Buckaneers Backpackers in Cintsa in 2000 with Ally, Colleen and Mike just before heading off to live in London. It was my first experience of a backpackers in South Africa and I absolutely loved it; in fact the couple of days we spent here are amongst my most cherished memories.

So it was really exciting to head back here to this laid back and beautiful slice of paradise.  And it was as wonderful as I remembered.  

Highlights of our 3 days:

• The amazing view out over the lagoon and ocean from the restaurant balcony. 
• Some absolutely delicious meals including Indian and Thai, eaten in a lovely social setting with other backpackers.
• Fun games of volleyball and free wine each afternoon.  So great to play volleyball again after so long.
• Long, long walks along the pristine beach that seemed to stretch forever, stopping to admire the shells and river estuaries meeting the beach along the way.
• Climbing up to the top of a high sand dune for a great view and then running all the way down.
• A couple of gorgeous swims, including floating on my back in the waves for ages, feeling very relaxed.  Then a salute to the sun who blessed us with her presence the whole trip. 
• Slipping into a luxury lodge just off the beach for a bit of a "sticky beak."  Beautiful, but the backpackers had more atmosphere.
• Amarula, red wine and tequila drunk in the bar, playing a game of "F*ck the Dealer" and chatting to fellow backpackers.
• Phil, the friendly barman and games organiser.
• Dinner and great conversation with Meggan and Aron, two very friendly girls we met.
• A delicious lamb pizza for lunch in the local town, well worth the long wait for it to come.
• The chilled out cows on the way to the beach.

The ultimate highlight was paddling up the river on a canoe, watching and photographing the abundant birds along the way including a fish eagle, kingfishers, herons, cormorants, and excitement of excitements: a long crested eagle that posed beautifully for me.

Buckaneers.  Backpacking hostels don't come better than this!  As you can see, the views from the restaurant balcony were spectacular.

Long walks along the beach... 

... enjoying the beautiful shells.

Climbing up onto a high sand dune ...

... loving the patterns in the sand.

Nothing better for the soul that a beach that stretches as far as the eyes can see

Stopping to explore river estuaries meeting the beach.

We came long this very cute dog on our walk and it really made me miss Mack.

Great games of volleyball everyday at 2 pm with free wine provided. 

The friendly cowsliving on the beach's edge.

Paddling along the river in the early morning in a canoe provided by Buckaneers, enjoying the glassy reflections on the water.  So peaceful. 

Chrisèl stretching her legs and showing off her balancing skills.

African fish eagle.  I was so delighted when she let out a plaintive cry; to me the sound that most epitomises Africa.

Here she is in flight. So beautiful.

Crowned Hornbill with big conks on their bills. 

Grey Heron

Cormorants and two Kingfishers.

Brown-hooded Kingfisher, showing off his beautiful tail feathers.

Pied Kingfisher. I love the way they hover above the water before diving down. Hard to capture in a photograph though. 

 I was so excited to see this Long Crested Eagle.  I almost fell out of the canoe in excitement.

Water Dikkop, Striped Drongo, an unidentified sunbird

Ibis, cormorant, yellow billed duck