In wrapping up the "fun" part of our study abroad in Suid-Afrika, our last few days were spent on a weekend trip to Hermanus and Cape Agullus (the Southern Most Tip of Africa). Saturday and Sunday we spent driving and sigh seeing mostly, stopping in some towns for meals and markets. Again, I avoided bartering after my traumatic experience before - realizing that I do not even like to be approached by sales people in the States, come to think of it. Anyways, the real adventures of the Cape of Good Hope and shark cage diving were well worth it.
To start, the drive to Cape Agullus was what seemed like eternity. We drove about three hours I think, to arrive for lunch in time at a quaint little lighthouse. Again, our meal was about an hour and a half to two and a half hours. Surprisingly, I have acclimated well to this trait of South African culture. Social conversation while waiting for meals, as well as aftering finishing the meal really has become the focus, rather than the food. This is not so different that the States, as it takes me forever to order a meal due to incessant conversation. The process here is just much extended, but enjoyable once immersed in discussion. After lunch, we were able to walk the 250 meters to the Cape, climbing rocks and venturing along the way. I so badly wanted to get out on to this once stretch of rocks, but wasn't able to due to too wide of water gaps between them. Again, I appreciated the climbing and the scenery - beautiful swells crashing along the cliffs.
Despite a great day at the Cape, the real adventure was shark cage diving. As anticipated, it was magnificent. It took us 15 minutes to reach our destination in the Atlantic Ocean, where ther is best visibility and where the boats can best lure the sharks in with bait. Thanks to some Dramamaine, the ride and overall trip were a success for others and myself. Unfortunately, a Dutch girl got seasick multiple times. Anyways, my trips in the cage went from uneventful to spectacular. My first trip included 15 minutes of waiting for a shark to come by - thus idling in the 55-degree water that was cold even with a wetsuit! However, ocne the sharks came, it was awesome!!! To be within three feet of a Great White Shark staring at you as it idled by was indescribably. The underwater pictures we took do not even fully capture the visuals, and definitely not the feelings./ I saw about 7 shark sitings during my first trip down.
After everyone else had been through once, second takers were allowed to go down again. Needless to say, my second trip was a once in a lifetime experience! Our group got to see multiple sharks aggressively chase the bait that was about 7 feet in front of our cage. And even better, after one rattled the cage with his fin while going by, he caught the bait and then rammed into our cage and go caught! RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! Since the crew member didn't pull the bait out fast enough, the shark caught it and got so distracted that it rammed its nose right into the viewing hole - literally within 3 inches of my thighs, as well as Jen's! It was definitely one of those moments where 500 thoughts run through your head within seconds. The main one"s were "Dear Lord, I really hope this shark can't get through this cage anymore... and how do I get out if it does???" Erin was smart enough to get to the top of the cage immediately, using me as a boosting post - hahahah! Surprisingly, maybe due to the shock, I wasn't really all that terrfied once I got out; perhaps, because I got out and I still had all my limbs. However, I was definitely frozen when I thought the shark was trying to get in the cage more and possibly bite my knees off. In reality, it was wriggling to try to get out of te cage. All I know is it is a story to tell for many years to come, and one to definitely hysterically laugh about with Erin and Jen! Ohhh Suid-Afrika... you are majestic :D
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