Wish you were here!

Baboons and biltong.

I'm writing to you from a sun lounger in Montagu, South Africa.

This town is famous for two things: Dried fruit, and the thermal hot springs that flow into the many swimming pools of the Avalon spa. 

It is said that the water has healing properties - that’s fortunate, since I just skinned my elbow raw coming down the 'Boomslang' water flume arse over tit.

The water remains 37 degrees no matter the weather, and it flows constantly, even in times of drought. The source of the spring is so far underground that nothing on the surface can touch it.

The hot tub is a toasty 41 degrees. It was lovely at first, but it eventually made a sweaty soup of my in-laws and me. 

To make the most of our trip to SA, we are doing a couple of mini holidays within our holiday. Prior to arriving at Avalon Spa, we stayed in Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, close to where Corbin and I got engaged. Our accommodation was a cute wooden chalet with a luxury king size bed and a balcony overlooking the spot where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.

With zero light pollution, the view at night was breathtaking. 

I cried with wonder as I stepped outside and was completely enveloped by the milky way, the band of stars stretching from horizon to horizon, as far as the eye could see.

We even saw 8 shooting stars and 5 satellites! It was breathtaking!

They have a conference centre nestled among the chalets so maybe I should host a spiritual retreat there and you can see it for yourself! 

Leave me a comment and let me know if you'd like that.

We hiked 4k around the mountains that encircle the chalets and I saw a baby leopard tortoise. It was magical.

We visited the longest beach in the southern hemisphere and dipped our toes in the ocean, feeling small amongst the majesty.

Now, if you'll excuse me, there's just time for one more go down the Boomslang - let’s see if I can get a matching pair of wounds!

Photography © The Mayne Family