Nov
7
2014
Hiking with Paul was the order of the last two Fridays at Muizenberg Beach Club. Paul is a local Hiking guide and knows the mountains and the natural environment around Cape Town like the back of his hand. He is a good role model and the best person bringing the MBC kids in close contact with the nature, even if hiking isn’t their favourite activity. They gave him likeably the name “Rastaman”, because of his long dreadlocks and his black sunglasses he wears all the time.
At the first Friday the weather was almost perfect: really good conditions of visibility, unfortunately it was 30° and a bit too hot for hiking. But Paul knew a nice and shady walk through Tokai forest located between Muizenberg and the city centre of Cape Town. When we arrived there with the MBC bus, the kids found a tree bearing the so called “baboon fruits” in the near of our parking lot. They filled their pockets with the little red fruits as much as they can. And the volunteers tried the foreign and sweet fruits having a consistency like grapes or litchis with a big kernel inside. After ten minutes everybody was strengthened and we could start the walk through the forest leisurely.
We took a break at a rugby pitch with a well-groomed appearance. Because Paul gave the advice of taking a ball with us before we have started the walk, we could grasp at the chance to play some soccer or rather penalty. Paul applied voluntarily being the goal keeper and prepared himself professionally for his job.
Paul as a goalkeeper
So both kids and volunteers tried to score a goal from a distance of nearly 10 metres and everyone had his own technique in doing so. Sometimes with only one shoe like Wayden chose it or even by choosing a corner casually like Siminkiwe did.
Wayden
Siminkiwe
Mike’s taking photos from Paul and Friedl in action
In cooperation with our excellent photographer Mike it is possible to present you these snapshots of this soccer event.
Paul and Samy in action
Paul and Phila in action
Ultimately the final was composed of the volunteers Samy and me or rather France and Germany. Especially Samy fought passionately in French manner for his country and his hometown PESSAC in the near of Bordeaux. But in the end Germany won this penalty which is not surprising as the German national team won the soccer world championship this year as well. Therefore we refreshed the memory of the last game between France and Germany in which Mats Hummels scored decisively with a header.
But back to the hiking trip…
Relaxed hiking and enjoying the nature
Nice view in front of the group
After the thrilling soccer break the walk was continued in an unhurried kind, so that there was enough time to explore the environment like Simikiwe did or time to pose for some photographs like Asi did.
Siminkiwe
Asi
On the second Friday the MBC kids were represented by only three guys, but Phila, Yamkela and Wayden were ready for the next hiking. The weather was as good as on the first Friday and Paul chose the area of Constantia where the view was not obscured by clouds or fog. We hiked rapidly, so that there was no time for taking some photos. After almost 30 minutes we got to the top of the mountain Eagles’ Nest and first everyone enjoyed the nice view up to the sea.
No words are needed … just enjoy!
Phila conquered the white pillar which symbolises the peak of the mountain and Wayden found a nice place for watching the environment closely.
Phila
Wayden
And Anna and me, we took some photographic proofs that we coped with the hike successfully.
Anna ‘Banana’ and Anna ‘Montana’
Like you can see on the pictures the wind was blowing really strong, so that as a bad incident the sunglasses of Anna became damaged by losing a side of them. Wayden and her mourned together for it some minutes.
Wayden and Anna aren’t really happy :(
We finished drinking in the beauty of the view and of the first impressions after 10 minutes. Subsequently Paul found via Internet and GPS the coordinates of the guestbook of the peak and a little box with odds and ends, which was hidden in a sheltered place. In contrast to Paul being as cool as a cucumber the whole time, Samy seemed to be really excited.
Paul, Phila and Samy
Every little mountain climber should complete some tasks on the top of a mountain like leaving a note in the guestbook…
Notes in the guestbook
…or exchanging little something from yourself for little something from the box. Yamkela presented some stuff which he found in the box and chose a little red handcrafted pocket with some Band-Aids in it.
Yamkela
The way back to the bus was quite relaxing and there was some time for talking like Samy and Phila did.
Phila and Samy
I am sure that the next hiking trips with Paul and the MBC kids will be as much fun as the last two ones I was allowed to experience and I am looking forward to them. Until then have a nice time.
Anna ‘Banana’ (from Germany)
By muizenbergbeachclub •
Uncategorized •
• Tags: adventure, ball, Cape Town, eagles' nest, fun, hiking, Kids, laughing, MBC, muizenbergbeachclub, paul, penalty, rastaman, Soccer, sun, Surfing, tokai forest, volunteering
