20091216 – Coffee and a Hike

We needed an easier day and took our time getting ready in the morning. After a trip to the internet café and then to a grocery store to pickup some bread for lunch, we took a walk on the Matumi Hiking Trail. This trail runs along the Sabie river for about 7 km. The trail wasn’t that strenuous, and it took us about 3 hours to complete. BUT, it was pretty and it was just what we needed. We ate lunch by the river and then found our way back to the start of the trail.

Across the street from the trailhead was the Sabie Valley Coffee Company. In the activity brochure, we had previously noted that they company offered tours. I asked Allen about this, and he said it wasn’t worth it and that it costs about 500 rands. (This was not the beginning of his lies, but they were not starting to hurt our fun). Because of his misinformation, we had decided not to do the tour and were instead going to go on a canopy zipline tour in the afternoon. But, with an hour and a half to spare, we decided to head over to the coffee shop and see what the tour was all about. First of all, we found out that the tour was only 45 rands. And, it included free coffee and cake at the end of the tour. With this new correct information, we decided to take the tour. We called Allen, and with only a bit of pleading, he said that he would try to reschedule the canopy tour. Happily, he was successful.

Before the tour, I had my first espresso, Jeremy ordered a coffee (with more sugar and cream than coffee), and we shared a waffle with ice cream. The tour itself was a bunch of fun, and we found out some great information on the roasting process and the types of coffee beans. It seems that 100% Arabica beans are the best, but the location that the bean is grown in is also tremendously important. At the end of the tour, I had the coffee, a medium roast. It was the best coffee I have ever had in my life. Jeremy tried it, and said that he actually like it!

We were joined for the tour with a Portuguese family from Johannesburg. They were nice enough, but they were also representative of the still existent racial clash in South Africa. Today was a public holiday, Reconciliation Day. The family, when asked about it, said that it was a day to reconcile with their “flat-nosed” friends. I still feel like many white individuals feel like South Africa should still be their own personal playground and paradise and that the “blacks” are keeping them from enjoying it.

After the tour, we ate pizza at Pappas Kitchen. Then, we waited 2 hours for Allen to pick us up before heading back to the dorm. That night we were joined by two girls from Germany and Julio from Argentina.

Tonight we were also gifted with our first hint that Allen was cheating us. Julio explained that he had paid 1,450 Rand for one nights lodging, breakfast, dinner, and the day and night tours of Kruger Park. Jeremy and I had each paid 1,980 Rand for the same package, with the only exception being one additional night of lodging. Since one night’s lodging costs 120 Rand, things just didn’t add up. We agreed to ask about the discrepancy the next day.