Algoa Bay Journal: Day 1

On Monday, we started our Algoa Bay school trip. We arrived at school at about quarter to eight with our bags. There came the bus, we were all very excited! We all put our Algoa Bay sweaters, we said goodbye to our parents and off we went to the airport.

When we got at the airport, 25 of us, we checked-in and had our hand-luggage scanned. Everyone kept on looking at us because we were so many and they wondered where we were going to. While we were waiting for the boarding, we got the chance to buy some goodies. On the plane, we enjoyed the fact of being with our friends. We tried to stay discreet but it didn’t work for long! When we got closer to Port Elizabeth, we got to see the city and the bay from the sky. Some of us even got to spot some whales, they were thrilled!

After landing and taking our luggage, four of us started interviewing some people on their opinion on Algoa Bay and its Hope Spot. Later on, we took the bus to our resort. We settled in our rooms, quickly put on our swimming suits and got together at the beach to do a scientific experiment with seaweeds (see previous post). We also had a lot of fun bathing in the tidal pool and running on the grass while others took photos with the cameras.

Then, Mrs Michelle Cocks came from Grahamstown to present us the association Inkcubeko Nendalo which the Algoa Bay project will sponsor. She explained us that nature is very important in the Xhosa culture, so we have to protect this nature, through education, in order to preserve the culture they tend to lose because of the Townships.

Finally, we had a good shower in our bungalows and we had a delicious dinner at the cafeteria. Before going to bed, we all went for a walk by the sea and we enjoyed a little free time before we all went to sleep.

By Stephanie and Anouk