DD OING STUFF AT BULUNGULA Here at Bulungula you won't find pre-arranged, daily group activities to occupy you all day - you're not on a school camp, you're travelling. However there is lotsto do: have a look at some of the ideas on this board.

A major goal of the Bulungula project is to develop tourism entrepreneurs in the community. As a result all paid-for activities are 100% owned and run by local community members. Please bear in mind that for most of the community, "tourism" is a whole new world (in fact there is no Xhosa word for it) and so please relax, smile and enjoy the ride even if things are not perfect. You are one of the first clients for a community-tourism business that will hopefully be a professional enterprise in a few years time that will end the village’s cycle of poverty. The lack of English in the village obviously makes things a bit more difficult, but try out your sign/body language skills and you'll be amazed how wellyou can communicate.

Lastly, if you have any ideas on new community businesses that could be started with relatively little capital, please tell us. We will happily let you stay free if you're helping someone in our community to start a new enterprise.

Please note: this village prides itself on the absence of the begging culture that exists elsewhere in the country. This village will lift itself out of poverty through hard work, not from handouts. However, the fact is that you have more money and opportunities than anyone in this village can dream of, thus there is always the danger that the odd villager might ask for something. Please, NEVER give things (money, clothes, sweets, toys) away, this just highlights the inequality andwill result in more people begging in future. Rather make a donation to the Bulungula Incubator (we have a collection box) or spend more money on community activities. If you have excess clothes, give them to us and we’ll arrange that they are sold very cheaply in the village to raise funds for community projects. Obviously, there will be those grey areas: sharing drinks in the bar or shebeen is standard practice here but this should not be requested (though thirsty, drunk people do forget their manners:). If anyone does beg, please let us know and we’ll discuss it at the next community meeting.

Payment: Please pay your guide directly. For non-guided activities, please give the money to the cook (an elected community trustee) in the kitchen.

HAVE FUN!

Nqileni Woman Power

Are you wondering what the women in the village get up to during an average day? Why not spend a day with Nomentiza and be a local woman for a day?

You'll start at the river where you'll be taught how to carry water on your head. Next it's off to the forest where you collect wood for the fire. Then it's off to find,pick and cook a delicious traditional lunch.

While the pots aresimmering, you'llget involved inwhatever activitiesare happening onthe day: makingmud bricks, hewingthe maize field, re-dunging the floor,mud-plastering thewalls or justhanging out andchatting over adrink at theshebeen.

Although this day focuses on women in the village, guys are more than welcome to join in - seeing men carry water and firewood will do wonders for the cause ofgender equality in our community!

This day is all about spending time getting to know our community, so ask lots ofquestions and get involved! Nomentiza is still learning English so speak slowly and practice your body language!

Price: R100 per person including lunch

T ime: 9:30am until 1:30pm. This tour runs every day

Please write your name on the booking sheet.

CANOEING THE XHORA RIVER

For a picturesque halfday guided trip, why notpaddle down thestunningly beautifulXhora river?

Take an easy 35 minutethrough the village withfantastic views of the bayand the valley until youreach this large,mangrove-lined river.Paddle upstream in thecommunity’s two-mancanoes past lush forestedcliffs, ancient cycadtrees, kamikaze jumpingfish and vibrant bird lifeand choose a spot to chilland enjoy the view.Paddle downstream tothe ocean and take aneasy stroll back to thelodge along the beach.The round trip takesabout 4 hours.Alternatively, if thepancake restaurant isopen, you can stop thereon your way back to thelodge.

Prices: o R120 per persono 10am to 2pm every dayo You will pass by the iLanga Restaurant on the days it's open (Tue, Thur,

Sat, Sun). On other days order a sandwich to take with you

Please write your name on the booking sheet the night before.

GUIDED VILLAGE TOURS

Although the beach and riverare the most visually strikingfeatures of Bulungula, the focusand culture of the lodge is thelocal village community. So far,the highlight for most of ourguests has been a guided walkthrough the village with atranslator. Each walk isdifferent: some days you’ll visitthe sangoma and stop off at ashebeen and have a few drinkswith the merry old folk who’llhave a hundred questionsabout your marital status, howmany cows you pay for a wifein your country and why youdon't have kids yet, etc. Onother days there might be a village party/funeral/wedding/feast in which case everyone will demand that you join in the festivities… there’s no telling what might happen, but one thing’s for sure, you will come away with a new sense of what a real “community” is and perhaps see that Western society’s greatest failing is its obsession with the individual at the expense of the community. Or maybe you’ll just have a laugh, and come stumbling back merry on umqombothi beer.

Prices: o R80 per persono Take some cash with you in order to buy drinks, snacks, etc.

Time: o The tour starts at around 3pm at the lodge every day.

Please write your name on the booking sheet the night before.

A FOREST JOURNEY WITH THE TRADITIONALHERBALIST

If you’re interested in traditional medicine and want to wander through an ancient forest, then you must visit Meldinga. He’s the best known herbalist in thearea and has an amazing knowledge about the healing properties of local roots, leaves, berries and bark. People come from far and wide seeking his remedies. Zameka, the translator, will lead you along the beach to his house on the far sideof the village where you willmeet him and learn about hisvarious potions. Then you willhead upstream along thebanks of the Xhora River untilyou enter the lush, denseforest with giant trees. Here,with his help, you will gather,prepare and test some of hisremedies. If it’s the rightseason, you will also get to tryedible roots and berries.

On the way back, you will passthe iLanga Fire pancakerestaurant where you can buy delicious sweet and savoury pancakes for lunch.

The round trip should take about 3½ hours.

Please note that the Village Tour is an entirely different but equally rewarding experience. Also note that Meldinga is not available every day as he has many responsibilities in the local community.

Prices: o R100 per person.o You will pass by the iLanga Fire Restaurant on the days it's open for lunch.

Time: o The walk starts at the lodge at 10am. On Tues, Thus, Sat and Sunday only.

Please write your name on the booking sheet the night before

Bulungula Massage

Why not treat yourself to an Indian HeadMassage or a Full Body Massage?

Sit back, relax and let yourself be pampered – let all the tension bereleased from your back, neck, shoulders and head and feel rejuvenated, ready to carry on with the rest of your stay.

Experience the magical touch of our trained massage therapists and see the transformation for yourself. Especially good after a hard day’s paddling or horse riding

Price:Indian Head Massage: R100Full Body Massage: R150

Time: daily from 1pm until 6pm

Please write your name on the booking sheet.

GO FISHING

There are many fish in the sea, particularly here in Bulungula. Let Mkhuseli teachyou to catch one.

Mkhuseli, who learnt from his dad, amaster fisherman, will take you fortwo hours of angling on the rocks.He'll show you how to get bait –perhaps even a crayfish. Here crayfishare regarded as cockroaches, and noself-respecting fisherman would eatone! He'll arrange all the equipmentfor you and teach you how to bait youhook, cast your lines and catch the bigone. If you do catch a whoppa, it'syours to cook and eat. He regularlylands some real giants – like in thephoto - but of course there are noguarantees in this game. Learn toenjoy the wait, watch the dolphins andwhales, dream about that fat onewhich is busy checking out your baitand enjoy the peace. Like surfing,fishing is as much a meditative sport as a physical one.

Prices: o R100 per person including equipment – two hours.o Note that 2 guests share one fishing rod.

Time: o low tide

Please write your name on the booking form the day before.

HORSERIDING

Get to know Bulungula on horseback. Take a journey along our wind-swept beach then meander through the Mangrove Forest and up into the rolling forested hills. Then trot or gallop back through the vibrant village to the lodge. You will be accompanied by a guide who will show you the way. Please tell the guide beforehand if you have any special requests (galloping/no galloping, nervous rider, etc.)

The ride takes about 1 hour 45 min on tame, community-owned horses using saddles donated by the German Development Services. Please note that if you gallop there and back your ride will be over more quickly.

Prices:R190 per personOccasionally some of the horses are unavailable and the guide might lead you on foot. In this case you pay R140 per person. You are welcome to cancel your ride if you feel this will detract from your experience..

Please write your name on the booking sheet the day before.

iLanga Fire Pancake RestaurantExperience exquisite African cuisine at our unique pancake restaurant, set in the very heart of the Dingata side of our village; overlooking the Xhora River to the right and magnificent Indian Ocean views to the left. Choose from a variety of traditional and afro-fusion foods, teas and coffee. In addition to great food, catch a glimpse of the life of the local village, watch whales and the dolphins down below, shoo away the nosy geese or just kick back and relax while you lie on the lush grass outside in the sun and enjoy the good life as we bring you pancake after scrumptious pancake.

Going canoeing? Stop by at the end of your expedition which finishes just in time for lunch! All roadslead to Rome; or in this case iLanga Fire: The Canoeing Tour, the Horse Riding jaunt and Journeywith the Herbalist all make their way past iLanga Fire at some point; so don’t forget to bring somecash along.

How to get there ?

Walk from the lodge to the road. Turn left on to theroad and follow it for about 15min. You will see a signon your left pointing you down a grassy track whichwill lead you to the restaurant.Days open: Sat, Sun, Tue & Thur.Hours of operation: 11 am to 4:30pm.(please ask the lodge manager on duty whether therestaurant is open before you start walking)

Menu Pancakes SavourySavoury

Chicken and Spinach Curry R30

Three Nut Curry (v) R26Butternut and cashew nut in a coconut curry sauce

DessertDessert

Bulungula Special R30Dates, walnuts and raisins in a delicious caramel sauce.

Caramel Banana R22

Chocolate R20

Honey R20

Drinks Tea (Ceylon, Rooibos, Herbal) R10

Quality Filter Coffee R13

Orange Squash R8

Xhosa Bread

Xhosa Bread to order* R70Choose from: raisin bread, cinnamon apple, banana, carrot, & coconut bread. * Please ask when the bread will be ready.

From the Guest Comments book:“The best restaurant we've ever been to! Thanks for the fabulous pancakes, the nice atmosphere & the nice people!” Mary & Chris, Germany

“Awesome food, beautiful view!” Trisha, California

“Thank you so much. The food was delicious. We loved our visit with you. We will be back :)” Sarah & Ryan

“Wow! What an awesome fantastic delicious belly filling pancake . Thanks for the experience.” Rob, Oz.

Amazing lunch in the most beautiful place in South Africa.” Taryn & Roddy, Cape Town

HIKE TO COFFEE BAY

Take a spectacular guided hike alongthe coastline and through friendlyvillages to Lubanzi or Coffee Bay.

It takes 4 hours to Lubanzi, where youcan sleep over at Wild Lubanzi orMbolompo Homestay, and another 4hours from Lubanzi to Coffee Bay. It ispossible to walk to Coffee Bay in oneday but it is a tough 8 hour trek.

On your hike you’ll pass the beautifulMpame indigenous forest, one of thelargest forests in the region. This is asocial walk and your guide will nodoubt pop into the local shebeens fora smoke, a drink and a laugh. Hisinland shortcut route makes thisotherwise arduous hike possible, evenfor inexperienced hikers.

To make things easier, the lodge canarrange for your bags to be takenaround to Coffee Bay by the shuttle sothat all you need to carry is a day bag with water, lunch and camera. Please speak to us in advance to check that the shuttle is running on that day (Tue, Thur, Fri, Sun).

Prices: Lubanzi: R200 per person Coffee Bay (1 day): R400 per person Coffee Bay (2 days): R400 per person Take some cash with you in order to buy drinks, snacks, etc on the way

Time: o The hike starts at 8am.

Please write your name on the booking sheet the day before and speak

to the manager on duty to confirm that the guide is available.

SUNRISE PANCAKESWatch a beautiful Bulungulasunrise on the dune overlookingthe sea while munching ondelicious pancakes with tea andcoffee. In season (winter andspring) you're almost certain tosee whales and dolphins.

This activity is done at sunrise Wednesday mornings andrequires a minimum of threepeople, so encourage otherguests to sign up. To book,please write your name on the Sunrise Pancakes booking sheet by 8pm the nightbefore. Please also pay the manager on duty the night before (to avoid no-shows). The date and meeting time should already be written on the booking sheet. The meeting point is in the lodge bar.

If you are a group of three or more and want to do this activity on another day,then speak to the lodge manager and s/he'll see if Nosipho is available.

Price: R60 per person (Includes two pancakes and tea or coffee)

Days and Time: Wednesdays (although it can be done on other mornings on request)Please check booking sheet for meeting time

Note: if you book and then don't show up, you still have to pay as Nosipho will have woken up specially and prepared everything for you in advance... so don't be tempted to lie in!