A Few Days in J-Bay

Ever since Tim was a kid, he has wanted to surf Jeffreys Bay in South Africa. Jeffreys Bay, or J-Bay, is widely regarded as one of the best waves in the world.

And so on Tuesday morning, we checked out of Oakhurst Farm, said goodbye to all the horses and cows and baboons, and got on the N2 to head to Jeffreys Bay. The drive was beautiful. We swung through Knysna, a popular destination along the Garden Route, and then had lunch in Plettenberg Bay, another top spot.

We drove into J-Bay about 4pm and landed right at our Airbnb. Our hosts were Jan [pronounced Yawn] and Adrienne, although Adrienne was in Turkey with her daughter to source fabric for her daughter's clothing business (how do I get that job?), so we never met her. But we did meet Jan and Adrienne's dogs, Jengo and Mila, and the kids fell right in love.

Dog time.

Our Airbnb was A+++. It was an apartment on the bottom floor of Jan and Adrienne's house -- right on the beach, two bedrooms, one big bathroom, a great kitchen and little living room, and a laundry room. Ooooh, I was so happy to see that laundry room! I must have done 5-6 loads of laundry while we were in J-Bay...and it felt so good (I get really washing machine happy when I'm near one while traveling). 

Sunrise over J-Bay. I could get used to this...

Jeffreys Bay is a right-hand point that is almost a mile in length. Within that mile, there are three distinct sections: Supertubes, Tubes, and the Point. Jan offered to take Tim out at the Point, literally steps from his backyard. Tim jumped at the opportunity, borrowing one of Jan's boards. The kids played with Jengo and Mila and I...did my first load of laundry.

That night, we had dinner at JBay Bru Co in town, a fun restaurant with a large menu. Just before we left for the evening, we realized that the Olympics were on in the bar area. We sat on a few stools and soaked up the track and field events that were on, and then we headed back home. The whole time we've been in South Africa, we haven't been able to watch the Olympics live, and we were glad to catch a bit at dinner.

On Wednesday, we grabbed breakfast at Infood Bakery and Deli. If you are ever in J-Bay, THIS PLACE IS A MUST. The food is sublime! After breakfast, we hit up the Surf Shed where Tim rented a board. Later that day, Tim went surfing and the kids and I walked the beach. They went swimming; I gladly sat on the sand. On our way back from the beach, we stopped at the playground at the park next door to our Airbnb.

Taking a walk on the beach. The warm sun felt so good!

About to go for a (cold) swim. 

We saw a LOT of these in Jeffreys Bay. Very glad we never had to use one!

We all wanted to see more Olympics, so we returned to JBay Bru Co for dinner on Wednesday night as well. I was in heaven watching all that track and field.

Thursday was more of the same. The kids and I went back to Infood for breakfast while Tim surfed (are you sensing a theme here?). Once reunited at the Airbnb, we piled into our Toyota and drove to Checkers, the local grocery store, where we bought items for dinner. I am telling you -- the food prices here are so cheap. They're about half what prices would be back home. (We may very well stock up on toiletries before we return to the States!)

This is what breakfast at Infood looks like. 

Thursday afternoon, while Tim surfed, Wyatt and I drove Taylor to Papiesfontein, about 10 minutes outside of town, as she was heading out on a two-hour horse trail ride. She definitely did not want me to go with her, and I confirmed with Papiesfontein that she could ride on her own (as there would be a guide). 

There she goes!

I most assuredly felt like a horrible parent as I drove away from Papies and from Taylor -- she was heading out with a guide (who didn't speak much English), a dad, and a boy who seemed to be about her age. I said more than a few prayers that everything would be okay, and Wyatt and I continued on to the local mall where we walked around until we found a deck of cards -- which we needed because we left our previous deck of cards tucked into the coffee table at Oakhurst Farm.

We cooked dinner at the Airbnb on Thursday evening and loved every minute of it. We could hear the waves crash on the beach outside, and Jengo and Mila ran into the apartment every so often to say hi.

On Friday, we did not go to Infood. Nope, we had breakfast at home. ;) Tim got some more surfing in, and the kids and I hung out at the Airbnb, played with the dogs, and yep, I did more laundry. However, we DID go to Infood for lunch -- and it was amazing. While Tim surfed in the afternoon, the kids and I went to the playground. I read my New Yorker and life was beautiful. 

Time to go surf!

Time to play!

For our last dinner in J-Bay, we went to Kitchen Windows. If you're ever in J-Bay, GO! Dinner was delicious...and cost us USD$60, tip included (this was our "nice dinner out").

Saturday morning, we woke up and putzed around in the Airbnb. I got out for an 8-mile run. I must say, the running conditions in J-Bay were great; I got some decent runs in while simultaneously catching up on Olympics content with podcasts. #hugesummerolympicsfanhere

Seen on a morning run...

Taylor was supposed to head out for another Papies beach trail ride, but the weather conditions were not good -- very windy -- and so the ride was called off. Naturally, we went to Infood for breakfast. We said goodbye to the staff and took a photo in the middle of the restaurant.

Definitely obsessed with Infood Bakery.

Then we ran the errands we had to: drop off the surfboard, get gas, hit up the grocery store for snacks... And then we returned to Infood for lunch. Yes, we felt a bit awkward after our big goodbye earlier, but THIS PLACE IS NOT TO BE BEAT and we were in the mood for a good lunch.

Finally, finally, we said goodbye to J-Bay and drove out of town and back onto the N-2 for our next destination.

Tim fulfilled a childhood dream and the rest of us thoroughly enjoyed our time in this sun-filled, cheery, beachy, heck-of-a-clean-laundry-zone place. J-Bay 4 eva! [I can hear Taylor cringing...]

Thanks for an awesome few days, J-Bay 👍

This is Supertubes. An amazing wave!