Africa is over, for now

Then the day was here, my last day at Marine Dynamics. I must say I didn't really see it coming until my last boat trip Monday morning. I just sat there, in the cabin thinking this was actually it. I've spent 5.5 weeks in Africa, and 4 of them in Gansbaai. It's been above all expectations! I will definitely recommend volunteer work for MD. The crew was amazing, the staff was great and you get to know so many fantastic volunteers. I will for sure visit some of them in Sweden, England and the US.
I came here to learn and have fun, and indeed I did! It's been my best holiday of all time. It's hard to explain but you become so bonded over such a short time. Usually I find saying farewell pretty easy, but this time I must admit it was tough. Sitting in the car on the way to the airport, thinking back on  all the special moments I've shared with the vols. If I didn't had any new adventures ahead I would have been devastated still, but in less than a month I will be heading back to Africa. This time it's charity work in Zambia. I'm going to keep my blog so I can write about the experience there as well.
During my holiday, I've written in my journal/diary every single day, and I'm so glad I did, so I can look back and recall moments I had here.
It's hard to sum up my time here, it's so many impressions, feelings, memories, jokes, stories etc etc
On the airplane from Cape Town to Johannesburg I started to write a poen about the last 4 weeks (I jokingly told Klara I would, but then I gave it a go). For those of you who spent time with me, you will understand a lot more of the poem, but I still want to share it with all of you:

One summer I spent 4 weeks in Africaeven though the mornings are coldIt’s definitely not like Antarcticathis is the best place to see sharks I was told

During the day I would look for shark eggsand breaching Southern Right whalesSpending so much time on the boats I grew sea-legsand in the evening I chased females

Helen begged me for a couple of dateswow, my mom would have been proud of her sonBut I told her we were just matesit was Klara who was the lucky one

Working out with Lauren made my muscles soreI saw her every day for 4 weeksAnd still I want to see her morethis adventure is just what my heart seeks

We will always remember Bad Girlsrunning around naked, being crazyI will never be able to refer them as sirsJakes bum had one big fan though, right Tracy?

We rarely used the ice-cold pooleven though we threw Helen and Klara in one nightHot girls in cold water should be a rulebut Helen and Klara would still give us a good fight

You don’t know how great you aremaking an impact on so many livesI’m sorry we have all moved so farI’ll never forget our cage-dives

Even though it’s all in the pastand the good bye made me fell a tearIt’s memories that will forever lastI’m glad I met you, Dear

-Ruben Bøtun-

From Lwazi (our research boat) where we are trying to find Paul (a big cool shark)

We found Paul and trying to keep up with him

Everything is awesome!

Beautiful day

We also saw some whales!

keeping our eyes open!

Soccer!

ATitanic Moment!

Still playing soccer

Party!

Rugby

Wine tasting

Now I'm on my way home, for the first time since Christmas, BUT on my way back I will stop by Pamplona, to do the bull run. Since my original flights were from CT to LHR, I have to check in and out in London before taking a 2 hour flight to Barcelona. From there I will have to hurry and catch the last 5 hour bus journey to Pamplona, which is placed in Northern Spain. I will arrive there around 3AM on Wednesday and will party until the bull run starts at 7-8 AM. I promise to run for my life! Hopefully with my GoPro camera. The bus back to Barca doesn't leave until late afternoon, so I'll have time to look around, and maybe find a place to rest. When I get back to Barca in the evening I'll have 12-14 hours to kill. Don't know where I'm going to spend that time but hopefully I'll get to sleep on the bus rides so I can stay awake when it's party time;)