Garden Route
We checked
out of our cottage
and for the next 5 days
we traveled along South Africa's
Garden Route, regarded as the most
beautiful region of the country. Wineries
wildlife, lagoons, lakes, mountains and beaches
are found all along this winding route.
Hermanus Whale Festival
We stopped for a couple of nights in Hermanus for the "Whale Festival" and stayed in the cozy Cliff Cottage B&B near the cliff walk, where the whales come at this time of year to give birth and can easily be spotted.
The best land-based
whale watching in the world.
"The ostrich farm"
Oudtshoorn
Leaving Hermanus we drove north to the small town of Oudtshoorn. We visit an Ostrich farm before checking into our B&B.
Oud rides an ostrich and does one turn around the track.
The largest living bird in the world lives 50 to 75 years. One Ostrich egg equals 24 chicken eggs. The feathers and eggs are in high demand.
Rooderandt B&B
The lodge was a treasure trove of African culture, wherever you looked. Breakfast
was served on the terrace overlooking the valley. Dinner was served in the common living room/dining room followed by great conversation.
He comped the 4 of us to the opening night of his play in Cape Town and reception afterward.
We stayed in a two
bedroom cottage on
the property.
The owner was an accomplished playwright.
Knysna
Continuing our drive along the Garden Route, we reached the town of Knysna and checked into the Inyathi Lodge. The area was pristine and wild. It was a series of coves and inlets, one more beautiful than the next.
Oud saw a sign for The highest bungee
jump in the world and wanted to do it.
We tried to talk him out of it but he really wanted to do it. We drove about 60 km to Bloukran Bridge.
When we saw it we panicked and desperately tried to talk him out of it.
He really wanted to do this.
Sooo....
"The Jump"
We walked to the bridge, while Ralph and Jan
waited down below - Watching.
As we walked on the bridge to the jumping point my heart was in my throat. I began pleading with Oud to forget it. He was determined. I buy a ticket already!
"Oud's Turn"
In the afternoon we took a walk in Natures Valley.
The beauty of the sandy beach along one of the inlets overtook Jan. She flung her purse to the side and just
sprawled out on her back.
We could see a huge wave coming up the inlet.
We started yelling and screaming at Jan to get up as we raced toward her. She got on her feet just as the
wave hit, washing her purse into a tidal pool. Oud ran out into the tidal pool and retrieved the bag just in time.
Lunch was in a restaurant overlooking
the inlet. Our trip was almost
over. Before we left Jan took
one last look at where we
just had been and said..
​
"I feel like this is home."
​
The next morning, we returned to Cape Town and that night attended the play that the playwright and his wife had comped us, along with the reception afterward followed by a delicious dinner.
The following morning we boarded our flight back to Bangkok.