Addo Elephant Park

March 9 - 11

The highway from Plett along the coast was lush and green.

We crossed the Bloukrans Bridge, one of the highest jumps. We stopped to watch some jumps and listen to screams!

Stopped in Jeffrey's Bay for aswim. The beach was not the same as Plett, but some beginning surfers and the waves were fun to play in. Not many people on the beach.

Continued on to Addo. The road from the main highway seemed to take forever. When we arrived in Addo it reminded me of Lake Man. Reserve, only on a much smaller scale. A shanty town bordered it and the pot holed road leading to the campground was jarring. The campground itself was stunning. After passing through the electrified gates, we found it had been one of the first citrus farms in the area. The farmhouse is now a BnB and the grounds act as camp sites.

 The trees, yard and pool were spectacular.

After chatting with the owner who had grown up on the farm, I am looking for the book Jock of the Bushveld by Percy Fitzpatrick. It was written in the cottage by the main house.

Very exciting campground to be in. Every campsite, cottage and room in the house was booked for the ultra marathon happening on the weekend. 100 miles, 76 kms, and 42 km were the distances through Addo Elephant Park. The leaders were expected to finish the 100 miles in 21 hours. We got to know one of the runners in the 76 km. He and others were excited and apprehensive about the task ahead. We watched the 100 milers take off from the main park gate Friday afternoon. The route they were to take lead them away from where the big cats usually hunted - they only had to be concerned about the possibility of leopard. That and the 40 degree heat that followed that day.

We tried to get away early for our first game drive. Us and early do not always go together. None the less we were looking to see the many elephants in this park. We drove for over an hour without seeing one. We had seen hartebeasts, warthogs, jackels, and zebra but not one elephant. Their presence was obvious from the enormous droppings covering the road.

Plettenberg Bay

Wednesday March 8

Plett (as it is called by the locals) is a great spot to enjoy the beach and waves of the Indian Ocean. In Wilderness the waves were wild, strong and unpredictable. Here, body surfing and jumping waves was much more enjoyable. Miles of soft sand and beach. The beach was full of sunbathers, rugby players, and families enjoying the water.

We camped along a river just a few kilometres from the town. A supper of salad sandwiches and cookies makes us want to get some cooking equipment!

Vervet monkeys were exciting for us to see but were considered a nuisance by everyone else. Luckily, the baboons lived across the river and did not cross very often. During the night, we had our first rain since we arrived in South Africa.

This was a great stop – one we will try to stop in on the way back to Cape Town.

Oudtshoorn to Kynsna

March 6 and 7

Heading for the Indian Ocean along the Garden Route. Leaving hot, dry Karoo area; looking forward to seeing the Indian Ocean.

The dry arid Karoo.

On the highway not far from Oudtshoorne.





As we passed through the Outeniqua Pass we had a glimpse of the Indian Ocean in the distance.

Levi deep in thought (or looking for baboons) along the Outeniqua Pass.

Passing through George we continued a few miles to Wilderness. The expanse of sand and the roar of the ocean had the boys going in the water with their clothes on. The heat was such that they were looking for some reprieve. The water is a different colour and temperature compared to the Atlantic. This beautiful blue, aqua colour is hard to capture in photographs.  

We continued to Knysna were we camped on the estuary. A pathway ran behind the campground into town. Luke and I made use of this for running in the mornings. Our tents had guinea fowl and other water birds keeping us company. Eating without cooking is becoming challenging. We have gotten to know the deli section of grocery stores quite well.

The second day in Knysna we searched out a book store as Levi has powered through all three books he brought from home.

The reading tree in the campsite. All three boys are in there!

Getting everyone loaded with reading material we walked to the water front and were surprised to see Winnipeg made it onto a distance marker sign board.

Knysna was a good stop, but a busy, congested city. Onward to Plettenberg Bay tomorrow.

Oudtshoorn

March 4 and 5, 2017

Leaving Bontebok National Park at 9:00, again on the N2 with Oudtshoorn as the destination. The drive had mostly the same landscape as the day before. We had our first glimpse of the Indian Ocean before turning north and heading into the mountains. As we climbed, the land turned green.

The small town of Eight Bells is the last stop before the ascent into the clouds. It had a shop with a wood fired pizza oven selling baked goods and apparently live poultry. We stuck with the baked goods.

On the other side of the mountain as we winded our way back down, the dry, arid, extremely hot weather awaited us. (I really miss the flat, flat land of Carman!) We were in Oudtshoorn.

At the beginning of the 20th century ostrich farming in Oudtshoorn was profitable since the feathers were desired by the fashion industry in Europe. The town is still largely dependent on ostrich farming today. We went to see an ostrich farm. All the boys agreed to sit on one, but Luke became a jockey. They go a lot faster than he was anticipating!

The eyes are covered to calm it. When Luke started riding the cover was taken off. He lasted over 8 seconds! Rodeo circuit - here he comes!

We tried ostrich kabobs and ostrich biltong. The kabobs were surprisingly tender. We were wondering what you would get if you ordered a plate of wings or a drumstick!

The Cango caves are another reason people visit Oudtshoorn. They have been popular since the 1880's. These caves are estimated to be 20 million years old and inhabited since the early stone age. They consist of a series of chambers cut deep into the limestone. The stalagmites and stalactites are like nothing seen before.

This campground is beautiful! The pool has been a great way to keep cool. The people working here are so helpful!


OK - getting late. Time to get everyone ready for night 3 in the tent. I think some snakes are nocturnal so I need to get across this grassy lawn in the dark!

Bontebok National Park

Friday March 3, 2017

At 10:00 we drove away from Cape Town on the N2 bound for Swellendam and Bontebok National Park. From the highway we saw Shanty Towns on the edge of most towns and cities, vineyards, orchards and sheep, sheep, sheep! We were on the lookout for baboons and finally spotted three eating on the side of the road.

 Dry, rolling landscape.

Swellendam is the third oldest town in South Africa. It is a tourist town with B&Bs on nearly every street. The weekend we were there they were holding an agricultural fair. The boys were not interested. They were, however, introduced to iron brew. Nate thinks it is the best drink ever. A combination of cream soda and root beer.

Outside of Swellendam is Bontebok National Park. This was our first overnight stop on the road trip. With 35 degree heat we entered the park and found the campsite. These lovely bonteboks were our welcoming committee at the camp site.

The camping area felt like we were in the outback, but was well set up. No

need for fences around the campsite I was told as this park did not have predators. This is not a great park for game viewing but we were hopeful to see some zebra.

Instead of wildlife, there were amazing aloe trees.

The facilities were good at the campground but I need to get over my paranoia of snakes. Entering the cement bathroom I checked every corner as I thought they would love to lay on the cooler concrete during the day. Luckily, none that day.

The next morning I ran along the roads outside the campground. I kept within a one mile radius and saw one bontebok. After I was passed by two seven years olds on their pink bikes, I decided I didn't need to be so careful. On our drive out we spied five zebra and a red hartebeest.

Saying Goodbye to Cape Town (For Now)

Friday March 3, 2017

After two weeks in this wonderful city it is time to hit the highway to begin our five week road trip.

Some thoughts and happenings highlighted from our two week stay.

     *Captonians are friendly, welcoming, helpful people. Ciska being one of them.
     * They are a fit group of people!
     * We had to get used to locking not only one door, but four.

     Outside our fortress.
     
       * Levi, who has never eaten more than 300 grams of food a day started eating non stop.
       * Nate, after viewing a few episodes of Chopped, has made many, many eggs in a nest.

     * Jack celebrated his birthday seaside February 28.

      * Jack become used to driving on the left side of the road. The wipers have been turned on many times instead of the blinkers.
     * Eating, boerewors sausage, rusks, fresh calamari and biltong.
     * Enjoying one of the best running routes on the planet; promenade path along Atlantic Ocean.
    

The Cape Peninsula Tour Continued

March 1, 2017
From Boulders Beach we continued on to the Cape of Good Hope. The cliffs at the south point are more than 200 meters above sea level. We saw signs warning us to be careful of baboons. I was quick to discard my banana peel as we climbed to see the lighthouse.

 The tip of the Cape Peninsula.

We were on the lookout for these as well, but alas, there were none out this day.

The drive home to Cape Town had us over Chapman's peak (close to 600m high). This roadway has been thought of as one of the most scenic drives in the world. My clinging to the door and gritting my teeth makes it hard for me to give it this distinction. It is an engineering feat!

Views from a stop after we came down from the top. Continued through Hout Bay to Cape Town.

Oodles of Penguins

Wednesday March 1, 2017

Over 2000 African penguins live at Boulders National Park. At just over 2 feet tall they command a presence. They walk with authority and have been called the 'Jackass Penguin' in the past for the loud braying sounds they make. We first saw them from the designated board walk. Although we were close to them from the board walk, from being here 20 years ago I remembered being in amongst them. The boys spotted the large boulders (how the area got its name) and of course wanted to climb all of them. After going further down a path from the designated area, we entered Boulders Beach. Amazing! That was what I remembered. Now we were up close and personal. So close that I tripped over one that was nestled up against the rocks!

One wanted to join our picnic.

It is obvious how Boulders got its name. The more boulders we climbed, the more secluded and beautiful the beach became. More secluded from people, not penguins. The water was a beautiful blue/green colour.