Garden Route 2

A Gemsbok we think
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We left through the township area (frightening, a bit more civilised than Cape town areas but neverthless awesomely poor. We were told by a white woman that this how they want to live and by a black person that with 60% unemployement they can't do much about it. This leaves us very confused) and hit the dirt roads (one hundred Km through magnificant mountains with the rock strata on show in the most spectacular fashion). It took us about 3 hr of slow driving with almost no-one visible and no road signs - awesome. We saw a raiding party of monkeys (prob not baboons since they had small bottoms!) who left an orchard at speed whan we approached - up to no good obviously. We saw umpteen ostrich both farmed and wild (spooky) and a beautiful antelope (?eland). We saw all the usual farm animals as well. Temp today got to 37C according to the car. Lunch in Ladysmith was uneventful but the red rocks beyond were quite beautiful. Arrived in George and couldn't find the hotel (again). Another pleasant place with big bed and hot bath - you really don't ask for more. Woken up in the am by furoius banging in adjacent room (before 8.30am) just when PD wanted a bit more shuteye after all the driving. Judy said it wasa  mistake not to add her as a driver! Monkey crashed through the tree just outside our room (shades of Sri Lanka) so we decided better to keep the balcony door closed. Started the day trying to email - very frustrating since nothing seems to work the way we expected. Drove to Mossel bay but abandoned due to traffic in favour of the dirt roads and the mountains (stress free). We are amazed at teh lack of bugs I expect Oz will correct our balance on this aspect of life! At Oudtshoorn we did a croc and big cat park. At last we have seen a Jaguar as well as tiger, lions (feeding rarely since they are normally sleeping like Ed and Homer!) and cheetahs (lovely noises) and babies. Back tothe hotel where we got stuck into sushi and teppanyaki saki and japanese tea. P asked the chef what part of Japan he came from and he said Bangkok!!