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TRAVEL BLOG ENTRY
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“Life is good!” |
Tuesday morning we reluctantly packed up to leave our Addo chalet around 6 AM (just as the gates open) and drove the length of the park south to connect with the "Garden Route" and our two day return to Mossel Bay. We drove straight to the Marion Baree Waterhole where yesterday a lioness and her cubs were seen at 6:30 AM, but no luck today. Lots of beautiful birds though, and of course more kudu and warthogs. We also checked out the waterhole from the hide at Spekboom and then started south. Along the way we came upon two bull elephants and several hugs snails, a hawk or two, just missed two lions (according to a car load of people) and did get to see a Cape Cobra squiggling across the road. We also loved the new vistas right down to the ocean where some visitors (in season) also see Southern Right Whales. Addo is a truly unique and wonderful park!
Once again we were astonished at the size and diversity of Port Elizabeth with its harbor, industry, resort, subdivision and township areas. We stopped in at Jeffreys Bay, a major South African surfers' town, for lunch on an open veranda. Still no dolphin sightings, unfortunately. Across the street on the beach however, 10 people were receiving a surfing lesson and we got to laugh with them as they learned to paddle, kneel, and then try to ride their boards. Moving on, we returned to the Storms River Village in Tsitsikamma National Park and stayed with Malcolm and Peggy at Ploughman's Rest. That was another pleasant evening and delicious breakfast! In the morning we went to the Bloukrans Bridge that spans Storms River and where they bunjy jump. It was incredible to watch people jump in both body and ankle harnesses! I could almost go for the body harness jump -- but not quite! Neither Carlene or Denny were game either! We did for a few moments consider going back to do another Canopy Tour though!
Moving on, we found two short side trips with spectacular views of the indigenous forest and descents into deep gorges. There was a baboon running along the road even! Here you see ostrich and baboons instead of deer!
We were able to purchase more great African gifts at the outdoor African market in Plettenberg Bay and enjoyed another pleasant hour at "the Heads" at Knysna watching the boats and people from the outdoor cafe. Stopping at Cheeseman's we loaded up on delicious cheeses and then got two pizzas to bring home for supper at La Piazza in Sedgefield. The Garden Route offers beautiful vistas all along -- sometimes in the form of white sand beaches and usually with dramatic rocky cliffs. No wonder people love to visit the Cape! Life is good!
Back in Mossel Bay we were disappointed to learn that the helicopters areno longer flying for viewing the white sharks from above, however we did enjoy a sailboat ride out to Seal Island where there are over 5,000 African Cape Seals -- adults and pups galore! Oh the aroma! It was fun to watch them laze about, bully one another, and frolic in the surf! Along the way our boathands caught two huge bonitas -- the sea would turn frothy with a school of fish right at the surface, gulls would whisk in, and the fishing lines would run out. Great excitement!
previous travel blog entryComments or Questions for the Author
Kitten33 says:
Hi Sally and Denny. What fun you are having and how nice to share your experiences with us. I showed your site to one of the other professors in our dept and we are all going to enjoy your great writing and photography skills. Retirement is sounding better each day. Hope to see you (in Jackson) when you return. Carole and Bob
SL Niece says:
Your trip sounds amazing. I love reading about it and looking at the pictures. I'm glad you are having such a great time! Love ya and miss ya!