.jpg "N2 West KwaZulu-Natal SA")
N2 West KwaZulu-Natal
I’ve been very proud of myself for learning to drive on the left side of the road here in South Africa. Sure wish everyone else would do the same.
On the Second day out with the VW Citi Golf rental I was tooling along at about 60kph on N2 West heading to New London for the night. Suddenly a Huge commercial truck passing a car was headed right for me so I swerved and side swiped a parked taxi van straddling the fog line.
.jpg "VW Citi Golf after wreck Mount Frere East Cape SA")
Everyone was OK but the taxi was smashed in the rear right with a flat tire and the left front of the VW was rather crinkled. Thankfully it still runs and so did the taxi once the tire was changed. The driver was a little belligerent but when his boss arrived he was very calm. I followed the taxi and the boss followed me back about 15k to the Mount Frere Police Station to file a report. Which went surprisingly smooth.
.jpg "BCN Makaula Hotel Mount Frere East Cape SA")
BCN Makaula Hotel, Mount Frere East Cape
The boss then lead me to a nice hotel where I called Budget Rental and was told to take the car to Margate, 220k back to the coast, for a replacement.
.jpg "Yaris at TeTemuka Lodge Kokstad KwaZulu-Natal SA")
Yaris at TeTemuka Lodge, Kokstadt KwaZulu-Natal
So I drove back along the N2 for the third time and got as far as Kokstadt where I’ll stay the night at the most delightful place with dogs, birds and two very crafty ladies who are letting me use their internet.
Glad you are well, no one was hurt and everyone has been so kind. Did you find the truck that you avoided?
Continued good travel.
Smiles
Gaelyn, I'm so thankfull that you are OK!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please be carfull. I Love You and I will continue to pray for your safe return. The sweathouse is finished, I need to use it so I won't begin to worry about things that I have no control over. I know I said that I wouldn't until you got back, but I feel it is a must… sorry. Take care, and carry my love with you…
Oh no, Gaelyn;) glad you're OK. Those huge trucks can be such a pain on our roads… Where are you now (this Saturday night? 7pm?) Are you heading for the Cape from Kokstad? Are you going to the Karoo? So many questions… Can you believe we skimmed past Mount Frere on Thursday and there you were a day later. Are you avoiding the Transkei? Please tell us where you are in the next few days. We may just meet up with you… Take care Hugs. Jo
All's well that ends well and I'm glad that it wasn't any worse than it was! Driving on the left is a big switch. Then after you get used to it and come home it feels like you are on the wrong side of the road again.
I am glad you are ok. It pays to be a carefull and safe driver. I know from all the years of driving as a tourist guide that you have to keep your eyes open at all times. I am looking forward to hopefully meet up with you on Monday then.
Welcome to our beautiful country, but the roads are kinda bad with big potholes, and the drivers even worse. Be careful, and enjoy your trip…
sorry about the car, but being in kokstad means that you are right near weza forest, a great spot for some awesome birds (cape parrot!!! bush blackcap, narina trogon, barratts warbler, cinnamon dove, forest buzzard…)
have fun!
Dale
Glad you are OK and are back on track again. This could have happened anywhere, but don't let it ruin your trip. (I don't think it has!)
oh Crap! Glad u are ok! look forward to more posts!
looks like you traded up =-)
Glad you were not hurt! And great that you are back on the road and terrific that you found the internet. Safe driving!
That is an adventure I'm sure you could do without. I'm glad everyone was ok. To bad you couldn't get the truck driver to take responisbility.
I have been worried sick about you Gaelyn as I did not know what happened and if you were okay. Please, please keep in touch so I know you are okay.
I am pleased to hear it is nothing more serious. Please be careful over this long weekend.
Oh No! I am glad that taking care of the situation went rather smoothly. I hope you didn't waste too much of your precious time…thankfully everyone is okay, no injuries. Be careful out there, Gaelyn!
Not at all what you want to happen when you are traveling! I'm glad everyone was okay though. I'm sure that I would have major problems trying to drive on the left side of the road–it would be like trying to drive while looking in a mirror. It sounds like you have landed in a lovely spot for now. Take care and enjoy yourself.
Oh dear! Glad everyone's okay and you found a good place to stay and you're back on track. Enjoy the next part of your adventure. 🙂
I am so grateful that you are okay and that the reporting and swapping of the cars all went well for you. Please be careful. Unfortunately our roads are notorius for bad driving.
Good grief, Gaelyn. Obviously, we're all just happy you are okay, dear! Goodness gracious. (A very Southern expression…just for you today)
Gaelyn: A car can be fixed and I'm also thankful you are okay.
More adventures, but not always the kind you want. Glad you're ok. Sounds like South Africans are quite a nice lot. I rented a car and drove on 'the other side' when I was in Ireland. Never had a problem, except sometimes I'd go to the wrong side to get in!
Nothing like a crash course in driving. Glad all went well. It is not much fun to have a truck heding straight for you. Also very glad you are having a great time.
You're just having all kinds of adventures on this trip Gaelyn!
I'm glad that you (or anyone else) were not hurt in the accident.