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Category: South Africa

Morning light over the Outeniqua Mountains South Africa

01 N12 N Outeniqua Mts Little Karoo Western Cape ZA (1024x767)

After staying over night in George at The Red House B&B I was off early to Cango Cave.

02 N12 N Outeniqua Mts Little Karoo Western Cape ZA (1024x743)

The drive away from the coast into the Outeniqua Mountains was spectacular as I headed towards Oudtshoorn.

03 N12 N Littlr Karoo Western Cape ZA (1024x649)

Outeniqua is said to be derived from a Khoisan tribe that once lived in these mountains and means “they who bear honey”.

04 R328 N Little Karoo Western Cape ZA (1024x767)

Sure was a sweet drive.

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Outeniqua Mountains, Sky Watch Friday meme, South Africa, Western Cape , , 16 Comments

Knysna Heads South Africa

N2 W Knysna Garden Route Western Cape South Africa

Knysna, which lies in the heart of the Garden Route nestled in between the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, looks like a town to shop in. The sidewalks outside all the boutique-looking stores were crowded and parking limited. Instead I went for scenic overlooks.

Lower Eastern Head Knysna Western Cape South Africa

I wound my way along the Knysna Lagoon and ended up at the Lower Eastern Head overlook at the mouth of the Knysna River.

Mussel shells in tide pool Lower Eastern Head Knysna Western Cape South Africa

Wandered out on the rocks enjoying the sun’s warmth and the crashing waves.

Trail Lower Eastern Head Knysna Western Cape South Africa

A little path called me…

Lighthouse into Knysna Lagoon from Lower Eastern Head Western Cape South Africa

…for a view of the lagoon and light house.

Divers Lower Eastern Head Knysna Garden Route Western Cape South Africa

This deep and narrow channel through which the sea pours in claimed the three-masted barque “Paquita” after her anchors fouled twice in 1903 and now the wreck draws scuba divers.

Indian Ocean & Western Head from Upper Eastern Head Knysna Garden Route Western Cape South Africa

Next I followed a twisting road up to the top of the sandstone cliff and Upper Eastern Head overlook.

Caves in Western Head from Upper Eastern Head Knysna Garden Route Western Cape South Africa

Across the channel on the Western Head is the privately owned Featherbed Bay Nature Reserve. Access is by boat to the restaurant and resort with hiking trails to the beach. Looks like a place to carefully watch the tide.

Train on Western Head from Upper Eastern Head Knysna Garden Route Western Cape South Africa

Up until a 2006 flood damaged the track the last fully operational steam train in South Africa, the Choo-Choo, also took people to the nature reserve. Since 1928 the train provided views of the coastline and hidden valleys inaccessible by car as it chugged across the Knysna Lagoon and beyond for 42 miles (68 km).

Knysna Lagoon from Upper Eastern Head Knysna Garden Route Western Cape South Africa

The Knysna Lagoon is home to the world’s only estuarine seahorse species but they’re so tiny you’re unlikely to spot one even diving.

Knysna Lagoon N2 W Garden Route Western Cape South Africa

Other adventures called so I continued west along N2…

Red House B&B George Little Karoo Western Cape South Africa

…to George where I spent the night at The Red House B&B to rest up for the next day’s caving and more.

South Africa , , , 8 Comments

Tsitsikamma National Park Storms River mouth South Africa

Stormsriver peaks Tsitsikamma National Park Eastern Cape South Africa

After hiking the Big Tree Trail in Tsitsikamma National Park I drove less than 6 miles (10 km) and turned off N2…

Indian Ocean view Tsitsikamma National Park Stormsriver mouth Eastern Cape South Africa

…towards the Indian Ocean and the mouth of the Storms River.

Waves crashing Indian Ocean Tsitsikamma National Park Stormsriver Mouth Eastern Cape South Africa

Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 50 miles (80 km) of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes in addition to indigenous forests .

Waves crashing Indian Ocean Tsitsikamma National Park Stormsriver Mouth Eastern Cape South Africa

I was captivated by the crashing waves on the tightly folded sedimentary rocks.

Waves crashing George's Bay into Indian Ocean Tsitsikamma National Park Stormsriver Mouth Eastern Cape South Africa

The word Tsitsikamma is a Khoisan phrase meaning place of abundant water.

Waves crashing George's Bay into Indian Ocean Tsitsikamma National Park Stormsriver Mouth Eastern Cape South Africa

The park is one of the largest Marine Protected Areas in the world conserving 11 percent of South Africa’s Temperate South Coast rocky shoreline.

Stormsriver Mouth Tsitsikamma National Park Eastern Cape South Africa

This remote mountainous region offers secluded valleys covered in forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea.

Flowers Stormsriver Mouth Tsitsikamma Nationa Park Eastern Cape South Africa

The annual rainfall of 47 inches (1200 mm) a year means beautiful flowers even if I don’t know what they’re called.

Reception & dinning Stormsriver Mouth Tsitsikamma National Park Eastern Cape South Africa

After sitting then walking for a while just caught up in the ocean waves I explored reception, restaurant and gift shop.

Chalets along Indian Ocean Tsitsikamma National Park Stormsriver Mouth Eastern Cape South Africa

There are also cabins…

Campground along Indian Ocean Tsitsikamma National Park Stormsriver Mouth Eastern Cape South Africa

…and a campground in the park which I hope to return to for a longer visit in the future.

Rock Hyrax Tsitsikamma National Park Stormsriver Mouth Eastern Cape South Africa

Got back to the car to see this dassie watching me.

Stormsriver peak leaving Tsitsikamma National Park Eastern Cape South Africa

Then back on the road to Knysna.

 

South Africa, Tsitsikamma National Park , 18 Comments

Lijit

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