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Tag: Knysna

Bloggers meet at Guinea Fowl Lodge in Knysna South Africa

Jo at The Heads Knysna SA

Jo from Memorable Meanders and I have been following each others blogs for years and finally met in Knysna South Africa.  During my last visit her son John guided me backpacking in the Drakensberg Mountains.

Jo & Grant at Guinea Fowl Lodge Knysna SA

Jo and husband Grant were on holiday from their current home in Tanzania riding their motor bike around the Cape for a couple of weeks.  I’m sure she’ll be posting about their journey after returning home.

Guinea Fowl Lodge Knysna SA

We stayed with friends of theirs at the Guinea Fowl Lodge with the most amazing view over Knysna Lagoon.

View from The Heads Knysna SA

Knysna Lagoon from the Heads Knysna SA

Jo and I took a ride up to The Heads overlooking the Indian Ocean and Knysna Lagoon.  I only got lost once while we chatted away and I missed a sign somewhere.  Having been there before I thought I knew where I was going.  The overlook is surrounded by huge mansions, mostly empty and only used on holidays.  Such a waste.

Guinea Fowl Lodge Knysna SA

Our hosts Peter and Mart served a delicious snoek (fish) braii (BBQ) with Roosterkoek (grill cake “roor-stir-cook” with the first r rolled) and homemade grape jam.  Unfortunately it was too late and dark to take photos.  I even drank a little Sherry.

Redwing Starlings at Guinea Fowl Lodge Knysna SA

Even the local birds eat well at Guinea Fowl Lodge as these Redwing Starlings can attest filling their bills with corn to take back to the nearby nest.

Jo & Grant on the BMW at Guinea Fowl Lodge Knysna SA

After a filling and delicious breakfast it was time to say goodbye to Jo and Grant as they continued on holiday and I to Tsitsikamma National Park Storms River Mouth.

 

I’ve been fortunate enough to meet two bloggers during this journey in South Africa.  Have you met any of the bloggers you follow?

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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.

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Travel the Garden Route South Africa

N2 West Garden Route East Cape South Africa

Wow, finally made it to the Garden Route South Africa, an appropriate name for all the beautiful green.

Tsitsikamma National Park Garden Route East Cape South Africa

Plus the clear blues of the Indian Ocean at the mouth of Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park.

Knysna Heads Garden Route East Cape South Africa

Knysna is nice with a great view from a residential area requiring a huge pocketbook.

Cango Cave Little Karoo East Cape South Africa

The beauty of South Africa can also be found underground in Cango Cave.

Gaelyn riding Ostrich Cango Ostrich Farm Oudtshoorn East Cape South Africa

And Ostriches are raised for feathers, eggs, meat, leather, and riding.

Stayed in Mossel Bay, next stop Hermanus.

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Lijit

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