From Addo we're off to The Crags, our first stop on The Garden Route, so named for its spectacular scenery, lush vegetation, and dramatic views of the Indian Ocean. It's astonishing how quickly the terrain and vegetation morph from high, dusty, barren desert into lush, green, old-growth forest!
First stop, Cape St. Francis, the site of a penguin rehabilitation and rescue center and our first view of the Indian Ocean.
The African Penguin is distinctive for its chest markings which are a unique fingerprint for every single penguin; no two are alike. There are about 30 permanent residents of the center, all considered too infirm to be released back into the wild.
They are also known as the jackass penguin for the braying noise they make when communicating. Thanks to overfishing and habitat destruction, their numbers have decreased to the point where they are now on the endangered species list.
The sanctuary is located directly off a very rocky coastline that includes this impressive lighthouse, circa late-1880's, that still appears to be a functioning warning beacon.
Once tucked into our charming cottage hideaway at The Crags, we're off to Nature's Valley, a gorgeous beach with stunning surroundings and almost no visitors. These sign boards tell of the fossils of ancient creatures found here ('Fossil Jurassic Park') as well as the marine life, including several species of whale which make their way past here twice a year. Another board also specifies the exact number and size of fish that may be taken from the adjacent estuarine waters on a daily basis.
No surfers in sight, but we did spot a couple of very hardy folk who were swimming! Not these two, however.
This is gorgeous, dramatic scenery, reminiscent for us of Hawaii.
One of the 'must see/must do' excursions is the Storms River Mouth and the hike to the suspension bridges! There's just a bit of devilment in Deb's eyes as she observes the expressions on our faces when she casually observes 'It's a 4km hike to the bridges (and 4km back).' What she fails to include is that it's uphill both ways!! Oh well, there's always the challenge of her and Paul having to retrieve us somewhere mid-trek.
I'm delighted to report that a) we didn't expire or collapse on the up or back trek; b) it was spectacularly worthwhile and c) (drum roll please) I've taken another step in overcoming my fear of heights!
There are actually three suspension bridges, and seen from above they are very impressive. There is a BIG notice saying that no more than 25 people are allowed on the bridge at one time, and my only slightly-terrified brain is asking 'What size people are you talking here? 10 children and 15 average size adults or 25 people topping the scales at 300 lbs each.' It appears that the latter capacity is far from being reached so we venture out . . .
Miracle of miracles, we are the only two people on this second bridge when Paul snaps this shot!
And then there's Deb - the casual, oh-so-cool, bridge crosser! Interesting trick of the eye - the bridge looks like is's almost resting on the water when, in fact, it's many meters above it.
And my 'Ive now overcome my fear of heights on two continents grin'!
Paul is rewarded for his stellar photo-documentation by a close-up of his 'must see' animal once we make it back to stable ground - the dassie. Never heard of it? Neither had we but he is quick to inform us that this wee creature has more in common with the elephant than any other mammal. Huh? The male dassie, like the male elephant, has internal testicles - who knew??
It's a terribly cute and cuddly looking fellow who isn't the least bit shy (looks like he hasn't missed too many meals either).
Storm's River Mouth has the most spectacular campground and a dazzling abundance of this rugged, coastal scenery.
Just one more stop on our way back to the cottage, this one at the world's highest bungee jump - the bridge over the Bloukrans River! And, no, even with my new found confidence, defying my fear of heights on jiggly bridges, this isn't even on my radar (there isn't radar big enough to get me to do this!)
This is a heavily-trafficked bridge and right in the middle you can just make out two darker areas. That's where the jumpers are instructed, suited up, led to the edge of the platform and told to 'Jump!' (If it were me, they'd have to slug me and push me over the edge!). Oh and did I mention that you have to walk from right where we're standing - about 1 km - out to the jump site on a covered walkway within feet of the bridge traffic!!
We know this because we meet a jumper-in-waiting, a young man from Calcutta who is all smiles awaiting his escort out to the bridge.
The official photographer lets us peek through his telephoto lens and we watch as the young man goes off the edge. Again, I am delighted to report that he not only survived the jump but pronounced it 'awesome'. The jumper appears to drop and drop and drop (far more than the advertised 213 meters). On the second bounce a retriever person is lowered swiftly to the jumper, grabs him or her, rights them (you jump head first), and a winch brings them both quickly back up. Record number of jumps in one day by one person: 102. Heaviest jumper: a 400 lb Argentinian man (they had to improvise two cords/harnesses). Oldest person to jump: a 96 year-old man. How often they change out the jumper cables - whenever they break! Tim's joke :)
This qualifies as a totally 'top day'!!
First stop, Cape St. Francis, the site of a penguin rehabilitation and rescue center and our first view of the Indian Ocean.
The African Penguin is distinctive for its chest markings which are a unique fingerprint for every single penguin; no two are alike. There are about 30 permanent residents of the center, all considered too infirm to be released back into the wild.
They are also known as the jackass penguin for the braying noise they make when communicating. Thanks to overfishing and habitat destruction, their numbers have decreased to the point where they are now on the endangered species list.
The sanctuary is located directly off a very rocky coastline that includes this impressive lighthouse, circa late-1880's, that still appears to be a functioning warning beacon.
Once tucked into our charming cottage hideaway at The Crags, we're off to Nature's Valley, a gorgeous beach with stunning surroundings and almost no visitors. These sign boards tell of the fossils of ancient creatures found here ('Fossil Jurassic Park') as well as the marine life, including several species of whale which make their way past here twice a year. Another board also specifies the exact number and size of fish that may be taken from the adjacent estuarine waters on a daily basis.
No surfers in sight, but we did spot a couple of very hardy folk who were swimming! Not these two, however.
This is gorgeous, dramatic scenery, reminiscent for us of Hawaii.
One of the 'must see/must do' excursions is the Storms River Mouth and the hike to the suspension bridges! There's just a bit of devilment in Deb's eyes as she observes the expressions on our faces when she casually observes 'It's a 4km hike to the bridges (and 4km back).' What she fails to include is that it's uphill both ways!! Oh well, there's always the challenge of her and Paul having to retrieve us somewhere mid-trek.
I'm delighted to report that a) we didn't expire or collapse on the up or back trek; b) it was spectacularly worthwhile and c) (drum roll please) I've taken another step in overcoming my fear of heights!
There are actually three suspension bridges, and seen from above they are very impressive. There is a BIG notice saying that no more than 25 people are allowed on the bridge at one time, and my only slightly-terrified brain is asking 'What size people are you talking here? 10 children and 15 average size adults or 25 people topping the scales at 300 lbs each.' It appears that the latter capacity is far from being reached so we venture out . . .
Miracle of miracles, we are the only two people on this second bridge when Paul snaps this shot!
And then there's Deb - the casual, oh-so-cool, bridge crosser! Interesting trick of the eye - the bridge looks like is's almost resting on the water when, in fact, it's many meters above it.
View from the other side: just to prove we actually went all the way across!
And my 'Ive now overcome my fear of heights on two continents grin'!
Paul is rewarded for his stellar photo-documentation by a close-up of his 'must see' animal once we make it back to stable ground - the dassie. Never heard of it? Neither had we but he is quick to inform us that this wee creature has more in common with the elephant than any other mammal. Huh? The male dassie, like the male elephant, has internal testicles - who knew??
Storm's River Mouth has the most spectacular campground and a dazzling abundance of this rugged, coastal scenery.
Just one more stop on our way back to the cottage, this one at the world's highest bungee jump - the bridge over the Bloukrans River! And, no, even with my new found confidence, defying my fear of heights on jiggly bridges, this isn't even on my radar (there isn't radar big enough to get me to do this!)
This is a heavily-trafficked bridge and right in the middle you can just make out two darker areas. That's where the jumpers are instructed, suited up, led to the edge of the platform and told to 'Jump!' (If it were me, they'd have to slug me and push me over the edge!). Oh and did I mention that you have to walk from right where we're standing - about 1 km - out to the jump site on a covered walkway within feet of the bridge traffic!!
We know this because we meet a jumper-in-waiting, a young man from Calcutta who is all smiles awaiting his escort out to the bridge.
The official photographer lets us peek through his telephoto lens and we watch as the young man goes off the edge. Again, I am delighted to report that he not only survived the jump but pronounced it 'awesome'. The jumper appears to drop and drop and drop (far more than the advertised 213 meters). On the second bounce a retriever person is lowered swiftly to the jumper, grabs him or her, rights them (you jump head first), and a winch brings them both quickly back up. Record number of jumps in one day by one person: 102. Heaviest jumper: a 400 lb Argentinian man (they had to improvise two cords/harnesses). Oldest person to jump: a 96 year-old man. How often they change out the jumper cables - whenever they break! Tim's joke :)
This qualifies as a totally 'top day'!!
