Today we started by sitting around the park enjoying the view and the beautiful weather, finally. Carroll, as the typical social butterfly was speaking with the neighbours and they mentioned that they had a 10 AM appointment at Storms River, 4 KM away, to go on a Zip line exsecution. Since we intended to visit Storms River anyway, we decided to check out the Zip Line while we were there. We arr at 11:30 and they had an opening for 2 persons on the 12:00 group. There is only 8 people to a group. So we paid the R900 for two and the next thing we knew , we were in the group. Unbeknown to us until we got the intinal briefing was that lunch and a drink ( non alcohol ) was included. It was quite warm in the forest so on our return to have lunch, my drink was a cold beer as you would expect.
The Zip Line had 10 sections or "runs " and the group leader was fabulous. Althought we have never been on a Zip Line before we felt real safe. Besides the pulleys that carry you there are 2 more safety lines to ensure your safety. For you folks who have never done, get off your rear and do it. If you are travelling to fast on the line they have a safety brake at the landing controlled by the "Catcher" so you will always have a "soft landing ". It was a great experience.
Well, that little experience did "while" away most of the day but our cell ran out of " airtime " so we checked on were we could get another airtime card. Your not going to believe this; of course, at the Liquor store, where else. Not being Cell phone people, we were not sure if we loaded it properly, so the clerk heard us musing about that , so she said this young guy here will check it for you and he did. It was loaded correctly.
I thought we were going back to the camp until carroll spotted a craft shop, which really means a "hawker" who happens to have a small bldg for his junk. Carroll was intersted in a carved Hippo so she " Bow Beat " the guy until she finally go it at a reduced price, but not nec a cheap price. It is made of Mahogana wood and weighs about 20 lbs, so it will cost another 50.00 for overweight on the flight home.
By this time I needed another beer so back to the camp site we go. Since we are still sweaty and hot from the Zip line we jumped into " dam cold " pool to cool off. We top off the day with a supper at the local resturaunt and the evening was cool enought to wear a sweater.
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
28 Nov Monday Addo Park to Storms River
We left Addo Nat park and traveled 350 Km to Storms River-Tsitsikamma National Park. This is one gorgerous camp site, right on the Indian Ocean within the National Park area. Every camp site has an ocean view.
Now back to the trip. Upon leaving Addo we decided to to take the long route thru the entire park which covered about 30 KM of park road which is mostly gravel, but I must say, very good gravel, actually hard pan. The speed limit in all animal parks is only 40 KMH but you have to go much slower if you intend to spot any animals so this trip probably took us 1 1/2 to 2 hours and you will find out why as this story unfolds. We had hoped to see a few Elephants since there is suppose to be 350 Elephants whom call this park as their home. There are also 9 Lions who are somewhere in the park.
During the first 10 Km we seen the usual "wild " animals such as Zebras, Warthogs, Kudus and even 3 foxes so we pretty well figured that would be it for the day. Then, as we hit the brow of a hill there were 3 or 4 cars stopped which usually means a sighting of something, even a bird or two. Then we seen the reason for the traffic tie-up, which was one huge Elephantstanding across the road , having breakfast from the roadside trees and she was in no hurry to move. Bear in mind, the roads are 16 to 18 ft wide with no shoulders and shrubs and trees right up to the roadway. So there was no way that anyone could get by. As per normal we all started snapping pics and hoped that she would move off the road. Not likely; she stood there eating for about 20 mins. and none of us had the nerve to ask her to move. Finally she move at a slight angle and one small car snug by. Then the Elephant turned and started to walk up the road, but directly in the middle so we could not get past. By this time a few more cars joined the parade and there we were all in single file, inching our way up the road behind the Elephant for about another 15 mins. Finally, she found a path off the road and took it allowing us to motor on our way.
After another 20 mins or so and just as we came over another hill we seen 7 or 8 vehicles blocking the road both ways. We could not see the problem so we got as close as possible and Carroll ask a girl, who was hanging out the window of her car snapping pics, what the holdup was. She said there are 2 male Lions right on the road Suninng themselves with no intention of moving. Now, this got our interest as Lion sightings are rare so we inched closer and started snapping a few pics. Well, maybe we snapped more than a few pics but certainly not more than a hundred. The car in front of us moved fwd which allowed us full view of the Lions. Then a few more cars joined the charades so being our MH blocks out the small cars, I moved ahead to allow others the priviledge of getting some pics. Finally the car in front of me moved on so I coasted fwd so as not to frighten the Lions. Since I have a Diesel I did not want to start it. Once I got directly in front of the Lions I wanted that last perfect shot, out the window of course. Just as i snapped the last pics the one Lion raised it's head as if to stare at me. Well, I don't want to say i was too close but I can tell you that the Lion had bad Breath.
Well, enough of this Elephant and Lion hunting, we had another 350 KM of road to cover so off we go to our next destination.
Our plan was to stop at Oster Bay for the night,; a place we selected from our trusty camping book. In the early afternoon about 30 or 40 KM from our destination we were going thru a small city/town and decided we need groceries so we stopped and did some shopping. Then we decided we were hungry and spotted a Fish and Chip takeout. Since we were close to the ocean we thought the fish would be good and it was. On our way back to the MH we spotted a pie shop so we dropped in and bought 2 pies for supper.
Now we are heading for Oster Bay and the sign says turn right but our GPS says to turn left. so we trusted our GPS for about 4 KM then we did not like the road so we stopped and called the resort. The directions sound kind of convoluted but the 25 KM of gravel road was making me nervous but he assured us it was a good road. After a few KM I realized the resort owner and I had a different definiton of Good so we did an about turn and picked out another camp ground , down the road about 50 KM which was Tsitsikamma National park and as it turns out it was the perfect choice. The park is located 4 KM from the quaint tourist town of Storms River.
We arr at the park and the receptionist ask if we wanted a view lot. Of course Carroll said yes so it cost an extra R50. The clerk gave us 5 choice and said pick one and let me know right away. We drove down to these "breath taking" sites right on the ocean, picked out a site and then drove back to the office and paid for a 2 nd night. We find it hard to believe you can get a 5 star camping spot for 25.00 cdn per night. These RV parks makes ours in Canada look like a dump.
Anyway it is now " Miller Time " for me and our neighbours have already say hello so I'm sure they will be talking to us shortly. MH are rare in ZA so naturally we do command attention.
Now back to the trip. Upon leaving Addo we decided to to take the long route thru the entire park which covered about 30 KM of park road which is mostly gravel, but I must say, very good gravel, actually hard pan. The speed limit in all animal parks is only 40 KMH but you have to go much slower if you intend to spot any animals so this trip probably took us 1 1/2 to 2 hours and you will find out why as this story unfolds. We had hoped to see a few Elephants since there is suppose to be 350 Elephants whom call this park as their home. There are also 9 Lions who are somewhere in the park.
During the first 10 Km we seen the usual "wild " animals such as Zebras, Warthogs, Kudus and even 3 foxes so we pretty well figured that would be it for the day. Then, as we hit the brow of a hill there were 3 or 4 cars stopped which usually means a sighting of something, even a bird or two. Then we seen the reason for the traffic tie-up, which was one huge Elephantstanding across the road , having breakfast from the roadside trees and she was in no hurry to move. Bear in mind, the roads are 16 to 18 ft wide with no shoulders and shrubs and trees right up to the roadway. So there was no way that anyone could get by. As per normal we all started snapping pics and hoped that she would move off the road. Not likely; she stood there eating for about 20 mins. and none of us had the nerve to ask her to move. Finally she move at a slight angle and one small car snug by. Then the Elephant turned and started to walk up the road, but directly in the middle so we could not get past. By this time a few more cars joined the parade and there we were all in single file, inching our way up the road behind the Elephant for about another 15 mins. Finally, she found a path off the road and took it allowing us to motor on our way.
After another 20 mins or so and just as we came over another hill we seen 7 or 8 vehicles blocking the road both ways. We could not see the problem so we got as close as possible and Carroll ask a girl, who was hanging out the window of her car snapping pics, what the holdup was. She said there are 2 male Lions right on the road Suninng themselves with no intention of moving. Now, this got our interest as Lion sightings are rare so we inched closer and started snapping a few pics. Well, maybe we snapped more than a few pics but certainly not more than a hundred. The car in front of us moved fwd which allowed us full view of the Lions. Then a few more cars joined the charades so being our MH blocks out the small cars, I moved ahead to allow others the priviledge of getting some pics. Finally the car in front of me moved on so I coasted fwd so as not to frighten the Lions. Since I have a Diesel I did not want to start it. Once I got directly in front of the Lions I wanted that last perfect shot, out the window of course. Just as i snapped the last pics the one Lion raised it's head as if to stare at me. Well, I don't want to say i was too close but I can tell you that the Lion had bad Breath.
Well, enough of this Elephant and Lion hunting, we had another 350 KM of road to cover so off we go to our next destination.
Our plan was to stop at Oster Bay for the night,; a place we selected from our trusty camping book. In the early afternoon about 30 or 40 KM from our destination we were going thru a small city/town and decided we need groceries so we stopped and did some shopping. Then we decided we were hungry and spotted a Fish and Chip takeout. Since we were close to the ocean we thought the fish would be good and it was. On our way back to the MH we spotted a pie shop so we dropped in and bought 2 pies for supper.
Now we are heading for Oster Bay and the sign says turn right but our GPS says to turn left. so we trusted our GPS for about 4 KM then we did not like the road so we stopped and called the resort. The directions sound kind of convoluted but the 25 KM of gravel road was making me nervous but he assured us it was a good road. After a few KM I realized the resort owner and I had a different definiton of Good so we did an about turn and picked out another camp ground , down the road about 50 KM which was Tsitsikamma National park and as it turns out it was the perfect choice. The park is located 4 KM from the quaint tourist town of Storms River.
We arr at the park and the receptionist ask if we wanted a view lot. Of course Carroll said yes so it cost an extra R50. The clerk gave us 5 choice and said pick one and let me know right away. We drove down to these "breath taking" sites right on the ocean, picked out a site and then drove back to the office and paid for a 2 nd night. We find it hard to believe you can get a 5 star camping spot for 25.00 cdn per night. These RV parks makes ours in Canada look like a dump.
Anyway it is now " Miller Time " for me and our neighbours have already say hello so I'm sure they will be talking to us shortly. MH are rare in ZA so naturally we do command attention.
27 Nov Port Elizabeth to ADDO Elephant NationalPark
Althought the Willows camp site was beantiful, Port Elizabeth ( PE ) was just anothe big city, which we did not need to stay any longer. So we decided to go to Addo Elephant park, which was about 150 KM away and not really in our path but it sounded interesting. When we awoke Sunday the day appeared to be great weather but the guy at the Filling station, where we stopped on the way out of PE said the Weather report was all wrong and with the wind blowing off the Ocean we wuld get rain and lots of it. Before we got out of the city it started to pour rain and with the exception of a few brief interludes it rained all day and most of the night.
Anyway, we motored on the National park , which we called earlier to verify a Camp site and of course the directions. ( Good road maps are not ZA strong point and there are NO mileages marked on the Maps ) . By the time arrived at the national Park ( about 1:30 ) the rain had been reduced to a drizzle so after we got our Camp site, of which there were many we ventured over to see about a Game Drive, (mostly the cost ) and there was one leaving at 5 PM for the cost of 50.00 Cdn per person. Since the vehicles are open sides , they provide rain slickers. We thought , yeh, we are going elephant hunting in the rain , freezing our ass off for 2 hours and paying 100.00 cdn. I know i was born at night, but not last night, so we declined.
Since the rain had abated somewhat, we decided to do a self drive ourself and search out the Wild Animals. We did see an Elephant, Zebras, Kudu ( antelope ) and Warthog, however, we don't really classify them as Wild animals but none the less, they are interesting to see in the wild. after our 2 to 3 hour Self Drive, we returned to camp to listen to it rain most of the evening and during the night.
However, I did have a good signal on my computer SIM card so I decided to complete the Monday to Friday Blogs that were waiting on me to get a signal.
That concludes sunday but stay tuned for Monday. We hit the Mother Lode.
Anyway, we motored on the National park , which we called earlier to verify a Camp site and of course the directions. ( Good road maps are not ZA strong point and there are NO mileages marked on the Maps ) . By the time arrived at the national Park ( about 1:30 ) the rain had been reduced to a drizzle so after we got our Camp site, of which there were many we ventured over to see about a Game Drive, (mostly the cost ) and there was one leaving at 5 PM for the cost of 50.00 Cdn per person. Since the vehicles are open sides , they provide rain slickers. We thought , yeh, we are going elephant hunting in the rain , freezing our ass off for 2 hours and paying 100.00 cdn. I know i was born at night, but not last night, so we declined.
Since the rain had abated somewhat, we decided to do a self drive ourself and search out the Wild Animals. We did see an Elephant, Zebras, Kudu ( antelope ) and Warthog, however, we don't really classify them as Wild animals but none the less, they are interesting to see in the wild. after our 2 to 3 hour Self Drive, we returned to camp to listen to it rain most of the evening and during the night.
However, I did have a good signal on my computer SIM card so I decided to complete the Monday to Friday Blogs that were waiting on me to get a signal.
That concludes sunday but stay tuned for Monday. We hit the Mother Lode.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
26 Nov Saturday Gonube to Port Elizabeth
I noticed that I said the 25 was Thurs but I'm sure you all know it is Friday
On Saturday we left Areena ( Gonube ) at 7 AM as we had a 350 Km trip to Port Elizabeth and we wanted to get there in good time to take advance of the nice weather and the beach that we knew was right on the camp site. This was one of our better trips because it was all on N2 which was partly freeway and then real good two lanes with some 8 foot should, which as I mentioned previously, becomes a 4 lane for all intent and purpose. It also allows us to average 90 KMH instead of the usual 50 or 60 KMH.
Everything went along nicely until we got close to Port Elizabeth and Carroll punched in the co-ordinates for the Willows camp site .. no match found, so she punched in the name.... no match found, so she punched in " camp sites in P. E..... no match found. Now what.. well maybe; just maybe there will be a sign. No such luck. So we do know that the camp ground is on the water, the Indian ocean to be exact, so drive thru the city to the Ocean. On a Saturday afternoon, this was not the best decision we have ever made, so we decide to find an information ( i ) booth and with luck we did, unfortenately they were closed. But we did spot a "Filling" station so I pulled in to ask direction. As I got out of the MH I spotted 4 Black attendance who I thought might help; and then I got a Flash back to 1 Nov when I ask 4 Black guys at a Filling station the best way to get out of Johannasburg and after a committee meeting they gave me the wrong directions. So I just gave they a quick wave " Hello " and went inside to the " white" clerk who gave very specific direction which lead is directly to our camp site some 30 mins away.
The camp site was not full so the clerk gave us a site with a great view of the Ocean and all the plots were grass and treed. the entire camp site is beautiful. It would make most sites in Canada look like a pig pen. The clerk original said the cost per night was R185 and then ask if I was a"Pensioner " ( they don't have Seniors in ZA ) and I said yes so she said the price is only R98.
After parking the camper we headed for the ocean for our first taste of the Indian ocean and it was great. Too bad we can't stay here longer than a day but we have to get further south to the Garden route where everyone raves about its' beauty.
After our swim and a beer, we headed back to P.E. for a look at there waterfront, which is very nice with lots of beach area.
Since it was now 7 PM we decide to stay in town for supper and we found a nice resturaunt called De Kelner. After perusing the menu we decide on ChateauBriand for two. The chef actually cook our meal right at our table which attracted the attention of most of the people in the whole place. The bill came to R400 ( 50.00 cdn ) and that included a Starter of Mushrooms and a beer for the driver. It was a good job I had a beer because I had to drive home in the dark on a narrow road.
On Saturday we left Areena ( Gonube ) at 7 AM as we had a 350 Km trip to Port Elizabeth and we wanted to get there in good time to take advance of the nice weather and the beach that we knew was right on the camp site. This was one of our better trips because it was all on N2 which was partly freeway and then real good two lanes with some 8 foot should, which as I mentioned previously, becomes a 4 lane for all intent and purpose. It also allows us to average 90 KMH instead of the usual 50 or 60 KMH.
Everything went along nicely until we got close to Port Elizabeth and Carroll punched in the co-ordinates for the Willows camp site .. no match found, so she punched in the name.... no match found, so she punched in " camp sites in P. E..... no match found. Now what.. well maybe; just maybe there will be a sign. No such luck. So we do know that the camp ground is on the water, the Indian ocean to be exact, so drive thru the city to the Ocean. On a Saturday afternoon, this was not the best decision we have ever made, so we decide to find an information ( i ) booth and with luck we did, unfortenately they were closed. But we did spot a "Filling" station so I pulled in to ask direction. As I got out of the MH I spotted 4 Black attendance who I thought might help; and then I got a Flash back to 1 Nov when I ask 4 Black guys at a Filling station the best way to get out of Johannasburg and after a committee meeting they gave me the wrong directions. So I just gave they a quick wave " Hello " and went inside to the " white" clerk who gave very specific direction which lead is directly to our camp site some 30 mins away.
The camp site was not full so the clerk gave us a site with a great view of the Ocean and all the plots were grass and treed. the entire camp site is beautiful. It would make most sites in Canada look like a pig pen. The clerk original said the cost per night was R185 and then ask if I was a"Pensioner " ( they don't have Seniors in ZA ) and I said yes so she said the price is only R98.
After parking the camper we headed for the ocean for our first taste of the Indian ocean and it was great. Too bad we can't stay here longer than a day but we have to get further south to the Garden route where everyone raves about its' beauty.
After our swim and a beer, we headed back to P.E. for a look at there waterfront, which is very nice with lots of beach area.
Since it was now 7 PM we decide to stay in town for supper and we found a nice resturaunt called De Kelner. After perusing the menu we decide on ChateauBriand for two. The chef actually cook our meal right at our table which attracted the attention of most of the people in the whole place. The bill came to R400 ( 50.00 cdn ) and that included a Starter of Mushrooms and a beer for the driver. It was a good job I had a beer because I had to drive home in the dark on a narrow road.
25 Nov Thursday Gonube & East London
Our Cdn friends left before we had a chance to say goodbye but they had another long day of travel ahead of them , as they were heading for the Cape. We inturn decide to visit the quaint little town of Gonube, which appears to a bedroom community for East London. None of the cities and towns have a sign to say the population but my guess for East London would be around 200,000.
We did a quick trip around Gonube which took about 20 min and said to ourselves; is that it. It has a beautiful beach and a few hotels and a new shopping Mall not yet full of stores but that is it. So we ventured down the road to East London and it was a zoo of traffic. We did the waterfront and they are begin to all look alike. We also looked for a Bus tour of the city but they don't have one. Then we seen something about the gigantic Mall so we found it on the outshirts of the city as per usual. However, we encountered the same parking problem, which is the entrance all have a height restriction of 2.6M ( 7 Feet) and we need at least 3 M clearance. But,Carroll, with her eagle eyes noticed that cube vans and other delivery trucks could park just inside the lot and just before the restriction gate so we followed those trucks and just parked where they did. This gate had a chain that was on the ground, so as long as it stayed there we could also get out. If not, I'll let Carroll deal with Security.
So we walked the Mall picking up a few items and I was also looking for an Apple store as my iPad2 can not send msg. I checked with the Vodafone store and to my surprise, there is only 2 Apple stores in ZA. One is in Capetown and the other is in Johannesburg. Can you believe, 53 million people and only 2 Apple stores. I was told this is Blackberry Country.
This mall also has a Casino, so Carroll had to check it out as usual and make a small donation. I think she only lost 2 dollars. Then we stopped for a late lunch in the Mall and decide to check out the only camp site in the small town of Gonube and possibly hit their gorgerous beach.
Oh, I should mention getting out of the parking area wasn't too bad. As we walked to the MH I noticed that the chain that was on the ground when we entered was now, up and locked. So I'm thinking this is where I start kissing Butt to get out; I even checked to make sure I had some change if I had to buy my way out. Then I seen a guy looking at me as we walked to the MH, so I walked over and said , can you let me out and he did. Problem solved.
Now, to find the camp site. Carroll punched the co-ordinates into the GPS and off we go to Gonube and we had to wind our way thru the town and down towards the water to the camp site. I check thru security who direct me to reception; she in turn say, go grab a site and return and pay for it. That was easy.... until I got into the camp site. The people we seen and their campers or reasonable facimally may have been of a slightly less quality than the Eslers are use too. Any nobody was " White" which did not give me a warm fuzzy feeling. Carroll says. I don't even want to see the bathroom, just get me out here. Nuff said.
So we return to Areena camp ground, which was the one we spent last night in. I think they were surprised to see us back .
Tomorrow we head for Port Elizabeth which is on the Indian Ocean and the camp site at P.E.was recommended by our Host, so we know it will be a nice one.
We did a quick trip around Gonube which took about 20 min and said to ourselves; is that it. It has a beautiful beach and a few hotels and a new shopping Mall not yet full of stores but that is it. So we ventured down the road to East London and it was a zoo of traffic. We did the waterfront and they are begin to all look alike. We also looked for a Bus tour of the city but they don't have one. Then we seen something about the gigantic Mall so we found it on the outshirts of the city as per usual. However, we encountered the same parking problem, which is the entrance all have a height restriction of 2.6M ( 7 Feet) and we need at least 3 M clearance. But,Carroll, with her eagle eyes noticed that cube vans and other delivery trucks could park just inside the lot and just before the restriction gate so we followed those trucks and just parked where they did. This gate had a chain that was on the ground, so as long as it stayed there we could also get out. If not, I'll let Carroll deal with Security.
So we walked the Mall picking up a few items and I was also looking for an Apple store as my iPad2 can not send msg. I checked with the Vodafone store and to my surprise, there is only 2 Apple stores in ZA. One is in Capetown and the other is in Johannesburg. Can you believe, 53 million people and only 2 Apple stores. I was told this is Blackberry Country.
This mall also has a Casino, so Carroll had to check it out as usual and make a small donation. I think she only lost 2 dollars. Then we stopped for a late lunch in the Mall and decide to check out the only camp site in the small town of Gonube and possibly hit their gorgerous beach.
Oh, I should mention getting out of the parking area wasn't too bad. As we walked to the MH I noticed that the chain that was on the ground when we entered was now, up and locked. So I'm thinking this is where I start kissing Butt to get out; I even checked to make sure I had some change if I had to buy my way out. Then I seen a guy looking at me as we walked to the MH, so I walked over and said , can you let me out and he did. Problem solved.
Now, to find the camp site. Carroll punched the co-ordinates into the GPS and off we go to Gonube and we had to wind our way thru the town and down towards the water to the camp site. I check thru security who direct me to reception; she in turn say, go grab a site and return and pay for it. That was easy.... until I got into the camp site. The people we seen and their campers or reasonable facimally may have been of a slightly less quality than the Eslers are use too. Any nobody was " White" which did not give me a warm fuzzy feeling. Carroll says. I don't even want to see the bathroom, just get me out here. Nuff said.
So we return to Areena camp ground, which was the one we spent last night in. I think they were surprised to see us back .
Tomorrow we head for Port Elizabeth which is on the Indian Ocean and the camp site at P.E.was recommended by our Host, so we know it will be a nice one.
24 Nov Eland to Gonube
This was out longest day so far as we covered 550 KM, most of thru a down pour. Our first stop was at Kolstad for fuel, 140 KM from Eland, where we spent the night before. As we pulled into the Truck stop to refuel the vehicle ahead of us, beening refuel was a Maui Motor Home which indicated it would be an "out of country" traveller. Carroll ask the attendant where they were from and he said Canada. So Carroll held " court " with them until I refuelled. Then we, meaning all 4 of had to visit the washroom and then we ( all 4 ) went into Wimpy's ( the ZA version of Macdonald's ) for a coffee. The couple where actually a father and daughter ( Jim and cassie )The daugther has been here for 6 months doing some research ( at your expense ) paid for but your tax dollars. She has a Masters degree in Political science and she is doing research on Social Health in ZA. Give me a break. The father has a Air conditioning/ refrigeration business in Armstrong , BC. He said ( jokingly) he came over to take her home. Anyhow, they said they were going to a Camp site called Areen and we were going to Gonube, so off we go, never thinking we would meet again as they had a 15 min head start. As we travelled down the road we actually caught them several time but never past due to weather and traffic. .
We had to go thru several small town/cities and the people and the traffic was unreal. It seems that everyone was shopping, double parked, trucks unloading in the middle of the street, etc etc. It was chaos in the small towns but we managed to get thru safely.
Passing 18 wheelers on these winding mountain roads, was another story because if you don't take a chance on a solid line you will be following them all day. So I just put on my ZA driving Hat and did as they do; pull out and flash your lights and the guy coming at you will move over.
I did have one little incident I must tell about. I was following an 18 wheeler , for what seemed forever and finally we crested a hill ( in a rain storm ) and I seen an opening so I nailed her down. What I did not see was an intersection at the bottom of the hill, nor did i see the " Painted" no passing Bulavard" , nor did I see the cop standing in the far lane with his hand in the air. By the time I got to the cop I was probably doing 100 KMH, the truck was up my ass and i assumed the cop was waving at someone other than me so I kept going. However , about 2 KM down the road is another cop standing at the side of the road and I think; shit, the other cop must have radio ahead to stop me, but he did not wave me over; so another disaster averted.
This 550 KM trip was very tirering but the rain finally about 100 KM from Gonube where we intended to stop for the night. As we got closer to our intended destination I was getting tired so i said to Carroll, just take the closes camp site on the GPS; I'm tired and I need a beer. She punched in the closes one and it happen to be the same one that Jim and Cassie were going to so we headed there. As it turns out they arrive at the gate just ahead of us.
One we got set up they joined us for a beer ( I think it was 3 beer ) and to swap stories. We then had supper at the camp resturaunt Jim and Cassie and then called it a day. Gonube can wait until tomorrow
We had to go thru several small town/cities and the people and the traffic was unreal. It seems that everyone was shopping, double parked, trucks unloading in the middle of the street, etc etc. It was chaos in the small towns but we managed to get thru safely.
Passing 18 wheelers on these winding mountain roads, was another story because if you don't take a chance on a solid line you will be following them all day. So I just put on my ZA driving Hat and did as they do; pull out and flash your lights and the guy coming at you will move over.
I did have one little incident I must tell about. I was following an 18 wheeler , for what seemed forever and finally we crested a hill ( in a rain storm ) and I seen an opening so I nailed her down. What I did not see was an intersection at the bottom of the hill, nor did i see the " Painted" no passing Bulavard" , nor did I see the cop standing in the far lane with his hand in the air. By the time I got to the cop I was probably doing 100 KMH, the truck was up my ass and i assumed the cop was waving at someone other than me so I kept going. However , about 2 KM down the road is another cop standing at the side of the road and I think; shit, the other cop must have radio ahead to stop me, but he did not wave me over; so another disaster averted.
This 550 KM trip was very tirering but the rain finally about 100 KM from Gonube where we intended to stop for the night. As we got closer to our intended destination I was getting tired so i said to Carroll, just take the closes camp site on the GPS; I'm tired and I need a beer. She punched in the closes one and it happen to be the same one that Jim and Cassie were going to so we headed there. As it turns out they arrive at the gate just ahead of us.
One we got set up they joined us for a beer ( I think it was 3 beer ) and to swap stories. We then had supper at the camp resturaunt Jim and Cassie and then called it a day. Gonube can wait until tomorrow
23 Nov Wednesday Margate to Eland
It was still rainning when we left Margate and our next stop , would be Gonube area; which would have been over 650 KM away which in the country is not abtainable in one day due to the road conditions and the small towns that had to be navagated and I use that word loosely. The small towns are more like an obstacle course with the traffic and the people.
So we ( mostly Carroll ) decided to go to a Nature reserve and then launch real early the next day for Gonube, a place also mention by another camper. As we were motoring along , in the middle of nowhere , we passed two huge mines. One mfg Cement and the other was mining Limestone.
Shortly , thereafter we happen to see a sign that read " Coffe Shop Now Open ", at Leopard's Rock. This caught our interest and since it was only 10 AM, we could use a coffee so we did an about turn and drove about a 1/4 of a KM up a tree lined lane until we reached the coffee shop which was more like a resturaunt. We seen two other cars in the lot so we figured we would not be alone. Surprise... they were just leaving but what the heck; we decide to check the place out. Too our surprise this " Coffee Shop " is built on the edge and high above a beautiful Gorge. The owners, retired from the Two mines I mentioned, also built several beautiful Chalets overlooking this Gorge. The owners gave us and another couple who happened to drop in out of curiosity,a tour of the chalets and they are gorgous. We were surprised to hear that the chalets are about 90 % booked on the weekends. We also got the " picture tour " of the area and the story behind the name of Leopard's Rock. I makes this story brief so bear with me; many years ago a man came to this area and lived near the gorge. Apparently, and the picture bear the truth, he domesticated a Leopard and it became his pet. A picture shows him laying on a Rock , suppositly 1000's of feet above the Gorge, but only 10 feet, with the pet Leopard laying on him, hence Leopard's Rock.
To futher our story , we decide to order breakfast, Carroll a small breakfast and me a large English breakfast. The other couple had a coffee and a muffin and low and behold two more couples come in and I'm thinking this place is 30 KM off the road and already, in the middle of the week, 8 couple have showed up. They don't even advertize the place as a coffee shop.
OK, we got to get going so travel another 30 KM thru , what is mostly sugar Cane area or wild game reserves and then we see a sign we did not want to see. It said " Only 4 more KM of gravel road" and you will be at the Eland Game reserve. I'm thinking this better be good.
It looked pretty dam good as we drove in ( as if we had a chose now the morning was shot ) so we waked in to the reception area and met with man, who I think, wrote "History Book" on the area. I really expect to write test when he finished explaining everything. All as I said or think i said was " so what have got for me to see here".
Anyhow, we stayed the night, althought we were the only campers, there were others in the chalets; we did a self-drive to see the animals but I'm not convinced a Zebra, antelpoe and Warthogs qualify as a Wild animal. We then went to a suspension bridge above the Gorge and too pics of the gorge from the bridge. They also have 3.3 Km of Zip line but it was closed as a result of the rain and foggy weather. I may have tried the Zip line if it was open.
Later, I went back to see " Mr. History Book " about my travel plans for tomorrow as we had to go about 550 KM to Gonube, our next "Planned" stop. I also said I needed one fuel stop. So he gave me very specific details because we were travelling , for the most part, thru any area that was not; to coin a phase " White freindly " It was OK during the day but not to stay overnight.
So we decided to leave at 7 AM the next day and to heed his directions.
So we ( mostly Carroll ) decided to go to a Nature reserve and then launch real early the next day for Gonube, a place also mention by another camper. As we were motoring along , in the middle of nowhere , we passed two huge mines. One mfg Cement and the other was mining Limestone.
Shortly , thereafter we happen to see a sign that read " Coffe Shop Now Open ", at Leopard's Rock. This caught our interest and since it was only 10 AM, we could use a coffee so we did an about turn and drove about a 1/4 of a KM up a tree lined lane until we reached the coffee shop which was more like a resturaunt. We seen two other cars in the lot so we figured we would not be alone. Surprise... they were just leaving but what the heck; we decide to check the place out. Too our surprise this " Coffee Shop " is built on the edge and high above a beautiful Gorge. The owners, retired from the Two mines I mentioned, also built several beautiful Chalets overlooking this Gorge. The owners gave us and another couple who happened to drop in out of curiosity,a tour of the chalets and they are gorgous. We were surprised to hear that the chalets are about 90 % booked on the weekends. We also got the " picture tour " of the area and the story behind the name of Leopard's Rock. I makes this story brief so bear with me; many years ago a man came to this area and lived near the gorge. Apparently, and the picture bear the truth, he domesticated a Leopard and it became his pet. A picture shows him laying on a Rock , suppositly 1000's of feet above the Gorge, but only 10 feet, with the pet Leopard laying on him, hence Leopard's Rock.
To futher our story , we decide to order breakfast, Carroll a small breakfast and me a large English breakfast. The other couple had a coffee and a muffin and low and behold two more couples come in and I'm thinking this place is 30 KM off the road and already, in the middle of the week, 8 couple have showed up. They don't even advertize the place as a coffee shop.
OK, we got to get going so travel another 30 KM thru , what is mostly sugar Cane area or wild game reserves and then we see a sign we did not want to see. It said " Only 4 more KM of gravel road" and you will be at the Eland Game reserve. I'm thinking this better be good.
It looked pretty dam good as we drove in ( as if we had a chose now the morning was shot ) so we waked in to the reception area and met with man, who I think, wrote "History Book" on the area. I really expect to write test when he finished explaining everything. All as I said or think i said was " so what have got for me to see here".
Anyhow, we stayed the night, althought we were the only campers, there were others in the chalets; we did a self-drive to see the animals but I'm not convinced a Zebra, antelpoe and Warthogs qualify as a Wild animal. We then went to a suspension bridge above the Gorge and too pics of the gorge from the bridge. They also have 3.3 Km of Zip line but it was closed as a result of the rain and foggy weather. I may have tried the Zip line if it was open.
Later, I went back to see " Mr. History Book " about my travel plans for tomorrow as we had to go about 550 KM to Gonube, our next "Planned" stop. I also said I needed one fuel stop. So he gave me very specific details because we were travelling , for the most part, thru any area that was not; to coin a phase " White freindly " It was OK during the day but not to stay overnight.
So we decided to leave at 7 AM the next day and to heed his directions.
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