There are two ways to get from the Karoo into the Klein Karoo over / through the Swartberg and both are very scenic. The Swartberg Pass is for those with lots of time and Meiringspoort for those in a hurry. The Meiringspoort road features soaring cliff walls with spectacular rock formations along the 25 km tarred road which winds along the floor of the gorge and crosses the Groot River 25 times. Each crossing, or drift, has its own name…
A vygie growing between the sandstone rocks on top of the Maitlands dune field
Driving towards De Rust and Oudtshoorn from Prince Albert takes one through Meiringspoort. Just before you enter the poort the road passes the little hamlet of Klaarstroom which has remained virtually unchanged since the days of Queen Victoria. As we were passing the turnoff into Klaarstroom my eye caught a peculiar sight and I nearly left the road as I spun my head around. A number of man sized dolls were sitting on benches, on bikes and just standing around…
Fort Frederick was built by the British in 1799 to protect Algoa Bay from possible French invasion. Ironically the fort never got to fire a shot in anger in all the time it was in commission.
After driving through the Swartberg Pass (from here to here), we entered the village of Prince Albert. The first farmers in this area started farming in this fertile valley from 1762. The area soon attracted other farmers and church services were held on the market square and by 1844 an Dutch Reformed Church had been built and a thriving community established. In 1845 some parishioners suggested that the village be named Albertsburg after "Naar zijne Hoogheid" - his Royal Highness,…
We popped into the Schoenmakerskop Flea Market this morning for a quick squize. Its not one of those big markets but something a little bit more intimate. This one particular stall had a huge range of jams, preserves and pickled items at the most unbelievable prices. Usually you would pay about R20 or R25 for a bottle of jam. This guy was selling them for about R12 (not even $2 US) each. Needles to say, my mom who was visiting…
Picture take on the Swartberg Pass where there currently is very little rain and temperatures that easily reach into the upper thirties Celsius
This is the last of my short series of pics of Kragga Kamma Game Park and some of its animals. I love seeing warthog (love eating them as well, but that's for another post), specially when they stick their tails in the air and run off. The other thing that fascinates me is how they stand on their front knees when eating. Does it mean they are religious animals?
One of the highlights for visitors to Kragga Kamma Game Park is the opportunity to handle Dume, the tame cheetah. Duma is actually a movie star and was one of the cubs that was used in the making of the film with the same name. According to those in the know, cheetahs are the only of the big cats that can be tamed 100%. But you still need to be careful when playing with him. Don't tickle his tummy and…
A farm house on one of the ostrich farms just outside Oudtshoorn on the road to Schoemanshoek. The mountain in the background is the Swartberg where the Swartberg Pass (read here and here) can be found.