You know when you've experienced something that you just want to share over and over again? My Wild Coast trip was like that (heck, sometimes I feel every trip I go on is like that) and I wish I could transport you all to the day I spend at Wavecrest Hotel and getting up to a perfect windless morning. Getting up just before sunset with not a ripple on the lagoon. Ahhh, absolute bliss.
If I had to show this photo to anybody and ask them where the picture was taken, they would probably guess places like the Tsitsikamma, Knysna forest or Hogsback. Although all of these are likely candidates, in all cases they would be wrong. This specific scene is hidden away in a valley near Baviaans Lodge in the Baviaanskloof.
One of the best parts of exploring while traveling is discovering hidden gems. Some of these hides are figuratively, as in somewhere (either a place or establishment) off the beaten track that the hordes haven't discovered yet. Sometimes you find places that are literally hidden though. One of these I found on our weekend at Baviaans Lodge recently. A walk along a stream up one of the valleys near the lodge brought us to a breathtaking spot with a river pool, sheer…
The Baviaanskloof must be on the bucket list of a lot of South African travellers. Stunning scenic beauty which, if she was a person, would put her in the top three of a Miss Universe competition. Isolation, but not like just around the corner where you can't hear the traffic. A true wilderness area. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnighting in caves or on a river beach next to sheer cliffs. Challenging roads. Unfortunately for us mere sedan drivers a big part…
You know your kids are enjoying a camping trip and perfect weather when they're still out on the water after sunset. The picture is from a recent camping trip to Sitrusoewer on the banks of the Sundays River outside Kirkwood.
A couple of weekends ago we spent a long weekend camping on the banks of the Sundays River at Sitrusoewer just outside Kirkwood. It must be one of my favorite campsites I've ever been to. The water was literally 2 meters from the front door of our tent and we spent the whole weekend either in or on the water. A long weekend to remember and one we would have over again and again.
I snapped this pic during a canal cruise at St Francis Bay a week or two ago. During the trip we cruised out onto the Krom River as the sun was setting in the west behind the Kouga Wind Farm. Have I mentioned how much I love my new camera?
The Gamtoos River is a very popular fishing destination in the Eastern Cape. A quick trip down to the Gamtoos Mouth had me spending some time on the river banks taking pictures of a couple of boats lying at anchor there. The owner of this one live right across the road and came out to chat to us. Turns out he doesn't use this particular boat for fishing. He uses it to take his boerboel dog across the river to…
If there is an area I'm definitely planning to get to know better then it's the Wild Coast. Earlier in the year while on a roadtrip to Durban, I spent a night at Trennerys Hotel at the mouth of the Qolora River, not far north of the Great Kei River Mouth. As I pulled in fairly latish in the afternoon, it meant that I had limited time to explore before sunset and had to make a choice between heading down…
A couple of months ago I spent a night at Ganora Guest Farm outside Nieu Bethesda. What an amazing place! Although I didn't have a lot of time but did get to do a tour of JP's Fossil Museum. Unfortunately I didn't get to go and see the rock drawings on the farm. Before heading into the village for the meeting I was there for I took a walk down to the river just below the homestead. If it wasn't for…