Kind of nice nê?

So here we are. The motion sickness pills were a good idea. One night in and it’s already been worth the five-hour-straight drive. We went for a walk to the view deck about 100 meters from the house. They say a picture paints a thousand words. So here:

Knysna view

 Did you know that a blunt nose is better for re-entering the earth’s atmosphere than a sharp one (When it comes to space shuttles)? National Geographic is on. I thought Richard Hammond was a Top Gear narrator. Anyway, I’m in Knysna! It’s a beautiful place! As you see in the picture. The Pick and Pay was packed today, and the oyster festival hasn’t even started. We queued for about 45 minutes! But where else in the world can you buy fresh large (huge!) oysters for only R6.00 each? 

Oysters

 After downing our oysters we went for a drive up to THE PRIVATE ESTATE. Basically what’s happened is that someone has decided that the Eastern Head of the Knysna Estuary is too cool for the existing residents (despite our houses being scattered upon a championship golf course) so they’ve built the PRIVATE ESTATE. They’ve also bought the golf course. So now if you wander too far down your own road, you’ll be sent packing by one of the PRIVATE ESTATE guards on their souped-up golf carts. It’s like being told you’re not elite enough to play in your own back-yard.

 But that’s fine, we’ll just stick to our side of the Head in our slightly slower but perfectly adequate golf cart.

 I hope you all come back soon for more Knys stories coming soon! 

Tommy

Kind of Kloofing

Kloofing, or Canyoning is a very Western Cape thing. Getting down a fast flowing river gorge, that is too shallow for kayaking, with too many shear drops into pools and boulder climes for it to be a comfortable valley hike.

Where wetsuits and hiking boots are a must, and a waterproof bag liner will keep your lunch dry.

SuicideGorge is a full day’s work, hiking, climbing, jumping and swimming down this spectacular part of the Boland; up to 17km if you pursue the full route with jumps ranging from 3 to 21 meters depending on the water levels in the river at the time. On this occasion the highest was around 17 meters. It starts with a drive of about an hour from Cape Town to the HottentotsHolland Nature Reserve near Grabouw.

Only being open in summer means it’s usually a good hot day, and it is 6km just to get to the water, so after an early start we where at the river before ten.

Here are the pictures from my last trip there in 2009:

Fire damage

 The area had a recent velt fire, leaving alot od the place bare. but the valley was as green as ever.

They start you off with a slide, faster than I thought.
 

See more after the jump!