(click any picture to get enlargement)
3-month assignment. Jay's dad (Wayne) and sister (Pam) were visiting and also ventured on the trip.
Our path took us along the Indian
Ocean on what
is called the "Garden Route". This area is very
special, as the landscape is hilly, green and lush;
the ocean is wavy, warm and wonderful.
South African plains, where they grow grain.
A deep gorge as we neared the Garden Route.
A train car turned into a bar made for a nice break.
Our first hotel on the trip was called Myoli Lodge.
The location was perfect.
The town area is called Sedgefield, which has many nice houses.
Wayne & Pam at our
"camp on the beach"
There weren't many others around this beach.
Wayne chatting with a fishing tourist.
Nicole & Jay looking for some nice shells.
To swim and boogie- board; a lot of fun!
Jay taking his turn to guard the camp (nap).
Outlook Beach was a
little more crowded.
Sunset at Brenton Beach.
Pam & Nicole having a "sundowner" drink.
Lagoon at Knysna.
Lunch along the coast.
River near Plettenberg.
In the past the Xhosa were friendly with the whites and used to live in round huts like these, called rondevals.
Cabin at Stromboli Inn.
The place seemed very
old and had character.
Pam and a donkey friend.
We visited a reserve
called Monkeyland.
Our small group walked
among the of monkeys.
Bold Ringtail Lemure.
The spider monkey put on the best shows for us.
They are so darn cute!
A shaky, wooden bridge over a small river.
Our last coastal spot was Jeffries Bay, which has the best surfing in the world.
We headed inland and stayed at the Addo Elephant Park.
Our patio overlooked
this quiet waterhole.
We saw "dung" and new the elephants were close.
We then spotted a family that had just taken a bath.
Some were quite lazy.
This older guy was away from the group and didn't mind us at all.
This little guy was curious so we moved away.
Dung beetles make balls of dung to lay eggs in.
We saw just a few Vervet monkey groups.
This turtle mowed the grass at the lodge.
The termite hills were big but we saw no activity.
After the Elephant Park we headed back to Pretoria; getting there safe and sound. Our driving adventure took about a week and we traveled about 1000 miles.
Wayne, Jay and Pam in front of the Mini, which had been packed full.
We also had Nicole's BMW on the trip, so we were
not crowded at all.
Click here to see the pictures from the adventures in Pretoria