South Africa Fri 13 Nov '09

South Africa Fri 13 Nov '09
Walking normally again today. So now I have ridden ostrich in Africa, elephant in Northern Thailand, camel in Dubai and dartmoor pony in Devon. What next I wonder.
We leave Oudtshoorn today and drive through the dramatic Outeniqua Pass through the Outeniqua Mountains. These mountains form a formidable barrier between the interior and the lush coastal strip known as the Garden Route. Exceptional scenery.
We arrive at Knysna with its harbour, dockyard and lagoon. (Knysna was the home of the reputed illegitimate son of King George III)
Here we embark on a coastal walk that turns out to be a highlight of the tour. 2 hours or more around the beautiful Robberg Peninsula. Incredible rock formations, some with pebbles embedded in limestone rocks 50 metres above the beach from times when the sea level was up there. A very strange sight. The sea is rough, we see seals and dolphins, plus for those with binoculars, a Southern Right Whale in the distance. The beach we cross is remote and beautiful with massive sand dunes and the sea crashing on rocks all around. This is a glorious piece of coastline. I get some great photos.
The Lagoona Guest House here is very comfortable and the evening meal is excellent. There is an initiation ceremony for those of us who have not travelled with Explore before. The ceremony and the alcoholic concoction we have to drink are pure inventions of Chris, our guide. It is the beginning of a merry evening.
Chris by the way is larger than life, is a double of a good friend of mine Martyn Turner of Chesham Prep., and is doing a superb job keeping this 18 strong disparate group of ours in order. Fortunately, we also have Mike the driver who in turn keeps Chris in order. There is nobody to keep Mike in order.
All the Best,
John