This is South Africa’s own lakes district.  There are various bird hides along the lakes system that you can, well, hide in, to watch some bird life along the lakes.  Find Gullilule and Malachite Bird hides for some splendid bird activity along the lakes. The chances are good that you will be the only person in the hide.  By far one of the best kept secrets still in the Garden Route!

Stop at Dolphin’s Point and enjoy the view both ways.  First look to the East and enjoy the unspoiled beaches of, well Wilderness, and then look to the West and you will notice the icon bridge over the Kaaimans river mouth.  I wonder how many pictures were taken at this spot in the past and how many more will be taken in the future.

While at Dolphin’s Point remember to look out for migrating whales between June and November.  Although you might have seen them before it is always a special sight for me.

If you are in love with forests, then you need to take the route along the famous Seven Passes roads. And while you are on the Seven Passes road stop more or less halfway at a quant little eatery with the name of Totties near Rheenendal.  They serve generous helpings, but do not be in a hurry as good food requires time to prepare.  This is a bit further afield than Wilderness, but worth a visit.

The gravel roads around the lakes and even the Seven Passes road is excellent for some mountain biking.  Take note that there are some steep climbs on some section, but there need to be some challenges for the trained riders as well.    This is also a tick box route for many motor cyclists so keep an eye open for them as there are many blind curves and rises. The clip inserted below gives a sneak preview on the Seven Passes. 

Ride the Seven Passes

There are several big trees in the vicinity.  The Woodville Big Tree is worth a visit and a nice place to have a leisurely picnic.

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It is time for sun, sea and sand and happy holidays again.  Vleesbaai 4×4 route is the perfect destination for those windy and cloudy days when the weather does not want to play along for a beach visit.   

Early morning when you are first on the route you will encounter many fresh spoor ­– some very cat-like (I was thinking in the direction of a vaalbos kat), small antelope, mice and birds.  As they say the early bird catches the worm or is it spoor in this case? 

The interesting thing about this route is that it changes according to the time of day that you visit.  Early morning the sand can be firm and easy to drive, but during the day it can become a different play field altogether when the dunes heat up and the sand gets progressively softer as the day develops.  It also depends a lot on who drove before ……

If you are a first timer, listen to the advice – deflate your tyres – although it might seem ridiculously low to you – just do it.  I can guarantee you that it will make a huge  difference on your driving ability of the dunes.    And lastly, listen to some more sound advice (and warning) from Riekie.  Do not use alcohol when you are on the dunes as he will not hesitate to banish you.  Not only will you spoil your own day, but you will also spoil the day for other members in the group.

The highlight of the day is always the last obstacle, the “long dune”.  Most of the time on the route is spent here,  attempting and accomplishing the “long dune”.  And it is great fun. In general it takes more than one attempt to conquer this infamous obstacle.  This is also where the men reckon boys and men are separated from each other …   So, ladies let men play as they will always be boys in their hearts and their toys are their toys.

The route is rather popular with holiday makers and numbers are limited during peak season to preserve the sensitive dunes.  So, remember to book with Riekie and his team in time for your Vleesbaai experience.  And no sorry, no dogs are allowed on the dunes.

Some golden rules:       

Do not veer off the route – the dunes are monitored by Nature Conservation

Do not litter – always apply the trash in, trash out attitude

No pets allowed – there are some smaller wildlife in the dunes

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The raging fires did not leave a green inkling in its wake.  Everything was devoured by flames and hot air.  Now they say it is good for fynbos to burn once in a while, and I agree to that, but not like the wild fires that devoured thousands of hectares of plantation and indigenous forests which were home to century old Yellowwoods..

Our region, renowned for crisp mountain air and clean beaches was covered in a haze of smothering smoke.  The smoke followed you everyone – in your house, in your bed, in your car, in your clothes, in your office,  in your nose.  Even our animals were agitated and irritated and developed some serious itchy skin problems and to be kept inside to calm them down.

During night there was the ever present reflection of the flames present on our beloved mountains.  During the day the sun was shining, but on some days it could just not break through the thick layer of smoke hanging in the region.  The national highway (the N2) linking Cape Town with Port Elizabeth was sporadically closed as the fire encroached on the roads edge and putting villages and even a petrol station in danger.  The wild fires raged over a distance of 240 kilometres from East to West.

Everyone was on high alert and ready to assist a friend or neighbour or some unknown person in distress.  Thousands of liters of water,  food and eye drops were donated to the firemen who arrived from various provinces of South African to help to fight the fire monster.  The buzzing of helicopters and fixed wing spotter planes became the norm of the day when visibility allowed them to fly.  Together we mourned when a legendary pilot died in an unfortunate helicopter accident while performing his duties.  We salute you Nico Heyns!

Unlike Spain and California, wild fires of this nature is unknown in South Africa.  A total of 100 000 hectares were destroyed.  We also lost a national heritage site in the process, but already plans are made for some fundraising to restore the grand old toll house in the Montagu Pass to its former glory.   She will rise again from the ashes.

Driving the famous seven passes to see the impact of the fire, it feels like entering a moon landscape.  I was astounded to  see the ferocity and intensity of the wild fire – there was no vegetation left – no indication that there were once tall trees and lush green vegetation filled with proteas in the bloom.   Only then did I realize the mammoth task the fire fighter teams were presented with to contain it and to prevent it from spreading into town.

All that I can say is a  HUGE THANK YOU to each and everyone in the community, volunteers and professional firefighters who stood together to save our precious town and region.  We will rise again!

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We’ve been blogging under the radar for a few years now, but we could never understand why our following would not pick up.  For the month’s leading up to the ECMeetUp, we would follow and keep a close eye on the event on social media.  Being a traveling family, we would always choose a solitary life in the wilderness somewhere.  There where we would be alone and make memories for us to remember.  Even though we were sharing our memories with fellow and potential travelers, we never saw the need to attend any events where you mingle with fellow bloggers.  Being adventurous, we decided to take the big step and signed-up for the ECMeetUp to get out of our comfort zone and see what all the fuss was about.  If you don’t attend, you will not be able to say that “you aren’t one for events like this”, and then simply crawl back into your cocoon and carry on traveling solo.  Even after buying our tickets, we were still looking for excuses not to go, but we took the leap of faith and there we were, all dressed up and ready for the high tea.  We have made it!

It was nothing like we expected and from entering the venue right through to the prize giving, everything was just so amazing!  The food was of a very high quality and the caterers from Petronella Fine Dining really did a beautiful job.  Port Elizabeth has just outdone itself once again and I am so proud to call this city our home (for one half of the Travelbucket team atleast)!  Not only is the ECMeetUp an opportunity to meet fellow bloggers, it is also the opportunity to collaborate with brands like Travelstart, the leading online travel portal in Africa!  Wow, what a privilege to learn from the knowledgable Kirsten Litsen and fellow blogger and influencer Lyle Scritten (VersatileLyle.com).  New ideas on how to improve our blogsite to provide better feedback to our followers arouse from their talks and working in collaboration with them, is a dream come true for the Travelbucket team.

The organisers of the ECMeetUp event know what they are doing and they sure know how to make you feel spoilt and important.  The goodie bag that we received at the event speaks for itself.  Popular local brands like Cape Mohair (mohair socks), Travelstart (Discount flight voucher), Nutristart (honestly the best cereal), and Five Roses (tea is our favourite beverage) to name a few, were onboard and us as travel bloggers could see how we could utilize every single gift in our goodie bag.  We like practical presents.  The competitions that were running on the day was mind blowing and once again Nutristart, HPH Publishing and Daily Dish, just to mention a few, have partnered with the ECMeetUp event to make this one of the events to attend in the Eastern Cape.

Nelson Mandela Bay is a city that is underestimated and underutilized in the travel industry.  People are often under the impression that because we are not an economic hub (although the motor industry is big in the area), that we do not have a lot to offer.  This incredible city is a gold mine of activities and so affordable.  Since one half of the Travelbucket team resides in the Garden Route, they are situated right in the middle between the beautiful Cape Town and the adventurous Port Elizabeth.  Having the best of both worlds, the logical go to city that has everything and more on offer, always ends up being Port Elizabeth.  Make no mistake, Cape Town is a world class city, but Port Elizabeth is not far behind.

Nelson Mandela Bay with Port Elizabeth at the centre point, offers you everything that Cape Town has to offer and more.  Sun, sand, sea, wind and eateries, but there’s more.  Nelson Mandela Bay boasts with the largest South African flag proudly displaying in the wind on  a daily basis, an hour’s drive from the only Big 7 National Park in the Country in Addo Elephant National Park, a world class horse racecourse in Fairview Racecourse (also the venue of the ECMeetUp), a beautiful coral reef to explore with one of the diving companies in the city, ziplining, segways, horse riding, sandboarding, boat trips, surfing spots, a very rich history (we are named after one of the world’s rolemodels afterall), Cheap flights to Port Elizabeth and best of all, friendly people – yes we are called the Friendly City!

To top all of this off, everything is affordable and aimed at family experiences, which makes it a perfect holiday destination and gives you a reason to prolong your stay to have the full experience.

Travelbucket has experienced a big variety of different cultures and activities during our travels, but we highly recommend making your flight bookings, jumping on a plane and making your way to the Friendly City for an experience you will never forget.  We have had a great time and we will definitely be making our way back to Port Elizabeth soon to bring you another few items to add to your bucket list.

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This is not what Sedgefield is about.  Take your time, because you are in a slow town.  A town does not choose to be a slow town randomly; you need to meet certain criteria as set out by the Cittaslow movement in Italy, before you can adopt the name “slow town”.

Sedgefield earned this name in 2010 and was the first town (and thus far the only town) in South Africa to be awarded with that title.  South African now joins the list of slow towns of the world.  These towns can be found in some unexpected countries like Japan and South Korea in the East to Denmark and Finland in the North and USA and Canada in the West and even Down Under boasts with three slow towns.

A very apt symbol was chosen as the slow town emblem – the angulated tortoise.  In front of the tourism office you will find a mosaic tortoise, a project which was implemented by an NGO to develop job creation and skills training for unemployed local people.  These mosaic art works gives Sedgefield a unique identity.  When you stroll through town and The Island (a suburb of Sedgefield) you will stumble across some of these mosaic features.

Take your time (like a tortoise) and explore Sedgefield!

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DID YOU KNOW?

Sedgefield has a Tortoise Rescue Squad of Island Conservancy volunteers. A building contractor can contact one of them at Sedgefield Island Conservancy on Tel: 044-343 2448 48 hours before clearing a plot for development so that a team can be assembled to comb the area and remove any residing tortoises to a safe location. They can also be contacted about any tortoise needing help.

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Be not afraid to go slow, be afraid to stand still

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The Pied King Fishers is one of my favourite birds as they have magnificent hovering and diving skills.  With their black and white plumage, they are not as colourful as the rest of the King Fisher family, but still very pretty.

On arrival we found a pair perched on some dry branches right in front of the hide and shortly thereafter they started their display for us.  It was time to get out the camera and start clicking!

First their super hovering skills were displayed, then with perfect timing a quick dive into the water was executed (alas too quick for me to get the shot) and when it surfaced again a fish was dangling from its strong beak.  Wow!

Then with a couple of strong lashes on the branch the fish was lights out and the feast began.  I was wondering how do they know not to catch to big a fish and what will happen if they do?

However, today that was not the problem.  Without any effort the meal was devoured and off they went for one more catch for the day.

—oOo—

Where?  Follow the signs from the security hut at the entrance to the Fairy Knowe Hotel

What does it cost?   Free entrance

What else?  Sign the visitors’ book and share your sightings

—oOo—

LET YOUR DREAMS FLY!

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If you are willing to take a more or less 6km round trip eastwards along the beach at Glentana you will reach the mossed skeleton of the floating Port Natal dry dock resting on the beach since 1902.

—– oOo —–

HISTORY OF THE WRECK:

It was stranded after the tow rope from the steamer Baralong parted during a tow operation from Durban to Cape Town. The dock was a Clark Standsfield self-docking design and built at CS Swan & Hunter’s yard at Wallsend (Yard No. 279). It was oredered by the Natal Government for the Harbour Commissioners of the Port of Durban.

It was to be the first floating dock introduced into South Africa. The dock was launched on the 6th of October 1902, and it was originally intended that the Dutch Smit Tugs, used to tow out the Bermuda dock, would be engaged to tow the dock to Durban, but they were not available (busy in Bermuda), so the towing contract was awarded to Bucknell Brothers to use one of their Cape trading steamers. The tow cost £8000, and the dock was insured for £72,000 for the tow. The steamer Baralong left the Tyne, with the dock in tow, under the command of Captain Mamillen with 66 officers and men, 16 of whom were on the dock under Captain Gow. After a passage of 50 days, the dock arrived at Cape Point, South Africa.

On October 30th 1902, the steamer and dock set off for Durban, but in the evening of November the 1st a strong North-Westerly gale and heavy seas were encountered. Baralong and the dock headed for Mossel Bay, near Cape St. Blaize, but the port towing line parted (an 18 inch manilla hawser), leaving the dock to the mercy of the wind and waves. An attempt was made to re-secure the dock, and this the crew succeeded in doing with a flexible wire hawser, but this also gave way. The Mossel Bay harbour master, Captain Dryden, put out in the small tug Morning Star, but the seas were running high and the tug had to return to shelter. Dryden tried again with a larger vessel, the steam trawler Undine, but the dock was close inshore now. HMS Monarch, based at the Cape Naval Station also tried to give assistance, but without success. It was therefore decided to give up further rescue attempts and leave the dock to its fate.

The dock beached itself in a creek at Glentana, Mossel Bay, and was lifted so far up on the beach that the men on board were able to walk on shore. Attempts to retrieve the dock were made later, but it was firmly embedded in the sand and surrounded by rocks, and so it was abandoned.

George Parkes, a local entrepeneur, bought the salvage rights to the dock, and dismantled it as far as possible, removing all of the machinery, pipes etc. What was left of the dock was left in its resting place, and remnants are still there to this day. Interestingly, the medicine chest from the dock is in the Millwood House Museum. Knysna, South Africa, and some iron railings outside the Anglican Cathedral, and a flight of iron steps in York Street, both in the local town of George.

—– oOo—–

The above is an extract of a paper available on the internet.  You can read the full story at:

http://wrra.co.za/images/stories/PDF/Hikes/Glentana%20-%20Beach%20Shipwreck%20Walk%2018%20July%202016.pdf

IMPORTANT:

Have a look at a tides table when you plan your walk, because as you can see from the link above some sections of the walk can become treacherous during high tide.

GPS coordinates:   S34º03.09017  E022º20.06083

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We tackled the route in peak summer and even then the lush 2.5 km (5 km return) trail, which follows the course of the Duiwe River, provided enough shade for a nice walk.  The entire route is clearly marked with blue markers and is easy to follow.

There are a few river crossings which normally are very easy with no need to take your shoes off, but do take care over wet slippery rocks when traversing the streams – unless you want to cool down; which is also not a bad idea!

While walking be alert for snakes, such as puff adders, as they camouflage well in the leafy surroundings, but do not forget to enjoy nature.  Along the route we spotted a couple of Brown Hooded Kingfisher, but were unlucky to see the elusive Knysna turacos that hide high above in the trees.

This is a non-guided trail, but you need a self-issuing permit which is obtainable at the entrance gate.  Keep the permit in your pocket to produce when asked for it.

Take lots of photos and enjoy the walk!

GPS coordinates:   33° 59′ 1.788″ S,   22° 39′ 3.8232″ E

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It is cold and wet outside; unlike our usual summery weather for January. It feels like winter already and my memory takes me back to our walk with the dogs in the Botanical Gardens on a sunny New Years day which was only a few days ago.  To be precise five days ago!

As we were wandering in the Gardens on the first day of the year I was praying for rain. I have never seen the Gardens so dry in my 20 odd years living in the area.    Gone was the typical dampy smell of rotten leaves and fallen trees that I fell in love with.  But today, today the rain has arrived and I am grateful.

Entry to the Gardens is no longer free.  They are now charging a small entrance fee (R10 per person; dogs still no charge) towards the upkeep and improvement of the area.  And I was quite amazed of what has been accomplished since my previous (free) visit.  Signs were erected to make it more user friendly and even an information centre is in progress.

True to a Jack Russel’s nature Pilot was in his element as he took it upon himself to eradicate all the resident moles in the Botanical Gardens to make the parkrun route a safer place!

Luckily Burchell – the botanist – kept an eye on the fish in the pond and could not see what Pilot was doing behind his back  ……..

A big thank you to our local municipality and volunteers for all the improvements over the year!  I hope that the Botanical Gardens will bring joy and peace to many visitors.

Note:    When visiting the Garden Route always bring something warm to wear as the weather is unpredictable.

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Most of the times when you go there you will have the whole hide to yourself.  Put up your feet, relax and enjoy the view.  If you are a keen bird photographer this is a good spot to catch water birds early morning or in the late afternoon.  Remember to check water levels beforehand as this will determine how close the birds will get to the hide.

On our last visit we were lucky enough to spot some adorable Red-knobbed Coot hatchlings learning the ropes while their doting mothers keep a close eye on them.

For the first time I also so a White-breasted Cormorant perched on a dry tree branch, but various species of Kingfisher,  Grey and Purple Heron, Little Egret, Fish Eagle and some other bird that I am not familiar with are present at different times at the hide.  This is also listed as a RAMSAR site (According to Wikipedia “a Ramsar Site is a wetland site designated of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The Convention on Wetlands, known as the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental environmental treaty established in 1971 by UNESCO, and coming into force in 1975″).

This is also a favourite spot for our family to have sundowners while we watch the sun setting  over the lagoon while enjoying the tranquility.  As this is a conservation area NO fishing is allowed.

WHERE WILL YOU FIND IT?

WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT THIS?

• Entry is free.
• Lots of fresh air
• Refreshing to mind and soul

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