The Garden Route

The beautiful Garden Route. The clouds rolling over the mountains were really a spectacular sight.

That first day driving we stopped at Wild Coast to have a look around. It is a big resort on the coast with a casino and activities to do. We went to have a look around and I saw a monkey just running along the beach. Crazy stuff!! We randomly decided to go for a horse ride along the beach so that was fun. It had been a very long time since both of us had been horse riding so we really enjoyed it.

Shailen on Starlight.

Me on Candy.

We were supposed to stay in Port Elizabeth that night but as it got too late we decided to look for somewhere closer, in East London. Unfortunately everything was either booked up or too expensive. We had a place booked in Plettenberg Bay for the following night so decided in the end to drive through the night and try and check in earlier in the morning. We stopped off for breakfast and to stretch our legs so by the time we got there it was about 10am. Luckily they could check us in early and we had a lazy day swimming in the pool, sleeping and having a late dinner. Shailen and his Dad had a bet on as to who would win at pool. After Shailen won all 3 games his Dad owed him a back massage. Then we all pretty much collapsed in our beds.

A bridge near where we stopped for breakfast.

Shailen's dad made sure we were part of the landscape.

Plettenberg Bay.

The next morning we got up and had a look along the beach and the neighbouring towns. The coast along there is really beautiful. We then drove more inland to a place called Oudsthoorn which has Ostrich farms everywhere. The reason we came here was for the nearby Cango Caves in the hillsides. We arrived just in time for the last tour of the day. There are two different ones that you can do, the standard tour or the adventure tour. Shailen decided that we were going to do the adventure tour and ran off to get the tickets. (I still wasn’t completely convinced). It was really neat though. It was only the three of us on the tour so we had our own private guide (Ravesh Mama wasn’t feeling well and decided not to go) and apart from one moment of hysteria I managed to do it. The rock formations are really amazing and huge! The difference between the tours is that on the adventure tour you go through tiny spaces, climb up through tunnels and even slide on your tummy at some points. But with just the 3 of us it was a lot of fun and yes Shailen I am glad we did it.

Entrance to the Cango Caves.

On the sides of the cave you can see the different water levels from millions of years ago.

"The coffin" named after the shape not because someone died here (the guide was quick to tell us).

Shailen posting himself through the "Letter Box".

From there it was straight to Cape Town with one stop for dinner arriving at about midnight. Then BED!