Storm’s River + Montagu

Rock Dassie, or Hyrax - all over like our rabbits - but with no tails.

This is just a short update to let everyone know whee we are and what’s happening.

Barb and I spent 2 enjoyable days at a National Park called Storm’s River Mouth.  It is in the larger park known as Tsitsikamma (say that five times quickly).  Imagine an area on the Indian Ocean that is somewhat like the Oregon and Ca. Coasts.  The waves never stop crashing in.  It is warmer than a Washington coast, but not much.  And unlike the Oregon coast, there is no beach to walk when the tide is out.  A small river empties out to the ocean here, and it has created an incredible cut through the earth.  These deep canyon walls are very picturesque.  But the river is a narrow one, and only good for kayaks and small boats.  There are some great suspension bridges over parts of the river, and the entire park is nicely set up for day hikes, and multi day treks.

What people go there for are the incredible high waves of spray created when the perfect set of waves hot the coastal rocks.  We saw spray up to 30 or 40 feet.  We are told it can shoot up to 100 feet.  This is the very end of Africa with a current running westerly, and the wind often running easterly.  That Indian Ocean current, known as the Agulhas, meets the South Atlantic current off the tip of Africa, and then turns completely around and flows back to the east.  Some of the tallest ocean waves ever recorded by surviving ships have been experienced within a few hundred miles of here.   And, not surprisingly, many ships have just disappeared south of here.  The waves hitting the shore often create a very low frequency, pounding sound that shakes the rocks, and the cottages we are staying in.

We took a tour out into the Indian Ocean and then into Storms River Mouth.  The ride was wild.

The boat we took out in the wild ocean then river.  You straddle the seat.

View of the suspension bridge from the boat.

After resting at Storm’s River, Barb and I drove to another wine country town called Montagu.  It is a delightful farming community with a lot of older buildings that have been maintained for many years.  We stayed in a great “new” hotel called the Victorian 1906.  The room was large, the staff was great, and the food and wine delightful.  Plus, the rates are about the same as the national parks.

Barb found a great set of stores selling African wares.  We walked by on their opening night celebration, and then returned the next morning.  Because we returned there, we also got to visit the local Sat. Morning food and arts and crafts market.  There were some great items there.  We had a wonderful smoothie, found some children’s clothing, plus the alpaca wrap that Barb is bringing home.

Then it was on to Cape Town for a last stay at the Dock House, the boutique hotel that Barb is somehow able to negotiate affordable prices.  Yesterday, we toured the local botanical garden known as Kirstenbosch.  It has a multi hundred year history as a farm complex, and about a hundred year history as a public garden.  The Cape is one of six floral regions in the world.  It is the smallest, but somehow has an incredible variety of local flora.  Fortunately, we took the tour since it is just to large to do justice to in one morning of walking.
Today, we are off to the airport to begin the trek home.  It will be about a 36 hour ordeal, just as before.  There is no way to shorten it for us.  We should be home late in the evening on Tuesday the 8th.  And we might be up and about by the 10th!!

We look forward to seeing everyone soon.

Leon & Barb in Cape Town

Happy Feet at Storms River - Tsitsikamma