Thursday, April 19, 2018

African Post: Days 11 & 12 - From Port Alfred to Knysna

DAY 11- On to Port Alfred

Early morning departure, riding the five kilometers out of the Umngazi Lodge to the main road, we encounter no fewer than cattle, horses, goats, and pigs either blocking or crossing the roadway.



Not quite out of the KwaZulu-Natal lands



Interesting gorges and canyons along the coast



When stopping for fuel, the attendant must fill our tanks. 
We are not allowed to do it ourselves. So we tip them with small change.

We fill all three bikes at the same pump and put it on one ticket.  SAMA Tours includes the gasoline in the tour prices so we don't have to worry about change or credit charges. Since we are all riding the same bike, BMW 1200GS, we all need fuel about the same time.
Georg seems pleased to have someone fuel up his bike for him.



The brightly painted building among the houses is a tavern.



Stopping for a roadside conference or leg stretch, whichever comes first.



More roadside hazards. Watch the whole herd as you are not sure which one might try to run out in front of you.


No swimming here, waves are too high in Port Alfred. 
Then why to they have a lifeguard shack if no one is allowed to swim here??????



Waves crashing over the pier.




Day 12: Change of scenery in Knysna

As we ride further west, the farms change, the scenery changes,  
towns are more modern, we see more motorcycles on the road. 



From narrow two lane country roads to a divided motorway.



...except when we talk a detour. Julian knows where all the best photo ops are.



The day could not make up its mind, was it going to rain or not?  Rain suits on, Suits off. On. Off.




Country lanes are for exploring.


A narrow single wide bridge leads out into the open flat farm fields.


Next up, the highest bridge in South Africa, the Bloukrans Gorge bridge. 
The big trucks crossing the bridge look like toys.

Stopped here only to hear.... screams. A lady screaming as she falls off of the bridge down into the gorge.



Then laughter as she realizes the bungee cord stopped her from hitting the rocks below. She had just jumped off the bridge on the highest bungee jump in the world, 214 meters (702 ft) to the bottom.
And paid good money for the thrill of hurtling thru space to a certain death, 
only to be snapped back up like a yoyo.



Your first jump is R$1000, or US$83.54.... any takers? 
I took a raincheck on falling head first toward a bunch of rocks.



From the Bloukrans Bridge we rode down to the seashore in the Garden Route National Park

A Hyrax patiently watched and waited for..... not sure for what as all they did was stare at people.



I'm watching you... watching...
maybe... they are using hypnosis on the tourists to give them food?
It must work. Look how fat he is.



Instead of hiking a kilometer to see a swinging bridge over a river, I spent that time working on capturing art images of waves crashing over the rocks. 


Here are three of the better ones.










Tomorrow we walk with the elephants. Till then....


CCjon








6 comments:

  1. Great pics Jan....I think I'll pass as well on the bungee jumping, especially paying someone that much to test the durability of the bungee cord involved. I've been seen cows on the side of the highway here in Utah lately, each time I though of the animals you mention seeing and say to myself: "this is not bad at all, you could be dodging elephants in Africa!". :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you can't dodge the elephants, ride them. Coming up...

      Delete
  2. I’ll pass on the bungee as well. No sense of adventure I guess…

    Nice photos of the ocean. I like the one with the pier.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Richard. Have no regrets, my pride is not hurt, for NOT jumping off the bridge.

      Delete
  3. I am blown away at how beautiful it is in South Africa. Not only beautiful, but the different landscapes. It’s amazing! You’re capturing great shots!!!! Am looking forward to the Elephant adventure!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks 10LE. Have good wifi service now, so will work on elephant photos before losing it again.

      Delete

please comment here: