The Road to Groot Brakriver

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We said our goodbyes to Winston and Marlina and we were on the road a little after 9. Our first stop was Hermanus.  This is a famous whale watching spot. Unfortunately, they are not here this time of year.  The people, however, still are.  We arrived in town and grabbed a parking space on the main road then immediately ducked into the first bistro we saw for the loo and a cup  coffee.

Coming into town I noticed what looked like a road leading down to the coast. We walked down and mega WOW.  Unbeknownst to us, it turns out that this is the popular Cliff Tops walk - much like in Newport, RI.  The views were simply awesome.  Good for us, it was still a bit early and the crowds weren't out yet. There are lots of photos because I just couldn't stop. We walked down to the end and made our way back to car.

It was back in the bus for another or so until we reached Bredasdorp. Here we would have to make a decision.  Do we drive down to the southern most point of Africa - where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet or go straight to Groot Brak.  This was going to add another hour to a pretty long drive.  Well, when we arrived in Bledasdrop there really was no question.  We popped into the information center and the very friendly woman said it was a must. You really can;t come this far and not go down. 

Boy was she ever right.  I was expecting another experience like the one at the Cape of Good Hope - where we arrived just after the Japanese tour bus! The Japanese are fine in their own country but get them on a tour bus and they become like a swarm of bees -- no offense to anyone.  Getting back to Cape Agulhas -- no tour buses, just a few people milling about.  A few kms from the lighthouse is the southernmost point.  There is a wonderful walkway that leads down to the plague and a giant sculpture of Africa.  The wind was blowing, the ocean was roaring and the skies were clear. We were both so happy we made the trip.

As we were driving back up to the lighthouse, we hadn't really counted on stopping.  We had gotten the picture earlier.  But when I looked hard enough I saw that there were people  up on top by the light.  Well that clinched it -- we paid our 33 rand and up climbed.  Now we were at the highest point at the southernmost point.  FUN!

Driving back through town, we stopped for a quick lunch.  Calculating the distance to Groot Brak, we had a little over three hours of driving yet to go. We had toyed with the idea of staying down there over night if the we could find a calm beach.  No luck - the winds were pretty strong and the waves were very rough.  I phoned Sonja and said we would probably be rolling in around 7 or so. Hopefully.

We are now riding down the Garden Route listening to some tunes. The Garden Route happens to be very brown at the moment due to lack of rain - although I did manage to capture some nice shots driving.  I am keeping busy by writing the blog.  I think I am all caught up now.  Later...

Panic set in when I looked at the GPS and noticed that the address I had for our next house did not quite seem right.  It seemed much further than where I had thought it was and also not in the right town.  After we passed Mossel Bay, I thought it best to give Gert a call.  Good thing.  We were quite close and he was able to talk us through the directions.  We arrived very gratefully at the top of the hill at their beautiful home over looking the town of Groot Brakriver.  Pictures tomorrow.  We sat and had coffee (the best we have had so far) and talked with Gert and Sonja for a bit before heading out for dinner.  Went to a local place for a quick small meal and some local entertainment.

It is now approaching 10pm.  Way past our bedtime...

CLICK HERE: TODAY'S PHOTO ALBUM

Next time.... Mossel Bay