From Montagu to Mossel Bay

South Africa/ Day 4 - August 25, 2016

Early this morning, after breakfast, we drove from the relatively barren region at the western end of Route 62 with its steep bare mountains towards the sea. As we went deeper, the vegetation became more lush. Gentle hills and meadows on both sides of the road with grazing cows, freshly sheared sheep (which I found mean considering the nighttime cold), pigs, pheasants, and plenty of ostriches. After about 60 km, we made a stop on the outskirts of Swelendam, the third oldest city in South Africa, at the "Tredici's Restaurant and Café". We had the famous cheesecake with blackberry sauce (blackberries are harvested in the region for 2/3 of the year) and enjoyed the view of the city, situated on a hill in front of massive mountains. A dream.

Once again, we are amazed by the friendliness of the people and amused by the many workers on the roadside and in the fields who seem to just stand around. So that you don't think I'm racist: you don't see any white people working here, only in their own café or hotel, but even that is very rare.

Another thing I noticed: here, unlike in Germany, almost exclusively white or silver cars are on the road. Well... I know: that's not surprising with summer temperatures over 40 degrees. On our drive, we passed Mosselbay, planned to visit this seaside town, but immediately gave up the thought after ending up on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere and seeing our next, paradise-like guesthouse: the Botlierskop Private Game Reserve on the Little Brak River, at the foot of some higher mountains. A ranger opened the heavy gate and then we drove uphill to the reception.

Upon arrival, the friendly staff immediately unloaded our luggage, parked our car, and introduced us to the guide who welcomed us. Before checking in, the guide took us through the lodge restaurant, showed us all the important rooms, the restaurant, and the fireplace room, showed us the pool, and led us to a terrace with a sensational view to ask us for our drink order. Then we were served coffee and some snacks.

Our guide took care of all the check-in formalities there, asked about our wishes, and booked our excursions. We were completely overwhelmed by the friendliness and beauty of the property.

Shortly afterwards, an employee accompanied us to a golf cart to take us to our 'suite'. We stayed in a luxury tent with a canopy bed, freestanding bathtub, outdoor shower, and many other amenities. We could hardly believe it. The tent is located in the middle of the forest, on a wooden terrace about 10 meters high, overlooking a river where wild animals graze.

There are two loungers and chairs on the spacious terrace, and if needed, you can wrap yourself in thick, cozy blankets. Simply luxury, tranquility, and beauty, we were thrilled and didn't want to leave!

Our excursions consisted of a jeep safari including snacks and drinks, and the next day a horseback ride through the ranch.

The safari started shortly after we had "settled in" our tent in the early afternoon. Before that, we locked our domicile because we were warned that otherwise the monkeys would break in and wreak havoc. A young couple from Holland and one from Saudi Arabia were with us on the safari in an open jeep, and understandably, they were freezing terribly at an outside temperature of 21 degrees. The resort's grounds are several thousand hectares in size, and the guide couldn't imagine how little space lions have in German zoos. We observed lions, various bucks and zebras, elephants, giraffes, and a rhinoceros that had been rejected by its group and now joined a herd of buffaloes. One thing we learned on the safari is that giraffes eat the bones of dead animals and turtles lick them because of the calcium. Did you know that?

Along the way, we had a picnic with drinks and snacks. We found it surprising how helpful our Arabian friends were. After the picnic, they quickly and willingly helped the ranger pack everything back into the crates.

After over three hours, we returned and were surprised once again. We had actually expected a very cold night in the tent, but the diligent staff had closed all the tent windows and turned on the electric blankets on the beds and set the heater to 30 degrees while we were away. In addition, a few floor lamps were lit, there was a bottle of water on the nightstand for each of us, and a treat on the bed.

We immediately took a hot bath, changed for dinner, had a cocoa on the terrace, and watched some antelopes at the water hole in front of our tent.

Dinner was served in the lodge. The appetizers and dessert were served, and for the main course, we helped ourselves at the cooking station according to our taste. The staff here was also very friendly and attentive. The waitress came to the table, introduced herself, and explained the procedure. It was the same as at the Mimosa Guesthouse.

Then she brought the first three courses: a soup, a cheese soufflé for JC, grilled vegetables for me, then a sorbet for each of us as an intermediate course. We put together our main course at the grill buffet. Everything was prepared fresh. We could choose between various types of meat and fish and tried springbok, kudu, and yellowfish. Everything was very good, only the kudu was too tough for us. The springbok, on the other hand, was extremely tender.

At the end, the waitress brought the dessert.

In the meantime, a bonfire had been lit on the terrace in front of the lodge. There were chairs and drums around it. Four employees drummed first, and then the vacationers gathered around the fire drummed along. The couple from Saudi Arabia was already drumming when we joined the group. As soon as they saw us, they immediately brought us their drums so that we could join in. JC drummed until his hands tingled that evening. I was even glad to have packed my winter jacket at the bonfire. During the day, temperatures are between 20 and 25 degrees here, but it gets quite chilly at night. The temperature fluctuations are enormous.

Until next time...
Tatjana

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