Blogs from Knysna, Western Cape, South Africa, Africa - page 5

Arriving at Knysna, our home for the next three days (we can unpack the rucksack properly!), it was a dull and overcast day and again, perhaps because of the Bank Holiday, the streets were spookily empty. The views from the harbour, I thought were underwhelming but then home is the Seychelles so I’m spoilt. It also felt quite touristy but without any compensatory charm. We dumped our stuff at the hotel, which had a pool, but it was far too cold for that and returned to the harbourside to treat ourselves to a glass of pretend fizz and oysters at the Knsyna Oyster Company, a must on anyones Knysna itinerary. The place was small, with a scruffy shack appeal, the staff friendly and the oysters delicious. I liked the feel of the place. I won't ... read more

To say it is hot here in Kynsna does not even come close to describing it. It reached 40.5 degrees yesterday and even when we are in the shade it is well into the 30's. I have never been so hot in my entire life. It is like being in a furnace. We were not expecting it to be this hot and from what everyone else says neither were they! We are staying in a really great apartment on the quayside. It has its own balcony and mooring for a yacht! There are a lot of very expensive boats parked nearby. Of all the apartments we have stayed in I have one question. “Why no colanders?” How ever well equipped an apartment is - this one has a washing machine, tumble dryer, bread bins and multiple ... read more

Knysna, is one of the biggest towns on the Garden Route, its also one with a beautiful lagoon. After a lazy morning, I ventured to the waterfront and took a ferry ride on the Knysna River, right upto the Heads. The river is scenic and the Heads, well, it looks like the gateway to another world. Don't be mistaken though with the tranquility, Heads has two opposing currents in the water which has caused many boats to capsize. Some of the houses by the river are awesome and am sure cost a bomb! Later in the evening was back to the backpackers, met two excited Swedish travellers and finished an endless carton of wine which cost only Rs 75 :) ... read more

Week 2 Cape Town and off to Garden Route Wed 23 An American couple from Seattle has joined us at the guest house and on the tours for the next few days. Although its a bit too early in the season for the spectacular wild flower displays along the West Coast, we headed up to see the area. We stopped at an ostrich farm where our guide explained the anatomy, feeding habits and reproduction cycles of the birds and showed us all of the products - meat, eggs, leather, feathers. We visited and hand-fed both male and females and saw some emus too. Their pecking of the corn from your hand was quite violent and very quick, but they don’t have teeth so its not painful. We took it in turns to sit on one of ... read more

In Knysna (for Swedish; you say Najsna) we stayed at The Island Vibe. We got busy straight away! A quick dinner at Nando's consisting of veggie pitas (Try them!) and then we took a shower and fixed ourselves - it was time for a night out finally!! And not just any night out - Pink Loirie Gay Festival was in town!! Met a lot of nice people, Marvil and Craig in particular, and guys just kept buying us drinks. It was crazy! Me and Jenny spent most of the time on the dance floor of course! The gays loved our moves!! -Daaaarling! You dance fabulously! Robert was the craziest of them all! *haha* Started the night at Zanzibar and when they closed at 2am we moved on to Tryst until about 5am... One of our GREATEST ... read more