Day Twelve - Knysna

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Geo: -34.0405, 23.0719

The rain continued this morning, but began to ease after breakfast. With last nights game drive being so dissappointing, we decided to go for another morning game drive, before leaving Addo. The rain was off and on, but viewing was much, much better today, including a great encounter with some elephant, getting so close you could almost pet them. We also managed to spot some Spotted Hyena, Zebra, Osterich and Buffalo.

From Addo, we headed towards Knysna, passing over the Storm River Bridge. Next, we stopped for a walk at the Tsitsikamma Big Tree; a giant Yellow-wood, standing 36.6 metres tall and over 1,000 years of age. This walk was a testiment to the unpredictable changing weather of the Western Cape, starting in radiant sunshine, and finishing soaking wet, as a random storm passed us over within an hour.

We headed now towards Bloukrans Bridge. On the way, we passed a disturbing scene, a horrorific car wreck with two vehicles. Clearly, several people here had been killed, one man clearly visible with his arm hanging out the window (possibly severed) and plenty of blood. According to collaborated views of people on the tour, it seemed at least five people had been clearly killed in the two cars.
Bloukrans Bridge was the site for Bert and Nela to complete their 216 metre Bungee. The rest of us watched on, and enjoyed lunch and drinks.From here, we reached out accomodation, the Lagoona Inn in Kynesna itself. The rooms were clearly the most comfortable and luxurious of our tour to date.

After watching some amusing acting on African TV, we headed out for our first dinner out at a restaurant since beginning the tour. The Quay Four Resterauant in Knysna, right on the waterfront. We enjoyed crumbed mushrooms to start, Nat having Crayfish, and me the Angelfish along with a delicious Durban White wine. For three courses and wine, the whole lot cost Nat and I about $60AU. We got our Olympic fix before heading to bed around 10pm.

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Photos

Spotted Hyena
Early morning game drive in Addo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_Hyena

Osterich in Addo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostrich

Elephant Time at Addo!
For a park renowned for, and named after its elephants, we didn't see many for a long time. Then, all at once, several great sightings, up close!

Addo Elephants
Wet and muddy.

At Your Own Risk!
These signs are EVERYWHERE in Africa. At Your Own Risk everything, thats it.. Some signs go so far as to say 'If something happens, even that's completely the parks or an organisations fault, we will not take any responsibility'

Kris in Addo
On the Truck driving through addo

Storm River Bridge
Nat is about as scared of heights as I.

Comments

[Nat]

Later found out 4 co-workers dead in that one car ( 20s and 30s), that no-one who saw will forget. And the other car, the driver survived.