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Published: August 13th 2007
cango caves
Heaven and hell cave.Regretfully said goodbye to Abalone Beach House to drive inland to Oudtshoorn, driving through spectacular mountain passes. First stop was Cango Caves. Recalling the recent news story of a woman becoming wedged on the Adventure Tour and stuck in the caves for 11 hours, we decided to opt for the Standard Tour, especially as the Adventure Tour is recommended for "lean people" only! We certainly didn't fancy trying to squeeze our beer bellies through a 27cm gap called The Post Box!
The tour was very interesting, despite feeling like a huge tourist group complete with small annoying children. What stupid parents bring little babies and toddlers in baby backpacks on a cave tour? We felt really sorry for the little ones when the over-enthusiastic tour guide melodramatically turned all the lights off at every opportunity! The main caves were huge with stunning flowstone and stalactite formations. The fantastic acoustics in the cave made it a natural concert hall for orchestral performances, up until the 1990s when it was stopped due to dumbass people vandalising the caves for stalactite souvenoirs.
Ostrich Farm In the early 1900s, Oudtshoorn made its millions selling ostrich feathers to the rich upperclasses as
cango alien cave
Can you see the alien?? essential fashion accessories for ladies' hats. But the good old motor car killed the industry as the feathers were whipped from the ladies' hats at a dizzing speed of 20mph! So the ostrich farms focused on breeding the ostrich for meat and leather goods. We missed the big tour and had a tour guide all to ourselves - which has it's pros and cons because you have to look very interested all the time and ask appropriate questions. Unfortunately it wasn't breeding season so we couldn't see any live eggs or baby ostrich. However, we got to feel the weight of a sterile egg - probably a year's cholesterol intake in one egg. Then we went out to meet the only friendly ostrich on the farm, but she still nipped a bit when you kissed her (less slobbery than a giraffe!). Next we met Adam and Eve the evil ostrich couple - viewing them from a safe distance. Then the finale - the Ostrich Ride! Jase took great delight in exceeding the weight limit for ostrich jockeys (come on 75kg) and encouraged/insisted Rach jump on one for a good photo. You catch an ostrich by chucking a bag over its
Ostrich love!
Rach just before a kiss head, which apparently calms the bird and lulls into into a false sense of security. Rach had to scramble inelegantly onto the back of the bird with the help of two jockeys (and looking quite fearful) trying to get a safe seat. Clinging onto the wings, the guys ripped the bag off and released the ostrich. The bird shot across the paddock at full speed, the jockeys running alongside trying to hold Rach on. After a matter of seconds, Rach fell off, covered in ostrich feathers and dust! At least it wasn't as scary as the elephant ride! Jase secretly got a good little video to capture the humiliation on film.
Cango Wildlife Ranch It was a slightly damp start to the day so we were a bit worried all the animals would be hiding in their houses. Fortunately it warmed up but not enough to tempt the crocs into any action, so croc cage diving was off the cards - boo! This wasn't a great loss because we certainly enjoyed the Cheetah Encounter, where we got to interact and stroke a long, lean adult cheetah, who was purring contentedly. The ranch also housed white lions, tigers and a
beautiful jaguar - but we couldn't play with these guys. Although we paid extra to meet the cheetah, we ended up spending more time in the free petting zoo fussing the friendly goats, who were very affectionate and loved being scratched and stroked. Feeding the cute wallabies was nice as they held onto your hand with their little front paws as they gently nibbled at the feed. We also got attacked by the colourful lories in the aviary - they go crazy for the sweet nectar.
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MickyBigthumbs
non-member comment
keep sending pics
Keep sending the pics ..even the new hair styles lol .you can get online when you get to Duncan in Ozz..be safe both enjoy. and get bladderd lol