A month in Gauteng..and KZN

Tuesday 4 April to Tuesday 3 May

Back in Joburg I had to catch up on admin and chores and appointments and apply for a Schengen visa.

I am also planning three months in Europe and two big Botswana trips. Some days I feel like Superwoman and some days I feel like I've dropped all the balls.

We did catch up with friends - more one by one than in large groups -while Covid rates remained low and the weather was warm enough to be outside a lot.

Three nights at Zebula with the folks. 

Easter weekend with Tommy and Mandy - out from Dublin - at St. Michaels Beach.

The devastating floods took their toll on the whole region.

A fabulous safari with Colin and Jenni - from Aus - at Rhino River Lodge in Manyoni Game Reserve.

Three nights at Jabula Bush Camp in Dinokeng with Sandra, Rob and Lisa - visiting from NJ - and Mom and Ann.

International Travel is beginning to feel normal again. It's great that families and friends are able to reconnect once more.

Wild Coast Trip March 2022 : part 4

Wednesday 30 March to Sunday 3 April 2022

And then on to Coffee Bay. Well, White Clay Camp a few kilometres out of town. And just as well because Coffee Bay is not what it used to be. So dirty and down at heel these days. White Clay has the most awesome view from their restaurant.

We couldn't have camped any closer to the sea.

Peaceful Sunrises.

.The beach to ourselves.

There is a downside to this when it rains. The hillside drains through your camp. Luckily we could escape the rain to the beach restaurant at the Ocean View Hotel in Coffee Bay. Drink through the cocktail menu, eat seafood for lunch and stay for dinner.

We day tripped to Hole in The Wall. 

And Baby Hole in the Wall. 

Finally,  when the rain just wouldn't let up we decided to pack up a day early and head to Mountain Shadows Hotel outside Elliot instead.

We "bumped " into a Deirdre at the Mthatha Ultracity; such a fluke to be on the same road at the same time but going in opposite directions and arriving within minutes of each other. 

The last night of our trip we spent at The Royal Hotel in Bethulie. One of our favourite quirky hotels in South Africa and an ideal stopover between Gauteng and the Cape. It was great to sit in the bar again listening to owner Tony's stories and playing old records on the turntable. He has 80 000 vinyls and 200 000 books. 

And a pet sheep.

The heavy rain continued across most of the country. Here's the road on our return to the farm. That's our little cottage in the corner of the pic. 

Wild Coast Trip March 2022 : part 3

Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 March 2022.

And then on to Wild Lubanzi for 2 nights. This is one of the the coolest backpackers you'll find on the Wild Coast.

They don't have much camping mostly because the lodge's property is really steep. Instead you get to pitch in the neighbour, Mr. Ndawo's back yard along with his chickens, cows and sheep.

Lubanzi beach is awesome. There are not many places in the world where you get an entire beach to yourselves.

Just share it with the cows.

No road, no problem - just drive up the grassy hillside. We got to the top with V8 Cruiser power and low range even in the wet.

Some tracks were badly washed away by all the rain. At one point, I had to walk the route to check if we were going to make it out.

But it's worth the ride.

Rural life. 

And don't forget the Transkei Big 5!

Wild Coast Trip March 2022 -part 2

Tuesday 22 March to Sunday 27 March

We decided to base ourselves at one or two spots on the coast rather than have to break up camp every second day. We could then do outrides without worrying about towing.

There are a lot of old family hotels dotted along the Transkei Coast. Places like Mgazi River Bungalows, Oceanview and Morgan Bay Hotel are institutions that have been around since the 50's or 60's. We chose Trennery's for six nights.They have a small campsite on the hotel grounds. Andrew had to work most days so it was handy to have a good wifi connection for that.

And just as well, because it rained quite a lot.

It was easy to grab a laptop and head up to the dining room or lounge of the hotel for coffee, a breafast sarmie and shelter from the rain. We got to watch a lot of rugby in the bar too.

We did walk on the beach right below the hotel.

We drove out each day to explore a different area. You do need a 4x4 on most of the coastal paths.

To reach Kei Mouth you need to use the pontoon ferry.

Hanlie found a really good butchers in Kei. They operate their business from their living room.

We had a wonderful lunch at The Morgan Bay Hotel just for old times sake. We cooked some great meals and enjoyed our braais and our campfires.