Apr. 29, 2014. Buffalo Bay Caravan Resort, Knysna, Western Cape Province, SA – 349km
As mentioned, finding last
night’s Caravan Park was thanks to the book we got a few days ago and to a
detailed map of Port Elizabeth we picked up. We followed the route but got a
bit worried as we passed through a township right next to the garbage dump. The
“homes” were pretty bad with garbage all around. We drove along the way looking
for “The Willows Resort” and came across “Willow Park”. It looked pretty rough,
had a rusted heavy chain with a pad lock across the entrance and a rusted sign
saying to honk for assistance. We did that and out came a white lady, fag in
her mouth, really bad teeth, to tell us it was a camp ground for coloureds – no
hot water, etc. for $20 per night, more than we paid at the fancy resort. So
sad there is still that distinction. She directed us to the “real” Willows Resort
a few km further down the road, where we had a very comfortable pampered night.
We woke to another really nice
day with the low only dipping to 15C. We saw a high of 21 as we drove. The
highway today was in really good shape so we made great time. The only incident
was a huge STOP sign on the highway right after the 120 km sign. Not sure what
that was all about but no one was stopping.
Along the way we saw lots of
windmills, obviously strategically situated as we felt the wind blowing the
motorhome around. As we made our way along
the coast we could see the dark clouds coming in and knew we were in for a
change in the weather. So far we really had been lucky.
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| Caracal |
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| Serval (Norma's Pet!) |
Today was our day to stop at Tenikwa
Wildlife Awareness and Rehabilitation center. This is where they accept
injured, abandoned and displaced wild animals, treat and care for them and when
ready and if possible release them back into the wild. The animals for rehabilitation
are not viewed as the least possible people contact the better for the success
of release into the wild. Animals that are not able to be released for various
reasons are available for public contact thus the “awareness” part of their
program. We had a great tour seeing African wild cats, serval, caracal,
cheetahs and leopards. We actually entered the enclosure with the wild cats,
serval (he rubbed against Norma and let her pet him) and the cheetahs. There
was a little blond boy (about 2 years old) with our group and he was not
allowed into the cheetah pen. The female kept pacing against the fence, purring
and really eyeing the little boy apparently as potential lunch. The male just
laid there and let us get close taking pictures, etc. We were going to sign up
for a cheetah walk but the weather took a nasty turn just as we got back from
our viewing tour so we decided to give it a pass as we were right in with them
anyway. In addition the center had a “meercat meander”, a walk through an area
with marabou storks, tortises and, of course, cute meercats.
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| Cheetah |
Thanks to the caravan book again
we followed the directions to our overnight spot right on the Indian Ocean. It
is raining as I type and the wind has the ocean crashing on the rocks less than
a hundred yards in front of us. We have tucked ourselves in behind some rock for
a bit of protection, but not in too far as we want to still see our view. The
owner apologized for the weather (horizontal rain) and gave us the spot at
nearly half off. As we drove along the ocean to the park we were seeing surfers
out having a great time. If it settles a bit we plan to go do some beachcombing.
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| Meercats |
Later – the rain stopped so out
we went exploring. It is still pretty grey but does look like it is trying to
clear and the caravan park manager says it is supposed to be sunny tomorrow. We
will see. People are fishing off the rocks, not sure how they are managing to
cast far enough but they are keeping at it. Still over a dozen surfers having a
great time trying to catch the waves. We tested the water for temperature and
it is pretty warm. Can now say we have touched the Indian Ocean.
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