Nathan's Insights

World Traveller: 7 Continents, 90 Countries, 871 Days Overseas


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  • World Trip 2006: Day 21 – Knysna to De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa

    Tuesday 18 April 2006
    Highlights: Exploring Knysna Bay by boat

    So people had to recover from their drinking sessions last night, we finished off last night designing our tour shirts, which we picked up later in the day (very good if I do say so myself).   We again visited the town of Knysna but this time we went out in a boat to the head of the bay.   Unfortunately we couldn’t go out to sea as it was too rough however that meant we got some good action even instead the bay.

    No insurance company will insure boats entering this bay (about 8 wrecks from memory).   After this we headed off to De Hoop Nature Reserve.   Having the need for fire I don’t think the staff of the reserve will be happy with our solution for a lack of fire wood however it kept us all warm 🙂

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 20 – Knysna, South Africa

    Monday 17 April 2006
    Highlights: I did a crazy Bungee Jump!!!

    Well today I proved I could jump to my death by leaping (or falling) from a bridge 216 metres of the ground.   On a very wet day we headed out for a chance to jump.   Chickening out we all thought it was too wet how the brave German Joern decided to go for it.   While we eat lunch he went across to the bridge with 20 other people.   Eventually shame got the best of me and I said ‘I’m doing this’ a little louder than I intended.

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 19 – Karoo to Knysna, South Africa

    Sunday 16 April 2006
    Highlights: Graaff-Reinet  Town Visit, the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains

    Today we set off for Knysna.   Our first stopped off at Graaff-Reinet to see a local Africana Museum.   Inge & Marjia both commented on how ugly the women appeared to be in the photos.

    Graaff-Reinet is one of the oldest town in South Africa and the local church dominates the area (like most South African towns actually).

    Graaff-Reinet
    Graaff-Reinet

    From here we went to through the Outeniqua Mountains which as usual are magnificent.

    Outeniqua Mountains
    Outeniqua Mountains
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  • World Trip 2006: Day 18 – Karoo, South Africa

    Saturday 15 April 2006
    Highlights: Two hour hike in Karoo

    At our Karoo farm stay they have lots of the wildlife roaming around with very few fences.  We then we went on a brief 2 hour hike around the Karoo farm.   The landscape is stunning; it’s hard to believe that it has snowed in this area.

    We enjoyed probably our best weather but with no pool we just let the sun do its thing. Some in our group decided to go on an extra hike; I started but after 30 minutes found myself back on the grassed area in front of the main house.

    I should mention I won at Trivial Pursuit, however the South African version helped me a great deal i.e. lots of cricket questions 🙂

    BTW apparently Karoo lamb doesn’t need herbs as that is all they eat here so they are naturally herbed!

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 17 – Ladyband to Karoo, South Africa

    Friday 14 April 2006.
    Highlights: Helen Martins Owl House

    We had a very long drive to Karoo today but that meant a chance to see the amazing landscape.

    Most notable event today was visiting the “Owl House”.   Helen Martins created these figures in her house after living a very lonely life, kind of creepy really. Outside the house some local Africans danced in traditional dress for tour it’s and Jan almost bought a wire copy of the Drifters truck.

    Owl HouseWe got into Karoo late in the day; it is a semi desert area.

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 16 – Drakensberg to Ladyband, South Africa

    Thursday 13 April 2006
    Highlights: Bushman paintings

    Walking most of the way to our truck (the 4X4 picked us up near the end) was probably a good way to recover from the hike from yesterday. The major thing today was seeing Bushman paintings at Ladyband and putting some of our group in jail at the same time!!

    Niels who was a little sunburned from yesterday’s walk proved he is very tough by getting into the very cold swimming pool, we all watched from a distance in awe.   I also don’t believe I’ll stay in a better room during my entire trip (this was not a Drifter’s property).

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 15 – Drakensberg, South Africa

    Wednesday 12 April 2006
    Highlights: Seven hour nature hike, exploring bushman caves

    Some people on the tour really enjoyed the fireplaces in the rooms last night; I think some wood was missing from outside my room reflecting how keen people were to keep their fires going.

    Today was all about the 7 hour nature hike.   It was extremely hard at certain points, I remember looking down as I was climbing a rock face (with Jan’s help) and thinking it was a very long way down.   The walk was so hard because their never seemed to be a flat bit (always up or down). I think the hike really bought the group together.   We were all watching the threatening clouds hoping they would stay away (they did thank god!).

    The bushman caves proved interesting.   Marjia keep finding new places to explore and the rest of us just worried about getting out from this small damp cave.   It’s very sad to think these bushman were hunted and killed, they live a very simple life.   Their paintings leave some clues to what they saw in their time.

    After Marjia fell off her horse (only experienced riders allowed) we all took long showers and walked (slowly) to a well deserved dinner by candlelight (to save power).

    The Drakensberg area is actually an environment success story by the Drifter’s group.   It’s good to think we were actually helping the environment for once instead of destroying it.   Drifters are continuing to restore the land to its former glory in this area.

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 14 – Dolphin Coast to Durban to Drakensberg, South Africa

    Tuesday 11 April 2006
    Highlights: 4WD drive to our remote accommodation

    Unfortunately no dolphins decided to say good morning to our group.  This it might have been the result of a drunken party in the area 🙂

    We headed off to Durban for a quick stop.   I spend most of our time here with my new friend Inge on the Durban Golden mile and having a heart to heart with her like only two people from different continents can. After a very long drive we arrived in Drakensberg which is actually in the mountains.

    Our truck could not make the drive so we transferred to a 4WD for the last 2 kms.   The Inn is so remote that there are no phones or electricity lines; it is run on solar power which you try to save.

    This place has seen lots of snow in the past.   Amazing to think in the morning we were on the beach and now we are 3,000 miles above sea level.

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 13 – Zululand and Dolphin Coast, South Africa

    Monday 10 April 2006
    Highlights: Zululand High School performance, Witch Doctor predictions

    We started today with a visit to a local Zululand high school and village and the students put on a dancing performance during a morning assembly.    Anika was pulled onto the ‘stage’ and showed us all she really could dance (didn’t sing however).   I already have an order in for the video Jacko was taking.

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  • World Trip 2006: Day 12 – Zululand, South Africa

    Sunday 9 April 2006
    Highlights: First sighting of a black rhino

    What a huge day!!!  After a night of learning a new card game called “Kings in the corner” (thanks Jan), we got up early for a walk in the forest around Lake St Lucia.   Actually we walked across the lake since it was dry!

    We then returned and had some fun in the pool (about the only water in the area) before heading off to a visit of the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. In the reserve Jan got us into trouble for going into a restricted area, good buffalo in that area however :).   We saw black rhino, giraffes, impala, elephants, buffalo, nodding zebras and warthogs.   Life was everywhere (but again not the ‘cats’).   What a cool day.

    Hluhluwe Game Reserve
    Hluhluwe Game Reserve
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