Knysna

 We continued down the coast to a beautiful town of Knysna. Well that is until it suffered major damage in June when bushfires destroyed many homes and the wildflower gardens that we were to visit.

The damage was extensive but we still enjoyed a cruise on the waterway.

 Many homes were destroyed. It must have been similar to the fires on the Great Ocean Road.

                                               The coastal scenery was stunning.

We boarded our "Paddle wheeler" for a short trip on the waterway and to have lunch. We didn't travel very far!

The entrance is so dangerous that it is no longer used for shipping. It was once the centre for the export of native timbers. The hillside on the right is the burnt remains of the World Heritage listed wildflower gardens.

The town was very touristic but we did have a walk through the shops. Some returned in the night to enjoy the specialty seafood restaurants.

Garden Route to Knysna

We had a flight from Durban to Port Elizabeth, known as the friendly city. We had planned a swim on the local beaches but were late to arrive and after a drive around the historic areas of the town settled for an easy night. The cuisine is very sea food oriented!

                      The British heritage remains in great old buildings along with place names.

The next morning we were driving down the garden route to Knysna. There are beautiful wildflowers and rugged terrain

Even the toilet stops were interesting and an opportunity for a short walk.

This quaint little thing is actually the closest living relative to the elephant. It's common name is a Rock Dassie.

 Our next stop was at Tsitsikamma National Park at the Storm River Mouth. The surf was up.

We did the walk up and down hundreds of steps to the river mouth. Lots of stops required this one at a little waterfall.

We made it down and across the suspension bridge. It was built in 1969 but rebuilt in 2006.

                                                              Great coastline walking

Next stop is Knysna
.

The Cats of Emdoneni Lodge

Great accommodation. It also has an African Cat program where they breed 4 of the 8 African species and return the young to the wild. A great opportunity to interact with several new species.

                                    A beautiful cheetah. They are the fastest animal on land!

                                 Robert and Gail with a cheetah. A real kodak moment.

                        An African Wildcat. Similar to a domestic. One of the 4 could be picked up .

It was close to dusk and time for them to be fed. Robert had a wonderful game with this one and waiting for a friend to send us the photos. 

Zulu

We are in the heart of Zulu lands. We visited a small Zulu village close to our accommodation. It did cater for tourists but still provided an insight into traditional Zulu ways. The Zulu Nation is the largest of the South African tribes and were the most feared of the warriors.

                                             We are welcomed into the village.

                                      The entire village took part in demonstrating Zulu life.

Men can take as many wives as they can manage and afford. Price about 10 cows!

                                                                  Making spears.

                                                Making shields. Some are ceremonial wedding shields.

                                                                    Zulu pots.

                         Robert pretending to be interested in the pots. The hat on the lady on the left indicates that she is married. It is left on at all times. The other is unmarried and waiting for an offer of cows. They have the right to decline as it is a dowry not a price!

                                          Rob and Gail check out the real estate.

                                  Stick fighting. This is a popular sport for the warriors.

                                                     The men were excellent dancers

                                                      Gail with the lead dancer.

Hluhluwe Game Reserve

We had a morning at the famous game reserve where big 5 sightings are common. We only managed 3 but got very wet in the process. There is not much protection in an open 4WD.
This is best known for its White Rhino breeding and these are often sent to restock other parks and reserves. Recently they lost a significant number to poachers.They simply shoot any poachers but it goes on.

                                              A White Rhino...yes we know that it is black!

                                 The Zebras were drinking the water that collected on the road. We also saw Giraffes and lots of different antelope.

                                       A Leopard Tortoise. Each of the big 5 also have a small 5 equivalent. It was too wet to get out to look for a Rhinoceros beetle!

                                                We saw several huge herds of Buffalo.

                                                                Buffalo traffic jam.

                                       Our only lion today. Over on a far hillside.

We were wet and cold so were not too disappointed when we moved on.

Hippos of St Lucia

We drove to the Southern boundary of Swaziland passing through the more modern town of Manzini. There were still many traditional houses and lots of open countryside.

                              The traditional Rondavels with a new house to the side.

We stopped off for lunch at our new hotel in Hluhluwe , a small town in Northern KwaZulu-Natal and then on to Lake St Lucia on the tidal estuary. It is currently closed to the sea but has many crocodiles and Bull sharks as well as a huge hippo population.

The weather turned cold and rain made for a less than perfect cruise but we were not short on hippo sightings! Some of our one million hippo photos:

                                       But first Gail waiting for the boat prior to the rain.

                                      They are vegetarians but have a big mouth and big teeth!

                                             We saw lots of large family groups.

As the sun set the hippos started to exit the river for at night they graze on the grasses on the land.

Swaziland Siyanemukela

After our Kruger visit we have turned south and travelled down via Swaziland. We crossed the double border crossing walking across the No Man's Land between. We did receive a very cursory check and a welcome!

Swaziland has a much lower standard of living than South Africa. It is a small land locked country. There was little sign of industry except for a large sawmill and some agriculture. Houses were still traditional or a combination of old and new on the same site. The old Rondavels for the Grandparents and Western style for younger generations.

We visited a glass manufacturing business supported mainly by tourists and a market.

                                                          At the glass shop.

We drove through the two largest towns. This is the National Parliament. Swaziland is a Kingdom but has an elected parliament. The towns were small and sprawling.

Gail at the markets.

Rob found this delightful coupling of Warthogs.