April 25 – May 2 has been one of my favorite weeks in South Africa hands down! This was a week of journeying, exploration, beauty, laughter, and wonders. This was the week YASC “Team South Africa” went on a road trip along the Garden Route.
The Garden Route runs along South Africa’s eastern coast. Its gains its name the verdant and ecologically diverse vegetation encountered here. It is breathtakingly beautiful and I was fortunate enough to travel along a good part of it with three of my fellow YASCers – Ann, Travis, and Sarah.
Ann is working in Cape Town. Travis is stationed in Grahamstown (about 550 miles from Cape Town). And Sarah is posted in Mthatha (765 miles from Cape Town). The four of us had talked throughout the year about getting together and exploring South Africa. With an abundance of public holidays at the end of April we were finally able to get together and embark upon our journey.
The Garden Route runs along South Africa’s eastern coast. Its gains its name the verdant and ecologically diverse vegetation encountered here. It is breathtakingly beautiful and I was fortunate enough to travel along a good part of it with three of my fellow YASCers – Ann, Travis, and Sarah.
Ann is working in Cape Town. Travis is stationed in Grahamstown (about 550 miles from Cape Town). And Sarah is posted in Mthatha (765 miles from Cape Town). The four of us had talked throughout the year about getting together and exploring South Africa. With an abundance of public holidays at the end of April we were finally able to get together and embark upon our journey.
YASC Team South Africa in Grahamstown
From Left to Right: Travis, Ann, Amanda, and Sarah
From Left to Right: Travis, Ann, Amanda, and Sarah
Sarah and Travis both flew into Cape Town and the four of us met up on Easter Monday to begin our road trip. We set out east in our rented Nissan Tilda full of excitement, anticipation, and high spirits! The first leg of our journey took us from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas. Cape Agulhas is the southern most tip of the African continent where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. We stayed at Cape Agulhas Backpackers on Monday night, which was a cozy accommodation with a very nice bar and fireplace both of which we took full advantage of as we caught up with one another.
The next morning we visited the Cape Agulhas lighthouse, braved some extremely steep ladders, and climbed to the windy top. After checking out the lighthouse that provided an ample view of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, we ventured to a shipwreck about 1km away before setting off on the next leg of our journey to Plettenberg Bay. We spent most of this second day together driving. We traversed a plethora of landscapes ranging from desolate grey hills of sand and stone to lush forests and vast expanses of turquoise ocean. We arrived at our destination, Acadia Bed and Breakfast, as the sun was setting over picturesque Plettenberg Bay with its rolling whitecaps and flaming clouds.
Wednesday, we explored the wonders of Plettenberg. After enjoying a thoroughly filling breakfast prepared by Acadia’s owner Lesley, we took a drive through town along the ocean before heading to Bramon Wine Estate for wine tasting and lunch. Bramon’s food is a serious contender for the best food I’ve had in South Africa. It was mouth wateringly delicious! Filled to capacity with wine and food we left Bramon for a spell at the beach and then a trip to Monkey Land (a monkey sanctuary) followed by Birds of Eden (a bird sanctuary). After a laidback dinner in town followed by wine in Acadia’s lounge, we settled down for a second night in Plettenberg.
Thursday we bid farewell to Plettenberg Bay and traveled to Storms River. Storms River, only an hour from Plettenberg, boasts many activities for the adventure seeker. From zip lines, to canopy tours, hikes, and one of the highest bungee jumps in the world, Storms River has is all! We embarked on a hike through an ancient forest to behold an 800-year-old tree. After our hike Ann and Travis zip lined through the Tsitsikamma Mountains. After these adventures we made our way to Storms River Mouth National Park where the ocean feeds Storms River. This was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. It’s a majestic place that took my breath away leaving me speechless before its primal magnificence and grandeur.
The next morning we visited the Cape Agulhas lighthouse, braved some extremely steep ladders, and climbed to the windy top. After checking out the lighthouse that provided an ample view of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, we ventured to a shipwreck about 1km away before setting off on the next leg of our journey to Plettenberg Bay. We spent most of this second day together driving. We traversed a plethora of landscapes ranging from desolate grey hills of sand and stone to lush forests and vast expanses of turquoise ocean. We arrived at our destination, Acadia Bed and Breakfast, as the sun was setting over picturesque Plettenberg Bay with its rolling whitecaps and flaming clouds.
Wednesday, we explored the wonders of Plettenberg. After enjoying a thoroughly filling breakfast prepared by Acadia’s owner Lesley, we took a drive through town along the ocean before heading to Bramon Wine Estate for wine tasting and lunch. Bramon’s food is a serious contender for the best food I’ve had in South Africa. It was mouth wateringly delicious! Filled to capacity with wine and food we left Bramon for a spell at the beach and then a trip to Monkey Land (a monkey sanctuary) followed by Birds of Eden (a bird sanctuary). After a laidback dinner in town followed by wine in Acadia’s lounge, we settled down for a second night in Plettenberg.
Thursday we bid farewell to Plettenberg Bay and traveled to Storms River. Storms River, only an hour from Plettenberg, boasts many activities for the adventure seeker. From zip lines, to canopy tours, hikes, and one of the highest bungee jumps in the world, Storms River has is all! We embarked on a hike through an ancient forest to behold an 800-year-old tree. After our hike Ann and Travis zip lined through the Tsitsikamma Mountains. After these adventures we made our way to Storms River Mouth National Park where the ocean feeds Storms River. This was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. It’s a majestic place that took my breath away leaving me speechless before its primal magnificence and grandeur.
Lunch at Storms River Mouth
We ate lunch at the park’s restaurant and then wandered along the coast and even up a mountain before sunset. We spent the night at Dijembe Backpackers where we sang karaoke with an Elvis impersonator, participated in a drum circle, and mingled with people from all over the world, all of which was spontaneous!
Friday we went to Grahamstown making a pit stop at Addo Elephant Park where we dawdled for a few hours watching elephants in their natural habitat. We got mere meters from the regal creatures – close enough to see the deep, rich brown of their eyes and their thick, long eyelashes! We were silently captivated by these ancient giants. Windows rolled down; the only sounds we could hear were the elephants’ muffled steps and gnawing noises as they chewed vegetation. We left Addo, my heart filled to capacity with happiness, and drove on to Grahamstown as night set in and stars flamed into life above us.
Friday we went to Grahamstown making a pit stop at Addo Elephant Park where we dawdled for a few hours watching elephants in their natural habitat. We got mere meters from the regal creatures – close enough to see the deep, rich brown of their eyes and their thick, long eyelashes! We were silently captivated by these ancient giants. Windows rolled down; the only sounds we could hear were the elephants’ muffled steps and gnawing noises as they chewed vegetation. We left Addo, my heart filled to capacity with happiness, and drove on to Grahamstown as night set in and stars flamed into life above us.
Bull Elephant in Pumba
We stayed Friday and Saturday night at the monastery in Grahamstown where Travis has been living and working since July 2010. Saturday we went on safari in Pumba Game Reserve just outside of Grahamstown. We saw the “African big five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) and many other animals. The beauty of creation that surrounded us was simply marvelous! We returned from safari in time for evening worship with the monks and then the four of us had dinner together one last time. Sunday our four-some would break up as the ladies departed for Mthatha and Travis stayed in Grahamstown. Before that happened though we participated in an uplifting Sunday Eucharist at the monastery which Travis preached at! After the service we mingled with the monks and the children who have become a huge part of Travis’ life. It was a joy to be able to see this place, to worship God together, and to enjoy the brothers’ hospitality.
After saying goodbye to Travis, Ann, Sarah, and I set out on the final leg of our journey to Mthatha where Sarah is serving her year as a YASCer. We spent Sunday night through Tuesday morning in Mthatha. We explored the city and Itipini where Sarah works in a clinic with African Medical Mission. It was amazing to get to see where Sarah works and meet members of the community she serves. At one point Ann and I turned to each other in shock after witnessing how vastly different her placement is from ours in Cape Town. It was impressive and humbling to glimpse the great work our fellow YASCers are engaged in.
Tuesday morning Ann and I regretfully parted from Sarah and made our way two hours east to East London where we dropped the rental car off and hopped on a plane back to Cape Town. The week was one of my most memorable in South Africa. Everyday was filled with new wonders, joys, and memories. Friendships were strengthened and new bonds formed. I am so thankful that this trip happened and consider myself extremely blessed by all that I encountered throughout the week!
To see more pictures from my trip please visit the following link - YASC Garden Route Road Trip
After saying goodbye to Travis, Ann, Sarah, and I set out on the final leg of our journey to Mthatha where Sarah is serving her year as a YASCer. We spent Sunday night through Tuesday morning in Mthatha. We explored the city and Itipini where Sarah works in a clinic with African Medical Mission. It was amazing to get to see where Sarah works and meet members of the community she serves. At one point Ann and I turned to each other in shock after witnessing how vastly different her placement is from ours in Cape Town. It was impressive and humbling to glimpse the great work our fellow YASCers are engaged in.
Tuesday morning Ann and I regretfully parted from Sarah and made our way two hours east to East London where we dropped the rental car off and hopped on a plane back to Cape Town. The week was one of my most memorable in South Africa. Everyday was filled with new wonders, joys, and memories. Friendships were strengthened and new bonds formed. I am so thankful that this trip happened and consider myself extremely blessed by all that I encountered throughout the week!
To see more pictures from my trip please visit the following link - YASC Garden Route Road Trip
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