Gansbaai, Western Cape, South Africa
Friday, May 6, 2011
Along the Rocky Cliffs of DeKelders (caves) is the freshwater pools and the harbour of
Gansbaai. Economic heartbeat is still the fishing industry but there is a massive tourist draw for the Great White Shark population (estimated 30% worldwide). Travelling the currents of the oceans the white sharks come to Southern Africa for a buffet, some est. 30,000 Cafe Fur Seals that reside on Dyer Island just 15min from mainland. The best price is accom and boat trip with
Gansbaai Backpacker. We continued our journey to the Garden Route, Danger Point is known for the +140 shipwrecks and HMS Birkenhead that sank in 1852. Mossel Bay is a hillside rest stop at a beautiful victorian home Park Place Backpackers $15USpp. A shark research lab and beautiful cliffs edge that can be hiked for 13km to the next town offering breathtaking views. Snoek fish on coals with jam and garlic toted in Africaan as 'that's likker my bru'. The beach promenade is covered with surfers up to the lighthouse on Cape St. Blaize. Each fishing village and city also has it's share of shanty towns ( black townships), tin, wood, tarp huts that many locals use for permanent homes
. The largest is just outside
Cape Town and stretches beyond the horizon. We turn North to the tourist town on Route 62 called Oudtshoorn. Osterish Farms, Cat Farms, Monkey Farms, Giraffe Farms, Elephant Farms, Cango Caves, Suspension bridges. We go for a ride on an Osterich of all things! What tourism won't do.... driving 70km back to the coast we follow the famed Garden Route. Town's called Wilderness; hiking and forgotten caves,
Knysna for happy hour, F1, live music and fresh oysters on waterffront at Oyster Catchers. Although we have already extended our airfare in Africa we feel this requires alot of time. Each town is only 50km apart and offers hiking, canopy (zip lines), mountain biking, snorkelling, quading, canoe trips, river tubing and the World's highest bungee freefall 216m at Bloukrantz bridge. World record was completed on Sunday 107 consecutive times! Although the saying goes - "Fear is Temporary - Regret is Forever" - we opt only for hiking Otter Trail along the coast (one day of poss. 5 and 42km), the Hangbrug suspension bridge and canoeing at the Tsitsikama National Park.
"Dumm Gelaufen"
