New Year's Eve in our village, with Inthran, Indran, Alkesh and Avi kicked-off what promises to be a joyful 2025!

2025 Jan - Eastern Cape Coastal Mountains

After 2 weeks at home with my Dad, while his carers took a well-deserved break, Nishan and I were ready to return to work.
As we set off, I wondered, uneasily, if we should have postponed our trip to Tsitsikamma and just headed back to work.

Coffee Bay

It rained most of this leg of the trip, but that didn't dampen our experience. We absolutely loved the drive through the misty, green, rolling hills in the area. Our journey there over-shadowed our impression of Coffee Bay and the hole-in-the-wall; but, perhaps swimming around the hole-in-the-wall on a hot day might have changed my mind.

Addo Elephant National Park

Steytlerville and Patensie, via Antonies Pass

It was difficult working out what Baviaanskloof is, and how to navigate it. At Steytlerville, when I explained to Nishan that Patensie was our next stop; and this is how we would see Baviaanskloof; he said: "Shouldn't we at least be heading to where Google Maps says Baviaankloof is?" After a heated discussion, I unfortunately won that argument, since neither of us knew any better, and I had at least done my research.

Had we known the condition of the pass, we would never have taken that route. But in hindsight, it was a wonderful experience, with great views of the Cockscomb. And Nishan learnt a life-skill that we used many times again on the holiday. It was the test-drive, for the beautiful passes we were yet to see.

Storms River Mouth Rest Camp

The closest to the sea we have slept; a little too noisy for Nishan, therapeutic for me

The brochure said wear good shoes and return before high-tide - so we did. But, I definitely underestimated the challenge. It felt like Antonies pass all-over again - only I am not a Hilux !! I over-heated getting there; so the icy pool of water was a welcome treat and memory-reset. I now have even greater respect for my camino warriors.

A very leisurely walk to the suspension bridge (with our good shoes on) pushed me into another unexpectedly precarious position. When we encountered the large male adult, in our pathway, directly in front of us, with no intention to move his troop along, despite Nishan's attempts to distract and challenge him, I started heading back. Whether it was the yellow bag, which looked like a bunch of bananas, on Nishan's back, or not, the troop leader started moving along the path towards us, with his +30 strong troop moving towards us in the surround trees . I was well on my way back to the campsite, when Nishan caught up with me and told me to wait until the troop passes. Relunctantly, I headed for the sea for safety, (incorrectly) hoping that baboons don't swim. I waded through the water and planted myself on a rock with waves bashing around me. Nishan waited on the beach for the troop to pass. I did not let go of the small rock (weapon) in my hand until we go to the end of the suspension bridge. Luckily, the rest of our walk was beautiful and serene. I was relieved when we finally started seeing people on our way back.

George

Baviaanskloof [Take II]

Having come down from Steytlerville along the most eastern side of the kloof, then up to Willowmore along the most western side of the kloof, we finally traversed the kloof from west (Willowmore) to east (Kougadam / Patensie) along the R332 - which is the typical 6 hour Baviaanskloof trip. (Understood better now, after much googling, and having seen the kloof on our way to storms river.)

Gariep Dam

Some R&R for the slave and driver at the campsite

Somerset Park