DAY-5 19 December (Oudtshoorn to Knysna)

Assorted video collection from Day 5

With all the adventures of the previous day, we both have a good nights sleep and wake up to a pleasant and sunny day in Oudtshoorn. We have a relatively short riding day today, but first we have to take a side trip to meet with Chris & Celia, who have helped us in such a big way with fine-tuning our route and helping with all our accommodations.  Towards the north east direction from Oudtshoorn, in the village of De Rust they own a large farm growing veggies, fruits, sheep & Ostrich. However, presently they are busy at their Farm stall located few kms before De Rust. I feed in their location co-ordinates on our lovely GPS and he starts his left, right, blah blah….and at one point it directs me to turn right after a small hill and as I turn I am shocked to see a wide gravel road marked Swartberg Pass and Mr. Garmin says ‘gravel road for next 22kms’.

A FEW KMS LATER I REALIZE IT’S A GRAVEL ROAD PASS

Well with a fully loaded RT (with lots of Tupperware!), I am in no mood for a gravel adventure…I give a nice knock on Mr. Garmin’s nut and learn the ‘avoid gravel roads’ was not enabled. DAMN. Some more merry-go-round and finally we are on track cruising the N12 towards De Rust.

ARRIVING AT THE FARMSTALL

THOSE PINK HANGING THINGS ARE MADE OF OSTRICH FEATHER

We meet with Chris & Celia for the first time after all these months of email exchanges. An absolutely wonderful couple who inspite of their busy time at the farm stall with Christmas shoppers, give us yet another taste of the amazing South African warmth & hospitality - thank you Chris & Celia.

MRS & MR ADVENTURE WITH CHRIS & CELIA

After the brief visit, we are on the N12 highway back to Oudtshoorn where the same highway turns left & heads down south towards the beautiful and intimidating Outeniqua Mountains. Just before the mountain, we stop at the well known Holgate Farm Stall & eatery for their specialty Griddle Bread with jam & cheese which is gulped down with some excellent tea.

After this small break, we hit the road and soon the temperatures are also dropping sharply close to the 20 deg C mark- a real contrast to the 30-40 deg C we have been riding in the Karoo region and sure the chill is getting thru our airflow jackets! Ascending the Outeniqua Pass, we see dark clouds looming and we are soon riding thru some of the low clouds kissing the rocky mountains. As with some of the other passes encountered on our trip, this pass also prominently features in dangerousroads.org in Africa. The pass is indeed a bikers delight with spectacular curves, switchbacks and mesmerizing scenery with the high imposing mountains on all sides and what better mount than a wonderful sport touring bike like our R1200RT for the job. Enjoying every bit of it…. Going back to the past, for cricket buffs, these are the same Outeniqua mountains where in June 2002 a small turboprop plane carrying former South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje crashed in bad weather killing him and the 2 pilots. A sad ending….

Getting back to our trip, after crossing the Outeniqua pass we are soon descending into the beautiful and sophisticated looking town of George, which also signals our entry into the famous Garden Route of South Africa. We pass thru this fairly large sized town crossing many traffic signals (BTW, traffic signals are called ROBOTS in South Africa!).

Moving forward at one point after riding a small incline, at its pinnacle like a flash we suddenly get a full blown view of the mighty & stunning Indian Ocean at a distance. Heading left we merge into one of the important arteries of the South African road system, the N2 highway with the Indian Ocean on our right. Vehicular traffic on this road is relatively heavy & fast but highly disciplined and soon pass the small towns of Wilderness, Sudgefield and although the ocean goes out of view, after a few twists & turns along a serene lake on our right we arrive at the beautiful small town of Knysna located on an estuary of the Indian Ocean and our halting point for the night.

Following the GPS we turn left and head to the luxurious Simola Hotel & Golf Course. We detach our sidecases and leave them at the hotel, have a cup of tea and hop on the bike minus the sidecases to see the breathtaking Knysna Heads. It is a very steep climb to its vantage viewpoint, but the R1200RT easily takes it in its stride. We spend the evening soaking in the natural beauty & magnificent views of the Indian Ocean several hundred feet down below and the Knysna Heads in the background. From the 42 dec C in Oudtshoorn yesterday to a mere 15 deg C in Knysna today-Wow, it was a welcome change.

In South Africa in almost all hotels we stayed- small or big, a complimentary assortment of teabags with sugar, whitener & electric kettle seems to be a standard feature, which we greatly liked

THE VERY FRIENDLY RESTAURANT OWNER

After some great sight seeing at the Knysna heights it was time to fill our tummy and we stopped for dinner at the Sailor Sam Seafood restaurant and order as per the very friendly owners suggestion of Seafood Basket, French Salad & Fish Samosa. Yummmmmmyyyy…..Head back to the hotel and finally call it a day.