DAY-7 21 December (Barrydale to Arniston)

Assorted video collection from Day 7

After a nice English breakfast, the curio shop next door catches my wife’s attention, which I don’t mind coz her shopping is always restricted to a few small mementos that are neither heavy on the pocket nor large for our luggage cases, while she is also relatively satisfied with the ‘shopping experience’ that women always love… We soon pack-up and get on the road leaving the wonderful Barrydale behind and heading back thru the R324 crossing once again the Tradouws Pass where we make a brief stop again to take in the wonderful views and click some pics. We continue passing the village of Suurbraak and head towards the N2 highway that will take us thru the vast Overberg region or the bread basket of South Africa due to its large grain production. On the N2 after we go past Swellendam and chug some more kms before we take a left turn onto the R317 road that carries us to the town of Bredasdorp.

THE DAILY GADGET CHARGING RITUAL

WE HAD HEARD LOTS ABOUT THE ‘BABOON MAFIA BRIGADE’ in SA, BUT FIRST TIME SEEING THEM…

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Bredasdorp is basically an agricultural town and also hosts a one of its kind shipwreck museum in South Africa. Going back to some history along the southern coast of the African continent, a lot of ships have been wrecked in olden times when sailors thought the Cape of Good Hope was the southern most point to go around Africa and turned around the bend to be met with violent & tragic endings due to the jagged coastline turning this coast into a mariners nightmare. Therefore this museum (which was formerly a church in the 1800s) holds a lot of artifacts, furniture and other memorabilia from the many ill fated ships. The annexe building also displays old means of transport and Victorian domestic life that offer a fascinating view into the colorful past of the region.

After a small rehydration break in Bredasdorp we are heading in the southern direction to another one of our memorable stops in this trip- Touching Cape Agulhas, the southern most point of the huge African continent, which is also the point where the warm waters of the mighty Indian Ocean meet the icy cold waters of the great Atlantic Ocean. However, before celebration time, I must mention that the 25-30 odd km ride on the smooth R319 road from Bredasdorp to Cape Agulhas thru Struis Bay was one of the most harrowing rides on our trip as the strong cross winds are again playing havoc with the bike and us.

BREDASDORP POLICE STATION

As we are closing in on the Cape Agulhas, we are welcomed by neat & unending rows of beautiful beach homes that are lined all the way until the lighthouse. We get off the tarmac and ride a few hundred meters of loose gravel and get as close to the sea and stop the bike there. However the last 300 odd meters to the tip of the cape have to be done on foot. Arriving there it’s a special feeling to even simply think we are now at the bottom most tip of this huge continent. On a personal note the breath taking scenery at Cape Agulhas can not be truly captured on camera nor explained in words. It needs to be experienced. FULL STOP!

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FINALLY AT THE SOUTHERN MOST POINT OF AFRICA - CAPE AGULHAS

Hi Farzana. The Indian Ocean is fine, how is the Atlantic Ocean doing…….

After the been-there-done-it pic clicking, we subsequently, visit the near by Cape Agulhas lighthouse which was built in 1849. Here again we have to sign an indemnity form just in case we fall off or rather get blown off!!! We have to climb 3 separate sets of steep ladders thru a small opening on each floor and finally when we arrive at the rooftop, being a very windy day, standing atop the 27 meter high lighthouse Mrs & Mr Adventure had to hold on tight to our cameras, caps & whatever with one hand while another hand tightly held the guard rails and momentarily I think my wife’s fright of heights vanished somewhere. Anyways, the view of the 360 degrees scenery around was PRICELESS.

We grab a quick lunch of nice Italian Margarita pizza with soft drinks and head back in the same dreadful cross winds towards Bredasdorp. From here we turn right in a south eastern direction on R316 road again in heavy cross winds towards the picturesque beach village of Arniston famous for its ‘Fishermen Cottages’ and check into the beautiful  Arniston Hotel, where to our delight we have been upgraded to a sea facing room. Wow! We later learn that the 2 celebrity bikers Ivan McGregor & Charlie Boorman on their Long Way Down trip were former guests at the same hotel…The hotel, the service, the food are all wonderful, but their internet is louzy…..

FUNNY SIGN IN A TOILET

Moving bike & heavy cross winds…Not a good combination for photography!

With a wonderful balcony opening to the sea, we just sit there and spend the evening soaking in the views, while the unending waves from the blue waters of the Indian Ocean soothes the mind beyond words. We finally call it a day with a light dinner from Room Service.