Cape Roadtrip - Backroads 2021-12

Let's take a roadtrip you said. Where to? To the Cape but taking all the back 

roads and stopping off at all the little towns we always just shoot past. 

Our first stop - Phillipolis

Take a detour. Discover small towns and friendly faces that don't grow 

along the highway. Phillipolis what a lovely experience. 

From the moment you enter this "dorpie"

you know things are going to be over easy & laid back. The beers were cold, 

the hospitality warm and the food served in true farm style....fresh and wholesome. 

Phillipolis Hotel, a family run establishment where everyone chips in to keep things 

running super smooth. Take that turnoff, drive the detour, it may just lead to 

life's greatest memories. 

A quick stop a the Karoo Padstal for a heartwarming boerie breakfast.

We were fortunate to see some of the karoo flowers

 

 

Our next destination - Prins Albert

Our accommodation, the ever beautiful 

Dennehof Karoo Guesthouse - our castle for the night

We also took some time to walk through town and experience all it has to offer.

And the Swartberg Hotel was top of our list.

One night in this beautiful town is just not enough. We will have to come back. 

We left Prins Albert with a heavy heart. We headed out over the Swartberg Pass through less known towns with amazing names like Matjiesrivier, Lemoenshoek & Suurbraak. 

We traversed over not only one pass but 3, the Swartberg Pass, Huisrivier Pass and the Tradouws Pass. 

Breathtaking scenery. We have a beautiful country yet to be explored. 

 

 

Fortunately the only traffic encountered on the passes.

 

A quick stop at Boplaas wine farm to stock up on some much needed grape juice 

Best way to enjoy a good wine and snack platter on a dirt road 

 

You cannot drive route 62 and not stop over at Ronnie's Sex shop

  

And then we hit Arniston (Waenhuiskraal) and it was a sight for sore eyes.

My memories of Arniston will remain long after my footprints in the sand 

have washed away. 

Thank you Arniston Spa Hotel for an unforgettable experience. 

Your 4 star hospitality, scrumptious meals and luxurious comfort. 

Kassiesbaai, vir jou asemrowended "turquoise" water, pragtige vissershuisies 

en opregte vriendlikheid en glimlagge van jou inwooners. 

Dit alles sal gegraveer bly in my hart. 

 

The local village of Kassiesbaai. By far my favourite part of this trip. 

Absoloutely beautiful. 

 

Most southern tip of Africa

 

Struisbaai

 

Napier

And of course we always sniff out the wine.

    

Montagu

 

 

Roads were made for journey's not destinations and we 

have absolutely loved the journey so far. 

It has unveiled a land of secret beauty and infinite variety. 

The biggest secret....Matjiesfontein.

The beautiful Lord Milner Hotel revealing secrets of years gone by. 

For years we have simply passed by on the N2

 with a quick glance at the turnoff sign, 

little did we know the secrets, stories and rich history that is 

wrapped up in this gem of a "dorpie". As my husband stated " this is now 

officially the smallest town he has ever visited".

Something you have to do when you visit Matjiesfontein. 

The Red Bus tour. 

The shortest bus tour in the world. 

It takes you around Matjiesfontein and takes all of 7 min. 
Johnny the conductor is such a comic he had us in stitches. 

And then pub night in the local pub. Johnny a man of many talents. 

He is not only the bus conductor but also the local pub entertainer and 

excellent piano player.  

He does a very good impersonation of Stevie Wonder. 

There are 2 essential things that make you wise:

- the books you read

- the people you meet

Daar's 'n trein, die trein na Matjiesfontein.

Daar is net iets romanties aan 'n ou treinstasie. 

Gedagtes van verliefdes wat afskeid neem 

Families wat hereenig, troepies wat huistoe keer. 

Die gewoel op die platform. 

Wens dit was nog so.

 

En toe 'n vinnige besoek aan my dierbare tannie Frances in Laingsburg.

Die groot vloed van 1981. Hulle huis en al hul besitting is meegesluur. 

Dis net God se genade dat hulle gesin dit oorleef het. 

My tannie het vir baie jare in die vloed meusem gewerk en kan vir jou al die 

geskiedenis van daardie dag vertel. 

 

Maak 'n punt daarvan om Hanover te besoek, en maak beslis 'n punt daarvan om by 

Boutique Guest House te oornag. Wat 'n mooi plek. Ons het plek gemaak vir Hanna 

in die Ranger want ons wil haar met alle geweld terugneem Pretoria toe. 

Sy bestuur daai gastehuise so professioneel, so vriendlik en haar kos is uit die 

boonste rakke. Sal beslis weer hier kom draai. Dankie Hanna en personeel 

vir 'n onvergeetlike ervaaring. 

En natuurlik toe sy skaapstertjies voorsit toe weet ek ons is op die regete plek. 

Jy weet jy is in die Karoo as daar meer vleis op jou bord is as groente. 

Dit was 'n eerste vir my en beslis nie die laaste nie. 

Was lekker verby. 

 

Riverside Lodge in Aliwal Noord.     

Pragtig langs die Oranje Rivier

The majestic Orange River flowing strong. 

Our accommodation for the night

Next stop Ficksburg, but first a couple of farm stalls.