Montagu, Western Cape

 I recently had the privaledge to visit the beautiful western cape town of Montagu.

Below, my home for a week and wow was it fabulous.

However getting there was quite a mission. At the time of my arrival in Cape Town, they were experiencing excessive rain and flooding. My 2 hour trip from the airport to Montagu turned into 22 hours. I was not able to travel into Montagu due to flooding all around the quaint little town. I had no option but to do a stay-over in Rawsonville (with family) till then next morning after the water had subsided. 

Below are two similar shots. 

One leaving Johannesburg, the other arriving in Cape Town.

 

Just some images showing the extent of the flooding in the area.

 

And of course I sniffed out a little roadside gem..... Affie Plaas Padstal

 

..... and a home made venison pie and fresh strong cup of 

coffee always goes down well.

 

My second attempt at reaching Montagu was more successful. 

However on arrival it was clear that I would not be able to reach my brother's place. 

The low-level bridge and only route to their home in Montagu was flooded and severely so.

With my vehicle safely parked at another location in town, the only way to reach 

my destination was to walk the foot bridge. 

The effort was totally worth it. My accommodation for the next week was in 

the most beautiful location, totally breathtaking.

Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom and flowers.

 

After a hectic drive being able to sit back, stare at the breathtaking view 

and enjoy a great glass of wine, was so welcoming.

 

I was safe and dry but the area was still taking a beating. 

The nearby hiking trail parking lot was under water. 

So my intention of taking a hike would have to stand over till another time. 

Eventhough I was there to collect my mom, I still had to work. 

However I always make time to have fun. 

So I did take a solo drive around the area.

Buying dried fruit at Cape Dry Montagu is a must

 

Enjoyed a great lunch at the Montagu Golf Club @Bistro on the Green.

 

Interesting roadside stall Die Kloof Padstal

Round trip:  Montagu, Bonnievale, Greyton, Villiers, Worcester, 

Robertson, Ashton, Montagu - Breathtaking.

Nothing quite like a spectaular sunrise.

 

Quick stop over in Strand

Cannot be in the Cape and NOT visit this place......

Timless Cafe Strand

 

and everytime I leave the beautiful Western Cape,

I feel like I am leaving a piece of my heart behind. 

 

Kgalagadi

 I have not been everywhere, but it's on my list. With this trip I was ticking off another bucket list destination, one that I had been yearning for, for a very long time. 

09 Aug 2023 and we were off to a very early start, 4am to be exact. 

(Only birds should be up this early!)

A journey well shared is a journey well enjoyed.

We were fortunate to undertake this trip with two very dear friends.

What is a road trip without a toasted sarmie & a takeaway coffee?

 

Sarmie & Coffee was our fist stop. 

Our second stop was at a place called van Zyl's Rus. 

This time to fill up and check on directions. Someone had mentioned that we could not stop over there without visiting the local van Van Zyl's Rus Hotel. 

What an interesting little place.

A true one horse kind of town.

 

 

From tar road to dirt road. Wonderlust & dirt road dust. 

Van Zyl's Rus to Askham 147km. Beautiful scenery and 

a bonus seeing the vultures in their tree top nests.

  

Our accommodation for the next couple of days.

Molopo Kalahari Lodge

  

A Kalahari sunrise always delivers

Enjoying the quite of the early morning, only the sounds of the birds

 

 

 

I wish the world was twice as big and half of it was still unexplored 

- David Attenborough

We took a trip to visit the local Bushmen to learn a little more about their culture

 

 

 

 

Our day trip into the Kgalagadi Transfronteir Park was the highlight. 

A place I had always dreamt of visiting. 

 

The landscape is breathtaking and the red dunes mezmerising.

We saw plenty of wildlife and were even lucky enough to have cheetah to the left and lion to the right in one sighting. However they were far in the distance and my celphone was definitely not equipped to capture from such a distance. It was most memorable though and will be forever engraved in my mind.

  

One day in the park is definitely not enough. Next time I will make sure we camp in the park and have plenty more time to experience all it has to offer.

  

Another amazing experience, was our visit to Hakskeenpan. 

Time stood still and the world was reduced to the magic of the moment. 

A mud and salt pan in the Kalahari Desert. It is located in the Mier region in the Northern Cape Province, at 801 meters above sea level. The pan covers an area of approximately 140 sq km's. This is also the location of the attempt at the land speed record of 1010 km/hour.

And so dawns the morning of our departure. Our trip may have come to an end, but the amazing experiences and memories made will stay with us for a lifetime.