The Garden ROute

We all slept VERY well after shark diving – not to mention our bodies were finally starting to get over the jet lag, which is totally real by the way;). While we were in Cape Town we were Super Tourists!!! We went on the Cape Wheel, visited Table Mountain, Rode the Red Double Decker Tour Bus, visited Camp’s Bay, stopped in at Boulder Island to see the penguins BUT the most impactful place we experienced was Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and many other political activists were imprisoned.

Before we left for Africa, I bought the kids a book about Nelson Mandela. I read, A Long Walk to Freedom, years ago, and have adored and admired him as so many others do. I wanted the kids to have a little knowledge and hopefully a little interest to help with the complex history of South Africa.

In our opinion, Robben Island, is a MUST visit, especially if you are going to explore South Africa. It gives you a very clear picture as to why you feel a little heaviness and uncomfortable at times. The Segregation that still exists in SA is something we were aware of BUT honestly seeing is believing and we were so shocked at how apparent and rampant it is. It is a nation that needs quite a bit of healing and on top of it all, it just happens to be battling severe corruption. It has a super porous economy due to that corruption and South Africa is at the VERY top of the Gini Index: Check out this link for more information: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/gini-coefficient-by-country

When you go to Robben Island, you hop on a ferry, and that’s where you may learn that your daughter suffers a bit from some sea sickness. I was in a constant state of panic – looking for all options in case the volcano next to me erupted;). The ideas started to become clearer when I noticed several full grown adults throw themselves to the outer decks to make a deposit into the sea. Dear God, Can we please not revisit the time she threw up dehydrated strawberries and all I could do was catch them in my hands and hold them….for way too long – oh the glamour of being a mother;). I’m happy to report she made it, and all her lunch was intact!! Bragging rights!!!

Finishing up our time in Cape Town was bittersweet, it really is such a beautiful place, but the open road was calling!!! You know us, we love a good road trip!!!

The Garden Route is THE MOST popular area to visit in South Africa and the country puts a lot of effort towards making it a safe place to travel.

We spent 2 Weeks in South Africa. Rented a Car and travelled From Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and here is what that looked like for us!!

Itinerary:

Cape Town: 5 nights – We stayed at the Mountain Marina Apartments which is in the V&A District. We did all of the above mentioned activities and we had our first experience with the rolling black outs!!!

When you leave Cape Town and hit the highway, the first thing you notice is the distinct difference in housing. We drove along Shanty Towns for about an hour, outside of Cape Town. Tin houses with no electricity or plumbing for as far as you could see. It’s a very humbling sight and is heavy on the heart. This was a great opportunity to chat with the kids about inequality and the struggles that people go through because of corruption, racism and so many other real and significant challenges!!! In my mind, these are the lessons that stick with your children as a result of travelling and pushing their comforts.

Next up – 2 Nights in Wilderness at a place called Rinkink Beach House where we had some rainy weather but still managed to hold a beach or 2 down. Lil also managed to lock herself in the bathroom, within the first minute of arriving. It had an old timey key that you needed to lock the door from the inside but just couldn’t get it to turn to unlock. Poor Nick rushed in shortly after, you know, still suffering the effects of all that tap water;) and was in a dead panic – What do you mean she’s locked in? Is there only 1 bathroom?? Oh No – as he starts to sweat and contemplate an aqua turd in the ocean across the street;).

Lil was not even the slightest bit panicked, completely unfazed, in fact. I went and got Liny, our amazing host, and she let us know that there was the one and only key. Great! Nick was all but pulling the door off the hinges when we discovered there was a window in the bathroom and Lily managed to throw the key to me and we saved her and most importantly, saved Nick;)

Next up – 4 nights in Knysha and we stayed at the Big Tree House Lodge. This place was incredible, and we relaxed as much as possible. Lazy mornings with coffee on the deck followed by some exploring in the afternoon!!

We hiked some trails in the Robberg Nature Reserve, and it was absolutely stunning!!! It was a nice technical hike that combined single track, endless beaches, rocky climbs and nice boardwalk!! It was so smooth until it wasn’t, but we’re used to it, that’s how we roll. Things became less smooth when Lil ripped the bottom of her foot up, on a nail, sticking out of the boardwalk.

You know those moments as a parent when you can anticipate the future – like, for example…..we just finish walking through all the sand and I say, hey kids, you need to put your shoes back on!! Walking on this wood in bare feet is dangerous!!! I repeat this about 15 times until I don’t, and then 5 minutes later, Lily’s foot is bleeding and it’s a decent injury and we have 1km left to go!!! She also happens to be in charge of first aid and her kit is in the car.

It takes everything to push down my 80’s mom instincts to NOT say – See, you should have listened to me;);). Instead, I found some bandaids that have been in my purse for some time, Nick bandaged her up and we were back up and moving in no time and Nick got to finish the hike with a brand new backpack;);).

Another highlight for the trip was Surfing!! We ruck up to a beautiful beach in a place called Plettenberg Bay (Pletts Bay) and the beach is amazing but there’s an ominous sign: Plett Ocean Smart: Great White Sharks Visit These Waters. Like, For Real??? Ya, they don’t kid about Sharks in South Africa!!!

No Cages this time!!!! The kids and Nick decided to risk it….yeesh;). We joined the Learn To Surf Plett Crew and they had the best experience. The kids made surfing look easy, and Nick made it look, well, not easy BUT when he ended up riding his first wave – it was so cool to see!!! I had a grand plan of soaking up the sun, reading my book but instead I stood and cheered them on the entire time – I couldn’t’ stop, I was just so proud!!

After Nick and the kids finished up – we went to an awesome restaurant on the beach. Our waiter was super friendly, and I decided to ask if the sign, warning us of the Sharks, was relevant and he was deadpan as he told us his best mate died last year of a Great White Bite!!!!! It was so unexpected and so sad, yet most surfers feel like the risk is worth the reward!

Next up was a trip to Storms River for 2 Nights!! Honestly, probably one of my favourite places. Have you ever been in a situation where Google maps just absolutely let you down?? Like, not enough to bring back the Map Quest days but enough where you realize that you should at least think for yourself a bit and maybe, just maybe stop following the directions. For instance, when your perfectly great road just turns into a full-on goat trail and soon, you find yourself travelling in the middle of nowhere skirting around fallen trees, on broken roads – surrounded by Baboons – wild baboons that look like they’ve seen some things and have stories to tell!!

Nick was in Heaven, and I was trying to be this Cool, Adventure Wife, swallowing my anxiety – It was made clear that the cool vibe I thought I was projecting was a figment of my imagination, and I was in fact, looking and acting very much like an anxious mess;)

We made it to the Arches Cabins, which turned out to be quite a cool place to stay!! Storms River is a hiking and adventure town, and I was very much excited to get outside and explore!! We spent the day hiking around Tsitsikamma National Park, visiting its many Suspension Bridges!!

I mean, look at this park!!!!

After a big day of hiking, we found a great outdoor restaurant with live music. It was the perfect place for everyone. Wine for Nick and I and a playground for the kids to play on while we waited for the best Bobotie and Curry Dinner – Yum. Jake came rushing back to our table, super thirsty and took the biggest gulp of Nick’s wine. He refused to swallow it and held it in his mouth, panicked and frenzied trying to spit in back in the glass. No way kid – you’re not ruining the good wine;). He finally figured out where he could spit it!! He has since sworn off drinking and can’t understand why in the heck we would want to torture ourselves with such a disgusting drink;).

After a couple nights, we drove to Jeffrey’s Bay (J Bay, as it’s lovingly called;) and we wished soooooo badly that we had a few more nights here. This is the quintessential surf town, and it had such an Actual Cool Vibe;). We loved just sitting on the beach and watching Allllll the surfers – just incredible athletes!!! We drank Lattes, Nick went running, we had snacks on the beach and generally just enjoyed walking around, taking it all in!!!

Our Last night was spent in Port Elizabeth, which is where our flight was departing, the next day, to Tanzania. We were all excited for the second phase of our trip – The safari!!! If you are debating whether you should spend any time in P.E, I wouldn’t worry about squeezing it in;).

It’s been a blast South Africa!!!