Road Trippin' Along South Africa's Garden Route

All good things must come to an end, and my kids returned from our shared Africa safari to their jobs and homes.  But because I don't expect we'll ever return to southern Africa, Aaron and I spent another 10 days road trippin' along the world-renowned coastline dubbed The Garden Route.  Starting in Port Elizabeth on the Indian Ocean at the Eastern Cape, we made our way to Cape Town on the Atlantic Ocean at the Western Cape.  Stops included:

                                                                        

Tsitsikamma National Park for a zip line through the forest canopy followed by a Segway tour...

                  

                                                  

                      

                 

...Robberg Peninsula for a hike along the rugged (and increasingly wet) peninsula.  We abandoned the walk less than halfway along due to driving frigid rain and gale force winds.  But once off the coastline, the Knysna Elephant Park was much more enjoyable.  Then on to...

                  

                                                 

                    

...The Cango Ostrich Farm for a tour and an ostrich-burger lunch followed by a drive over Thomas Bain's brilliant Swartberg Pass.  

                   

                                              

                  

                                                     

                   

                                                     

Next along the Garden Route was the drive into Cape Town via Mossel Bay's Dias Museum to learn about the Portuguese sailing ships of the 1650's.  The Portuguese were the first Europeans to track an alternative route for the lucrative spice trade when they "discovered" the Horn of Africa.  Continuing on to Cape Town, we ventured into wee Albertinia to visit an ancient wild fig tree hailed The Whispering Tree.  After traveling through one picturesque beach town after another, we finally landed at Fish Hoek for the evening, there to feast on fresh-caught (hake) fish and chips.

                     

                     

                                                       

Sunday morning was spent with a small but devout group of church members where we had deep religious discussions about The Church and our mutual beliefs.  We always greatly enjoy visiting different wards across the world and sharing our testimonies.  In the afternoon, we boarded the Big Red Cape Town Sightseeing Bus to get oriented to this stunning city and its environs.

               

               

Monday morning brought torrential rains and massive winds, and Table Mountain completely disappeared behind menacing black clouds.  Bravely, we headed to the Cape of Good Hope there to brace ourselves for photo ops against a furious Mother Nature.  It is winter at the cape, after all. 

                

                                            

                   

                                                  

                 

                                                  

As the next day cleared up beautifully, we spent this sunny albeit chilly day driving another engineering marvel of Thomas Bains, The Chapman Peak Road, truly a cliff-hanging impossible marvel of a roadway.  Our lovely afternoon was spent on a leisurely stroll through the Kirstenbosch Gardens.

                 

                                                

               

               

               

               

Our accommodations in Cape Town were in a gorgeous 100-year old Dutch-style home which couldn't have been more luxurious nor quaint.

                    

The Church has announced a temple in Cape Town, and while the land is now acquired, building is still in the planning stages.  We paid a visit to the beautiful building site with its unobstructed views of Table Mountain.  Cape Town is a gorgeous city indeed, and one could easily fall in love with the never ending scenes of lush beauty which change around each bend.  It did make me ponder, however, how grateful I am for the choice made to serve our mission in Botswana, a small sunburnt country of humble people who love their land and heritage.  I fell in love with Botswana with its gentle peace-loving people, its large empty blue skies, and its landscape of endless bush.  Unsophisticated, uncomplicated, unpretentious, Botswana is nevertheless a land of immense and stark beauty, so beautiful as to break the heart.

Finally we braved the ascent up iconic Table Mountain.  Because Aaron's hip is beyond hope and desperately needs replacing, he opted to ride the cable car up while I choose to hike up one of its more visited pathways.

                 

The hike up...

                  

                 

                                                   

...on top (much thanks to my sweetheart for his never-ending patience)...

                  

                 

...and a view of Lions Head from the cable car ride down.  

                                                    

It was one grueling steep climb, so after a quick shower and nap, we treated ourselves to fresh caught fish and chips.

                   

It's time to go home now and leave behind the never-to-be-forgotten friends I've made and memories created.  Botswana was vastly more than I hoped for or anticipated, and I thank my Heavenly Father daily for granting me the privilege of living and serving there beside an adorable, fun-loving, easy-going and totally devoted companion.  We're eager to return to family, friends, and home.  I miss my bed, my lovely home, my darling car, Bambi the Airstream, and Costco.  

And all the waiting adventures yet to be dreamt up and experienced.