We left Cape Town on Sat 17th Jan and started our trek to Port Elizabeth (PE). We both love driving around in SA (should that be ZA?), the roads are easy to navigate and all the other road users are chilled. We’ve both seen some real dodgy manoeuvre’s yet no apparent road rage, just smiles all round! Hopefully we can take this back home with us and spread the love, though I doubt it. I’d give us both 5 mins back on a London rd before the bubble bursts!
We jumped on the N2 in Cape Town which takes you all the way to PE along the much lauded Garden Route. The N2 is just a big dual carriageway really and the view wasnt entirely inspiring. That is until you get past Mossel Bay, then WOW the scenery explodes into life and we both saw why it’s called the Garden Route!
The N2 winds it’s way through some spectacular mountain passes that follow the coast line. This in turn is littered with some beautiful beaches and bays. The only thing that spoils it is it’s impossible to explore them all. After around 400km we stopped off in a town called knysna and checked into the Island Vibe backpackers. Knysna was quite a sleepy little town, but this being a Saturday night and the backpackers being billed as ‘located in the thick of the action’ we thought we’d sample a few bars before dinner. Unfortunately the season ended last week and the town was having a break before it all kicks off again next week - typical! Not to worry though, we made do with a drink (or 2!) at ‘Harry’s bar’ along with our first rack of ribs ZA style! We got a lovely nights rest before resuming our journey to PE.
From here on in it was a pleasure to drive. Again the scenery didnt disappoint and we made a few detours to check out Natures Valley, and some of Tsitsikamma nature reserve (”The Garden of the Garden Route“). A simply stunning drive. We finally made it into PE and arrived at Willem’s house around 3:30pm. Willem’s a mate I was working with in London and who’s wedding we’ll be going to on Friday.
It wasnt long before ‘Sacky’, Willem’s dad, got the Braai started and we spent the afternoon chillaxing with some cold one’s by the pool - PE rocks!!