Jan & Yew Meng  South  Africa  Escapade    

     22^nd to 30^th December   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  2002

▼click link to access page  ▼

  Traveling Route Map

Day 1
Stellenbosch
Gordon's Bay
 

Day 2
Stellenbosch
Cape Town

V&A Waterfront

Topless Bus

Day 3

Robben Island
Green Market Square
Table Mountain
Camps Bay
 

Day 4
Hermanus
Fernkloof Natures Reserve
 

Day 5

Boetliekop Game Reserve

Kynsna

Day 6

Kynsna

Tsitsikamma

Boulkran Bridge

Day 7

Plattenberg Bay

Storms River

(Tsitsikamma)

Oudtshoorn

Route 62

Mama Africa

Day 8

Cape Peninsula Drive

Cape Point

Day 9

On the way home

Useful Links

___________

Tourist Information

Cape Town Tourism

Cape Town & Western Cape

Garden Route Accommodation

South Africa Self Tour

___________

Town Information

Stellenbosch

Gordon's Bay

Hermanus

Kynsna

Plattenberg Bay

Oudtshoorn

___________

Places of Interest

Table Mountain

Robben Island

Cape Point

 Botlierskop Game Reserve

Ocean Safari

Cape Peninsula National Park

Two Ocean Aquarium

South Africa National Park

Fernkloof Nature Reserve

Storms River (Tsitsikamma)

____________

Guest House we stayed in

Knorhoek (Stellenbosch)

Bergzicht (Cape Town)

Baleia de Hermanus (Hermanus)

Black Waters River Lodge (Kynsna)

____________

Recommended Vineyards

Knorhoek

Spier Estate

Neethlingshof

Simonsig

Kanonkop

___________

Recommended Restaurant

Eating out at South Africa

Fishmonger@Stellenbosch

Bientang's Cave Restaurant

Ocean Basket

Dros

Mama Africa

Five Flies

___________

@ e-mail us

Day 4

Hermanus

Cape Town was quiet on Xmas Day, which was fine with us as we were heading towards Hermanus.  Hermanus, about 100km from Cape Town is the best land based whale-watching spot in the world.  Had it been between July-Oct, we would be able to see the Southern Right Whales mate and calve. We chose to take the coastal road from Gordon’s Bay, passing by the magnificent and breath-taking mountain scenery via Sir Lowry’s Pass.  We stopped by Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay and some seaside towns, enjoying the spectacular view 

 We did not spot any whales and there was a tinge of disappointment though there wasn’t high expectation.  Hermanus is a small and peaceful town and most shops except for some restaurants were closed on that day.   Having decided that we must visit the Fernkloof Nature Reserve and some of the best beaches, that was what we did for the rest of the day. Dinner was at Steers, a fast food joint and the only one open on that Christmas Day.  There was a real long queue and had to wait for about 30 minutes before we could get our food.

▼click to enlarge image ▼

On the way to Hermanus
A crystal clear sea water swimming pool can be seen at the background.

Long scenic road
Excellent roads for miles along the seaside cliff and passing the mountains on the left.

No Whales in sight at Hermanus
Normally whales can be seen less than 100 meters from here.

Hermanus Bay
Still keeping a look out for  whales

Bientang's Cave Restaurant
The best restaurant in town to watch whales while having your meals.

The entrance
This is the best watching area in the world and the good place to eat too.

Fernkloof Nature Reserve
Nature Reserves are everywhere and this is one of them

Fernkloof Nature Reserve
The nature Reserve overlooking  Hermanus Bay

Fernkloof Nature Reserve
At the start of the walking trail.

At Grote beach
Taking a evening stroll along the beach. Water there is too cold to swim.

Day 5 ►