Nature's Valley to Shorts River Mouth

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Breakfast on the Manor Veranda

Today is our last day of cycling in South Africa and we have a fairly long and hilly trip planned.  We drive from Knysna, beginning at 8 am, and get to our cycling point at 9 am for our ride to Nature’s Valley and Bloukrans Pass to Tsitsikamma National Park which will take us to the Indian Ocean shore at Shorts River.  The ride began at a high altitude with a good view of Plettenberg Bay and the indigenous forest of South Africa.   

Above Plettenberg Bay

After 10 km, we dropped down into Nature’s Valley on a very steep winding road.  In the valley the temperature was at least 10 degrees cooler than at the higher altitude.  From Nature’s Valley we had to climb out on a very steep 2.2 km road and it required the lowest gear to do it.  This is our steepest climb of the day.  From there we road on a plateau.   

The road bed was undulating before we arrived at Blodkrans Pass and did another steep descent.  Along the way we had view of the new Blodkrans Bridge that has the highest bungee jumping station (216 m).  Then we started the second steepest and longest ascent of the day.  By now the temperature was 38^oC (100 degrees F) and it was a grueling climb.  Once to the crest, we had an extremely hot, sun baring down, undulating ride to the N2 highway.  Needless to say, a lot of water was consumed!  Once we turned toward the entrance to the National Park, we were eagerly anticipating the 3 km downward descent to the Coast.  The heat and humidity were very excessive, but we kept going with that anticipation we would soon descend.  And, we did, but not before filling up the water bottles with cold water at the entrance station.  The descent was marvelous and we arrived at the Indian Ocean with a great sigh of relief.

Ah, We Made It!

After turning in the bikes, we walked to the restaurant for a very large, very COLD draught beer and soon enjoyed our lunch of fish n’ chips.   

Although we thought we were finished for the day and would soon be back at the manor relaxing on the lawn, surprise.  Off we went on a 5 km round trip hike to the mouth of the Shorts River.  This took us through the coastal jungle on a boardwalk that went up and down the side of the ridge following the coast.  We then arrived at a suspension bridge that spanned the mouth of the Shorts River that exists the river gorge at the Indian Ocean.  Some kayakers were at the mouth and could actually kayak 2 km up the gorge.  

 The views of this area were great.   After hiking back, we began our drive back to Knysna and the manor.  Along the way, we stopped at the huge bridge spanning a gorge to see the bungee jumping from the world's highest bungee jump site (216 m).  Then to Plettenberg Bay and finally back to the manor for a long awaited shower.

216 m Bungee Jumping

Mountains to the East of Plettenberg Bay

Tonight we had a braai for our farewell dinner and celebration.  

The trip leaders presented everyone with a memento of this South African cycling trip – a handcrafted, miniature wire bicycle with a South African flag.    

Tomorrow we will leave at 9:15 am for our shuttle to the George airport and the long flight back home.  We have seen and done so much in these two weeks in South Africa.  The diversity of scenery, animals and people in the parts of the country we have visited has been outstanding.  We have had a most pleasurable visit and have really enjoyed the group, tour leaders, and drivers (Garief and Henri).