We have been fortunate to be invited to visit friends of friends, people we knew 48 years ago in Toronto, who live in this gorgeous city half way along the Garden Route. Don & Jill Woods returned to SA soon after we knew them in Toronto, but have remained firm friends of Trish & Arthur here in SA. They have been feeding us great info to plan this trip and have invited us to their massive (10,000sqft) house with a 360 view on top of a hill north of this affluent vacation and retirement centre. They are the most gracious hosts and we enjoy two days of soaking up information about the many national parks and have booked a stay in a bush camp on the border of Botswana later at their encouraging.
Spared by sheer miracle from devastation in the huge forest fires 2 years ago, they survived intact unlike many of th houses around them which were totally destroyed. It has also change the fabric of the neighborhood that many of the older residents are now moving out, as they will do shortly to downsize to a senior complex above the golf course half way down their hill.
As we leave the city, we see the immense shanty towns of which we have heard but never experienced such terrible poverty. However, there are electricity lines strung out above the tin shacks. We learn 30% of the population is on state welfare and unemployment is very high among young people.
The drive tn the Garden Route passes through several climatic and economic zones, the breadbasket of SA in places with miles of wheat fields. Then we pass through vast fruit orchards, apples and grapes (many for wine), corn. There are good picnic sites and gas stations along the way and the N2 is a really good road throughout. We began with mist and cloud at the coast but it is 26 and sunny most of the journey. Coming down we follow the beautiful coastline of the confluence of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. At the waterfront a huge waterpolo competition is in full swing. We have a tour of the various different parts of Knysna and return to our first SA braai, BBQ, and lively conversation with our hosts.
Spared by sheer miracle from devastation in the huge forest fires 2 years ago, they survived intact unlike many of th houses around them which were totally destroyed. It has also change the fabric of the neighborhood that many of the older residents are now moving out, as they will do shortly to downsize to a senior complex above the golf course half way down their hill.
As we leave the city, we see the immense shanty towns of which we have heard but never experienced such terrible poverty. However, there are electricity lines strung out above the tin shacks. We learn 30% of the population is on state welfare and unemployment is very high among young people.
The drive tn the Garden Route passes through several climatic and economic zones, the breadbasket of SA in places with miles of wheat fields. Then we pass through vast fruit orchards, apples and grapes (many for wine), corn. There are good picnic sites and gas stations along the way and the N2 is a really good road throughout. We began with mist and cloud at the coast but it is 26 and sunny most of the journey. Coming down we follow the beautiful coastline of the confluence of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. At the waterfront a huge waterpolo competition is in full swing. We have a tour of the various different parts of Knysna and return to our first SA braai, BBQ, and lively conversation with our hosts.
No comments:
Post a Comment