by Debbie Ross
founder of the Womens Travel Network.ca
We continue our drive along the Garden Route today travelling first to Pletenburg Bay for a view of the Indian Ocean coastline. This area is a popular vacation spot for South Africans. During the busy holidya season there can be up to 80,000 people here. It’s one of the richest municipalities in South Africa and it’s quite evident with the many mansions on the beach. Usually you can spot various whale species in the bay, unfortunately none are present today.
Our next stop was a visit of Monkeyland and Birds of Eden.
Monkelyland has many species of monkey and ape roam the forest as part of the rehabilitation efforts of the facility and the Bird sanctuary is the largest free flight aviary in the world.
WOW! Monkeyland was quite the experience.
We walked through a forest that was home to a wide variety of active, noisy and entertaining monkeys. They hung from the trees,babies clung to their mothers as they jumped effortlessly from branch to branch and luckily we were just in time to watch them eating their breakfast, Some were intrigued by us but most ignored us and went about their monkey business of eating, playing and wrestling with each other.
The Birds of Eden is not just about the birds, it’s also a tropical paradise with a path that winds through colourful gardens, streams and waterfalls. The birds are free flying and many whoosh by your head as they land on the rails and feeding beds. It’s quite a sight to see. There are many types birds from all over the world, their songs are like music to the ears and their colours pleasing to the eye. This was a feast for the senses.
On our way out of the park we spotted a family of baboons roaming freely.
Our drive continued along the forested road way to our next stop, the largest bungy jumping bridge in the world. We took a quick break to view some brace people take the leap of faith into the canyon below. Their screams echoed throughout the canyon.
We continued on to the Tsitsikamma National Park, Africa’s largest marine reserve. On this day the sea was wild with the winds whipping the waves into a rolling frenzy of white caps. What a sight to behold. After enjoying a picnic lunch we had free time to hike the coastal path or relax and enjoy the fantastic scenery.
We continued our drive to our final destination of the day, Port Elizabeth. The wind was still quite strong, there were big white caps on the ocean and the sand and water was blowing across the road. It made it hard to walk. Once settled into our hotel we relaxed and enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Tabu Grill located in hotel. We had an early start the next day as we had to catch a plane to Hoedspruit. Tomorrow we will be enjoying our first safari game drive.
Accomodation: Radisson Blu Hotel, Port Elizabeth