Friday, 23 December 2011

Hermanus - Cape Town


Hermanus wine tasting.

Route to Cape Town.


Pass on the way to Somerset.


Chapman's Peak Hike:











Hout Bay



Monday, 19 December 2011

Catch-up ride

Spent most of the past two days on the road, had to catch up some km's for staying so long in Morgan Bay.   
Slept in Jeffrey's Bay last night and am in Hermanus at the moment. Today was such a nice ride doing the Garden route, riding next to the cape mountains and Hermanus greeted me with a beautiful sunset as I was entering the town. 











Friday, 16 December 2011

Morgan Bay #2

I'm still in Morgan bay, been having a great time with the Grabe family these past few days! Kayak fishing, hiking, deep see fishing, horse riding on beach etc. etc. Super fun!


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Pieter throwing net.


The Transkei coast





Wednesday, 14 December 2011

Morgan Bay

I arrived in Morgan Bay safely an hour or so ago. I'm staying here with my good friend Pieter Grabe and his family for a few days.
The rain almost had its claws on me again but was able to dodge the heavy rain; As soon as I off-loaded everything it started pouring, very close shave!
Had a very good time at The Shack this past two days! Definitely one of the best backpackers in SA! 

Leaving Coffee Bay.


The view from Morgan Bay.


My route so far.

Tuesday, 13 December 2011

Transkei, Coffee Bay

I started yesterday morning at 8, traveled down the last piece of the south coast and stuck to the main road around the first part of the Transkei to Port St Johns.With my Transkei map in my pocket, tanks full, gopro mounted and everything fastened I was ready to take it by the horns. How bad could it really be?

Taking it slowly at first, feeling how the bike controls on the dirt road after the mishap I had on Saturday. Soon I saw that this is no ordinary dirt roads with "potholes" (holes that fit a bongo drum) everywhere. I got my first waypoint (The Kraal) easily. And then the path finding began. The roads I drove on looked like no one has driven on them for days, full of holes, river crossings and pools of water. Soon the motorbike was starting to bottom out each time I hit the holes and rocks, trying to take it slow but racing against daylight to get to Coffee Bay. I will drive about 30km to a bridge only to find out it washed away, turning around looking for some other way around and most of the locals can't speak english or don't know what is going on on a map. Not a nice feeling not knowing where you are in the Transkei. Luckily I knew in which direction I was supposed to go so just continued like that, asking locals for directions. Was a nice feeling  seeing the sun go down over Coffee Bay as I was driving towards it. I hit a few serious holes and with all the weight the carriers, bicycle mount and back cover bent. So every now and then when I go over a bump I hear the tyre grate a screw sticking out on the inside of the cover. Hope my kit does not get damaged more by this trip.

I'm staying at The Coffee Shack backpackers in Coffee Bay and would you believe it, they've got proper coffee here. Whoo-hoo! Met awesome people here. There are only about 3 South-Africans (including me) here from what I can tell. Had a great time last night!

Cycled to The Hole in the wall today. Was a beautiful scenic drive on the hiking trail with the grass hills, beaches, and rock formations.


Crossing my 3000km mark.

Port St Johns


Transkei:



The Kraal.







My camping spot at The Coffee shack.

The view from my camping spot.

The start of the mountain bike (hiking) trail.


Wild Coast


Trying to explain to Eric my tag-a-long "guide" how to take a picture.

Little hole in the wall.


Hole in the wall.

On my way back, decided to take the dirt road.

Sunday, 11 December 2011

Port Edward Wedding

I've been in Port Edward for the past two days for Jacques and Brigitte's wedding. It's been great fun with Kobus and Jacques (pastor) these past two days! The wedding was beautiful, Jesus filled, awesome worship (How He loves- David Crowder) an great people!





Last night was eventful, had my first wipe-out with the motorbike on the way to the wedding reception. I was driving on a super slippery gravel road that had an angle so the back end of the motorcycle just slid out under me around a corner, luckily I was driving slow and the carriers were there to protect the bike and it helped me to regain control. I was not hurt. Saw that one of the bicycle rack mounts cracked but I was able to fix it today and put some extra stabilization ropes on the bicycle.
What's a tour without an wipe-out?, glad it happened like that though!

The rain comes and goes the whole time so I decided to continue my journey tomorrow.
Entering the Transkei now and planning to sleep in Coffee Bay. Exciting times!

Friday, 9 December 2011

Gloria Jeans, Margate

Don't have much to post today, I've been driving in rain for the past two days, sopnat!
Met a great guy last night, Pete is his name, he gave me a place to stay. He and some friends drove from Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town on scooters! It's great meeting people with the same interests as oneself.


In Durban at Gloria Jeans SA head office with Stephan, my cell group leaders brother. This was the best latte I ever had, wolves cafe definitely got kicked of the top spot. 

The best coffee machine! You won't believe the precision and possibilities this machine has.


And then I got the best present ever!!! My cell group made me this shirt, wrote messages on the back and then posted it to Stephan to give it to me! I was speechless! Love you guys!

Thank you guys!! Feeling the love!

Oh this is the life! In Margate!

My journey after 4 days.

Going to Jark and Brigitte's wedding in Port Edward tomorrow morning. Can't wait!