Big Tree trail South Africa

Within Tsitsikamma National Park a short walk takes you to the “Big Tree” an 800 year-old Yellowood...

Paul Sauer bridge South Africa

St Francis Bay

After a filling home-made breakfast at Seaview B&B and a greenhouse tour I hit the road continuing west on N2 enjoying glimpses of the Indian Ocean…

…and the rolling hills of the Garden Route headed towards Tsitsikamma National Park.

First stop of the day was a tourist trap parking lot on the west side of Paul Sauer bridge with a 630 foot (192 m) arch over the Storms River.

Completed in 1956, the Ricardo Morandi designed bridge is unusual for having inclined spandrel supports that radiate out from the main arch rib.

The Paul Sauer bridge is one of the tallest bridges in South Africa standing 405 feet (123.44 m) above the the water.

I stopped into the “gift shop” and bought some cool refrigerator magnets of South Africa’s Big 5 for Berta. Then continued down the road. More coming.

SWF – New angle on Yarnell Sunset

Winter sunsets are often spectacular and this may not be the best one I’ve shown. But it’s a “from a window shot” and more specifically, from a slightly different angle than the little house only 30 feet away.

To view more skies around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Seaview B&B South Africa

After seeing elephants and warthogs in the wilds of Addo Elephant National Park (see previous post) I just couldn’t bring myself to head into what looked like a big city to me, Port Elizabeth. So I continued west and pulled off N2 at the first sign for a B&B in Seaview. A very interesting old house that’s been used as a B&B in the same family over 50 years.

My room was around back to the right. Very private with a place to park the car. My host and hostess let me use their computer and get online to check in at home.

There is a swimming pool in the yard and a huge tent was still erected from their son’s wedding a few days before. The bride and groom were married under this huge and ancient fig tree.

Breakfast was served in a separate building (pink building to right in first photo) used for banquets and Sunday brunch for the public.  I got private service for a breakfast way to big for me to finish. My host has a big greenhouse where he grows greens, tomatoes, strawberries and other vegetables used in their restaurant. He also makes compost and raises worms. I got the royal tour and was so engrossed forgot to take photos. I hate when that happens.

From here I continued west in the Eastern Cape to Storms River along the coast. I’ll try to post that soon.

MWT - Addo Elephant Park South Africa

Sunrise over the Indian Ocean

After a marvelous stay with CouchSurfers in Gonubie…

…I continued my journey west along N2 headed to Addo Elephant National Park.

At the turn off to Addo I stopped for a quick lunch of lamb/mint pie. Like pot-pies, which I’ve never really cared for, only much better.

Made a quick stop in the Visitor Center then with park map beside me I cruised the dirt roads in search of wildlife.

The first animals I saw were a couple of warthogs. Not the cutest critters out there. And I wanted to see elephants.

This football-sized tortoise ambled along the road. Check out that tongue. But where are the elephants?

The rolling hills offered some distant views.

Finally I got to see elephants. When at Kruger National Park they were my favorite animal of all.

Then buffalos. Yes, there’s two of them there.

And more elephants.

This elephant was headed my way.

The landscape amazed me, so much diversity.

Had thought about staying in Port Elizabeth and connecting with fellow blogger Jonker but the sight of the city didn’t call me so I continued a little farther west to Seaview where I found another sweet B&B I’ll share in a post soon.

To view more places around the world, or to share your own, go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.