Route 62, The Garden Route

On January 3, 2011 we left Cape Town and started our journey along Route 62, also known as the Garden Route.

The Garden Route


The Garden Route is sandwiched between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Indian Ocean.

Route 62, The Garden Route

There is so much to see and do along Route 62 that most people take 1-2 weeks to drive it.

The Garden Route

Unfortunately, we don’t have that luxury so we did what we could in the few days we had.

We read a lot ahead of time and decided that The Lentelus Wine Farm Guest House in Barrydale would be a perfect first stop.

The Lentelus Wine Farm Guest House in Barrydale

Charming.

The Lentelus Wine Farm Guest House in Barrydale

Peaceful.

The Lentelus Wine Farm Guest House in Barrydale

Their family winery, Joubert-Tradauw, is just a mile up the road so we went there for a late lunch.

Joubert-Tradauw Winery

We ordered the Unplugged Platter for two.

Joubert-Tradauw Winery

It was a variety of cheeses, relishes, figs, fruits, nuts, seeds, imported meats, liver pate, and spanakopita served with homemade breads and tapenade.

Joubert-Tradauw Winery

After lunch we drove the Tradouws Pass, a magnificent drive through the Langeberg Mountain Range.

Tradouws Pass

Pictures do not do it justice.

Tradouws Pass

It’s one of thirteen passes that master road engineer Sir Thomas Bain built in the Southern Cape during the 1800’s.

Tradouws Pass

“The Tradouw Pass is renowned for its wild flowers in the spring, clusters of blazing red aloes in late autumn, breathtaking waterfalls in the winter and magnificent swimming pools in summer.”

Tradouws Pass

Back at the farm the dogs took us on a tour of their property.

The Lentelus Wine Farm Guest House in Barrydale

The Lentelus Wine Farm Guest House in Barrydale

Then, Ms. Helena Joubert prepared a table in the garden for us.

The Lentelus Wine Farm Guest House in Barrydale

She said it was the perfect spot and time of day to relax in the garden.

We enjoyed wine from her family’s winery and snacked on olives, bread, and an olive/caper/anchovy tapenade for dinner.

The next day we drove to Oudtshoorn, the center of the Klein Karoo and the Ostrich Capital.

Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn is also famous for the Cango Caves, an underground natural wonder.

Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn

We walked through fascinating limestone formations that are the result of millions of years of natural cave making.

Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn

That afternoon we drove to Knysna (pronounced Nize-nuh), another town on the Garden Route.

Knysna is a gorgeous town primarily built on the northern shore of a lagoon fed by the Knysna River. The lagoon opens to the Indian Ocean after passing between “The Heads”.

Knysna

We stayed at the Villa Paradisa Guest House, a beautiful home built on Paradise Hill.

Villa Paradisa Guest House

I imagine the hill is named for the view.

We ate dinner at Sirocco, a restaurant on the water in Thesen Harbour Town.

I started with a Caesar Salad with anchovies and bacon and John started with Queen Prawns in a light green curry sauce served Asian noodles tossed in basil pesto.

Dinner at Sirocco in Knysna

For dinner John had Prawns, Mussels, Calamari, and fish in a curry, coriander, lemon & coconut milk sauce.

Dinner at Sirocco in Knysna

I had Queen Black Tiger Prawns with garlic butter.

Dinner at Sirocco in Knysna

Unfortunately, we were only in Knysna for one night.

Knysna is another place we’ll return to one day and spend several days exploring the area.

Knysna

Our hosts at Villa Paradisa, Martin and Marilyn, wanted to take us out on their boat and give us a personal tour of the area and watch the sunset with a glass of wine.

I begged for a rain-check.

Marilyn suggested that we drive up to The Heads on our way out of town.

The Heads

It was a foggy morning but the view was still remarkable.

The Heads

Can you imagine this on a clear day?

The Heads in Knysna, South Africa.

Our next stop was Addo Elephant National Park.

Addo

We went on a couple of game drives that you can read about HERE with a ton of pictures.

Our last stop along the Garden Route was Port Elizabeth.

We stayed at the Manor 38 Guest House in the seaside suburb of Summerstrand.

Manor 38 Guest House in Port Elizabeth

The area where we were staying was along the beach and had a touristy feel.

So while working on my tan at the guesthouse pool, I read Trip Advisor and found a restaurant loved by the locals.

We ended up at Vovo Telo Pizzeria in Richmond Hill for dinner, about 10 minutes from our guesthouse.

The place was filled with locals and the pizza was delicious!

Vovo Telo Pizzeria in Richmond Hill

John ordered the Fennel Sausage Pizza with Caramelized Onions. I ordered the Ricotta and Mushroom Pizza with Fresh Arugula.

Vovo Telo Pizzeria in Richmond Hill

We ate every single bite.

Then ordered dessert.

John’s Buttery Apple Cake with Mascarpone Cream:

Vovo Telo Pizzeria in Richmond Hill

And my Goat Cheese Cheesecake:

Vovo Telo Pizzeria in Richmond Hill

Gluttonous.

Our last night on the Garden Route and our last night in South Africa.

DSC_0273_2

I can see why people take several weeks to explore The Garden Route.

Tradouws Pass

South Africa is one of my favorite destinations so far.

I think I told you that already. Four or five times, at least.

Our next destination was full of adventure.

Victoria Falls Airport

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe!

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Highlights

South Africa is one of my favorite places in the world! See more trips and photos HERE.

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