Heading home to South Africa in Hotel California - Kosi Bay; , South Africa
Kosi Bay; , South Africa
Where I stayed
Kosi Bay Chalets
We have decided to cross the border into South Africa from Mozambique, at Ponta do Oura, into Natal. We are hoping to stay over at Mkuzi Game Reserve for two days. The road to the border, especially from Maputo is not very good and the last 40 km is very sandy, and one definitely needs a 4x4 vehicle. We are amazed though to see that Ponta do Oura, although isolated, is quite popular, even out of the holiday season. It is however, also excellent for snorkeling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, etc. There are several lodges in the area and little curio shops and restaurants. Our border crossing is surprisingly quick and since it is now raining, we decide to find a place to sleep for the night. We are definitely not cooking in the rain, and decide to sleep at a resort in a chalet for R200 pp and have dinner in the restaurant. That night the rain still falls and continues the next morning. As we travel South on the N2 towards Mkuzi Game Reserve, we decide that if the rain does not stop, we will continue our journey in search of better weather. The weather does not change. It is pouring, and eventually we pass Durban and on the South Coast, in St Michaels, near to Margate we decide to sleep over. We stay at a very pleasant guest house called Mount Joy. The rate is very reasonable at R340 pp for dinner, bed and breakfast. The dinner includes a starter, main and pudding. Very tasty and definitely to be recommended. We now decide to continue the next morning to the Eastern Cape and hopefully the weather would have cleared. The Eastern Cape is also a very popular holiday destination, which we have not really explored. We are hoping to stay two days at Coffee Bay. We travel on the N2 through Mthatha and approximately 20 km South of Mthatha we turn eastwards towards the Indian Ocean. This area is truly breathtaking! We travel through little villages and the mountains are just spectacular. It is still overcast and we have had intermittent rain from St Michaels. No camping tonight either and we book into a chalet at the Hole in the Wall Hotel situated on the beach. The rate is R580 per chalet per day out of season. This area is extremely popular and has to be booked well in advance during peak seasons. There is a restaurant and swimming pool on the premises. There is also a bar with a TV, something we have not seen for a long time, and we are able to see a Rugby game. The resort is surrounded by barbed wire, which is a shame as it spoils the view of the ocean. At the entrance gate, traders are selling fresh prawns. oysters and fish at very reasonable prices. South Africa is indeed a very spectacular country. Since entering at Ponta do Oura, we have realized how fortunate we are and that we are indeed blessed with not only a beautiful country, but luxurious accommodation and conveniences. Not only do we have a variety of holiday destinations, but the prices for fuel, food and accommodation is by far the cheapest. Be thankful and count your blessings!
The next day we go for a walk to the "Hole in the wall". One has to see it to appreciate just how beautiful it is. The photos will give you some idea. The Eastern Cape also known as the Wild Coast is definitely on our list. There are just so many areas to explore and we will most definitely be back. After two days of relaxing, we leave and head South, still on the N2, past East London and Port Elizabeth to Plettenberg Bay, to Keurbooms Leisure Resort. Once again we are blown away by the beauty of this resort. It is next to the Keurbooms River and within walking distance to the Ocean. This is a resort where a family can easily stay for a couple of days and enjoy all that the garden route has to offer. Even though we have had rain and it is still overcast we decide to camp. This is our last night before heading back home the next day to Somerset-West. Our campsite is right on the banks of the river. The ablutions are very clean with hot showers, flush toilets. There is also a convenience shop and a LAUNDRY, something I have truly missed the last few weeks!. This is surely a necessity for travelers, don"t you think! I will invest in a portable washing machine for future tours.
As we sit next to the fire, we think back of the wonderful time we have had, just the two of us, for the past few months. We feel really privileged to have enjoyed such a journey and it has changed and broadened our outlook on Africa, especially Southern Africa and also South Africa. These are memories that we will keep with us, but as we get older, the blog will certainly help to remind us of some of the finest things we enjoyed, like the Gorillas in Uganda, the Masai Mara, the beautiful countries of Burundi and Rwanda and also the challenges we faced at times, and of course the time we enjoyed with our fellow believers. Tomorrow we will be back home and life will return to "normal." For now, we have reached our dream of travelling Africa, but we are sure, the travelling bug has bitten us and we will continue to explore new places.