We left Port Elizabeth on 24 December and headed west along the N2 to Storms River Mouth at Tsitsikamma National Park. We have passed this region on many occasions as we travel to the Garden Route, always having the best intentions to visit on the next trip, so were pleased to finally visit.
Tsitsikamma National Park marks the start of the Garden Route. The remote mountainous coastal region boasts spectacular coastlines and landscapes, including secluded valleys of fynbos vegetation and deep river gorges leading to the ocean. Storms River Mouth was the chosen stopping point to stretch our legs (and give Harrison a feed). The coastal walk through the forest and then along a few suspension bridges over the ocean was incredibly picturesque. Christmas lunch leftovers were delicious for our picnic lunch as we enjoyed the view of the rugged coastline.
We then continued along the Garden Route to Knysna where we stayed in a unit on Thesan Island for 4 nights. Whilst Thesan Island is quite modern and kitch, it was an incredibly relaxing 4 days and a great location to base ourselves. Seeing we had already celebrated a traditional Christmas early on the 23rd, the 25th December was a more low key affair however Nelson cooked some equally delicious food. We were fortunate that some fellow Australian expats (Jenn & Craig Tarlington) were in the area so they joined us for lunch on boxing day. Our other days were spent relaxing, swimming, running or seeing the local sights. The Knysna lagoon is surrounded by forest so it seemed fitting to head into the Milkwood Forest for a picnic lunch one day. Everyone else in Knysna seemed to have the same idea, however was still pretty & relaxing.
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| Storms River from the N2 |
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| Storms River mouth |
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| Harrison ready for the walk in the Baby Bjorn carrier. Great work out for Pete as we hiked up & down the hundreds of steps! |
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| The series of suspension bridges across the river mouth |
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| A family of Dassies (they also live in the gutters & bushes surrounding our house in PE!) |
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| Not too bad a view for lunch! |
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| Knysna Lagoon |
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| View from our balcony on Thesan Island |
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| Plenty of time for reading... |
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| Picnic lunch in the surrounding Knysna forest |
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