Graaff-Reinet

 

Day 27At half past eight we cross the border towards Graaff-Reinet. Better roads and more fortright drivers according to Albertien. In Graaff-Reinet we rent a fantastic selfcatering cottage. The cottages are former, converted wokers houses. On-site there is a big swimming pool with a nice terrace and extensive braai sites.

Our house somewhat in the back

The swimmingpool where we stayed a lot

The courtyard with ‘Head office’

We store food for a couple of days but eat, after a long day of travelling, at the pool a meal of kudu and springbok meat, arranged by the manageress.

Day 28We explore Graaff-Reinet. A beautiful village with whitewashed houses and five museums. We visit three of them: the Reinet house with beautiful gardens and interesting collections of old stuff, the former library with lots of fossils, rock art and a slavery exhibition (with much attention for the local anti-apartheid hero Robert Sobukwe). Finally the Residence with lots of old photography, information on the Nawebadam and a music room.

Streetview of Graaff-Reinet

The Reinet house

The garden of the Reinet house

Here we had a coffee break

To settle a few things, we use the internet of the manageress. Stephan invites us into his home in Kalk Bay confirming our proposal to end our holiday over there. At night we put the cards in the mailbox that we have written at the pool that afternoon.

Day 29Because of the heat we decide to to go out early for a walk, a hike around the Spandaukop. The local tourist information provides us with a map with walking trails which are also signposted by poles. Quickly we pass the Spandaukop on the way to Wildebeestenkom. It gets very hot and we decide to make a short cut with a detour to the Environmental Education Centre where we spot giant tortoises. On the way back we lose track of the poles. Using the Spandaukop as point of reference, we find the way back to the car.

View on the Spandaukop from the entry

Frits in front of a giant cactus

Wildebeestenkom

Spandaukop en route

Giant tortoise

Ostriches

View on Graaff-Reinet

At the end of the afternoon we go to Desolation Valley. We first visit
the Cambedoo National Park. We see hartebeest, steenbok, velvet monkeys, waterbucks, impalas, zebras and ostriches. Through a narrow way up we arrive at the viewpoint of Desolation Valley. The weather deteroriates, with especially the wind growing in force considerably. We decide to skip the round trip, confining ourselves to a visit to the viewpoint.

View on Desolation Valley

Frits and Albertien at the viewpoint

In the evening we treat ourselves to a dinner in the renowned Drostdy hotel to conclude our visit to this beautiful and characteristic town.

Day 30Before we leave, we first visit the Dutch Reformed Church, one of the finest
in South Africa. Noteworthy is that the architecture is based on the the church in Salesbury, South England. As you can expect from a Protestant church the equipment is very simple. The interior gives it a very authentic impression!

The Dutch Reformed Church