Karoo and Wilderness

 

On the way to Wilderness we drive through the breathtaking Karoo, a steppe-like area.

Long and silent road in the  Karoo

The Karoo

We take a break in an unexpectedly nice village called Uniondale in a fancy establishment (antique store as well as restaurant). Albertien discovers that she has forgotten her handbag in Graaff-Reinet. Frits suggests to call the manager. We talk to the tour leader of a Dutch group we saw arrive the day before. The tour leader points out that the group will be in Cape Town at the same period as we are. We agree to have contact over there.
Our B&B in Wilderness is close to the coast but far from the center of  Widerness. Fortunately there are three restaurants and a hotel nearby. We have a beautiful apartment with a view on the Indian Ocean from the front garden. In cloudy weather a steep, wooden staircase brings us down to the beach. We enjoy a short stroll watching all kinds of birds.

Beach and Indian Ocean

Seegull on the beach

In the evening we dine at a nearby restaurant. Another buffet but of good quality!

 

Day 31Again in cloudy and foggy weather, we decide to go out hiking in the Wilderness National Park. We take the Pied Fisher Trail (11 km easy way. Other trails are partly flooded and not accessible. ‘Park’ appears to be a big word. Almost immediately after we leave the park proper we walk through residential area towards the beach. The wooden piers along the  water are nice but not all passable because of construction and maintenance.  We reach the park after a long walk on the beach and a passage through the dunes. In the center of Wilderness we drink coffee, do some shopping and check our mail.  The second part of our hike is also disappointing because we have to walk a tarmac path for more than half the track that is used by motorists as a racetrack.

View on Wilderness from the National Park

Campingsite in the National Park

The coast is so packed with houses, hotels and restaurants that there is little left of nature. Obviously no place for a holiday! At the apartment we enjoy the sun and Albertien cooks a delicious meal.