15th May. Kokstad
On leaving Reidar & Ellen at Port Alfred we headed further north passing through East London then started looking for a place to spend the night preferably near the coast. Morgan’s Bay was quoted in the guide book as a laid back cluster of houses not as up market or developed as its neighbour, Kei Mouth. Sounded good.
The camp site was right on the estuary with the wild coastline a short walk away. Sparsely occupied it was exactly what we were after. In fact our stay lasted a second night. The only building of note was a hotel.
This morning we headed further north after dropping in to Komga, a little village not far off the highway. Our friend Len was brought up in this area, we wanted to see what the place was like.
It was another 400km day though on a good road through what used to be called the Transkei but renamed the Wild Coast. An area of native settlements that cluster on many of the hillsides either side of the road. One wonders where these people find work as there is no industry in the area. Most of the places are well kept often with veggie gardens surrounding the house.
Reidar had told us about a camp site at Kokstad, took us a while to find it but well worth the hunt. Built on the edge of a dam which I assume is the local water supply, the sites are stepped down towards the water. Zebra and a type of antelope are a short distance away feeding on the young grass near the water. Ducks and other water bird feed on and under the water. Surrounding us are high grass covered hills. We are the only ones here, once the wind drops the silence is overpowering.
16th. Salt Rock. North of Durban.
On the road for most of the day again but broke the journey at the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve. An impressive gorge with cliffs dropping 330 metres to the muddy river below. I am not good at heights while Joan takes my life in her hands by wanting to see what lies over the rim. Bungee jumpers take off from the edge of the gorge and kind of go outwards then downwards. Very off-putting.
Local elections are being held over the country this Wednesday. Posters adorn many of the power poles with a tussle to see whose gets further up the pole. The ANC must feel assured of a victory as they have already head their victory celebrations last weekend. Such a mixed up country. On our arrival almost 2 weeks ago Len was telling us about the latest farmer to be killed, He was shot twice then dragged along behind a bakkie until it happened to flip over. At least the perpetrators were caught in that instance. It appears there are at least 2 farmers killed a week and yet nothing is heard about it outside the country. At least the last two places we have stayed there has been a lack of high walls, electrified fences and horrible guard dogs apparent. The people in the coastal areas must feel safer.
Them there’s the case last week of some mp saying that all mining ventures should be nationalized! Not the type of talk investors like to hear. It has so much potential but the future for it looks so clouded.
Tomorrow we head north to where there are some good national parks and will spend a week or so in the area before crossing into Mozambique.
No comments:
Post a Comment