February 11 - 12

February 11 - 12

Sedgefield Hedge Heads

Today is the 12th.  Yesterday we went for a drive up to Knysna and to the Knysna Heads where the lagoon waters enter the Indian Ocean.  We first stopped at Sedgefield Hedge Heads (quite a mouthful!) and took some photos.  Sedgefield is the small village that we are staying in for the first two weeks.  It is a very welcoming, comfortable and beautiful home with a pool in the backyard that is extremely refreshing after a hot day of sightseeing!  It is aptly named "Rivendell" which for all the Lord of The Rings fans was the land of the Elves, characterized by serenity and beauty . . . quite fitting!

Rivendell

We traveled from Sedgefield to Knysna and walked to the Knysna Heads.  Very stunning and the sea was "full of life" as Joan would say.  We went to "Fruit and Veg" and "Pick 'n Pay" to buy groceries before heading home.  We were shocked by the prices of the groceries as everything is SO cheap here.

South Africa has far exceeded our expectations of parched and cracked desserts where animals wander for miles to find watering holes.  We had the impressions that Africa was all like the Serengeti Plains but South Africa is quite different.  It is lush and green, coastal and mountainous.  It is an area where First World and Third World have collided to create a strange mix of rich and poor.  Despite the fancy cars and large homes there is still very evident poverty and strife throughout.  The government is corrupt and crime runs rampant, the cost of living is extremely low, which reflects the poor wages of the working class.  Everywhere that we go there are people leaping out to guide the car into a parking spot or help you back out from said parking spot and guaranteeing to keep an eye on your vehicle while you do your shopping all for an expectant tip of money that may buy them a meal.  Beside the Audi or BMW dealership there is a fellow living under the bridge in a cardboard box.  it is a  very sobering and humbling experience, makes you feel guilty . .

Dolphin Point

Vic Bay

Uncle Mike BBQ'ing

Today we travelled to George and did some sightseeing on the way to Dolphin Point, Vic Bay and Black Lake.  We stopped at the Billtong Warehouse and bought some Billtong (African dried meat) then purchased some fresh meat fromt the butcher for a nice BBQ tonight.

 Black Lake

I've already learned a couple of things over the past 48 hours . . . don't squeeze the Prickly Pears and it is possible to eat way too much Billtong!!