GALLERY: #YourAdventures – It’s time to hit the road

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IN August of 2018 a thought just popped into my mind. I was almost 50 and I have never been on a road trip.

In the past I have always taken the quickest road, which normally are busy highways and main roads, to get to my holiday destination as soon as possible so that I can relax.

But this was going to be different because I promised myself an experience to remember.

And what better way to spoil myself with a trip down to Hermanus for my 50th birthday which I celebrated earlier this year. And the decision was made.

The only exception was that this time I was going to take the scenic route and the roads less travelled. I would take the back routes as far and for as long as possible.

Most importantly this was meant to be a slow drive where I would take my time to get to my destination and explore a bit.

In the planning

I jumped onto Google maps and started planning. I wanted to miss the major highways, whenever possible.

I decided to take at least five to six days to get to the Hermanus, Gordons Bay area, where I would spend some time with friends, and then do at least a three-day trip back.

Planning done and route established, I was off with my first stop being Zastron, a small town in the eastern Free State.

First part was on the N1 and then I turned off just before Kroonstad on the R707/ 8.

On this road I had one of those ‘note to self’ moments not to ever take this road again. Simply because this truly is a road hardly ever travelled because there is just about no road left.

On paper, in images and on Google, Zastron looks very idyllic, but when I drove into the town I realised that, like many of the small towns I drove through, this town too is falling apart.

You can see that it once was a beautiful, flourishing little town, but sadly no more.

An absolute must

The next day I started making my way to Graaff-Reinet, driving through more beaten down towns.

The one thing that drew my attention was that the national roads were in very good condition, with the exception of the R707/8 and the roads that runs through all these small towns.

Graaff-Reinet was a breath of fresh air to me.

I spend my time walking from museum to museum, learning about life in the olden days.

The famous church in Graaff-Reinet is well worth a visit. It is majestic.

Driving up the top of the mountain through Camdeboo National Park to go and see the Valley of Desolation, was the highlight for me. This is an absolute must see.

Experience the Slow Town

My third stop on my way to Hermanus was Knysna.

The beauty and nature’s spledour all around you once reach the Outeniqua pass, is simply breathtaking.

From there all the way to Knysna it is difficult to keep your eyes on the road because of all the beauty around you.

Knysna is a little busy for my liking, but just a short drive up the road is a little gem called Sedgefield.

A lovely little vacation town where you can just relax and unwind on beautiful beaches – no wonder they call it the Slow Town.

The next day I was off to Struisbaai and Cape Agulhas, the most southern tip of Africa. Here I would spent two days just to take a break from all the driving.

Beautiful spots, food and things to do

I finally got to the place that I wanted to visit for so many years so that I can photograph the lighthouse and the shipwreck.

Even if you do not like photography, a visit to these two sites is a must.

And while you there, why not go for dinner in South Africa’s most southern restaurant, the Zuidste Kaap Restaurant.

Looking for really good seafood, then do pop in at the Struisbaai Sea Shack.

From here I drove through to Hermanus and Gordons Bay to spend some time with friends and relax a while longer.

Quite to my surprise, I found there is a whole lot to do in and around these two towns.

If you are a park runner, make sure to put Betties Bay and Hermanus park runs on your to-do list.

Also take a drive through the ‘Hemel-en-Aarde’ valley for some wine tasting at some smaller, and maybe unfamiliar wine farms.

You absolutely have to take on one of the many hiking trails around Hermanus to experience the beauty of the landscape up close – you will see things that you would have otherwise missed, by simply travelling through town.

If you like old book stores, make a turn at the second hand bookstore in Gordons Bay.

Time to turn back

After some relaxing time with friends it was time to make my way back.

From Gordons Bay I took the N2, turning off onto the R324 towards Barrydale, where I would pick up ‘Route 62’ on my way to Prins Albert.

On the way to Barrydale, you will go over Tradou pass which is just amazingly beautiful.

A stop at Barrydale is a must to take in some of the tourist attraction.

And a trip on ‘Route 62’ is something that you simply can’t not do.

The beauty of Die Klein Karoo takes your breath away.

As I drove into Oudtshoorn I suddenly realised that I have never been to the Cango Caves.

So, I took a left turn towards the caves. And that left turn brought me to one of the most memorable experiences of my trip.

The caves were amazing and interesting, but the turn I took to go over the ‘Swat Berg’ pass was the best right turn I have ever made.

Driving over that majestic mountain range on a dirt road is one of the best experiences I have ever had.

Slowly I made my way over the pass towards Prins Albert.

Prins Albert is a town that I will have to visit again as I did not spend enough time there to explore the surroundings.

But I you are looking for a good meal at a reasonable price before you clock out, The Bush Pub is the place to go.

But be warned, you may just enjoy chatting to the friendly locals so much that you completely lose track of time.

The next morning as I was on my way to Bethulie near the Gariep Dam, and kind of realised that the trip is coming to an end.

As I got back onto the N1 near Beaufort West, I suddenly realised that I am back in the rat race again.

Bethulie was just my final sleepover before the last stretch home, and unfortunately, just like most of the other small towns in the Free State, it is not in good shape.

After 21 days and 4 000 kilometres, I pulled into my gate again with some of my bucket list items ticked off and a whole lot of new memories and stories to tell.

Now it is time to start planning the next trip.

Tips for your road trip

Do’s

• Do take your time to reach your next destination.

• Do stop over at interesting places, you never know if you will go that way again.

• Do things on the spur of the moment – take an unplanned left or right turn – you never know what waits at the end of the road.

• Do stay off the main highways as much as possible – you will find the most wonder scenery on the back roads.

Don’ts

• Don’t plan your days, take them as they come.

• Don’t be afraid to try new things.

• Don’t ignore the local in your stopover towns – they have wonderful stories to share.

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