On Tuesday morning it was time to head to my second last over night stop of the trip. I left early and this time there was very little traffic, probably because I was going in the opposite direction to everyone else. It did not take long to drive through The Strand and Gordon’s Bay.
As I drove along the winding road along the sea, I looked towards Cape Point and saw the New Lighthouse flash!
I stopped at one of the parking areas and poured coffee. I sat there for a long time. I reflected on the first nine days of this trip as well as the first four trips. I was extremely grateful. And felt incredibly blessed to be able to experience this year.
My next stop was Rooi-Els. I wanted to look for the Cape Rockjumper. It was still early so I drove around the little town for a bit. I saw a mammal lifer in the form of a Cape Grey Mongoose.
There were also many Cape Sugar Birds.
This little mouse was watching me watching the Sugarbirds.
There were lots of beautiful flowers in the sleepy town. When I reached the Cape Rockjumper spot I walked for more than a kilometre before I heard him call. Then I saw him, but he was rather far away from the road. I walked a little further before turning around. As I reached the spot where I saw the Rockjumper, he flew up all of a sudden and landed on a rock right beside the road! I could not believe my luck! He then posed for a few minutes. The weather was terrible, and the light was not great, but I was quite happy with the photos.
The rain and wind increased and I jogged back to my car. I was freezing and grateful to still have a little warm coffee in the car!
I stopped briefly at Stoney point to see the Penguins, but it was raining hard and I did not get out.
I had to see if I could spot whales at Hermanus. I stopped at one of the viewing points and was surprised to see how close to the beach they were! The rain started again, and I was had to get back into my car. But I did get a photo of a mom and a youngster!
It started to rain really hard as I left Hermanus. But after a while the sun came out. It shone on field upon field of plants with the most beautiful golden flowers. I found out later that it was Canola plants. It was such a scenic drive, I just loved every second.
I also saw a pair of Blue Cranes. The road “through” Struisbaai runs all along the beach. The Agulhas Lighthouse and entrance to Agulhas National Park sits right at the end of the road. I collected my key made my way to the rest camp. My first view of the Lighthouse.
On the way to the rest camp I stopped at the most Southern Point of Africa. I quite enjoyed standing there!
The wind was incredibly strong, and I rushed back to my car.
The Chalet was cozy with a stunning view of the ocean. I wanted to go for a walk but the wind was just too nasty.
I drove back to Struisbaai for some supplies. The sky was much clearer and the Lighthouse looked much prettier than earlier.
The wreck of the Meisho Maru shows the impact of the elements.
When I got back to the chalet loadshedding had started. The wind was absolutely freezing by now, and I could think of nothing better than to light a fire in the fire place and enjoy my sandwiches and a glass of OBS while watching the sun set.
The wind continued to increase in strength during the night. I woke up early lay in bed listening to it howl and decided that going for a run was not a good idea. I contemplated about what to do – my original plans were to drive to De Hoop Nature Reserve to see the vultures, but with this wind…. I didn’t really have a plan B, and decided to stick with my original plans and drive to De Hoop, even if I could not see the vultures. Thank goodness I did that.
The drive to De Hoop is mostly gravel, but it was one of the best gravel roads
I have driven on. I stopped regularly to do birding.
I always love seeing Blue Cranes. There were Raptors, Canaries, Larks and Pipits along the way.
The wind at De Hoop were as bad (or worse) than in Agulhas. I saw some Bontebok and Grey Rhebok shortly after entering the gate.
A little further I came to a part of the Lagoon where there were many Swallows, Black-winged Stilts, Ducks, African Black Swifts and even a Caspian Tern.
I stopped at the Koppie Alleen view point and started walking to the restaurant. I stopped in my tracks almost immediately. The whales were RIGHT THERE! I counted at least 12! At any given moment there were at least 5 or 6 visible.
I walked along the pathway near the little restaurant and stared at the scene in amazement. There was even a baby whale!
A few breached further away.
Even here the flowers were adding splashes of colour. I spotted a pair of Oystercatchers.
But my eyes kept wandering back to the ocean and the countless amazing whales.
I closed my eyes and tried to imagine what it must be like to be submerged and swimming in their presence – are they “talking”” to each other? What must it sound like!
They were just going about their day, not realising that there were many people staring at them in awe. Before leaving I walked to the top of the sand dune. Even there there were flowers. The sand was the purest white. The wind wiped away footprints almost immediately.
I left De hoop immensely grateful that I did not change my plans. It had been the most incredible morning.
And I saw the Cape Vultures – a few soared ahigh above the golden Canola fields.
There were Blue Cranes in the Canola Fields and two Blue Cranes were taking an afternoon nap.
I stopped at the Lighthouse. I wanted to climb to the top. The wind was extremely strong, but even if I couldn’t go outside, I would be at the top. I pad the fee and started up the first set of steps. They were EXTREMELY steep.
I hesitated on the first landing. Then I went up the second set of steps. I paused again on the second landing. I was unexpectedly nervous – I realised going up the steep steps was one thing, but coming down was another. I couldn’t go any further, and climbed back down. The lady at the ticket office just laughed when I sheepishly explained why I was back so soon!
I stopped at the Southern Point again. There was a beautiful monument. I think it would be awesome if they could build a slightly elevated platform to get a better view of this lovely monument.
I wanted to go for a run, but the weather app on my phone indicated that the wind was now blowing at 52km/hr. I made a cup of tea instead and sat staring that the angry, turquoise ocean and watching another beautiful sunset.
I left early the next morning. The Lighthouse was flashing. It was a beautiful sight in the pre-dawn. It was a perfect goodbye.
