Daniel and Luciana tied the knot a week ago in Argentina. Their South African adventure included a visit to the Garden Route. At this point on the Du Toitskloof pass they spotted a cross on one of the highest peaks in the area. Turns out that the cross was planted by Italian prisoners of war who worked on the construction of the Pass. As a symbol of their affection and connection to the people of the Cape, they erected a cross overlooking Paarl and the Cape Flats. Cultures from all over the world shaped the modern history of the Cape Colony and Southern Africa. Welcome Home.
Huguenots escaped the European Religion Wars and immigrated to many promised lands. Southern Africa welcomed their skills and culture in agriculture, food, wine and architecture. The Natural wealth and abundance that welcomed them exceeded all expectations. Today many South African families carry Huguenot names and European cultural influence is evident. South Africa boasts over 800 producers of wine. This Church is in the Klein Karoo town of Oudtshoorn, remaining the Ostrich Capital of the world with more than 350 Ostrich farms in the area.
Forests are the breathing organ of Mother Nature. We cannot breathe without them. Forests harbour tremendous ecological diversity and fragile symbiotic relationships. Many trees including the Podocarpus have been harvested to the brink of extinction and only a fraction of the once vast Southern African forests remain. It is our responsibility to protect trees and forest. Visiting the Knysna Forest on the garden Route is a life experience and motivates us to take better care of our planet. Small Duiker antelope and the beautiful Knysna Turaco can be spotted with fortune and patience.
Visitors arriving to the shores of Southern Africa find it hard to leave. With abundant wildlife, a myriad of cultures and the big open African planes that dreams are made of, friends of South Africa become friends of nature.
Adventure is always close and even seasoned travellers are blown away by the honest hospitality and smiles of the Rainbow Nation. A hike to Storms River mouth in the Garden Route National Park shades us with the trees, wildlife and adventure that only one of the most popular destinations in the world can do.
