coalition

coalition
kirsten.keun@gmail.com

Sunday, 02 October 2011

Gruppo Juan Toselli


Gruppo Juan Toselli

From Argentina to Africa 


Our journey started at Cape Town International Airport, upon arrival the guests were eager to share their safari stories of preceding days.

Their Cape experience started with passing by Kayalitsha and Langa, some of the intricate complex local cultures and peoples of the Cape Flats. 

In the afternoons we see the youth and sporty of the shack lands practicing their football and even cricket skills on the  dusty pitches next to the dangerous highway proving their passion for sport. The economical divide is intertwined with cultural diversity in the unique mix called The Cape Flats. 





The guests were welcomed to www.southernsun.com/Garden-Court/de-Waal with the historic majestic view of Table Mountain in the backdrop. 

 Early the next day we ventured up the mountain with www.tablemountain.net/.
 An unforgettable part of the Cape experience, we ventured on a hike of Table Mountain to see the vistas of the city, Lions head, Table bay, www.robben-island.org.za/ and Cape Town Stadium in the background, we were taken with the views.  

Table Mountain is the only geographic feature on earth with a constellation named after it. French astrologer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille named the constellation, Mensa, after Table Mountain in 1754. The Khoi people simply called it Hoerikwaggo, Sea Mountain









Sunday morning we set of for the Klein Karoo and Garden Route. This part of the country is special year round, but this time after some recent good rains the breath taking colors of the flowering plants of this mostly arid region took our breaths away. 
 We ventured and explored the www.route62.co.za/ As I often use this road, it feels more like a person I’m getting to know better, every time we meet, he shares a new story with me. Whether for magical flowering plants or ancient archaic fossils and rocks, the point is take the Route 62, you will never get off it. 







Few regions match the warm hospitality of the Klein Karoo. This name Karoo may come from the word karos, and that could be a skin used as a blanket.  The Klein Karoo and www.safariostrich.co.za/ embraced us with their hospitality and a delicious farm lunch.

The next morning we visited www.cango-caves.co.za/


Today the parts of Cango that is open to the public is relatively easy to access and we can choose between an easy 600 meter penetrating to more adventurous tours where a lot of squeezing and sweating is at the order of the ...darkness. 
The deep Limestone and water flow of the Swartberg is the cause of these incredible caves formed over earth’s history; it hosts unique formations hundreds of thousands and millions of years old. 



After Cango we were on our way to the heart of the Garden Route at Storms River Mouth. But on our way we had to cross over the Outeniqua Mountains and pass. This meant more spectacular views and photographic opportunities for everyone.

We enjoyed lunch upon arrival at www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/camps/storms_river/ and strolled along the cliff pathway all the way to the suspension bridges of the Storms River Mouth.




 The Storms River Mouth is the start or finish of hiking trails into the Outeniqua Mountains and the coastline of the Garden Route.   It accesses spectacular hiking trails like the Otter-, the Tsitsikamma- and Outeniqua Trails. 



Our stay at www.proteahotels.com/protea-hotel-knysna-quays.html was the highlight of the trips accommodations. With excellent service and great breakfasts only surpassed by the best location of the Knysna Lagoon. 
Some guests opted to enjoy a visit to www.knysnaelephantpark.co.za/ and some enjoyed a visit to the magnificent views of the www.featherbed.co.za/  Nature Reserve, both explores the natural significance of the Knysna area. Elephants once roamed the Knysna Forests in large numbers and this population became extinct at the hand of man. Their continued presence and conservation bears witness of our attempts to address our ignorance in our relationships with the world around us, and all it's children. 


Suzy in this picture is one of the original members of the herd, Emilia made instant friends although she was sure not to get her toes trampled. 


Our next destination was Hermanus and everyone was looking forward to meet the migrating whales of the Cape Province. On our way we stopped for lunch at www.tripadvisor.co.uk › ... › SwellendamRestaurantsThe Connection. We enjoyed a delicious lunch served with a creamy mushroom sauce sourced from local forests. The owner Oliviero is one of a few South Africans with the knowledge of the delicate task of mushroom harvesting.

From Swellendam followed the beautiful area of the Overberg as we drove past flocks of Blue Cranes, the National Bird of South Africa.  



Upon arrival in Hermanus we noticed groups of tourists along the walkways on the lovely cliff pathways observing whales. The ease of whale spotting and relaxed atmosphere of Hermanus makes for a unique whale watching experience. All enjoyed dinner at the impressive www.burgundyrestaurant.co.za/ next to the old harbor and in the tranquil town center.   

On our last overland day we drove around False Bay to Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Our driver Miles Titus drove comfortably and safely throughout the journey, and kept his vehicle spotless! 

Our journey was interesting, educational and informative with a great program. The group members participated on every possible occasion. All guests were looking forward to a return to Mzansi and thanked  Tilly Malone at www.springbokatlas.co.za/ for a great holiday. 

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