Tuesday November 13th
Our first stop after our 8 AM stop was at the Canga Caves. We drove through countryside with Ostrich, Élan and Springbok farms, then up into the mountains. Here we are seeing some pine, poplar and the odd willow – but the mountains/hills are still vegetated primarily with grasses and small shrubs. There is also the odd imported eucalyptus trees which are not native to S. Africa.
Our first stop was the Canga Caves – we were amazed and awed by the size, extent and awesomeness of the caves.
Next stop was the Wildlife Park where we enjoyed seeing a wide variety of animals – many of which are on the endangered species list due to black market sale of wild meat and the use of body parts for medicinal purposes. Three of us got up close and personal with the Cheetahs, four with the tiger cubs, and Pat got into the pool with the Crocodiles. Unfortunately (or fortunately – they did not appear very hungry).
Next stop was the Ostrich farm – a great lunch of wine, ostrich steak, salad, corn fritters and wine. Then we went to learn more about breeding Ostriches. We learned that Ostriches aren’t particularly smart – each eye weighs 60 gm while their brain weighs 40 gm. We saw 7 day old chicks and got to hold very heavy eggs (equivalent to 24 hen’s eggs.) We saw the Feather Mansion that is currently owned and occupied by the Liptchiz family, then we got to meet an Ostrich couple – Jack the Ripper and Suzie the Stripper – for her passion for tearing off anything sparkly – right Barb!
Several of the ladies who could pass the weight restrictions took the opportunity to sit and be photographed on the Ostrich – Thanks Stuart for the use of your HAT.
Then we were off across the Outeniqua Mountain pass (really scenic) through George and on to Knysna (that’s with a silent K) where we will spend the next two nights.
Our first stop after our 8 AM stop was at the Canga Caves. We drove through countryside with Ostrich, Élan and Springbok farms, then up into the mountains. Here we are seeing some pine, poplar and the odd willow – but the mountains/hills are still vegetated primarily with grasses and small shrubs. There is also the odd imported eucalyptus trees which are not native to S. Africa.
Our first stop was the Canga Caves – we were amazed and awed by the size, extent and awesomeness of the caves.
Next stop was the Wildlife Park where we enjoyed seeing a wide variety of animals – many of which are on the endangered species list due to black market sale of wild meat and the use of body parts for medicinal purposes. Three of us got up close and personal with the Cheetahs, four with the tiger cubs, and Pat got into the pool with the Crocodiles. Unfortunately (or fortunately – they did not appear very hungry).
Next stop was the Ostrich farm – a great lunch of wine, ostrich steak, salad, corn fritters and wine. Then we went to learn more about breeding Ostriches. We learned that Ostriches aren’t particularly smart – each eye weighs 60 gm while their brain weighs 40 gm. We saw 7 day old chicks and got to hold very heavy eggs (equivalent to 24 hen’s eggs.) We saw the Feather Mansion that is currently owned and occupied by the Liptchiz family, then we got to meet an Ostrich couple – Jack the Ripper and Suzie the Stripper – for her passion for tearing off anything sparkly – right Barb!
Several of the ladies who could pass the weight restrictions took the opportunity to sit and be photographed on the Ostrich – Thanks Stuart for the use of your HAT.
Then we were off across the Outeniqua Mountain pass (really scenic) through George and on to Knysna (that’s with a silent K) where we will spend the next two nights.
No comments:
Post a Comment