Walking with Giants!

Tuesday July 12th and Plettenberg Bay was foggy and cloudy this morning.  Robberg offered a good breakfast to start our day- a quick walk on the beach across the road and then we were off.  We drove 9km out of Plett and hit our first stop- the Knysna Elephant Park.  We arrived for the 11am tour.  A brief history on the walls told us that there had been a need for a rescue facility for elephants and this was it.  The first had been from Nambia and named Harry and Sally, quite a few followed- even some births had occurred at the facility.  Then we were off to the elephants- a bucket of "snacks" in hand.  We arrived and these beautiful creatures were all lined up and waiting for us- we got to hand feed them the fruit and veggies, which they gently lifted with their trucks- so amazing (and slobbery!) Then we split into our family groups and got to go and walk with the elephants.  Different trainers were there and knew the different animals.  We got to "pet" them, they are actually very hairy, and so rough.  Their ears are softish and they are so wrinkly.  What an experience - they are so gentle and really look at you (or at least that is how it feels.). After almost an hour our there we caught the trailer back and then hit the gift shop ($$$) and we were off again.  About 1/2 hour down the N2 the rain found us.  We were in Knysna at this time and off to East Head Cafe which was right at the heads- too bad it was rainy and super foggy.  Lunch was very good- and, our view would have been amazing on a good day.  The rain followed us up the N2 and when we got to Wilderness it was very much like the Oregon Coast- foggy and cold. We passed by Sedgefield and Pine Lake Marina where we had spent a few family holidays as kids. We stopped for a gas fill up and a coffee and then we turned inland.  The rain was still pretty strong as we started climbing the Outeniqua Pass and then at the top the sun appeared.  As we descended the landscape changed to the desert like terrain of the small Karoo.  Not as much lushness and more red rocks and sand. An hour later we arrived in the town of Oudtshoon- a lovely looking place.  We drove through on our way to Berluda Farm and Cottages our home for 2 nights.  It is beautiful here- the mountains and then farms all around. Our cottage has a huge stoop overlooking the farm and all the ostriches.  What inquisitive creatures- when you stand at the fence the all approach slowly and with caution, but looking at you the entire time.
Our cottage is very nice- a little chilly, so we have a nice fire going.  For dinner we went to the man house and the cook made a delicious dinner of butternut squash soup, ostrich steaks and dessert.  The steaks were very good- super lean and tasty.  Now bed time.