Classic Safari Challenge

Classic Safari Challenge
Charging into the Dust by Cabtography

Friday, October 13, 2017

Monday 9th October 2017

Cape Town to Port Elizabeth

As the first rally cars were being flagged off from the hotel we proceeded in the opposite direction via the N1 in a north easterly direction. There were beautifully kept vines growing everywhere (and this wasn't even the more famous Stellenbosch). We passed through the long Hugenot Tunnel (paying a toll of $3.55) and the landscape changed dramatically to large rocky mountains with only low growing scrub. Not much habitation and we saw 5 ostriches, a couple of monkeys and some black-faced sheep. This went on through the Great Karoo for hundreds of kms with only the occasional hut to be seen. Karoo means "land of thirst" and is so appropriately named. The section must be so boring that the authorities have developed and sign-posted "driver alert" sections where there are rumble strips across the road to wake up sleepy drivers.

We were headed for Prince Albert Road and from there going south to the town of Prince Albert.
This village dates back to 1762 and is very pretty with Cape Dutch & Victorian architecture. Growing up walls, in pots, on fences or as shrubs there were bougainvillea in all colours. This contrasts with the harsh landscape surrounding it. Run-off from the mountain springs makes the town green and fertile and peaches, apricots, grapes & olives are grown. Also local cheeses and olives are available. The town got its name in 1845 not long after Queen Victoria married Prince Albert. In 1867 Queen Victoria sent her late husband's collection of speeches to the village. Apparently they and the dedication from Queen Victoria can be seen in the local museum but we didn't stop to look.

The road south from this village took us through the Swartberg Pass which is spectacular with enormous reddish coloured rocks rising high above the road.

Dropped the hire car off at the airport and took a taxi to a hotel close to the container depot.

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