Archive for the ‘Wayside Stops’ Category

Water Fun, Parks and Sanctuaries

Tuesday, December 18th, 2007

 The now 1 year old Adventure land is a welcomed source of entertainment for the whole family.  They have some amazing slides for the brave and even the not so brave.  There are quad bikes that one can hire to go on the fun trail that meandering through a part of the forest.  With good braai facilities, tables, benches and large umbrellas it makes for a great venue to spend a day out in the sun with friends and family. 

Its a great venue for children’s parties and I’ve seen that it could make a lovely venue for an outdoor party for the adults too.  Just imagine an evening party nestled in the forest with some ambient lights some music and a big pool to socialise in or next to.  Bring in some caterers and voila – a party to be spoken about for a while.  This will need to be a special arrangement as the park isn’t normally open after sundown.

My child had his party at Adventure land and its still the most spoken about party amongst the kids (almost a year later).  The service and assistance is outstanding and the pricing is reasonable. 

Wild Waters Fun Park in Plettenberg Bay is another fun outing with a couple of slides, pools, putt-putt, trampolines and restaurant.  Many children’s and adults parties are held there.  A day time or evening party isn’t hard to arrange thanks to the restaurant and the friendly staff/management of the park.  If you wish to fit in a little exercise while the others go wet and wild – there is a gym right at the park.  A mini ride-on steam train choo-choo’s past the park for the little steam enthusiasts.

for a delightful day in with some of the cutest animals there’s the Harkerville Wolf Sanctuary and Touch Farm.  Have a cuppa, a picnic or just a stroll around the farm.  Many shrills of delight are given up as the kids feed the animals and exciting “Cool, look at the wolves!”.  Boredom is not an option with all of that and a play area for the kids is on site.  Kids parties are welcomed there.

The Knysna Elephant Park is a place of awe, learning and fun.  Also a great venue for a kids party with a difference.  The Knysna Elephant Park is not just about entertainment but preservation of these dear creatures that are close to extinction.

Another party venue with a difference or just an exciting day out is the Birds of Eden and Monkey Land.  Be sure to save a few bucks and buy the combo ticket.  Birds of Eden offers a perfect facility for outdoor parties either kids or “not too noisy” party for the adults.  Although I wouldn’t recommend a party at Monkey Land, its fun to stroll through the forest and seeing the mischievous monkeys at play.

Birds of Eden and Monkey Land are enclosed areas where you walk amongst the animals.  The layout is spectacular!  Birds of Eden and Monkey Land have little restaurants/cafes and curio shops.  Do remember that the animals are friendly but shouldn’t be fed (even if they try to help themselves to what you’re munching). 

One can find out more about these and many more family and party friendly venues in the garden route at the tourist offices; should you prefre do it the easier way just click on the links offered on this website.

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Swellendam

Friday, September 21st, 2007

Its been a tough six weeks and quiet hectic on the forums after Google started victimising individual directory owners who have been gaming its page ranking tool. So it was with a certain sense of relief that I went into standby mode packed the lap top into the car with the rest of the family and headed off to meet Granny who was returning from

Cape Town. Besides the whale we spotted as we drove up to Dolphin Point it was largely an uneventful journey to the Rolandale Cheese Factory where we discovered its not really the Cheese Factory we expected but rather a family friendly Restaurant and Farmstall. Just the sort of place Mum and Dad want to find when arranging to RV with Gran. The coffee was good, the staff attentive and the food was adequate. Nothing I could really complain about besides the fact that I had to eat Jono’s chicken pie and chips as he was far  too busy tearing around the play area in the company of another youngster who also appears to survive on fresh air and more noise than is healthy for anyone. All in all well worth the time it takes to break journey.     

Once we had everyone back in the car we set off for Bredasdorp. The vygies were in flower and all it took was the first splash of colour masking the road cuttings as we bypassed Swellendam, to remind me why we were here. Its flocks of  the blue cranes and driving through the lush green farmlands with swathes of  yellow canola fields which keepus coming back. And every time we do, I promise myself that the next time I will pause long enough to photograph and catalogue the wild flowers scattered along the verges. But I never do and the ever growing number of road kills are a stark reminder of speed with which we are changing the world around us.

 

On our first trip to the area as a family, Jono formed a special bond with Francolin who showed up at our cottage door and we have returned every year just to make sure he is still OK. It doesn’t matter where our journey ends, he always puts in an appearance first thing in the morning and Jono scatters some more grain for a special friend. This was why I never said anything when we flashed past a lone bird at the side of the road which was calling for its mate that had been recklessly reduced to nothing more than a bundle of feathers by the passing cars. Sad but part of life that we all know and something which will catch up with the boys one of these days. But until it does there is no reason not to enjoy the beauty of a special part of the world.

 

To get to De Mond you turn off the road to Arniston and travel approximately 15k’s to the gates at the reserve being managed by Cape

Nature. There is only one self catering cottage and it’s a long walk to the beach but that’s not why you come to De Mond. This is tortoise country and there are signs everywhere asking you to check under your car before moving off.  

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