South Africa’s public school system is overseen by the Department of Basic Education. The Knysna High School is a few blocks from our condo and we see students walking there in the mornings. Unlike other countries, Public school is not entirely free in South Africa. The bottom 40% of schools (ranked by the poverty level…
Author: Jill
Thesen Island, Buffalo Bay, and a Scorpion in the Sink
We are approaching our last week here in South Africa. We have a few more places we want to explore, but have also enjoyed revisiting some of our favorites. This past weekend we explored Thesen Island, made a trip back to beautiful Buffalo Bay Beach, and had a surprise visitor in our kitchen sink. Thesen…
Hiking at Robberg Nature Reserve
We took the day off from school today and went hiking at Robberg Nature Reserve. This is said to be one of the most popular and scenic hikes along the Garden Route. It was one of the top things I was looking forward to during our time here. The hiking trail has three different loops…
With Great Beauty – Comes Great Big Bugs
I’ve thought recently how much the lush green landscape of South Africa reminds me of Costa Rica and Guam. It feels like everywhere you turn there is a beautiful view. The landscape is covered in a canopy of green, the sky is often clear and bright blue, and sounds of nature are all around. I…
Worth the Wait – The View Through the Fog
On Friday afternoon we went back to the East Heads Viewpoint and Coney Glen Beach. This was our third visit to this area. The third time was the charm, as there was finally no fog and we got to take in the spectacular view. It was definitely worth the wait! On Sunday we visited a…
The Final Chapter Begins
Yesterday marked day 265 of our travels. We are returning to Colorado exactly one year from when we left, which means we have 100 days left of our year long journey. I remember back in Osaka when we reached the 100 day mark. I can’t believe we are now to this point in our year….
Sunrise Safari at Addo Elephant National Park
This week we took a road trip to the amazing Addo Elephant National Park and went on a sunrise safari. Addo Elephant National Park is located on the Eastern Cape of South Africa and is about 4 hours northeast of Kynsna. The park is massive at roughly 695 square miles and is home to the…
Day Trip to Wilderness South Africa
Yesterday we took a day trip to the town of Wilderness, South Africa. Wilderness is a beautiful little seaside town about 45 minutes west of Knysna. We went kayaking to a hidden waterfall, visited the “Map of Africa” viewpoint, had lunch at a seaside restaurant, and walked along the expansive Wilderness beach. It was a…
From Fog to Fabulous: East Head Viewpoint & Coney Glen Beach
Today we visited a very foggy viewpoint and our first South African beach. The Knysna lagoon opens into the Indian Ocean at a passage flanked by two towering sandstone cliffs called The Heads. The East Head View Point is said to be one of the most iconic views on the Garden Route. I’m sure it…
Welcome to Knysna, South Africa
After three extremely long days of travel, we have finally arrived in Knysna, South Africa! Knysna (pronounced nize – nuh) sits along the Garden Route of the Western Cape of South Africa and is known as the “Jewel of the Garden Route”. The town is nestled around a lagoon that opens to the Indian Ocean,…