News from
Outeniqua Adventure Tours: January 2007
Well, the ‘silly season’ has
come and gone, school holidays over and most of our South African
visitors are back at home. We hope, thinking about the good time
they had in whichever of our many and varied destinations they chose
to spend their precious recreation time.
We now expect an influx of European visitors,
by this time weary of the long winter nights and short, cold days
and looking for some warm South African sunshine..
From mid January to May, the Garden Route has, for the most part,
settled weather, mild temperatures and enough daylight hours to
enjoy this beautiful part of the country.
This is the very best time to plan a holiday in the Garden Route,
conditions are good, accommodation attainable and the local holiday
attractions are crowd free.
The world famous Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, while
still unable to utilise the Knysna –George railway line is
still in operation and is running three times a week to Hartenbos,
close to Mossel Bay.
We have devised a day trip incorporating
this train trip, a description of which follows. This gives the
visitor a variety of options for the day as well as experiencing
the enjoyment of riding the Steam train
Day trip including Outeniqua Choo Tjoe
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Option one:
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| 9h00 |
Collect
guests from accommodation, and transfer to the Transnet
Heritage Museum.
|
| 10h00 |
Outeniqua Choo Tjoe departs for
Hartenbos, a coastal town close to Mossel Bay. The train
travels through beautiful farmlands and alongside the
stunning coast towards Mossel Bay.
|
| 11h40 |
Arrive
in Hartenbos, where guests will be collected at the
station.
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The
following options for the rest of the day are available:
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|
Option one:
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| 11h45: |
Guests
are driven into Mossel Bay. This is a fascinating harbour
town with wonderful views of the Outeniqua and Langeberg
Mountains, and the bay. In the winter months, there are
great whale-watching opportunities (from the shore, and
from boats).
We visit the Dias museum complex. This is a very interesting
complex, which has, among other artefacts, a replica of
the Caravel, the ship on which Bartholomew Dias made his
historic trip to South Africa in 1488, to be the first
European to set foot on southern African soil.
There is also the word famous Old Post Office Tree, surrounded
by lovely gardens of indigenous plants.
|
| 13h00 |
Lunch at the Point, at a delightful
seafront restaurant, after which a gentle stroll along
the Point seafront can be enjoyed.
|
| 15h00 |
Return to accommodation in George |
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|
Option
Two:
|
| 11h45 |
Guests are collected at the station
in Hartenbos. Visit a local coffee shop for refreshment,
and then enjoy a walk along the seafront at Hartenbos
.
|
| 12h45 |
We drive up to the Langeberg mountains
for lunch at the Eight Bells Mountain Inn. This is a delightful
resort, nestled in the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains,
about halfway up the Robinson Pass.
After lunch, guests can either enjoy a scenic walk through
the forests and fynbos at the Inn, or a drive to the crest
of the Robinson Pass, where spectacular views of the mountains,
the coast, and magnificent fynbos, can be seen.
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For the cost of this trip, contact us
Cost includes
All
transport (in air conditioned vehicles)
All entry fees
Driver /guiding fees
The above prices do not include:Drinks / refreshments / lunches,
boat cruises, or additional tours.
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The coming year is already looking busy,
with an August flower tour already in the planning stage and
more cycle tours than we had anticipated filling the Spring
calendar.
The arrangements for the Bicycle Adventure Club Tour which
is happening in April are being finalised and promises to
be a great experience for all of us.
May the year ahead be a good one, enabling us all to enjoy
this wonderful country in which we live.
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