Issue 3

The Garden Route is a popular and scenic stretch of the southeastern coast of South Africa. It stretches from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River, which is crossed along the N2 coastal highway over the Paul Sauer Bridge in the extreme western reach of the neighboring Eastern Cape.

The Outeniqua Transport Museum is one of the major tourist attractions on the route, housing a variety of steam locomotives, including a narrow gauge, the Emil Kessler (Johannesburg's first steam locomotive), the impressive GL Garrett together with carriages such as a coach from the Royal Train of 1947, Paul Kruger's coach and private saloons as far as the eye can see. Various models of steam locomotives, a brilliant collection of steam locomotive number plates, maker's plates, a model train room, road motor vehicles and a private vintage car selection complete the impressive display. The museum offers hours of exploration and intrigue while your children can enjoy a ride on the miniature steam train.

We are summoned in military fashion to get aboard the Outiniqua Power Van (similar to a tram) by our guide Annabelle for a trip up the Outeniqua Mountains.

A unique experience awaits you when you travel on the Outeniqua Power Van. The stunning beauty of the mountains unfolds as you travel up one of South Africa's most scenic routes. As we slowly amble up the mountain, Annabelle tells us that the Outeniqua Power Van travels on the main train line that connects Cape Town and Port Elizabeth via Oudtshoorn. She speaks in a mesmerizing staccato: "The line from Cape Town to George was completed in 1907. The link from Klipplaat, near Port Elizabeth, to Oudtshoorn was completed in 1904. At this time there were extensive ostrich farms in Oudtshoorn. Timber was being extracted from the forests behind Knysna and brought by wagon to George. A railway line needed to be built between George and Oudtshoorn. In December 1908 work began on the line from George to Oudtshoorn. Initially 250 convicts were employed. Six months later 700 convicts were working on the track. Some of them were housed at Power Station. During 1911-12 approximately 9 to 10 tons of dynamite was used every month to blast through the rock.

As fascinated as I am by Annabelle's talk, my frozen feet and the snowy mountain scape around me are beginning to cut through her voice and interrupting my synapses.

An hour later, after having travelled to 720 meters above sea level through the snow-covered Heidi mountains, we are back at the station and on our way to exploring the next jewel of George – cheese.

At Silver Lily, owner and renowned cheese-maker Marianne has been making cheese for 23 years. She makes handmade Dutch style farm cheese in 10 flavors and you can watch the interesting process of cheese making, then sample some in the form of a cheese platter lunch accompanied by a glass of wine or fruit juice in the tranquil surroundings of the Outeniqua Mountains.

Redberry farm is our next stop, led by our resident expert and member of George Tourism, Melanie.

If you are looking for a fun and original day out, there is nothing that rivals the Redberry Farm experience.

We are in the farming area just outside George on the Geelhoutboom road and immediately in awe of the rows and rows of strawberries in what is now known as "Strawberry Country." Redberry Farm is the first beacon that greets tourists along the beautiful Outeniqua Country Hop Route. Once you've made a choice of what container to use, you will be guided to the "pick your own fields," taking a carefree walk though the farm with the majestic Outeniqua mountains in the background. Owner Jonathan and designer Marc keenly answered all my questions and shared the inner secrets of the strawberry. Redberry Farm is perfect for kids in all respects with a mini train, pony rides and 'bubble ball' on the dam as well as play areas and the much-anticipated maze opening shortly!

They are open from Monday to Saturday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. (Note that the pony and bubble ball will only be available on Friday afternoons and Saturdays out of season.)

With not a moment to spare in the heady metropolis that is George, we were whisked off to the George Museum where our guide Zanele takes us on a quick tour – the highlight of which must surely be the kids' interactive puppet show where children are encouraged to make up their own stories using the puppets.

The museum has grown from the private collections of Charles Sayers. He was the owner and editor of the George and Knysna Herald, which was established by his parents in 1881. He preserved everything but had a particular interest in old mechanical musical instruments and typewriters that today form the nucleus of the museum's collection. He opened his "mini museum" to the public in a single room adjoining a café in Courtenay Street in 1967. It was very popular and, encouraged by the local authorities, he moved it to the George Town House. The original mini museum has been recreated within the present museum.

After a full day on the town we retire to our rustic and warm home for the night, otherwise known as Linda's B&B. Quaint and comfortable, the guest house provides a perfect "home-from-home" for the overnight traveler and also has an interleading family bedroom. The very reasonable rate includes a full English breakfast - the rooms are cozy and warm with limited satellite and wonderfully comfortable beds and crisp linen – as well as the nicest shower head I have ever experienced. It's off to Timberlake Village early the next morn. Timberlake has been going for five years and constitutes a "village" where you can find anything from home-made goats milk cheese, original sweets, local olives and honeys as well as local wines, all open seven days a week. Our guide Nikki, owner of the wine shop, tells us that the village has a vigorous patronage among the locals in George and surrounding areas. I like that idea....

Timberlake is a village of specialist cabins: Sugar and Spice, cheese, wine, a health shop, the Faerie Gem, Eden Nursery, Cafe d'Afrique coffee shop for award-winning cheesecake, Zucchini restaurant for hearty country style meals, the Country Deli for traditional South African takeaways and the Oyster Shack for fresh wild coastal oysters.

Timberlake supports local and "slow food" principles. They also boast extensive kids facilities: a racetrack, jungle gym, trampoline, friendly goats, fantasy garden walk and much more... the best way to enjoy the Garden Route.

Too soon we have to wave this surprising, refreshing and beautiful town goodbye. But by George, it was fun!

More things to do in George:

THREE CAMELEONS

An ideal starter course for youngsters and beginners who are often intimidated by a big course.

PERDEPOORT

The horse trails run through the beautiful indigenous forest on the farm and traverses small rivers and creeks with sightings of Baboon and Bushbuck. All types of riders are welcome as there are different types of routes available for both beginners and more experienced riders, accompanied and supervised by the owner.

WOODVILLE BIGTREE

Woodville Big Tree, over 800 years old, creates shaded areas with its massive branches, making it a great picnic spot. Take a stroll along the boardwalk (also wheelchair-friendly) which is part of the Pied Kingfisher Trail and home to a wide variety of birds.

WILDWOODS TREE ADVENTURES

The Wild Woods Tree Adventure Park consists of two Kids courses and three Adult courses with 74 aerial platforms connected by zip lines, bridges, Tarzan swings and obstacles with over 3.8 km of cabling used to create this unique outdoor adventure park.

EDEN ADVENTURES

If you love the outdoors, the Wilderness is a fantastic place to spend a holiday. It is in the heart of the South Africa's Garden Route and thus an ideal point from which to explore the area. From canoeing and walking, kloofing or abseiling, even leisurely sightseeing trips, let Eden Adventures show you the best that the Garden Route has to offer.

Contacts:

George Tourism:

http://www.georgetourism.org.za/

Linda's B&B:

Standerstreet 17, 6530 George, Western Cape

tel: 084 573 3100

gmn@absamail.co.za

Redberry Farm:

Tel/Fax: +27 (0)44 870 7123

Cell: 083 2777 421

http://www.redberryfarm.co.za

Timberlake:

http://timberlakeorganic.co.za/contact/

Getting there:

Flights:

South African Airways introduced direct flights between Beijing and Johannesburg in 2012. Go to http://www.flysaa.com/za/en/flyingSAA/News/Saa-introduces-non-stop-flights-to-beijing-china.html. Once in Johannesburg, SA Express and Airlink fly to and from George on a daily basis – go to http://www.airports.co.za/home.asp?pid=4183&sys=sitespecific/livesearch.asp for live updates.