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Treetop canopy tour in the Tsitsikamma

There are certain things in life you have to do at least once. Or in my case, I only have the guts to do it once. Although as safe as sleeping in your own bed, I have asked myself a few times “what type of a mother allows her children to do this…” before gliding to the next tree!

The Stewarts rewarded themselves with a Canopy Tour in the Tsitsikamma a while ago. What an amazing experience! Of course putting on the safety gear makes you feel very adventurous and extreme, but all in all, safety is number one, and the team really takes good care of you. The tours are only cancelled in extreme weather, but the forest is normally well protected.

The Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour is a unique eco-wilderness adventure that takes place in the magnificent Tsitsikamma indigenous rainforest, and involves gliding from one tree to another along a steel cable suspended up to 30 meters above the forest floor… “I believe I can fly….”

Most platforms are located in giant Outeniqua Yellowwood trees. The scenery and bird life is spectacular and professional guides provide interesting facts about the forest ecology during the 2½ to 3 hours. It is a breathtaking form of eco-tourism which allows  people to enter and experience a previously inaccessible natural environment – and in all honesty, I think there are far less creatures (read snakes and spiders) 30m up in the air than on the forest floor!

The Tsistikamma Canopy Tour consists of 10 platforms and 10 ‘foefie’ slides, the longest of which is 100m. Don’t break too early or you will get stuck in the middle… and remember, there is no turning back either!

The tour begins with a detailed safety briefing, followed by a ‘kitting up’ session where full body harness, pulleys and climbing equipment is issued and checked. A short drive takes you into the Tsitsikamma forest and it is time to monkey around! We were in a group of 7, so we had ample time to get ready and enjoy the slides – and to turn around and watch the faces of those gliding your way!

The platforms provide an unbelievable view of this new world – as you don’t see much while gliding (well, I didn’t!). Any fear of heights is soon lost as you gather in your new surroundings. In between glides the guides explain the ecology of the forest – pointing out different trees and the magnificent giant ferns way below. The bird life is incredible. We saw a Knysna Loerie, and sightings of the Narina Trogon and Vervet monkey are not uncommon.

About three hours later you exit the forest, having undertaken the journey of a lifetime. You have contributed to the creation of new jobs and are helping the forest regeneration project – and ticked off a bucket list item!

Contact: Stormsriver Adventures, 042 281 1836, [email protected]

 

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Port St Francis Chokka Boats

Port St Francis is one of a few privately owned working harbours in South Africa, and also home to a diversity of restaurants, retail outlets, commercial offices, conference facilities, a visitors centre, as well as residential property and self catering accommodation.

A large fleet of squid, hake and pilchard vessels works from Port St Francis. Sitting at one of the restaurants, visitors can watch the crew offload blocks of frozen chokka (calamari), netted pilchards and see how they re-ice the hake vessels.

The launching of boats, loading and offloading of vessels, crew fixing large fishing nets and fishermen coming back with their daily catches are quite intriguing and fascinating to the visitor and holiday maker.

On the recreational side the moorings are filled by charter boats, deep sea fishing boats and yachts from all over the world. Eco cruises, deep sea fishing expeditions or shorter bay cruises can be enjoyed from here. The moorings are surrounded by residential penthouses and apartments in a Mediterranean building style.

Often NSRI Station 21’s crew can be seen leaving the harbour in a hurry after being called out to a rescue. Before Jeffreys Bay and Oyster Bay opened their own NSRI stations, Station 21 was the busiest Sea Rescue Station in the country, often supporting the fishing fleet, swimmers, paddlers and recreational craft.  

A walk on the harbour wall will give you a different perspective of the view of the greater St Francis. You can start the Two Harbours Walk to the Granny’s Pool from here (about 45 minutes), or you can stroll down the coastline to Shark Point or even further into Cape St Francis and the 18th century lighthouse.

Sitting patiently on Squid Square might reward you with a sight of Sally, the resident seal or the shy otter family. This all contributes to the unique vibe of Port St Francis, giving the first time visitor enough reason to come back, again and again.

 

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Do we have a mystery grave?

Living as we do beside one of the world’s more dangerous coastlines, it is only natural that we should find, scattered along it, reminders of various maritime mishaps and tragedies.  There is a true story of John Reid, who was the captain of the British sailing ship, Cromartyshire, which ran aground in 1901. 

They say the ship, captained by Reid, sailed from Leith, Scotland in June 1901 with a cargo of 3 000 tons of coal for Algoa Bay. There was a rise in temperature of the cargo, which was first noted before reaching the Cape, but by the end of August, when the ship was off Cape St Francis, the temperature had risen to 212ºF (100ºC) and smoke was pouring from the ventilators. Distress rockets were fired, but there was no response. At 6pm on the 31st the order was given to abandon ship, the plan being to head for Cape St Francis. 

The next morning two lifeboats were in sight of the Cape St Francis lighthouse and they were spotted by the keeper who guided them to safety with flags. 

The third lifeboat, with Capt Reid in charge, was approaching the Slang Rivier in Oyster Bay, when daylight broke. The boat capsized in the surf, and Reid was apparently hit on the head and drowned. The other crew members reached the shore safely. 

The tug, Sir Frederick, was sent from Port Elizabeth to pick up the crew but Reid was laid to rest in a grave near the site of the accident. 

The steamer, Politician, later found the Cromartyshire abandoned off Cape St Francis and towed it to Algoa Bay, where the fire was extinguished.

Approximately a year later Reid’s widow travelled from Scotland together with the memorial stone, which she intended to place on his grave, but no sign of the grave could be found. She nevertheless had it erected where it stands today. 

Walk from Oyster Bay in an easterly direction, following the foothpaths, and after about 1km, you will see the grave to your left.  Make sure you look out for otters, dolphins in the surf and a variety of seabirds. If you walk a little bit further, you will get to Thysfontein – enjoy!