Who wants to go Paragliding??

Well after seeing people do it yesterday, we want to go paragliding!

We did the 115 km (71 mile) drive from Reebok to Knysna yesterday, but we took a little detour to go for a hike. Along the way, we stopped to watch the paragliders and to see the "Map of Africa".

The "Map of Africa" is a huge geological formation that looks somewhat like a map of Africa. It's best viewed from above, so you have to drive up a steep hill from the town of Wilderness in order to see it. Coincidentally, the viewpoint is also across from where the paragliders take off from.

The "Map of Africa". 

Interestingly, the water you see on the right is a fresh water stream. The water you see on the left is tidal salt water. They meet at the bottom point of the "map" approximately where the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet in reality. 

Across from this viewpoint is where the paragliders take off from.

Thinking that we would definitely like to do this sometime!

It looks so peaceful flying around out there. And what a view!

 But, we had other plans for the day. We carried on along the "7 Passes Road", a sometimes paved, sometimes gravel road that went through the countryside away from the main highway. Not much to see really, but at least there wasn't any traffic to speak of.

Part of the 7 Passes Road.

We saw a sign for "The Big Tree" so we followed the dirt road about 2 kms (1.3 miles) and found a parking area. You had to fill out a self serve permit, but it was free. We followed a path for about 5 minutes and came to the big tree...

The Big Tree.

It's an 800 year old Outeniqua Yellowood tree. Not really so big, especially compared to some other big trees that we have come across in our travels. At least we didn't have to pay to see it.

Carrying on, we made our way to the Drupkelders Hiking Trail. We had read that this was a good trail and that they only allow 12 people on the trail at one time, so we figured it must be really special, but it wasn't. It was fairly steep at points, and it was good exercise climbing our way out the ravine, but otherwise just an okay hike.

At the bottom of the trail is a pretty lagoon.

Climbing out was a little steep, but no problem.

We drove into the town of Knysna and met our couchsurfing host Didi at an easy to find gas station where we followed her car up to her house where we introduced ourselves and met her dog Scruffy. Ruth made us all a delicious fritatta and salad and we talked the evening away.

Yesterday's drive 115 kms (71 miles).