Knynsa River Club

I stopped at Oysters R Us on my way into Knysna (pronounce nysna).
This was a place I had researched heavily and was excited to try it. I was so NOT disappointed. I ate 1.5 dozen oysters and took the same as take out for my supper. They had the freshest, most flavorful oysters I have ever had. They were served simply with fresh lemons and a tray of toppings if you so desired. They were sooo good.

My first impression of Knysna was a good one. A little coastal town with a harbor area and a very small mall with mostly a small town vibe. I drove down into Knysna River Club and there were ready for me and so I was delighted that everything seemed in order until I go to my villa. It looked onto the parking lot and I couldn't even see the lagoon. The couch was broken and the place smelled generally musty. I was not impressed. I called up to the reception and asked if I could be moved closer to the water as had been requested when the booking had been made. The girl told me everything was booked. So I called Maryanne at Enchanting travels. The next thing I knew the manager was knocking on my door to ask me to view two other villas. The first had no view at all but was not musty smelling and had a newer look, but the second one was definitely closer to the water and smelled fine, nothing broken and so I took the second one. The manager apologized saying that they had over looked the request to be next to the water. Interestingly enough, 80% of this property is at least 2 cabins away from the water yet their advertisements are 100% cabins on the water. Hmmm?

The sunset was beautiful and my oysters for supper were eaten sitting on the deck with a glass of bubbly. I also had a plate of crackers, meats, cheeses, and fruit that I bought when I went out shopping for a warm sweater as I was booked to go on a Oyster cruise and Whale watching tomorrow.
I ended up buying a black wrap about sweater and a long sleeved blouse. It was hard to sleep that night as the Europeans next door felt the need to yell from the deck to their children inside. That was only time I had trouble getting to sleep anywhere in Africa.

I got up early to go to breakfast so arrived at 805 ready for breakfast and it seemed like they had forgotten about me. Oh! the guy says, we just had a bus load of tourists in here and they ate through the buffet. I checked the time for breakfast 8-10 correct, yes that's correct. So breakfast is gone? Oh well we could cook you up something if you want. Ugh yeah. Full English breakfast without the beans or mushrooms. And I was on the road by 9am to go to the Mosaic Farmers Market. The guy running breakfast said my tours most likely will get cancelled as it was too windy. I hoped not. He also said that I must be lonely travelling alone, didn't I have any friends? Wow, just wow.

The market was everything I had hoped it would be. Coffee, baking, veggies, a place to sit and people watch. I loved it. Found some great foods to take back to my villa as this was the place I was going to cook for myself.

I left early to get to the docks for my whale watching only to arrive to hear that it was cancelled. I rebooked for the next day. I also was told the oyster cruise was cancelled but they couldn't accommodate me

the next day and as I was leaving the day after when they did have room it was a bust.

I felt I was tired and so went back to the villa. I was disappointed and crabby so decided to stay in and do some TLC for myself. It was windy beyond belief so I took a nap, watched some movies, drank my MCC, had a bath and made myself some lunch and dinner and I may have eaten some junk food. It was after all day 10 of my trip and I had been up early everyday. Time to do some self care.
Again I arrived shortly after 8 for breakfast and again I was told a large group had eaten almost everything but to help myself to what was left, they were busy with a group outside. Everything had been turned off in the large chafing dishes so I had cold eggs, cold sausages and really weak coffee. I didn't really care as I got enough breakfast to put something in my belly as the whale watching was on!
I was hopeful but we were met with 2 meter swells getting out of the Head and it proceeded to get rougher as we were out there. On the way back into the Head, the waves were now 3 meters. We saw nothing. I thought I saw something brown in the water so likely a seal but that was it. No whales.
That happens. I enjoyed the boat ride but some of my fellow

passengers were using the seasick bags. After such a non productive morning I decided to go to Plettenberg Bay as I had heard that the beach was beautiful. It was. Very windy but nice when you were sitting inside and eating calamari and kingklip. It was delicious. On my way home I decided to stop for some lamb chops to cook and had myself a little BBQ on my last night in Knysna.
I skipped breakfast the next day, didn't want to be told how other people got to eat my breakfast and was not sad to see the back of Knysna. I would not recommend staying here.
On my way to Cape Town, I got pulled over by the Police. I wasn’t speeding!!!!! I promised my friend Brigitte that I wouldn’t speed. It was a check stop. At 10am.
Nice Man. He noticed my cross that was the only piece of jewelry I wear. He asked if I was a Christian to which I said yes.
He chatted me up about Canada and how cold he hears it was. I showed him my back yard covered in snow picture. He checked out my license's and my passport and asked me if I was enjoying South Africa? I said yes. He asked if I was on my way to Cape Town, I said yes, he said I will pray for a safe trip, and then he waved me on.
God is looking after me.

As I continued towards Cape Town I stopped at a cute little place called Dutchies in Hermanus right on the beach and what do you suppose I saw? Whales About 6 or 8 of them. Just hanging around breaching and fluking. God you certainly have a sense of humour. I gassed up here too and was treated to a attendant pumping the gas but also to washing my window like back in the day.