After a filling ostrich egg breakfast (one ostrich egg is equal to 24 chicken eggs, but 36-eggs-worth of cholesterol, while the meat is very healthy and low in fat), we head north to the Swartberg Pass, just as beautiful as had been described in the guide books.  On the way we did a different ostrich farm tour, this time capturing some good video of my ride!  Cango did a great, entertaining tour, and we learned even more than the previous day.

Swartberg pass was opened for public use in 1888.  Most of the pass is steep and unpaved, curving around to expose exquisite vistas at every turn.  While the way up was more green, scrubby and rocky, the way down the other side was highlighted by red boulders, crags and larger plants and trees.  We continued our drive along the backside of the mountains, with farms here and there, and large patches of every-colored wildflowers blooming everywhere.

The other pass, through Meiringspoort, was straight through the rock, rather than up and over, following what was already cut through by the river.  The road was built to follow the natural contours.  This pass reminded us a bit of Zion in Utah with it’s red rocks and tall trees.  It was about 230 ks to our next destination, and we thoroughly enjoyed the drive.  With more time, we would surely stop in Calitzdorp for port wine, have cheese in Ladismith while studying its famous split peak, and so on.  The picturesque towns were separated by more hillsides, valleys, vineyards, flowers and orchards.

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