Knysna impressions

Garden Routes Heart - Knysna

South Africa's Garden Route is not only in the spring or summer worth a visit. Even mid-end-autumn still expected with mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine. 

Everything is green but of course most of the flowers are missing. But we didn't cry and started with a hike to the Knysna Heads. Knysna is situated on the Knysna lagoon, which is enclosed by the Knysna Heads. Like two watchtowers project the rocks in front of the small city. We tried to follow the water but suddenly the path ended. So we had to walk on the road. Beware of fast cars. It was very hot and steap (at the end) so it turned out to be a little strenuous hike. I can tell you it was worth every step. 

on the top of Knysna Head 

We stayed at Jembjo's Knysna Lodge. A very cool place to stay. Central, nice and cosy. The owners are very open and sweet. They gave some ideas for places to eat. They drove us to the restaurant, organised us a trip to the rasta community and invited us for dinner one night. We had a big braai. Thank you so much once again. I would love to come back someday.

The Knysna Lagoon

The region of Knysna is known for it's breweries. There is even a brewery in Knysna. We went for dinner to a restaurant called scirocco. They serve good pizzas and you can do a beer tasting. They serve you like 7 different (!) beers locally brewed. They are all tasty but find it out for yourself. Next to this place is a very cool bar. They have life music.

Knysna a rich city. Big houses and a lot of yachts and expensive cars. It's very touristic but calm and clean. There is a dayly market in the center close to the main road. Altough it is very touristic I like the city because it's not to big and in spring and summer it's very colorful. The city is very well located and therefore the starting point for walks, water sports, paragliding and various other excursions.

Madrid - The capital of Spain

Metropolis House

A four days citytrip took me to Madrid. Since we were invited to a wedding-party a two hours drive from the city we actually didn't had much time for sightseeing. Thanks to our friends who gave perfect tourguides we have seen the most important things and places of the city. We started our tour close to the Bank of Spain. Then we crossed Metropolis House and followed the Gran Via which is one of the main roads.

I noticed that there are many old buildings. Some of which were glass fronts or other very modern elements added. Taking the example of the Metropolis House it was built round 1910 by an insurance. You should see this building during the night. With all the lights it's very beautiful. Many buildings were illuminated. Madrid is the third biggest city of Europe but I have to admit it's very clean but crowded. So many tourist and locals....

Plaza Mayor

We went up Gran Via to Plaza Callao then turned in to Calle Preciados and headed to Puerta del Sol. It's a big square in the hearth of the city. Lot's of tourists and locals. Seemed to be a place to be. Close to this square there is Plaza Mayor. It's one of the oldest squares in Madrid. They used it for different purposes during inquisition were they killed people, it was also used as soccerfield, bullfights, theaters and many more... Plaza Mayor is not very nice but the houses around are very beautiful. The paintings on the wall show scenes from different myths. Next remarkable building we visited was the Cathedral of Madrid. The construction took more than 100 years but since 1993 it's finished. 

More than that I can't tell you about Madrid. The next day we went to this wedding. But well there are some restaurant and hotel tipps. We had our last dinner in Madrid in Meson Rincon de la Cava. It was very tasty and cheap. Next to us were tourists and locals as well. Our last night we stayed in Hotel Opera as the name tells yout it's just behind the opera so very central. Exellent service, nice rooms and good breakfast. 

Madrid I will come back someday.