We packed up and immediately headed for the water, because we wanted to reach Venterskroon today, and had no idea how far it was. We just knew it was within our reach. One bigger rapid at Ben Joe which we knew about, and it wasn't that bad at all. The water cascades down a mini waterfall, and into a little gorge. We had to carry our kayaks around the fall to the gorge. There was a rope that came across the river at the end of the rapid, which is a bit irresponsible, I'd say, but we maneuvered around it. This was such a pretty sight, and we hung out for a bit before paddling on. There were a couple of guys standing in the middle of the river, fly-fishing. The river is quite shallow in places, and this is the spot where the yellow fish spawn, but nobody had caught anything yet. Some of the properties along the riverbanks are just gorgeous. There are many resorts, campsites, guest lodges and guest farms.
We drifted some stretches and paddled others, the river slowly moving us along. The next rapid had quite a steep fall, but was easy enough. Then we came to a part in the river where we could hear the rapid, but couldn't make out what it looked like from the water, so we got out on the right hand side, and walked up the hill to get a better view. I couldn't see too much from up there, but we decided to gun it anyway. Halfway down the rapid, I lost my paddle trying to loosen myself from a rock. I paddled like a maniac with my hands, trying to catch up. Happy days! Found my paddle, all is well... The stretch of water following the rapid was very flat, but once again, it is BEAUTIFUL out here. I would recommend everybody does this at some point in their lives.
It was getting late when we saw some familiar spots, indicating that we have reached Venterskroon. We got out at the Coetzee's property who didn't mind our intrusion. We unloaded the kayaks and Rika offered to take us to the house we were supposed to stay tonight. Francious from Dome Adventures weren't quite expecting us today, he thought we had passed days ago, but he sorted us out in a flash anyway. We were two chiki's tired and sunburnt, so a long hot bath, dinner and bed pretty much summed up our evening.
It was getting late when we saw some familiar spots, indicating that we have reached Venterskroon. We got out at the Coetzee's property who didn't mind our intrusion. We unloaded the kayaks and Rika offered to take us to the house we were supposed to stay tonight. Francious from Dome Adventures weren't quite expecting us today, he thought we had passed days ago, but he sorted us out in a flash anyway. We were two chiki's tired and sunburnt, so a long hot bath, dinner and bed pretty much summed up our evening.
