{"id":12487,"date":"2013-06-26T22:23:32","date_gmt":"2013-06-26T20:23:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/?p=12487"},"modified":"2013-06-26T22:56:36","modified_gmt":"2013-06-26T20:56:36","slug":"long-weekend-up-the-garden-route","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/2013\/06\/long-weekend-up-the-garden-route\/","title":{"rendered":"Long weekend up the Garden Route"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"eventDate\">14 &#8211; 16 June<br \/>\n2013<\/div>\n<p>Last year I spent a weekend in Knysna and have been dying to go back ever since; 2 weeks ago my wish was granted when I once again joined Jess and Leon for a wonderful getaway along the beautiful Garden Route.<br \/>\n<a  href=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/bloukrans_LMcC_8255.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-7\" data-rl_title=\"valley over the Bloukrans River\" data-rl_caption=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-12519 aligncenter\" title=\"valley over the Bloukrans River\" alt=\"valley over the Bloukrans River\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/bloukrans_LMcC_8255-575x383.jpg\" width=\"575\" height=\"383\" srcset=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/bloukrans_LMcC_8255-575x383.jpg 575w, http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/bloukrans_LMcC_8255-300x199.jpg 300w, http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/bloukrans_LMcC_8255.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a  href=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-loerie_LMcC_8465.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-7\" data-rl_title=\"Knysna loerie\" data-rl_caption=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12527\" title=\"Knysna loerie\" alt=\"Knysna loerie\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-loerie_LMcC_8465-300x199.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-loerie_LMcC_8465-300x199.jpg 300w, http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-loerie_LMcC_8465-575x383.jpg 575w, http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-loerie_LMcC_8465.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<a  href=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-coney-glen_LMcC_8796.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-7\" data-rl_title=\"Knysna - beach at Coney Glen\" data-rl_caption=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12494\" title=\"Knysna - beach at Coney Glen\" alt=\"Knysna - beach at Coney Glen\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-coney-glen_LMcC_8796-300x199.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-coney-glen_LMcC_8796-300x199.jpg 300w, http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-coney-glen_LMcC_8796-575x383.jpg 575w, http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-coney-glen_LMcC_8796.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>After Thursday night&#8217;s long trip up we spent Friday wandering around Knysna, leisurely exploring the second-hand bookstore (and each leaving with a nice pile) and buying rusks at Spar.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-12487 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna_LMcC_7914.jpg' title=\"Knysna\" data-rl_title=\"Knysna\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna_LMcC_7914-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Knysna\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-lagoon_LMcC_7916.jpg' title=\"Knysna\" data-rl_title=\"Knysna\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-lagoon_LMcC_7916-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Knysna\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/piano-stairs2_LMcC_8744.jpg' title=\"Piano stairs\" data-rl_title=\"Piano stairs\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/piano-stairs2_LMcC_8744-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Piano stairs\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>The next day&#8217;s adventure was the most exciting, and provided much anxiety for Leon and me (Jess is fearless) the night before &#8211; we were going on a zipline canopy tour of the Tsitsikamma indigenous forest!<\/p>\n<p>We arrived early in Stormsriver Village and killed time in the bizarre 50&#8217;s-themed Diner before being briefed by our guide, Nelson, and meeting the other people coming with us, a couple, and discovered we were all wearing blue for some reason.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-12487 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/stormsriver-chrome-fin-city_LMcC_7954.jpg' title=\"Stormsriver Chrome &amp; Fin City Diner\" data-rl_title=\"Stormsriver Chrome &amp; Fin City Diner\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/stormsriver-chrome-fin-city_LMcC_7954-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Stormsriver Chrome &amp; Fin City Diner\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/leon-jess-elvis-diner2_LMcC_7946.jpg' title=\"Leon, Jess &amp; Elvis\" data-rl_title=\"Leon, Jess &amp; Elvis\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/leon-jess-elvis-diner2_LMcC_7946-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Leon, Jess &amp; Elvis\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/stormsriver-chrome-fin-city_LMcC_7951.jpg' title=\"Stormsriver Marilyn Cafe\" data-rl_title=\"Stormsriver Marilyn Cafe\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/stormsriver-chrome-fin-city_LMcC_7951-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Stormsriver Marilyn Cafe\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>We then met the next crew member, Ryno, who helped us get strapped into the hectic safety harnesses (that would keep us attached to the tree-spanning steel cables and off the forest floor 30m below), as well as our safety helmets and the super hardy gloves (that we&#8217;d later use to regulate speed and hold on for dear life).<\/p>\n<p>After a short drive to the top of the forest and the first platform it was time the moment of truth; all fears evaporated after the first exhilarating trip, and by the time the 10th and final slide came along an hour later we were all ready to do it all over again. Definitely an experience I would gladly repeat and recommend, wow.<\/p>\n<p>Afterwards we were each given a light lunch and a chance to watch the amusingly edited DVD that the couple we&#8217;d gone with had agreed in advance to buy &#8211; once again random couple, my apologies for the prolonged video-bomb that is my presence on your DVD&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-12487 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/leon-canopy-tour_LMcC_8069.jpg' title=\"Leon cables\" data-rl_title=\"Leon cables\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/leon-canopy-tour_LMcC_8069-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Leon cables\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/jess_LMcC_7967.jpg' title=\"Jess\" data-rl_title=\"Jess\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/jess_LMcC_7967-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Jess\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/tsitsikamma-canopy-tour_LMcC_7972.jpg' title=\"Non-destructive braces and supports for steel cables\" data-rl_title=\"Non-destructive braces and supports for steel cables\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/tsitsikamma-canopy-tour_LMcC_7972-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Non-destructive braces and supports for steel cables\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/tsitsikamma-canopy-tour_LMcC_8067.jpg' title=\"Jess, me &amp; Leon, taken by another canopy tour-er in our group\" data-rl_title=\"Jess, me &amp; Leon, taken by another canopy tour-er in our group\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/tsitsikamma-canopy-tour_LMcC_8067-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Jess, me &amp; Leon, taken by another canopy tour-er in our group\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/tsitsikamma-forest-floor_LMcC_8023.jpg' title=\"Tsitsikamma forest floor\" data-rl_title=\"Tsitsikamma forest floor\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/tsitsikamma-forest-floor_LMcC_8023-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Tsitsikamma forest floor\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/tsitsikamma-forest-canopy_LMcC_8039.jpg' title=\"Tsitsikamma forest canopy\" data-rl_title=\"Tsitsikamma forest canopy\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/tsitsikamma-forest-canopy_LMcC_8039-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Tsitsikamma forest canopy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/tsitsikamma-tree_LMcC_8061.jpg' title=\"Tsitsikamma forest canopy\" data-rl_title=\"Tsitsikamma forest canopy\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/tsitsikamma-tree_LMcC_8061-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Tsitsikamma forest canopy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/tsitsikamma-forest-canopy_LMcC_8097.jpg' title=\"Tsitsikamma forest canopy\" data-rl_title=\"Tsitsikamma forest canopy\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/tsitsikamma-forest-canopy_LMcC_8097-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Tsitsikamma forest canopy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/tsitsikamma-canopy-tour_LMcC_8108.jpg' title=\"Tsitsikamma forest canopy\" data-rl_title=\"Tsitsikamma forest canopy\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/tsitsikamma-canopy-tour_LMcC_8108-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Tsitsikamma forest canopy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>On the way back we stopped to check out some bridges, including the Bloukrans, where we watched some jumpers brave the world&#8217;s highest bungee.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-12487 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/jess-car_LMcC_8177.jpg' title=\"Jess&#039; car\" data-rl_title=\"Jess&#039; car\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/jess-car_LMcC_8177-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Jess&#039; car\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/river_LMcC_8187.jpg' title=\"river\" data-rl_title=\"river\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/river_LMcC_8187-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"river\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/eastern-cape-border_LMcC_8220.jpg' title=\"EC\" data-rl_title=\"EC\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/eastern-cape-border_LMcC_8220-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"EC\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/bloukrans-river_LMcC_8250.jpg' title=\"Bloukrans River\" data-rl_title=\"Bloukrans River\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/bloukrans-river_LMcC_8250-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Bloukrans River\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/bloukrans_LMcC_8252.jpg' title=\"Bloukrans Bridge - world&#039;s highest bungee jump\" data-rl_title=\"Bloukrans Bridge - world&#039;s highest bungee jump\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/bloukrans_LMcC_8252-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Bloukrans Bridge - world&#039;s highest bungee jump\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/bloukrans_LMcC_8255.jpg' title=\"valley over the Bloukrans River\" data-rl_title=\"valley over the Bloukrans River\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/bloukrans_LMcC_8255-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"valley over the Bloukrans River\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>The next day was my personal highlight &#8211; we went out to the Crags to Birds of Eden, the world&#8217;s largest free-flight aviary and <a title=\"Comfort in feathers\" href=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/2012\/03\/comfort-in-feathers\/\" target=\"_blank\">bird sanctuary<\/a>. Our moderately paced walk took 3 hours but I&#8217;d gladly have stayed 6. The place is super beautiful and as soon as you&#8217;ve descended into the forest you really feel like you&#8217;re wandering through a huge jungle.<\/p>\n<p>I got my wish to see the infamous Knysna Loerie as well as a bunch of its turaco cousins from all over Africa, beautiful toucans, loads of parrots and <a title=\"Visiting the owls and other feathered friends\" href=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/2012\/03\/visiting-the-owls-and-other-feathered-friends\/\" target=\"_blank\">many other birds both common and unusual<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The only thing that spoilt the magical place was the flock of obnoxious toddlers and their keepers, who failed to stop their screaming brats from running amok&#8230;not gonna lie, it took some serious willpower not to push them into the duck pond&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Oh, and the gift shop was a huge letdown &#8211; there was very little by way of bird-related souvenirs apart from some generic plush toys and some fugly fridge magnets. I was expecting lots of loerie stuff but surprisingly found nothing.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery galleryid-12487 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/birds-of-eden_LMcC_8681.jpg' title=\"Birds of Eden\" data-rl_title=\"Birds of Eden\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/birds-of-eden_LMcC_8681-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Birds of Eden\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/birds-of-eden_LMcC_8372.jpg' title=\"Birds of Eden\" data-rl_title=\"Birds of Eden\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/birds-of-eden_LMcC_8372-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Birds of Eden\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-loerie_LMcC_8381.jpg' title=\"Knysna Loerie\" data-rl_title=\"Knysna Loerie\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-loerie_LMcC_8381-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Knysna Loerie\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/white-tailed-jay_LMcC_8401.jpg' title=\"White-tailed jay\" data-rl_title=\"White-tailed jay\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/white-tailed-jay_LMcC_8401-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"White-tailed jay\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/cockatiel_LMcC_8415.jpg' title=\"Cockatiel\" data-rl_title=\"Cockatiel\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/cockatiel_LMcC_8415-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Cockatiel\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/birds-of-eden_LMcC_8417.jpg' title=\"Birds of Eden\" data-rl_title=\"Birds of Eden\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/birds-of-eden_LMcC_8417-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Birds of Eden\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/birds-of-eden_LMcC_8429.jpg' title=\"Birds of Eden\" data-rl_title=\"Birds of Eden\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/birds-of-eden_LMcC_8429-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Birds of Eden\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/birds-of-eden-ferns_LMcC_8431.jpg' title=\"Birds of Eden\" data-rl_title=\"Birds of Eden\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/birds-of-eden-ferns_LMcC_8431-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Birds of Eden\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-loerie_LMcC_8465.jpg' title=\"Knysna loerie\" data-rl_title=\"Knysna loerie\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-loerie_LMcC_8465-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Knysna loerie\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-loerie_LMcC_8480.jpg' title=\"Knysna Loerie\" data-rl_title=\"Knysna Loerie\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-loerie_LMcC_8480-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Knysna Loerie\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-loerie_LMcC_8483.jpg' title=\"Knysna Loerie\" data-rl_title=\"Knysna Loerie\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-loerie_LMcC_8483-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Knysna Loerie\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/birds-of-eden_LMcC_8488.jpg' title=\"Birds of Eden\" data-rl_title=\"Birds of Eden\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/birds-of-eden_LMcC_8488-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Birds of Eden\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/golden-pheasant_LMcC_8497.jpg' title=\"Golden Pheasant\" data-rl_title=\"Golden Pheasant\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/golden-pheasant_LMcC_8497-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Golden Pheasant\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/mousebird_LMcC_8499.jpg' title=\"depressed looking mousebird\" data-rl_title=\"depressed looking mousebird\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/mousebird_LMcC_8499-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"depressed looking mousebird\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/hartlaubs-turaco_LMcC_8505.jpg' title=\"Hartlaub&#039;s Turaco\" data-rl_title=\"Hartlaub&#039;s Turaco\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/hartlaubs-turaco_LMcC_8505-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Hartlaub&#039;s Turaco\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/hartlaubs-turaco_LMcC_8512.jpg' title=\"Hartlaub&#039;s Turaco\" data-rl_title=\"Hartlaub&#039;s Turaco\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/hartlaubs-turaco_LMcC_8512-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Hartlaub&#039;s Turaco\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/hartlaubs-turaco_LMcC_8527.jpg' title=\"Hartlaub&#039;s Turaco\" data-rl_title=\"Hartlaub&#039;s Turaco\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/hartlaubs-turaco_LMcC_8527-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Hartlaub&#039;s Turaco\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/ring-necked-parakeet_LMcC_8522.jpg' title=\"Ring-necked parakeet\" data-rl_title=\"Ring-necked parakeet\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/ring-necked-parakeet_LMcC_8522-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ring-necked parakeet\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/golden-breasted-starling_LMcC_8538.jpg' title=\"Golden breasted starling\" data-rl_title=\"Golden breasted starling\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/golden-breasted-starling_LMcC_8538-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Golden breasted starling\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/channel-billed-toucan_LMcC_8543.jpg' title=\"Channel-billed Toucan\" data-rl_title=\"Channel-billed Toucan\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/channel-billed-toucan_LMcC_8543-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Channel-billed Toucan\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/nicobar-pigeon_LMcC_8555.jpg' title=\"Nicobar pigeon\" data-rl_title=\"Nicobar pigeon\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/nicobar-pigeon_LMcC_8555-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Nicobar pigeon\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/nicobar-pigeon2_LMcC_8557.jpg' title=\"Nicobar pigeon\" data-rl_title=\"Nicobar pigeon\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/nicobar-pigeon2_LMcC_8557-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Nicobar pigeon\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/buffoni-green-turaco_LMcC_8559.jpg' title=\"Buffon Green Turaco\" data-rl_title=\"Buffon Green Turaco\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/buffoni-green-turaco_LMcC_8559-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Buffon Green Turaco\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/red-masked-parakeet_LMcC_8562.jpg' title=\"Red-masked parakeet\" data-rl_title=\"Red-masked parakeet\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/red-masked-parakeet_LMcC_8562-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Red-masked parakeet\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/western-plantain-eater_LMcC_8563.jpg' title=\"Western Plantain Eater\" data-rl_title=\"Western Plantain Eater\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/western-plantain-eater_LMcC_8563-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Western Plantain Eater\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/western-plantain-eater_LMcC_8568.jpg' title=\"Western Plantain Eater\" data-rl_title=\"Western Plantain Eater\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/western-plantain-eater_LMcC_8568-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Western Plantain Eater\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/spoonbills-and-cockatoos_LMcC_8625.jpg' title=\"Spoonbills and Cockatoos\" data-rl_title=\"Spoonbills and Cockatoos\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/spoonbills-and-cockatoos_LMcC_8625-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Spoonbills and Cockatoos\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/fulvous-ducks_LMcC_8618.jpg' title=\"Fulvous ducks\" data-rl_title=\"Fulvous ducks\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/fulvous-ducks_LMcC_8618-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Fulvous ducks\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/duck_LMcC_8603.jpg' title=\"Mandarin duck\" data-rl_title=\"Mandarin duck\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/duck_LMcC_8603-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Mandarin duck\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/crowned-crane_LMcC_8596.jpg' title=\"Crowned crane\" data-rl_title=\"Crowned crane\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/crowned-crane_LMcC_8596-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Crowned crane\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/little-parrot_LMcC_8595.jpg' title=\"Little parrot\" data-rl_title=\"Little parrot\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/little-parrot_LMcC_8595-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Little parrot\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/american-flamingo_LMcC_8587.jpg' title=\"American flamingo\" data-rl_title=\"American flamingo\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/american-flamingo_LMcC_8587-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"American flamingo\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/ringneck-dove_LMcC_8572.jpg' title=\"Ringneck dove\" data-rl_title=\"Ringneck dove\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/ringneck-dove_LMcC_8572-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Ringneck dove\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/hornbill_LMcC_8630.jpg' title=\"Hornbill\" data-rl_title=\"Hornbill\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/hornbill_LMcC_8630-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Hornbill\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/green-turaco_8632.jpg' title=\"Green turaco\" data-rl_title=\"Green turaco\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/green-turaco_8632-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Green turaco\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/channel-billed-toucan_LMcC_8645.jpg' title=\"Channel-billed Toucan\" data-rl_title=\"Channel-billed Toucan\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/channel-billed-toucan_LMcC_8645-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Channel-billed Toucan\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/birds-of-eden_LMcC_8675.jpg' title=\"Birds of Eden\" data-rl_title=\"Birds of Eden\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/birds-of-eden_LMcC_8675-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Birds of Eden\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>\n\t\t\t<br style='clear: both' \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>On the way back we stopped at Plett, <a title=\"Pretty place, shockingly bad service, both for us and all the tables around us\" href=\"http:\/\/www.lookout.co.za\/\" target=\"_blank\">waited over half an hour to be served at the Lookout Deck<\/a> before walking out and heading back to Knysna where we had a great dinner at the Waterfront (and I finally found a loerie souvenir at a really tacky giftshop, woohoo!).<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-6 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-6' class='gallery galleryid-12487 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/leon-jess-desat2_LMcC_8693.jpg' title=\"Leon &amp; Jess\" data-rl_title=\"Leon &amp; Jess\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-6\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/leon-jess-desat2_LMcC_8693-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Leon &amp; Jess\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/jess_BW2_LMcC_8692.jpg' title=\"Jess\" data-rl_title=\"Jess\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-6\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/jess_BW2_LMcC_8692-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Jess\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/plettenberg-bay_LMcC_8703.jpg' title=\"Plettenberg Bay\" data-rl_title=\"Plettenberg Bay\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-6\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/plettenberg-bay_LMcC_8703-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Plettenberg Bay\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-waterfront_LMcC_8718.jpg' title=\"Knysna Waterfront\" data-rl_title=\"Knysna Waterfront\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-6\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-waterfront_LMcC_8718-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Knysna Waterfront\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-paddle-boat_LMcC_8730.jpg' title=\"Knysna paddle boat from a window\" data-rl_title=\"Knysna paddle boat from a window\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-6\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-paddle-boat_LMcC_8730-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Knysna paddle boat from a window\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>\n\t\t\t<br style='clear: both' \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Apart from Friday&#8217;s rain we&#8217;d had beautiful weather all weekend; on Monday we took a drive up to the rocky beaches at Coney Glen before waving the beaches and forests goodbye and heading back to Cape Town.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-7 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-7' class='gallery galleryid-12487 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-coney-glen_LMcC_8790.jpg' title=\"Knysna - beach at Coney Glen\" data-rl_title=\"Knysna - beach at Coney Glen\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-7\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-coney-glen_LMcC_8790-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Knysna - beach at Coney Glen\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-coney-glen_LMcC_8796.jpg' title=\"Knysna - beach at Coney Glen\" data-rl_title=\"Knysna - beach at Coney Glen\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-7\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-coney-glen_LMcC_8796-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Knysna - beach at Coney Glen\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-coney-glen_LMcC_8823.jpg' title=\"Knysna - beach at Coney Glen\" data-rl_title=\"Knysna - beach at Coney Glen\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-7\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-coney-glen_LMcC_8823-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Knysna - beach at Coney Glen\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-head_LMcC_8850.jpg' title=\"Knysna Head\" data-rl_title=\"Knysna Head\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-7\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/knysna-head_LMcC_8850-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Knysna Head\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/wilderness_LMcC_8900.jpg' title=\"Wilderness\" data-rl_title=\"Wilderness\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-7\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/wilderness_LMcC_8900-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Wilderness\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/garden-route_LMcC_8909.jpg' title=\"Pretty trees\" data-rl_title=\"Pretty trees\" class=\"rl-gallery-link\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-7\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/garden-route_LMcC_8909-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Pretty trees\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>&#8211; &#8211; \u00a0&#8211;<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Canopy Tours\" href=\"http:\/\/www.stormsriver.com\/canopy_tour_tree_top_tour_stormsriver_tsitsikamma_garden_route.html\" target=\"_blank\">Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours<\/a> \u00a0| \u00a0<a title=\"Birds of eden\" href=\"http:\/\/www.birdsofeden.co.za\/\" target=\"_blank\">Birds of Eden<\/a> \u00a0| \u00a0<a title=\"Visit Knysna\" href=\"http:\/\/visitknysna.co.za\/\" target=\"_blank\">Knysna tourism<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>14 &#8211; 16 June 2013 Last year I spent a weekend in Knysna and have been dying to go back ever since; 2 weeks ago my wish was granted when I once again joined Jess and Leon for a wonderful &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/2013\/06\/long-weekend-up-the-garden-route\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12527,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,3],"tags":[454,163,919,929,928,925,399,922,204,194,1431,796,797,625,924,25,164,142,143,12,22,921,347,904,324,926,923,158,927,920,180],"class_list":["post-12487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-out-about","category-photography","tag-beach","tag-birds","tag-birds-of-eden","tag-bloukrans","tag-bridge","tag-canopy","tag-clouds","tag-eastern-cape","tag-favourites","tag-forest","tag-friends","tag-garden-route","tag-knysna","tag-lagoon","tag-loerie","tag-mountains","tag-nature","tag-out-in-the-country","tag-outdoors","tag-photography-2","tag-plants-flowers","tag-plettenberg-bay","tag-river","tag-roadtrip","tag-sky","tag-tour","tag-travel","tag-trees","tag-tsitsikamma","tag-wilderness","tag-winter-days"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12487","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12487"}],"version-history":[{"count":39,"href":"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12487\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12590,"href":"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12487\/revisions\/12590"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12527"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/lauramccullagh.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}