Moving down to Swellendam

Woke up today morning preparing to take the Bazbus (www.bazbus.com) down to Swellendam. I had been wondering if last minute requests would be entertained ( Had applied for my ride much later then the recommended 96 hrs) but it was no issues at all and I got my ticket settled and an email from them. The bus came on time as well and we went about picking up a few others before heading down to our respective stops. The bazbus service drops you literally AT the doorstep of the backpackers so its very convenient for those who don't get a car.

My stop was to Swellendam backpackers (www.swellendambackpackers.co.za), located at Swellendam, about 3-4 hours drive from Cape town. It was rather amazing that nothing was mentioned about Swellendam in the coast to coast book considering that it has stunning scenery. On enquiring with the only other backpacker who dropped off at Swellendam, I found out both of us had come by for the fact that the Langberg mountain range forms the backdrop of Swellendam.

Checking into Swellendam backpackers, we were greeted by Stephanie     ( the owner) and given a very warm welcome to a very cozy backpackers. It felt more like walking into a home rather then a hostel and for the two of us, the laid back atmosphere was just perfect to unwind. It was possible to catch a glimpse of the mountain from the couch at the front and this would become my favorite spot over the few days I stayed here.
We were wondering how many days to stay but that decision was made for us since Bazbus does not run on sunday towards Port Elizabeth. This meant we would have to leave the next day or stay for 3 nights. Choosing the latter definitely made more sense.


                                                                   


The backpackers is set over spacious land and natural surroundings, with a small stream running further down and hibiscus flowers in full bloom. The dorm was a cozy wooden hut built further in and new huts are being built to add on to the existing ones.

The day today would be a pretty lazy one and I felt no need to move around doing anything but rather to just enjoy the lush surroundings. Stephanie has 3 dogs and a cat and they never failed to liven up the place whenever the children were not running around playing. Patrick had an afternoon nap and we took a walk to town.

Patrick and Frodo on the couch

 Swellendam is a very old town and very authentic in that sense with equally old fauna to match. The supermarket was about 10-15 minutes away by walking and we went to a restaurant just by the supermarket for dinner. Dinner was 'herb pizza', or rather pizza with mushroom sprinkled on it. Swellendam backpackers has a bar with a barbeque area just opposite and barbeques happen almost on a daily basis followed by drinks on the deck just outside under the open sky.

Stephanie advised us to go horse-riding up the trail the next day and this would be the plan. After a chat and sitting at the couch, it was time to retire for the night. The hut does not have electrical lighting but the backpackers' does provide oil lamps providing a very rustic feel to the whole experience. I would eventually see that at many other places such as restaurants in Swellendam, lighted lamps were used extensively as well.

It was a perfect ending to a lazy day.