S1 - Ep 296 - Kouga Dam, Gamtoos Valley and Queen Victoria’s Profile!
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- When we left Humansdorp I had a secret I was not sharing. The gravel road we took was going to lead us to the beautiful Gamtoos Valley and for us to see the rock formation which looks like Queen Victoria’s profile. What I was not sharing was that our first stop was going to be at the Kouga Dam. Little did I know how beautiful this dam really was. An unexpected surprise was the concrete tunnel we had to pass through to reach the dam wall. It was truly magnificent! Then we continued our drive through the Gamtoos Valley which is super impressive and Queen Victoria’s profile was very cool to see. #DustBugs #adventuretravel #southafrica #southafricavlog #travelongravel #easterncape #kougadam #gamtoosvalley #queenvictoria
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The gobblestone hiils is called conglomeraat. It is formed by the river which deposited the small stones. It was then compacted over the centuries to form the mountain. Some of the best examples of conglomeraat in the country.
Wow! Thank you for the info, those formations are really something else! 👌🏻
It's so weird how it rains soooo much every where BUT here at the dam nothing.!! If you look at the vegetation you will never say that we are in a very bad drought! What a sad looking dam😢 Thank you for this. We dont ever go there.
I imagine it must be that not enough water fell in the catchment area to cause a significant increase in the dam level, I'm really not sure. 🌊🤷♂️ While the level is very low, it didn't look sad to us at all, we thought it was super impressive still! We have learnt on our travels that the green vegetation doesn't necessarily mean there is an abundance of water. It's sometimes referred to as a 'green drought'. 🌳🚙
Thank you guys, excellent once again.👏🏻
So glad to hear you enjoyed, thank you! 🚙🤩
Loved it! Well said Sonia. Een heerlijke aflevering op de zondag ochtend. Met een kop koffie bij de hand met jullie reizend door het prachtige landschap. Veel fraaie natuur, zoals die kudde springbokken. In Franschhoek kocht ik in 2017 een mooi vel met ‘witte hanekam’ (als je het vel over je arm hangt, is dan prachtig te zien) van een springbok, die volgens de handelaar een mooi vrij leven had genoten. Dat geloof ik graag bij het zien van zulke beelden. En wat de mens doet in en met de natuur is zeker indrukwekkend. Zoals de aanleg en onderhoud van die vele citrus velden. Grappig dat bordje bij de Rooinek farm over smousen niet gewenst, alsof de waakhond al op scherp staat ter ‘verwelkoming’ 😅. Welke andere handel zou een buitenstaander / marskramer hier eventueel proberen te slijten, vraag ik me af? Want kennelijk doet men regelmatig pogingen daartoe. De Dam is zeker indrukwekkend als hoogstaand voorbeeld van knappe ingenieurs. Wat Anna heeft met tunnels, heb ik met hoogte dus hield even mijn adem in toen je camera over het randje ging 😊 Queen Victoria als rots reïncarnatie, het zou zomaar kunnen want in haar tijd verscheen ze all over the place. Wel toepasselijk als ze nu aan ons ‘verschijnt’ in de aanloop naar de coronation 👑
We always enjoy seeing springbok and other wildlife, they always brighten up any gravel road! 😍🦌 I think the sign about hawkers in this instance may mean that people who come wanting to buy fruit at the farm to go and sell again, are not allowed. In our country, the selling of fruit roadside is big business in some areas and fruit farmers generally strongly discourage this practice since the fruit is often illegally obtained. 🍋🍊 We loved the dam too, despite its low levels. It's an impressive structure! 🌊🤩 Interesting thought that Queen Victoria showed herself again so close to the coronation, her timing is quite good! 👸🏻🚙
I really enjoyed this episode. Impressive. Thnx Sonja for the commentary
I'm happy to hear that, we appreciate you coming along with us! 🚙😁
I will always remember my parents stopping at the Gamtoos Bridge back in the 1970's to buy us a big pocket of juicy Gamtoos oranges. We used to roll them and make them soft , then you stick your thumb in en maak n gatjie, and drink the sweet juice. So lekker !! What beautiful scenery around the Kouga dam. Thanks again for showing us. You two are saving me a long trip to SA.
We also ate oranges exactly the same way you described! What wonderful memories you brought back, thank you! 🍊🧡 The scenery in this area is truly breathtaking and the dam was a sight to behold! Thank you for coming with us, it was great fun! 🌊🚙
Absolutely LOVE your content! ❤
Just wondering, have you ever considered making a "Top 5" series? Like your top 5 favourite locations, top 5 favourite churches, accommodations, landmarks, etc.? I think it would be quite interesting to see that, knowing that you've visited so many amazing places! Anyway, keep up the great work, have a blessed day ❤
Thank you so much, I'm happy to hear that you enjoy our videos! 🚙🤩 I receive emails every single day asking me for Top 5 lists. Sonia and I have discussed it and, even if we tried, we won't be able to do it. For exactly the reason that you mention. We have visited so many amazing places and have found some kind of beauty in every single one of them that we'll feel as if we're somehow betraying those who don't make the top of the list. For us, it's not about the best, the prettiest and such. It may very well be exactly the opposite. 🤷♂️
The rose trees are planted as a pest indication control, the pests will manifest on the rose trees first, and then the necessary pest control will be applied
Thank you for the interesting info, we didn't know that at the time! 👌🏻
Hi you two! Gravel roads, mountains, blue skies! I couldn't ask for more, but I got it! Thank you for taking me along on this wonderful trip. Those seemingly endless citrus farms are amazing. And the other greenery on route and your drone view of the aloe covered hills. The low level of the dam is sad, but at least it is 1% higher than last year this time. Those layered rocks in the valley teach a history of its own, older even than that of HRH Queen Victoria.
Thank you again! and
keep safe!
Despite the low dam level, it was such a wonderful sight and so well worth the trek out there! 🤩🌊 The landscapes to and from the dam, including Queen Victoria, were absolutely astonishing, some in their green splendour and yet others in their starkness. We loved this trip too and are so happy to hear that you enjoyed it all with us! Thank you for coming along on every single adventure of ours! 🚙😁
Thanks Dustbugs for taking us along on this surprise adventure, these are the episodes that will make you famous or what you are famous for...off the beaten track to marvel the stunning countryside, the farms, the produce and the dam infrastructure...I noted that truck marked "staff transport", farmers such as this one are not given enough kudos for their endeavors for their staff, to ensure that they are travel safely and securely. An incredible episode, I've watched it three times already. Incredible scenes 👏
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the gravel road and the landscapes to Kouga Dam, it was a fantastic trip which we both enjoyed thoroughly! 🚙🌊⛰️ We were on the road a few times during lunchtimes and it's quite hectic for everyone to get home or to the place where they will have their lunch. Clearly well-oiled machines these farms are! 🍊🍋
Thank you for this video of the drought. So nice to see the Kouga Dam overflowing on 30th September 2023…
Absolutely stunning trip.the scenery the vegetation whatever are all super excellent. Thanks for this trip. You know how to sniff out all the nice places in our country. A trip well done and you gave us so much detail i appreciate it. Well done and till the next one. Glad i have a season ticket and know my seat is booked!
Season ticket confirmed! ✅ The landscapes and the vegetation were spectacular along this route and we absolutely loved every kilometre! 🚙🌊⛰️ It's a beautiful part of our country which we're glad to have explored.
Thanks for taking me to my old hometown dam. Today it's overflowing. Absolutely beautiful
I love Sonia’s wonderment ☺️
So do I! She has a very long list of things she loves! 🥰
The area is beautifully maintained by staff of the Gamtoos Irrigation Board. Thanks to them for their hard work, because a national treasure like this does not keep itself clean and so well maintained❤
The water goers into a pipeline . Port Elizabeth usually gets water from this dam .
Interesting! Thank you for the info! 👌🏻🌊
30% is piped to the city. The rest supports agriculture so that people are fed😊 That's why the irrigation channels are there
Looks like it is going to be a beautiful drive. My first time in the rural Eastern Cape. The music is so fitting. I can also see a tinge of winter in the sky. Melancholy setting in.
I'm glad you're visiting the Eastern Cape with us, a truly beautiful region! I hope the melancholy didn't take over the mood, there was so much to celebrate in this episode! And we hope for rain to fill up the dam! 🌊🤩
🙏🙏for rain.
Stunningly beautiful, thank you
Indeed! Thank you for coming along! 🚙🌊⛰️
I really enjoy Sonia’s contributions and laughs….. very distinctive 🤣😊🥰
Our land gamtoos valley is buotiful and our dams look great as they were before
This was my favorite. Really enjoyed it
I'm so happy to hear that, thank you! 🚙🤩
Thanx for taking us to the Kouga Dam which I have never seen before...but the Queen Victoria's profile I seen loong time ago...very interesting.
I'm so glad you came to Kouga Dam with us. It's an impressive structure! 🚙🌊 I'm happy that you could wave at Queen Victoria again too! 👸🏻⛰️
@@DustBugsTravel 😀
Always lovely to see game in its natural habitat!
Hi Everyone @ Dustbugs Travel Thank You So Much For Sharing Your Beautiful Audio And Video Very Interesting Thank You @ Dustbugs Travel 👍👍❤️❤️
I'm glad you enjoyed our visit to Kouga Dam! It was a fantastic experience! 🚙🤩🌊
Hi Everyone @ Dustbugs Travel Thank You So Much For The Beautiful Red Heart and Thank You So Much For Enjoying My Messages and Comments @ Dustbugs Travel 👍👍❤️❤️
@@DustBugsTravel Hi Everyone @ Dustbugs Travel Thank You So Much For Your Beautiful Message And Comment Too And Is Am Also Very Happy You Enjoyed Your Visit @ Kouga Dam Although They Now Have A Drought Years Gone By Use To Have Rains Heavily And That Dam Use To Be Full Full When We Use To Go Over It In Sea Planes Or Helicopters That Bridge You Could Just See The Top Part Of It @ Dustbugs Travel ❤️❤️👍👍
Beautifil dam, beautifil area - thankyou for sharing.
Indeed a truly beautiful area. And the dam is spectacular! Thank you for coming along with the two of us! 🚙🌊⛰️
I loved this video. Very informative. Rose bushes are planted at the end of plantation rows to attract insects away from the plantations. This is why white rose bushes are planted within vineyards
i viewed this episode on 19 November and the Dam level was 100.5 percent . thank goodness for the good rains in the past few months
Wow I like the background music playing. ❤️❤️❤️
The views as you go towards the river👌👌👌👌 Sad about the low levels of the water!
Hey you two what a lovely video the lemon and orange orchards too beautiful. Wow and the dam what a lovely surprise. love watching and you sharing your travels. Happy and safe travels👏👏👏🙏🙏
Dam is over 30% now...God is good!
Look great
I am so glad to be back... And this video sure gave me chills on how much i have missed out.. Thank you... Really looking forward to many more😇
And we're so happy to have you back! 🚙🤩 I'm glad you enjoyed this one, it's really a spectacularly beautiful area. Don't be a stranger now!
@@DustBugsTravel never.. Im sitting right next to dusty on the back😅
The second bridge just before Rooinek Farm, is the Groot Rivier. Its catchment area is around Steytlerville area. It does not feed the Kouga Dam.
Loved it aswell Sonia.😍
So happy to hear that! 🥰🚙
Hehehe.....love the Rooinek Boerdery
Wonder of daai du Preez een engelse woord ken. Behalwe vloekwoorde
@Frederik Brits Sonia enjoyed that one too! 🤣
Born in Bloemfontein and whst I see now
I wil.very proud
Thank you for watching. 🚙👌🏻
Mooi wereld, thanks guys
Sure! Thanks for joining us! 🚙🌊⛰️
This is one of the main dams supplying Port Elizabeth. It's very wierd that after the good rains in the Karoo, the PE area stays in Drought. The rains from the Cape seem to pass them out at sea while going north along the coast to KZN.
It was sad to see the dam so empty, but it's still a beautiful sight all the same! 🌊🤩 I suppose not quite enough rain fell in the catchment area to have caused a significant rise in the level, but I'm just guessing. 🤷♂️ I hope they do get good rain soon.
How long is that tunnel? Wow👏👏
It's actually rather short, perhaps around 150m, but that's a guess on my part. 🚇🚙
Being from the gamtoos, i think you need a guide because you keep on speculating in the wrong direction.
Funny we must've missed the signs that said only people who know everything about the Gamtoos Valley are allowed to explore the area! Normally folks are happy to welcome tourists to their area, even although they don't know everything like you clearly do. We bow down to your superior knowledge of your area. This is our channel though and we'll continue exploring and 'speculating' WITHOUT a guide just as we do now. Your choice entirely to watch! 😁
Hi guys back on the gravel. I always thought red soil was very fertile .the game lodge loved the entrance also great to see the springbok. Drone footage brilliant over the aloes forest and citrus fields I am from a generation that grew up on OUTSPAN ORANGES beautiful ripple mountains. Then the Rooinek farm it reminds me of driving in my van and the black guy who worked for me kept staring at me after a while I said what are you staring at he said I don't understand you're a white man boss but you have a red neck lol .fantastic scenery and the dam aswell then to top it off the profile of Queen Victoria spot on .I thought. South African scenery at its best. Thanks for taking me along. Its appropriate for Rooinek to be mentioned as today's St George's day. Amazing video cheerio till the next one
We'll always be back on gravel, you know that! 🚙😁 Outspan oranges were the only oranges we knew as kids too! 🍊 Funny story about your red neck, I had a good chuckle! But then again I have one too! 🤣 You must've felt quite at home in this area with Queen Victoria making an appearance and all! 👸🏻 The dam and the scenery on the way there was absolutely breathtaking!