Adventures at Mosaic Lodge

         This eco lodge was originally started by a couple from Tennessee, USA. When they sold it so they could retire, it was with the understanding that the staff would remain and the commitment to the ecology of the area would remain in place. And so it has. all products are locally sourced. The chefs are incredible. The spa, relaxing. In a blog that I have not published I did a little rant about makeup. As I like to always support the local economy, I booked a facial at the spa. 

Here’s the before…

 During…

After…

        In the meantime, sometime between before and during, we went on a boat cruise on the Klein River at the foot of the Kleinrivier Mountains. The boat took us from Stanford down the river toward the lagoon and back. The group included 4 Brits who are adding to our vocabulary so if you read knickers, posh, lovely, brilliant, you may attribute it to their influence. They were the most lovely foursome and all had such great senses of humor. The first time we met, one of the men asked, so how’s your liver doing?  Which here, is a fair question!

The river is lined with lots of vegetation and many species of birds.

We had a stop for a swim.

Vitalis, our activities guide had refreshment for us also.

Now you know why the liver question is not only fair but brilliant. What a relaxing cruise on a beautiful day. 

        When we returned it was to a lunch of a salad topped with strips of ostrich which was absolutely delicious. Then Dennis went off to do a quad bike ride and I was off to the spa.

 

Dennis’s two cents…

        Today is January 30th and our last night at Mosaic Lodge located 6 miles from the small town of Stanford, south AFrica. I would consider it an “all inclusive” resort. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included with an accomplished chef on staff. There’s a fully stocked bar in the lodge and like our meals, everything is complimentary. 

        Last night as we gathered to dine and talk with fellow travelers, it was a little too complimentary, if you get my drift. There are also a number of activities included, the pontoon cruise and swimming in the river, off roading with good sized quad bikes, guided hikes through the bush, mountain bike trails and more. 

        Yesterday I went quad biking. It was a blast! They are 266 cc bikes and the trails are pretty tough. Cindy decided to pass and I think it was a good decision. I don’t believe her back would have handled it well. 

        There’s also a nice plunge pool near our hut that I’ll visit when I’m done writing. We leave here at 10 AM tomorrow heading to another lodge for a 5 night stay. It’s around 100 miles from here or about 2 hours by car. I’ll fill you in on what transpires there after a few days…

        

It’s refreshing!

 

Leaving Moontide and Arriving at Mosaic Eco Lodge

         We both loved Moontide Riverside Lodge. Can Natalee top it? It was an easy walk along the river to Salinas Bar & Restaurant, the beach at the Indian Ocean or into the town of Wilderness. Dennis could swim, suck prawns for fishing and then fish as well as paddle a canoe on the river. His last fish swallowed the hook and he couldn’t save it to throw back into the water. He gave it Edmond. Edmond dredged it with flour and egg and fried it. He said it was delicious. This was a place at which we both could have happily stayed longer.

        We took a couple of side trips. One to Knysna on a sunset cruise. Our driver Anton took us up to the top of the headland for a fantastic view of the ocean below wildly throwing itself into the estuary. 

        Later on the cruise we got to see the view looking up from below.

        The next day, our last in Wilderness, we drove up into the mountains around Wilderness to see the “map of Africa” and the oldest tree in the country.  800 years and counting…

        Each day started with a large breakfast—fruit kebabs, warm croissants, fruit juices, rooibus tea, coffee, cappuccino, eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, grilled tomato, toast, omelette, French toast, all made fresh to order. Our first day we were in the dining room. After that the weather has been gorgeous and we’ve had our breakfast on the terrace overlooking the river. 

Every day begins beautifully…and now we have traveled four hours southwest to the Mosaic Eco Lodge which is tranquil, and fantastically beautiful.

Everyday brings a new surprise. What an adventure!