S1 - Ep 392 - Montagu - Nestled Amidst Majestic Mountains!

Our time in Montagu was absolutely incredible. The drive there offered breathtaking views of natural beauty, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience. Upon arrival, we eagerly checked into our accommodation and began to explore this charming town. The historical buildings, steeped in rich stories of the past, painted a vivid picture of Montagu's humble beginnings and the incredible effort it took to transform it into the picturesque place it is today. Nestled amidst majestic mountains and criss-crossed by serene rivers, the town provided a truly immersive experience. Our stay at Montagu Springs was equally delightful, with inviting pools and soothing hot springs nearby. The melodious birdsong that filled the air as I strolled around added to the tranquility of the place. Without a doubt, Montagu is a must-visit destination if you happen to be in the area. #DustBugs #adventuretravel #southafrica #southafricavlog #travelongravel #westerncape #montagu #montagusprings
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[@veronicabekker5556]

Thank you, Dustbugs! I spent many holidays in Montagu. Oupa and Ouma Koch lived there just over the walking bridge.... In the sixties and early seventies.... My aunt had a huge farm in the Koo. Apples and pears... Wonderful! Thank you. God is good.

[@DustBugsTravel]

You have such wonderful memories of special people and times in this area, thank you so much for sharing those with us! 😊 I appreciate you coming back to Montagu with us two! 🚙😁

[@dawnbarnes1361]

Wow I love Montague ❤️ It's beautiful and so clean. The mountains, bird life and houses all grabbed me. I can imagine sitting every evening, on one of those stunning verandas, with a glass of wine 🍷 or beer 🍺 watching the sunset on the mountain side. Thank you once again for a lovely trip 😂❤

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm right there on that veranda with you, beer in hand and the ibis in the trees keeping us entertained! 😁🍻🌄 Montagu is a fantastic place and I do hope you get to visit it one day too! Thanks for coming with us in the meantime. 🚙😊

[@clayauslewis4236]

Another surprising video. So wonderful you get off the beaten track and bring us some real gems. Montagu Springs looks like a such a lovely place. Definitely worth checking out when we get there, time permitting! Bring on 2024!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed this one too! 🚙🤩 Having too many options when travelling, is a wonderful problem to have. If you do have spare time, checking out Montagu will definitely be worth your while! 👌

[@tonynz9954]

What a nice trip through Barrydale and Montagu. I share the same love for stone walls and houses as Sonia. So many buildings and houses in Queenstown , Arrowtown and Alexander built with the same stone. A shame you missed out on going into the old original NG Kerk and saddest of all , the Brandewyn !! At least Curtis was not driving around babalas. Jukskei was so popular with Afrikaners. What a shame it has died off. I guess it is the same for Petanque in France. Even die Engelse sport van Croquet is dying off. Both Barrydale and Montagu are such tidy towns. The homes in Montagu are beautifully built and so well cared for. Lekker dry fruit in Montagu .Also lovely wines. I can understand now why David Kramer wrote his song about Montagu. He obviously loved the Muscatel wine there. Montagu reminds me so much of Alexander in Central Otago. Only 2 hours drive from Invercargill. Especially with the rocky mountain in the background, the fruit orchards and vineyards. Sonia I always buy Rump Steak for biltong because it has a nice layer of fat. Really enjoyed seeing both towns.Especially Barrydale, as I was last there in 1968. It has grown. Thanks again.👍🥰

[@DustBugsTravel]

Oh no, my brandy days are long behind me now! 😁🥃 I would've loved to see the workings of the distillery though. Yes, anything built with stone, and especially old stone, really gets Sonia going. She absolutely loves it! 😍💒🏡 Montagu is a spectacular, well-kept place and it was a joy to visit. It's interesting to read of the similarities in architecture between SA and NZ, we hope to visit NZ one day too. Thanks for visiting these two pretty towns with us this weekend! 🚙👌🏻

[@christinagodinho9384]

What a beautiful town with colonial buildings and mountains. I loved it ! ❤

[@susannaemmerich1166]

That was great, lovely place. Did not think one would find Coral trees there. Take care.🙃👍🙏

[@DustBugsTravel]

The coral trees were absolutely gorgeous and their flowers so bright red! 🌳❤ I'm glad you enjoyed this episode of our visit to Montagu. It really is a beautiful town. 🚙😁

[@vkaitakirwa]

Stunning. Easily one of the best towns you have visited.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm glad you enjoyed! 🚙🤩

[@alexfladung]

Wow! Loved that! Imagine living there.... (sigh)

[@AndrewFranklin-w2r]

Wonderful, wonderful memories of a beautiful town and growing up in the 80s when my parents were one of the first to buy a home in the then-new Montagu Springs development in 1983. They eventually sold in 1995/6, but the amazing memories of a beautiful part of the world will remain forever. Thank you very much indeed. Your videos are top drawer!

[@joyfredbaartman6305]

My hometown 😍

[@DustBugsTravel]

You're very fortunate to live in such a beautiful town! Thank you for watching our video. 🚙😍

[@bramprins229]

So nice to sea your movies. In about 20 days we are also there. Greets from The Netherlands

[@markduncan-brown4717]

Thank you for the good research and the birds... little egrets, sacred ibis, weavers.. those ibis are chased away out here.. far east. Awesome architecture.

[@DustBugsTravel]

And thank you for filling in some of the blanks with the bird names! 👌🏻🐦 It was quite the experience to see so many different birds at a small pond in the middle of a town like Montaqu, fortunately the ibis are a little quieter than their hadeda relatives. 😁 The architecture in Montaqu and how it has been preserved, was for sure on of the many highlights of this visit for us. 🚙🏛️💒🏡

[@davidjacobsen308]

Did you actually get into the springs? They are located in walking distance from the holiday cabin you rented. The hot springs are lovely. And the resort brings back good memories from childhood and it appears it hasn't changed from the 80s lol.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Nope, I didn't. I was told by the Avalon Springs staff that the water is pumped to the pools and that I couldn't get to the source, which is really what I wanted to see. The holiday resort definitely has an 80's vibe, but it was fun staying there all the same. 🚙😁

[@davidjacobsen308]

​@@DustBugsTravel The source is underground, right?

[@DustBugsTravel]

Must be bubbling up from underground somewhere, yes. In my view at least. 😁

[@MariaVenter-n4k]

The 'lake' you saw is indeed the leidam where the irrigation water is stored. We dont clean the dam in breeding season so that the birds won't be disturbed

[@angieswartz4676]

Thank you 😊 DustBugs, for sharing all your amazing adventures & all your hard work. I look so forward everyday to another wonderful video 🤗 I have learned so much about our beautiful country, thanks to you both! 🥰

[@DustBugsTravel]

It's our pleasure to take you along as we learn more about these places ourselves. Thank you for hopping on board each time, we appreciate that so much! 🚙😁

[@Helgardt6189]

Have you guys been to De Doorns yet ? Such a nice town to visit.

[@DustBugsTravel]

We've visited the town before and we included footage of a drive through the town in an episode shortly after we started our channel, but I honestly can't remember which one it was. 🚙🤷🏻‍♂️ We hope to explore the town on a future trip.

[@Helgardt6189]

Beautiful route if you travel on N1 past De Doorns going to Touws River and taking the Montagu turn of.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Good to know. I've found all the routes in that area to be great drives with pretty scenery. 🚙⛰️🌳

[@thepenelopejones]

While you didn't show it, I hope you got stop at *Die Kloof Padstaal* situated along the famous historical Long Street, as you head out of Montagu towards Roberston/Worcester. A roadside farmstall and restaurant that has endured through many natural disastors! Expanded to include a nursery and winery, their table menu is outstanding, while the gift shop has the most delicious jams++ what a treat to be on this trip with you today 🧁💕👌

[@DustBugsTravel]

Not this time around, no. We had brunch there and also stocked up on dried fruit there on a previous visit though. This time, we stocked up somewhere else as you saw and still had plenty left to nibble on that day. 🚙😁 Thank you for joining us in Montagu!

[@thepenelopejones]

😍@@DustBugsTravel

[@vaughangarrick]

28:18. Called a Holbol gable dents and curves…holbol

[@tillie9530]

Thanks so much for driving past our home at 37:04 ... brick rust color house with three arches in front. It was our home since 1969 (I was 12 years old then) and only sold it after my Mom passed away September 2006. So many memories!

[@teresawhite6112]

Thank you sharing 🙂 Your videos of Mossel Bay and George brought tears to my eyes because that was my home for 9 years. I now live on the Canary Islands but still love to watch your videos because they bring me closer to home❤

[@joyfredbaartman6305]

Old station. The maroon/red railway busses dropped and picked up people there traveling between Montagu & Cape Town back in the days.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for the info, we just couldn't quite figure it out. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@AdrienneLouw-hl3fg]

Spent a wonderful December in Montagu camped at Montagu caravan park, the best.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Sounds like fun! 🏕️

[@user-xz6rb7dv9k]

Thank you for taking us to Montagu, I've said this about almost every place you've taken us but this trip was absolutely wonderful, well definitely go there for a long weekend, you never disappoint us, safe travels DustBugs. 🚗🌍🌈

[@DustBugsTravel]

A long weekend in Montagu will be a fantastic experience for you and your loved ones, I have no doubt about that! 🚙🤩 The beauty is truly endless! Thank you for visiting with us in the meantime! 😁

[@nerinemartin5901]

Im speechless..South Africa ...im running out of adjectives❤❤😊😊

[@terrimeyer3815]

Spectacular place 🎉 everything about this town is CUTENESS. Another relaxing back seat drive. After a lekker braai .... dustbugs is on the relax menu ❤❤❤❤ Baie dankie

[@DustBugsTravel]

The braai sounds awesome, I'm jealous! 😁🥩🔥 I hope the relax menu was just as tasty as the main one! Montagu is a cool place, it was awesome to discover a little more of it. 🚙🤩

[@mariusroos]

I love Montagu and know it very well. I also stayed over in the same facility you did. I love the mountains around the town. They also make very nice wine there. Amazing trip revitaluzing nemories of the past. A trip well done and thanks for pointing the monuments out to us. Beautiful vegetation and trees. Thanks for this trip and thanks that i could go with. The next one i am on board as usual.

[@DustBugsTravel]

The holiday resort was luckily quiet in September, but I can only imagine it buzzes in holiday season! It's a fun place to stay. I'm so glad you were once again reminded of special times in your own life. Those mountains are truly a spectacular sight! 😍⛰️ Thank you for coming with, seat ready for the next one! 🚙👍🏻

[@1812nico]

Hi you two! This was fantastic! Clearly Montagu is a town that has been growing and looking after itself and treasuring its history. Those gabled houses and buildings are really as charming as they must have been 160 years ago. From your drone view one can see that there are more than just a few of them. With large resorts like Montagu Springs this town must be bustling during holidays. The mountains you've shown shining in the morning light are spectacular. I've seldom seen Ibises in such numbers as those in that tree. We have our share of Hadedas here in the Jacaranda City, but they are but two or three at a time -- just enough to frighten one awake. Montagu is definitely on my wish list, but so are most of the other places in the WC you've taken me over the last few weeks! Going to be difficult to choose. Thank you again for this wonderful trip. I'll be on the roadside when you leave for the next one. Keep safe!

[@DustBugsTravel]

The drone shots show that Montagu is a large town and as beautiful from above as at street level. 😍 There are certainly many gabled houses to admire, many of them National Monuments and so deserving of that status. 🏡🏛️ We were gobsmacked at the number of ibis on Ibis Corner as we dubbed it, wowzer! I didn't know where to look. I'm sure the folks in that street don't need alarm clocks! The beauty of the WC is that you don't have to choose, you can easily visit quite a few places in one day because they're all relatively close together. 🚙😁

[@Neil1952100]

As always, thanks for your great visits to beautiful places. Just a question - how come you never went to the English Fort at Cogmanskloof? I ask because I never went there on my only visit to Montagu either. Please, I'm not complaining, I just thought that you would be interested.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Montagu is a really gorgeous place, thank you for coming along! 🚙😁

[@emmerentiagroenewald3694]

Lucky lady!!❤

[@DustBugsTravel]

Indeed! 😍

[@HeleenVenter-j3r]

Ek en my man is gek oor julle videos. Julle het ons geinspireer om n trip van Malenane na Weskaap te doen. Ons sien soooo uit daarna!

[@ronnykenny3965]

Another super duper trip, I too was dissapointed, so wanted to see the hot springs Curtis but it is what it is so we'll move on😅. It's another town I would be privileged to live in. The wild life is astonishing. Got my snacks, pillow & blanket ready for trip 🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🥰

[@DustBugsTravel]

I like the sound of you being ready already for the next one, not too long to wait! I hope there'll be enough snacks to share and you know we like the biltong and droëwors kind! 🚙😁🥓 I'm glad you enjoyed Montagu with all the beauty it has on offer, it's a fantastic place to visit and I'm sure to live in. 😍

[@annawitter5161]

Tradouw pass is one of my fave journeys. Ive been on a few holidays in Montague. Always beautiful. Just can get seriously busy. Visited Avelon Springs once but it was so crowded , the pools all bursting with people, that it just wasnt worth it. There was a dried fruit factory where you could buy for cheaper. Oooh! Mebos!! My mouth is watering.The voortrekker monument is beautiful. The monument walking tour sounds amazing. Would love to do that. The old buildings are so beautiful. Yes, Montagu is a sort of ibis paradise, we also saw swags of them. The mountains are so beautiful in the setting sun. The De Waal bridge is so cute. Lovely to hear all the birds. Thank you for happy memories of Montague

[@DustBugsTravel]

Beauty of every kind abounds in Montagu and surrounds. ⛰️🌳🏛️🐦 We could definitely sense that the holiday resorts must get super busy over holiday season and, being someone who doesn't like crowds too much, I was rather relieved to have visited in a quieter time of year. The mountains surrounding the town are incredible from every angle. I thought the prices of the nuts and dried fruit were very reasonable, as 2023 prices go. 🍑🥜 The walking tour would be the perfect way to explore Montagu for those who are able to walk that far and who have the time to do so. An absolute overload of gorgeous buildings and sights everywhere! 🚙😍

[@powerq21]

Hi Guys, just came across this video. Thank you for this, it was lovely to ride along with you. In respect of the station - it is definitely a railway station complex. In addition to the station building itself, many of the associated buildings would have been workshops to maintain the lines and the trains, as well as warehouses storing the goods brought in by rail until they could be distributed. Rail was the main way that regions like Montagu got goods and people in, and produce out, back in the day. With the development of the road network and better, bigger trucks, from around the mid-1950's, a lot of traffic shifted to road, and the rail network was far less utilised. With this falling demand, the railway complex would have been re-purposed and the buildings first let out, then sold, to other concerns. The railway lines as well as any supporting infrastructure would have been taken up, dismantled or removed, and roads resurfaced, buildings and yards extended over the land where the railway once ran, such that any trace of the tracks would be obliterated, and it would be impossible to see where the tracks even ran. So yes, it was indeed once a railway station, serviced by both rail and road - the busses another poster mentioned - that has been repurposed. We have the same thing in Durban - the old railway station and shunting yard have been repurposed into a shopping centre and private offices, and the massive shunting yard grounds are now a park, under which was built a car parking garage! Not a trace of a railway line left! A new railway station was built a few kilometres outside of Durban, and all the lines now stop there. All the best.

[@MariaVenter-n4k]

@@powerq21 no way of ever building a railway through the Kogmanskloof to Montagu and with Ashton and the KOO factory only 8km from Montagu those days, no need for a station ♡

[@lee-anneadams9222]

BHi Curtis Sonia and Dusty, once a fantastic drive, I love seeing Dusty, when you turn the camera 😂, thanks for awesome adventure ❤

[@DustBugsTravel]

How cute of you to include Dusty in your comment! 😍🧸 I must admit that I smile every time when I see him on the footage while I'm editing. He is our trusted companion and we can't even imagine going on trips without him again. I'm glad you enjoyed our visit to Montagu, thank you for joining the three of us! 🚙😁

[@lee-anneadams9222]

@@DustBugsTravel you were my hero when you saved him the side of the road and brought him along on the travels, so 😁😁

[@rebeccavanderwalt9920]

Another beauty ❤

[@DustBugsTravel]

Indeed, that it most defnitely is! 🚙😍

[@philyew3617]

(Today is Saturday 7 October 2023). You just brought tears to my eyes, I love Montagu and have stayed in the town every year since 2010, sometimes twice a year, except for Covid. I was actually there when the world closed down. I got a call from the airline telling me I had less than six hours to get back to where I was staying, pack up everything, get to CPT airport, return the hire car, and check-in to get back to the UK. I managed it with about 40 minutes to spare but, I don't think that hire car would ever be the same again🙂. The small dam in the town centre has an amazing range of birdlife and I've spent many hours watching the Weaver birds in their amzing nests. Did you get to visit the museum? It's fascinating. And it's a pity you were not in town on Saturday- The market held every Saturday morning, just by the side of the Church is a treat with all the home-made produce and other items available, especially the Ontbyt😋. I will be there again in mid November visiting friends at the end of my trip around KZN. Thank you for this amazing video.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Wow, thank you for sharing your experiences and memories of the lovely town of Montagu! Those sound like mostly happy tears, so I'm glad we could take you back before you visit again yourself next month. 🚙😁 The museum was closed because we arrived rather late in the afternoon and we had to have an early start again the next day. We've visited the Saturday market next to the church on a previous occasion and saw some incredible handmade articles there. Copper twirling sprinklers specifically come to mind! Thank you for watching.

[@corneelssnyman4330]

Unfortunately you have only covered 10% of Montagu.

[@DustBugsTravel]

And what an incredible 10% it was! 🚙😁

[@susaneverton5760]

It's so nice of you two lovely people to show us all the beautiful places in our beautiful country, can't stop watching these videos, thank you so much.

[@Scotty7268]

I remember Koo, Ashton and LKB canned foods.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Big fruit country this area. 🍎🍏🍐

[@tecnospark6231]

All your videos are always good. Thank you

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you so much, that is very kind of you. 🚙😁 We appreciate you watching!

[@lebogangmamome2839]

Good day! I heard you mentioning National Hospital in Bloemfontein yes it's still operational but they were busy with some renovations so other services had to be taken to Universitas Hospital I used to do Bedwatch there while I was a Prison Warder just wish Bloemfontein can regain its awesomeness again our city has fallen to the dogs it's heartbreaking. Thank you for another interesting episode of travel.

[@MariaVenter-n4k]

The station was used as a busstop for the railway busses that up passengers there and delivered goods from nearby stations. Montagu has no railways ♡♡

[@MariaVenter-n4k]

The name of the blue house is indeed the Dutch for 'cats corner'. Welcome to our street.

[@monicaalberts8130]

Wonderf!! I hope you went to artist Francois Krige studio ❤

[@hendrienel2259]

Dankie dankie dankie

[@DustBugsTravel]

Only a pleasure. 🚙😁

[@rebeccavanderwalt9920]

Was that your own drone footage?

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yes, always my own footage. 👍🏻 Should I ever use anyone else's footage, I'll credit the creator on-screen.

[@rebeccavanderwalt9920]

@@DustBugsTravel chuckle, why I was asking, is because I think this is the first time I’ve seen you use drone shots since I’ve joined the channel, and I think it would be great if you could use it more often 😁 I think the technical supporters of your channel need to devise a contraption so that you don’t need to hold your camera out the window to film whilst driving. 😂

[@charlietreston4035]

Hi guys what a charming town full of national monuments beautiful colonial houses with the stunning. Mountains as a back drop .your accommodation was like a mobile home in wonderful grounds the shop with dried fruits and nuts was full and a great selection with the boeremusik playing .the voortrekker monument was different with the little wagons loved the anti aircraft gun !!! So many many thatched houses with lovely fan lights amazing it was great driving over the forde throw the water Joseph Barry got about built the church aswell. Quaint little st Mildred's was lovely. KWV buildings were great plus the history I'm sure they made brandy ? Lady Dewaal got to open two bridge's brilliant. I've left the wildlife to the end amazing amount of ibis and also Dassies only in SA. Thanks for taking me along cheerio till the next one 🎉

[@DustBugsTravel]

Our accommodation took me back to some parts of upstate NY where we saw mobile homes exactly like the one we stayed in. It was very comfortable and gave us a real holiday feeling! ☀️⛱️ So you still recognise boeremusiek, I just love that! 😁🎶 KWV produces wine and spirits, but I know why you associate brandy with KWV. We also always used to think only about 10 or 20-year old brandy when we heard the name KWV! 🥃 The wildlife is always the crowning glory of any visit, I'm 100% with you! 🐦🦔

[@drmarthinusjordaan8697]

Thank you Jordaan country

[@danielprinsloo2917]

Great video as usual. My sister-in-law Allison passed away last year December 2022 in Montagu. Sad. Thank you again for your efforts , Enjoy your breakfast

[@DustBugsTravel]

Our sincere condolences for your great loss. 😥 Hopefully seeing Montagu again on our video reminded you of good times with your sister-in-law. Thank you for coming to check out this pretty town with us! 🚙😊

[@teresagillmer9464]

52:40 Wasn't there a bad flooding again at Montagu recently at the Springs

[@DustBugsTravel]

There was indeed. Both Montagu Springs and Avalon Springs have sustained serious flood damage and both resorts are currently still closed while the sites are fixed and cleared up. 😨🌊

[@MariaanPretorius-e4h]

😊

[@annacassisa9151]

Ek admireer die twee van julle. Julle praat so mooi met met mekaar, êk vertrou dit is dieselfde wanneer die kamera afgeskakel word, net ñ simpel grappie hòor. En jy mnr doen uitstekende werk met jou kamera, dit is "smooth sailing" baie geĺuk. Dit is wonderlik as mens so iets kan doen, soos julle doen want êk kan hoor julle geniet dit terdeë. Was julle al deur Napier, Bredasdorp, my dorp, en Arniston? Kom julle, ons wag. B/Dorp

[@DustBugsTravel]

We do argue too, make no mistake! 😁 We visited the places you mentioned very soon after we started documenting our travels, so our format has evolved vastly since then. You can check out Napier in Episode 40, Bredasdorp and Arniston in Episode 33 and thereabouts. We didn't explore in-depth like we do nowadays, it was all about the gravel roads back then! Enjoy! 🚙👌🏻

[@RussellBooysen]

Very nice atmosphere it takes me back to the 1970s my childhood years.Thx for the video 😊

[@nelsonchinasamy9857]

Am I right, this is between the Huguenot tunnel and Wourster. I have a friend there and want to visit

[@DustBugsTravel]

No, it's about 190km northeast of Cape Town, between Robertson and Barrydale. The map at the beginning of the episode should also help you place it. 🚙😁

[@nelsonchinasamy9857]

@@DustBugsTravel thank you sir, I really want to visit there.. You guys are a great help to us adventurers.

[@emmerentiagroenewald3694]

They have the Ukrainian flag colours on their produce....!! Good !🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🌻🌻🌻🙏🙏❤

[@DustBugsTravel]

Okay, if you say so. We didn't notice that. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ganjabobby]

Oh please, can we just enjoy beautiful South Africa and leave others' politics out of it? Because half the flags in the world also need representing.

[@DustBugsTravel]

@ganjabobby Not everyone views life the same and therefore not everyone views our videos the same. That's part of the beauty of travelling! 🇿🇦🌍