S1 - Ep 419 - Dordrecht!

As we were headed to our overnight stay in Dordrecht, our journey was marked by numerous veld fires and road works, but fortunately neither caused any significant delays. Upon entering the town, the sight of an exquisite old sandstone church welcomed us, setting the tone for a fascinating and picturesque experience. As we took a leisurely drive down the main road, our excitement grew as we marvelled at the abundance of historic buildings. We drove down a back road which led us to the surprising discovery of the old jail, with roots dating back to 1885, leaving us in awe of its historical significance. Our stay in Dordrecht was pleasant and we eagerly continued our exploration the following day. #DustBugs #adventuretravel #southafrica #southafricavlog #travelongravel #easterncape #dordrecht
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[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

I feel as if I am being taken to places I will never visit. Fascinating.

[@DustBugsTravel]

We find them just as fascinating, that's why we just have to share! 🚙

[@emmerentiagroenewald3694]

I am so pleased that they are fixing the roads👍👍👍❤!!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yes, us too. We'll brave the stop-and-go's for better roads. 🚙🛣️

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

Beautiful.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm glad you enjoyed! 🚙🤩

[@nicolenegrobler8289]

Hi Dustbugs, the cornerstone at The Angelican Church Dordrecht ...you walked past it twice....in sandstone... Next to the gutter on your way to the broken window.... On video 34.36m on your video..... we enjoy your channel with my dad.... Amazing, Love it, Crazy😂

[@volksieza]

Looked like 24 Oct 1888

[@rudiekeyser2495]

Exactly, Cheers, Strand.😂

[@DustBugsTravel]

@nicolenegrobler8289 Thank you for the info on the cornerstone. 👌🏻💒 I'm glad you and your dad enjoy our videos, thank you for coming along! 🚙😁

[@ingeborgvanderveer789]

Yes, Dordrecht 🎉🥳, die van ons is beroemd in het rijtje van ‘Drechtsteden’. Jammer dat ze niet opnamen toen Sonia belde 😂. Altijd verrassend jullie route want ik had wel gehoopt doch niet meer verwacht dat die weer een stukje oostwaarts zou gaan. Prachtig gelegen met nieuwe asfalt wegen zonder potholes, olé, het lijkt bijna of jullie door Nederland rijden (maar dan met veeeeel minder verkeer) 🤗. Helemaal eens met jullie voorkeur voor de oude NG kerk, qua grandeur kan die zeker wedijveren met de oude Dordrecht kerk in het moederland. De dominee van bijna 100 jaar, die kon vast veel verhalen vertellen als een lopend geschiedenisboek. Die moderne versie toont wel aan hoe razendsnel architectuur aan smaak en verandering onderhevig is. Triest het verval van de kleine Anglican Church, die maandelijkse dienst lijkt verleden tijd. Wonderlijk dat ook nu weer bij de gevangenis een bord staat met Welcome to … Het klinkt zo uitnodigend dat je je bijna vrijwillig laat opnemen. Oh wow, al filmt ze jou, Sonia’s diner zag er zalig uit! En met een biertje erbij heb je een ‘goede bekomst’ 🍻😋. Daarna nog in het mooie bad geweest? Altijd aangenaam na een lange reisdag. ‘Algemene motorhawe’, zo leuk het Afrikaans, bij die garage gaf je je chrevolet gerust in onderhoud. Komisch dat de Kwid motor spontaan even stil valt als Sonia uitroept “the station!’, alsof de auto voelt dat ie even ondergeschikt is aan een mogelijke trein. Indrukwekkend groot terrein, jammer voor de jeugd dat het opleidingscentrum verleden tijd is. Tot slot, goed om te zien dat het Boeren oorlog monument met de dappere strijder bovenop in goede staat verkeert, met zelfs een Van Deventer als gesneuvelde. Circa 120 jaar na de strijd zijn ze nog steeds niet vergeten 🙏

[@DustBugsTravel]

I think Sonia may have been a little too early for the Dutch Dordrecht church office to answer their phones. 💒😁 I love it when our viewers expect us to go a certain direction and then we go in another! It was good to see the roadworks on our way to town, we're always for keen for the improvement of roads. 🚙🛣️ I'm more of a shower kind-of-guy, so I didn't soak in the tub that night! 🛁

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

Thank you for taking us along.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Sure, we're happy to! 🚙😁

[@kdeldee]

Brought tears to my eyes. My grandparents Babs and Sims Marais lived @ 1 Tower street. The hotel was still a hotel. The funny looking little building was a beautiful clothes shop and there was a Foschini on the main road too. I went to the school for two years. I know my oupa added the rooster to the spire and I think he even played the organ in the church but that could just be mixed up memory. He played organ in the house for us kids. All by ear too. In later years my mom bought a farm called Uitkyk just on the outskirts of town. I think it was finally sold about 2/3 years ago when my stepdad died. I remember my ouma worked at the garage all through my childhood. On Saturdays she’d do shopping and she’d march up the road with me lagging behind. She was a fast walking woman! We’d stop at the coop. Often at the standard bank. I remember my oupa always had bags of coins he would deposit in those cloth bags. We’d go to the church in a Sunday and then it was the Sunday lunch and maybe a walk into the Kloof. Good memories.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Those sound like incredible memories and you have so many! You're very fortunate to be able to recall such special times with your family members. I appreciate you coming back to Dordrecht with us and sharing those special stories. 🚙😊

[@charlietreston4035]

Hi guys sent a comment yesterday but it didn't register hopefully you get this one. The town seems quiet but by the lovely architectural was once a grander place with the big store with amazing iron work and covered walkways. The old gaol was great we now all spell it jail like the Americans. Your first as usual was top notch witch is a credit to the family who runs it the service was amazing cold beers in the fridge and a delicious mest to eat love it .shame about the Anglecan church. The railway system. Use have one of the est in the world so sad its been left to rack and ruin .the town hall was in good nick lovely tiles depicting it's history the roll of honour just how much SA effort was given in both world wars the museum as always so interesting the street lamp with the fountain is a new one on me .the mix up with the phone realise its in the Netherlands brilliant so real this is why I love your videos so down to earth. The Huge spire and imposing Drf church was outstanding love the detail of the wheel on the gate the boer war memorial set it off no wonder iys a national monument nice to see the museum is being run privately as it shows how much they love their town one thing I did notice was the lovely sign writing on the carts .( a guy I know has just had a cart painted all be a lot fan ier it cost him 1500 pounds)

[@DustBugsTravel]

Got this one loud and clear! 😁 Dordrecht certainly has its fair share of old and historical buildings and one wanted to be more beautiful than the other. We were spoilt for choice! 💒🏛️ That gaol spelling gets me every time, I'm happy to settle for jail! Paying $1500 to have a cart painted! It must be one super fancy cart! I love it when folks are so passionate about the restoration of items. 🚙👌🏻

[@janniebasson]

My mom matriculated at Dordrecht High School in 1951. On a photo I have, I counted 8 pupils and the teacher.

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

Not only South Aftica but many places in the world.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Indeed. The list of places we'd still like to explore is very, very long! 😁🌎🌍🌏

[@tantaswamtombeni4850]

Omg, I went to primary school in that town. I had the best time

[@DustBugsTravel]

I can imagine, thank you for watching our video of your old hometown. 🚙😍

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

The museum is absolutely marvelous!!!!!!!

[@zinimountglobal]

It's really cool to see the Dutch Reformed Church.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Agreed! Such an exquisite stone building. 💒

[@800jaardordrecht2020]

Dear Friends, wonderful, can't wait to see it again. Jan Janssen, Dordrecht, Netherlands

[@DustBugsTravel]

Greetings to you in Dordrecht in The Netherlands! 🙋🏻‍♂️ Thank you for watching our video of your sister town in our country, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 🇿🇦🇱🇺

[@annawitter5161]

What a beautiful and fascinating town. Love the thunder on your first morning. I think the Kwid has as good accommodation as you two. Love the Anglican church, pity the bell had lost its tongue!! I think the church is no longer functional. What a bit of luck you managed to encounter the koster of the Dutch Reformed church. It is a magnificent church. 20 May was my dads birthday. I so appreciate memorials to those who fought in the two world wars and the anglo boer war. The museum is wonderful note to finish on.

[@DustBugsTravel]

The Kwiddie is always happy for a little retreat under-roof, it felt quite important! 🚙😁 Both stone churches were incredible, the one just a lot better looked after than the other. The Anglican Church tugged at our heartstrings a little, it deserves the TLC it so desperately needs. 💒😥 There was quite a bit of history in the town of Dordrecht, I'm glad you came along to share it with us!

[@terrimeyer3815]

I was fascinated again as its been decades since I was last in Dordrecht. A town spoken of often in our house as my mom and grandparents lived there for a while . Mom first job at Weirs Massey Furgeson... and totally blown away that it is still there opposite the Dutch Reformed Church since the 1960ies. It is a lovely place and neat and clean. Glad I hopped a ride along with my favorite peeps 🎉❤🎉😊😊😊😊😊😊😊h

[@DustBugsTravel]

They say the more things change, the more they stay the same. The fact that Massey Ferguson is still there where you remember them, is incredible to me. We had no point of reference for Dordrecht, so had no idea. 🤷🏻‍♂️🚜 We're so happy we could show you present-day Dordrecht and bring back some fond memories of family members and days gone by.

[@kennethdshort]

Also glad they are fixing the roads Another town I've heard of but never been to. Thanks Curtis , Sonia and Duaty for the opportunity ride with you. Love your videos.

[@DustBugsTravel]

You're so very welcome! The three of us love having you along and showing you new and familiar places. We hope to show you many more! 🚙😁

[@kennethdshort]

it would be cool if you could be back in Dordrecht for the centenary celebrations next year

[@DustBugsTravel]

I don't think we'll make that one, we only visit a place once. There are too many others waiting to be explored. 😁

[@PetroEngelbrecht-q9r]

Lovely memories thankyou. Incidentally Sea Cottage the famous race horse was born in the district. Saw it and rubbed his little nose. You need to go to Rossouw, Elliot, Indwe and the Barkly Pass beautiful country. Sonia you will love it.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm glad you were reminded of good times! I found the reference to Sea Cottage rather interesting, thank you. 🐎 We're not sure when we'll return to the Eastern Cape, there are so many other beautiful places we'd still like to explore. 🚙😁

[@1812nico]

Hi you two! Thank you for this great discovery of Dordrecht! I appreciated it to be welcomed to the town by those beautiful trees right at the start. The DRC stone building is majestic. Such a pity that the Anglican Church seems to be in disrepair and is only having services once a month. The trees in town seem all to have been brought there by the settlers over many years -- the surrounding flat land appearing mostly treeless. I think I even noticed willow trees on your drive-around. The rail station must have been big and busy when it was still in use. The variety of conservation in the museum makes it a real treasure house! I loved that photo of the large Merino, so loaded with wool! At least a number of the townspeople are clearly aware of Dordrecht's history. I hope they will be able to remain so. I'm ready for the next trip. Keep safe!

[@DustBugsTravel]

The trees in town were really beautiful, especially where they line the streets, we just love that! 🛣️🌳 The stone DR church is a very imposing and beautiful structure and I was so pleased that I was able to take a walk around it. 💒 I also thought the variety of items displayed in the museum was very cool and the woolly Merino brought a big smile to my face.

[@PetroEngelbrecht-q9r]

As you took the corner Curtis I saw the Massey Ferguson building where I worked. Well that brought back memories. I love your program ❤️❤️

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for sharing that personal memory. I'm so glad you enjoy our videos. 🚙🤩

[@axelmertens7762]

So much history in the towns that you travel too! Loved the museum ! Appreciate all the work that goes into your videos! Thank you Curtis and Sonja!

[@DustBugsTravel]

We love travelling and sharing our travels with you. 🚙😁 Editing is a ginormous job that eats up almost all my time, but I'm happy to do it. Thank you for hopping on board each time, we appreciate that!

[@pietbezuidenhout6735]

There we go, thank you so much for bringing back some great memories guys 🙏🙏 My mother is originally from a farm in the district and she and my dad was married in that beautiful stone church back in 1938! Thanks again and looking forward to enjoying more of your Dustbug Travels 😁😁

[@DustBugsTravel]

As long as they're great memories, I'm so happy we could take you back to Dordrecht. 😊 Wow, how special that stone church must be to you, it truly is a beautiful building and I'm sure your folks' wedding ceremony must've been a very special occasion. 💒

[@stuartgraham4894]

This takes me back, I was at boarding school in Queenstown and my best friends dad had a farm in doredrect and remember spending most weekends there.❤ such great memories. Keep up the great work with your videos.

[@TheSilmarallion]

My brother was a teacher at the highschool some years back. That Town has the most beautiful golf course parts of which was in the Anglo Boer War and still can see the canon shell markings on the rocks.

[@DaphneNaslund]

The tortoise you speak of named Ouma may be one that I once owned. If she has a cripple back leg and damage to her shell then she is the same one and is approximately 73 years old and I could give you her life story ❤. Thank you for turning that male tortoise back on it's feet. It could have died a horrible death.

[@susannaemmerich1166]

Thanks folks, quite a historical place, but alas has seen better days. We are being turned into puffy pork rinds here in Limpopo, very very hot.🙃🥵🙏🎶🎶🤗

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yup, I believe you're in the midst of a heatwave. 🥵

[@wildchild6247]

ST Augustines Church, the corner stone is on the wall of the church if you go 35 minutes into your video it's the same colour of the wall to the left of the white drain pipe you will see it, 24th Oct 1853 or 1883 😊

[@theunskoch7406]

You walk right passed the cornerstone

[@DustBugsTravel]

Guilty as charged. I'm sure you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. 💒

[@theunskoch7406]

No problem ,I was just lucky my eye caught it and it was written in the same brown stone. Just thought I will let you know. @@DustBugsTravel

[@christinelloyd8775]

I love the fact that trees where planted in so many, many of these dorpies, gives shade, beauty and character. Big cities seldom have trees in their city centres.

[@robertraine1953]

To illustrate how the dorps go backwards: In 1924 the town boasted 6attorneys, 4 autioneers,, 3 bakers,, a bioscope, 4 blacksmiths 3 butchers 3 doctors, a chemist a creamery, a mineral ware factory, 3 hotels loads of other businesse and services. A population of 2400.

[@Nadia-co1gk]

100%

[@DustBugsTravel]

@robertraine1 Very interesting, it certainly sounds like a fully self-sufficient and prosperous town back in those days. Thank you for sharing the info. 👌🏻

[@helenvisser5083]

My Grandfather used to farm in the district My aunt was n teacher the school My dad went to school in Dordrect

[@DustBugsTravel]

So your family has quite the attachment to the town of Dordrecht. Thank you for watching our video. 🚙😁

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

Wide roads usef to be made wide for ox wagons to turn around in or is it on. I'm not sure.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yup, we learnt that early on in our travels already. The roads are wide so that the ox wagons could turn around. So cool! 😁

[@rudiekeyser2495]

The cornerstone says 1823.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you. 💒👌🏻

[@T-yx6ri]

I was born in Dordrecht and was Christian ed in this church, and where you see the 2 single doors the men and woman had to enter the church separately, husband wife were not allowed to sit together, just a little history.

[@T-yx6ri]

The year 1955

[@pieterswarts2830]

I've noticed you driving everywhere with your car I would like 2 know is the car able 2 do drive on steep roads isn't the car tiring how slow is the car and do the oil and water needs 2b topped up now and then

[@DustBugsTravel]

We rent a Renault Kwid for our travels and have recently returned from our 25th trip in one. I'd say it's capable of successfully traversing 95% of all roads, even steep ones. You'll see we have some videos of passes which were quite steep. Check out Episodes 98 and 133 to get an idea. We travel on a lot of gravel roads, so we don't mind driving slowly to protect the car. I'm happy to drive 40km/h on a bad road if I have to. On the long road, I seldom exceed 100km/h. It's definitely not a fast car, but that's not what we need for our travels. We'ver never had to top up oil or water on our trips, we've found the car super reliable and it just keeps on going. 🚙😁

[@tillabezuidenhout6460]

So terrible - fires!!!!!!!!

[@louisefouche5747]

We love your videos but do get so frustrated when you talk to each other and we cannot hear what you discuss.Then you laugh about something you saw and we dont know what was so funny!!!

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm surprised. We try our best to be inclusive of our viewers at all times, but it's important that you keep the challenges of real-time filming in mind. We don't plan, we don't rehearse and we don't do voice-overs. Every road we travel on has two sides and me only having one camera, there will inevitably always be things we don't show, but one of us still sees it and might comment on it. 🤷🏻‍♂️