Da Kei Rally 2019

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FIRSTGEER
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Da Kei Rally 2019

Post by FIRSTGEER »

The vehicles ....
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Pub crawling in Kei mouth
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Waiting for the pont across the Kei river ..... and crossing
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FIRSTGEER
LR4WD, Lockers, Crawler Gears
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Re: Da Kei Rally 2019

Post by FIRSTGEER »

Breakfast at Tiffany's ..... err ... TRENNERY"S
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FIRSTGEER
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Re: Da Kei Rally 2019

Post by FIRSTGEER »

Shortly after entering the Transkei we were stopped and checked out by police and Dept. of Fisheries and Forestries. Fortunately we all had our Transkei Coastal Reserve permits and 2 way radio licences. Permits are issued free but if you don't have them the fine can be very heavy, they can even confiscate your vehicle.

I think they were more interested in poaching operations in the area but they checked us out all the same.
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Just be aware of this when going off-road in the Transkei coastal areas and ensure that you have the necessary permit/s.

A lunchtime braai at Kobbenjaba river mouth before going inland a bit and crossing ....
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There are some vidoes of the crossing but will have to upload to You-Tube and post the links.
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FIRSTGEER
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Re: Da Kei Rally 2019

Post by FIRSTGEER »

We spent the Saturday night at Wavecrest. We were in paradise.
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FIRSTGEER
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Re: Da Kei Rally 2019

Post by FIRSTGEER »

Sharing a few toys with some local kids ....
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We had our prize-giving back at Wavecrest on Sunday ...
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Some running repairs at Wavecrest ....
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... and then going back home past Seagulls .....
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FIRSTGEER
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Re: Da Kei Rally 2019

Post by FIRSTGEER »

The Dakei 2019 Rally

The inaugural Dakei Rally took place during late November 2018.
An invited group of 20 drivers and co-drivers driving in ten 4x4 vehicles of various brands, started the rally on Friday morning from the Kei River Mouth, making use of the pontoon to cross over the river into the Transkei. The rally ended that night in Mazeppa Bay where we booked into the hotel. For various reasons, only 16 members in eight vehicles started and completed this first time rally.

The invited members consisted of a few local King Williams Town guys as well as a group of guys living in Kei Mouth, and some members from Gauteng who own houses in Kei Mouth. The idea of the rally was initiated by the majority of the group of guys who have spent many years holidaying in Kei Mouth. All of them grew up riding in 4X4 vehicles from Kei Mouth up the coast and agreed that it would nice to re-kindle fond memories and events that were experienced in those past years. With this in mind the Kei Mouth members did the selecting of the participants and all the planning of the rally.

This 2018 event was so successful and a good time was had by all, that it was decided that the event would take place annually. Furthermore it was agreed that the numbers are to be restricted to 20 members and 10 vehicles so that the event does not have any negative impact on the environment, have too many different personalities to contend with and also for logistical reasons.

This year the rally kicked off on Friday 11 October 2019 at the Midford Hotel in Morgan Bay, where all the members met at lunchtime. A few drinks were shared and there after the group moved off to the Morgan Bay Hotel where lunch was enjoyed on the deck overlooking the bay and cliffs of Morgan Bay. We then moved on to Kei Mouth and visited most of the watering holes in this tiny seaside holiday town. Moving from pub to pub and also visiting the golf club for a snort or two.
The days events finished off with the group having dinner at the popular The Shed farm bar and grill just outside Kei Mouth.

Saturday morning arrived and the 20 boys with their 10 toys crossed the Kei River via the pontoon.

A 4x4 trail was then driven which directed the group from the Kei River to the Trenneries Hotel for a magnificent Mediterranean breakfast.

After breakfast, the group departed and travelled for a few more kilometres, driving inland but parallell to the coast, to the remnants of the famous Jacaranda shipwreck. The Jacaranda ran aground just south of the Kobanjaba River in 1972.

The group parked the vehicles on the grass banks leading down to the small sandy cove adjacent to the wreck. We intended to have a lunchtime braai there but it was too windy so we stopped for a refreshment pitstop anyway.

Suddenly two government double cab 4x4 vehicles arrived on the scene and basically blocked the access tracks to prevent any of our vehicles from moving off.
Eight armed officials from the Dept of Fisheries and Agriculture identified themselves and requested that we show our off road permits and also inquired as to the reason for us being there.
LUCKILY we had the relevant documents which we had obtained from the authorities in East London prior to the rally.

After a very tense half hour or so, we convinced the officials that we were on a harmless and permitted and controlled rally. They were actually seeking out perlemoen poachers who were apparently operating along the coastline. The officials then departed and we continued the drive until the holiday camp houses at the mouth of the Kobanjaba River where we eventually had our braai.

I wish to stress the importance of having the necessary permits whilst driving along the Transkei coast and to strictly adhere to the stipulated tracks and not to drive on the beach.
These permits are easily and freely available from Nature Conversation in East London via email.

The rally group managed to stir themselves from a lazy relaxed mode after the lunch time braai and proceeded further inland to a drift on the Kobanjaba River, a few kilometres from the mouth, as we needed to cross the river. We crossed the drift at a point above the ebenflow so the water was basically fresh and also the tide had turned and the water was flowing seawards.

The river crossing proved to be a bit of a challenge for the competitors. A few vehicles managed the crossing with ease but a one vehicle had to be towed out of the river and up the muddy exit on the other side of the river and a few more had to be towed up the exit muddy bank after successfully crossing the river.

The river crossing was the last driving challenge of the day so the group moved on to the gravel road ending up at the Wavecrest Hotel, which was our lodging for the night.

After a much appreciated shower, the group enjoyed sundowners and snacks, taking in the magnificent sunset over the river mouth with miles of flawless pristine beach disappearing in the east.

Many more refreshments and a seafood dinner was enjoyed by all.
Some weary members managed to slip away from the noisy banter around the bar which continued well into the early hours of the following day.

An early breakfast was digested, which prepped up some of the weary souls the next morning.
A few running repairs were carried out and the ten vehicles proceeded back inland towards Kentani and travelled back towards the Kei River Mouth.

The group stopped along the road and handed out a few frizbees and soccer balls to the local children playing in a field. The joy on these kids was very apparent on their faces. Unfortunately it is impossible to be able to share with the multitude of children along the route.

The Seagulls Hotel was the final stop of the rally. The owners very kindly permitted us to bring our own meat and make use of their braai facilities. Over and above this, they even provided us with chips, salad and all the eating utensils. This was unexpected and they must be applauded for this very generous gesture even though the bar benefitted adequately from the drinks we all purchased there.
After our final braai, a prize giving took place and many fines were handed out to the participants for their various transgressions during the rally.

Finally greetings were shared by all and the guys moved off at their leisure to depart for the ferry and to cross over the Kei River again.

The rally was once again enjoyed by all and we all cannot wait for the Dakei 2020 rally to take place next year.
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Re: Da Kei Rally 2019

Post by Mud Dog »

Awesome stuff and I like the play on "Dakar Rally". The wild coast is beautifully scenic and always worth a visit and to combine it with an off-road excursion is as you say, paradise. Great report and pics Tony! :thumbup:
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Re: Da Kei Rally 2019

Post by Whisky »

Sounds like a great weekend Tony.
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Re: Da Kei Rally 2019

Post by Haboob »

Looks like a good time was had by all...
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Re: Da Kei Rally 2019

Post by pietpetoors »

Wow, looks like an awesome trip. Some interesting vehicles which joined.
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Re: Da Kei Rally 2019

Post by Mud Dog »

Tony should upload the river crossing and recoveries vids to u-tube and post the links. :winkx:
When your road comes to an end ...... you need a HILUX!.

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Life is like a jar of Jalapeño peppers ... what you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.
Don't take life too seriously ..... no-one gets out alive.
It's not about waiting for storms to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.
And be yourself ..... everyone else is taken!
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FIRSTGEER
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Re: Da Kei Rally 2019

Post by FIRSTGEER »

Tks Andy I will do so as soon as I can figure out the technicalities.
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