Hi guys, your comment, "thats why you have to take the back roads, to find hidden gems" sums up your channel perfectly, I just love it, my wife and I were the same, always taking the road less traveled. I have to say was feeling down this morning and then your video popped up, aftre watching I feel lighter and somehow more positive, thankyou so much, and I appreciate you taking the time to reply to our comments. Travel safely God Bless

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! 😊 Your comment means so much to us, as always. This was really a superb road and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The road isn't great in places, but it was still so worth it. We just love it that you enjoyed it with us. We hope the rest of your day is fantastic. 😁🚗

My three great uncles died in the Slagtersnek rebellion, 1815. Freek Bezuidenhout was shot 15.10.1815, his brother Hans 29.11.1915. Cornelius Faber was hanged 9.3.1816. Slagtersnek was the actual place where the rebels surended. The two brothers was shot in the Baviaans River, a few miles away. my gggg father Pieter Brits [all cousins of above], b 1762 was banned by Magistrate Stockenstroom en settled just north of Meiringspoort, he died before the Great Trek.....his sons joined the Cilliers Trek to the interrior. Good to see the tunnel still in good shape. Ek geniet julle program

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

And we so enjoy and appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us, thank you for that. 👌🏻 You've added a lot of valuable info and obviously know the tunnel. It was so unexpected for us and is still in fantastic shape. 🚇 We believe it was completed in 1881 already.

Such a relief when railroads and stations are still functional.

I so enjoyed traveling this gravel road with you. Very interesting and the tunnel was amazing. I also enjoyed seeing all the wild life this time; monkeys, baboons, warthogs and a meercat. Great stuff. Thank you. 🤩

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind comment, you summarised this road perfectly. It remains one of our most favourite gravel roads since we strarted our travels. We love having you on the road with us! 😁🚗

Big sky amazing views these back roads are so interesting plenty of wildlife and to think the great trek started from here thanks for another great video

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

The wildlife was so rewarding on this road, it was an animal a second at one point. 🥰 The tunnel was such an unexpected highlight, we had no idea and all of a sudden it appeared. So glad you enjoyed our trip on the backroads this day. 😎 We absolutely love them too. 🚗😁

It's really nice viewing these videos. It's also an eye opener. Thank you DustBugs Travel.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, we appreciate you watching and we're glad you're enjoying our videos. This particular road was a fantastic one where the surprises just kept on coming! 🚇🦏

A tunnel on the middle of nowhere and so well constructed!!!!!

So scenic and beautiful! I keep hitting the pause key and taking a screen shot for a future painting. That tunnel!Usually I am so scared of tunnels. But that one is such a pretty tunnel. Is a piece of history. Sjoe! I was but scared you would sit vas in that mud! And warthogs thrown in for free! We used to go through Cookhouse a lot on our way to Fort Beaufort. This brings back such happy memories.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

We can absolutely imagine you painting a good few scenes from this area, it really was picture perfect and so pretty! The tunnel would make a great painting too! 😍 There were a few deep breaths from the passenger side while we were driving through the mud, but all turned out just great, I'm happy to say! 😁 Those warthogs bursting on to the road out of nowhere was an absolute highlight for us! 🐾

The outlook of the hills and then that round greenery down the valley……Wow!!!!!

Oh!!! The area is beautiful and gorgeous bridge!!! Thank you for taking us through this breathtaking area!!! I must say I’m hooked and please keep going!❤

If only those mountains could talk, they would tell a most interesting tale...😊

Hi you two! Thanks for the very nice trip. The scenery is uniquely beautiful. The tunnel somewhat scary, but an an amazing piece of stonework. I am looking forward to the next trip. Keep safe!

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

We told you gravel roads are coming! 😁 Happy to hear that you also enjoyed this one, it was a fantastic drive! 😎 You're right, the stonework on that tunnel is something else and still in excellent shape, almost as if it were just completed.

And the wildlife yhoooooo👏👏👏👏 Exciting times hey!

Thanks a ton for this video on the Slagtersnek Pass! I'm in the middle of researching the Slagtersnek Rebellion for family history purposes and your video has been a great help in visualizing the area. You've traveled the road so I don't have to! My car eould simply not make it through! Thanks!

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

How fascinating your research sounds! We're happy to have travelled the road on your behalf, we loved every single minute of it. 🚇🐒 A few bumpy moments with our car too, but all was well in the end. We wish you many hours of fruitful research ahead. 😁🚗

Wow what a road, very exciting! Bit dodgy in places, I'd also be hanging onto my seat 😄 That ancient tunnel, and bridges..amazing! Nice find. it was so lush down that valley .. and the wildlife, wow. That was a huge troop of baboons. Beautiful ride guys, made my morning, Thank you 🥰

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

So happy you also found this road exciting! 😁 There was definitely a moment or two where we were wondering if we should continue since the road is clearly not travelled often at all, but we're so glad we did. That animal crossing was amazing, they just kept on coming! 😎🐒🦡🦏 We so appreciate you watching and commenting, thank you so much! 🚗👌🏻

@CheGypsyWay

Жыл бұрын

@@DustBugsTravel 😄 I'm sure, but you handled the road beautifully, calmly and with confidence .. well done, it definitely was worth it. Safe travels 🚗✨

Dassiedeur tunnel. Two of us went through it on a bicycle tour

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

That must've been an amazing experience! 😎🚲 The turnoff clearly said Dassiedeur, but I didn't know it was the name of the tunnel. Thank you for clarifying. 😁🚗

Stumbled upon your channel. What a gem! Enjoying traveling with you through all the nooks and crannies. Looking forward to your next video🙂

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much and welcome, we're so happy you joined us! 😁🚗 We love exploring smaller towns and lesser-known places and we look forward to sharing those trips with you. 😎

Looks like there's quite a number of passes in that area...there's Swaerhoek, Tarka, and Tarka Botha that you need to cross over in order to get to Slagtersnek, however no mention on any of those passes containing a tunnel, so that's a nice find

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

I was blown away by the tunnel, it was completely unexpected and in such amazing shape! Loved it! 😎 Thanks for the info on the other passes, I will certainly look at including some of them in future trips to this area. 😁🚗

enjoyed this episode. i hope some day to do this pass

How beautiful the view plus all the rocks alongside the road. The great Fish river no wonder farmers fields look green what an abundance of waters. That tunnel is amazing. Monkeys, baboons and Warthogs fantastic. Thank you

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

It was one of the most spectacular gravel roads we've ever been on, we loved every moment! 🤩 From the tunnel to all the critters, it was an absolute treat. 🚇🐒 Thank you so much for watching!

Great video guys! The tunnel was awesome, would love to know the history behind it. Your videos offer some serious escapism, keep them coming! The Slagtersnek hangings is also an interesting part of this area's history.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. 😎 We visited the Slagtersnek memorial outside Cookhouse later that same day, you'll see it in the next episode. Information about the tunnel seems to be hard to find, so I'm not sure of the history either. Such a cool place though, I absolutely loved it! 😁🚗

@johanweakley2658

Жыл бұрын

@@DustBugsTravel thanks, looking forward to the next video!

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

I'm not sure if you saw the other comments, so I thought I'd post what we found out with the help of other viewers here too. The old railway line did go through the Dassiedeur Tunnel and a new line was opened in 1957 on the opposite side of the Great Fish River. The old cottage we saw before the tunnel, was occupied by the workers who worked on the railway line. Such rich history! 😁🚂

@johanweakley2658

Жыл бұрын

@@DustBugsTravel great, thanks so much for the feedback. Your channel tends to make one go and do research on places you guys visit, so my general history knowledge of SA is getting dusted off 😁 Keep up the good work!

Roads, Passageways, Bridges and what looks like water ducts or tunnels all engineered by the British and Boers of later years gone by... fantastic.😮😊😅😂.

Well done passing the water... Loved it all

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I'm sure you heard how scared my wife was! 🚗😨

Wish l could do these trips , keep up your good work !! Thank you both

I've passed that Slagtersnek turnoff many times but never taken it. Stunning scenery and that tunnel was pretty special. You and Sonja are not only entertaining us, these travelogue videos will have archival value. Vosburg ... might have to visit 🤔 Keep them coming folks, I'll have my coffee ready for the Cookhouse episode ☕☕

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the smile your comment brought to both our faces. 😊 We're so happy to hear you're enjoying our videos. Next time when you're in the area, do remember to take the Dassiedeur turnoff, you won't be disappointed. The tunnel just suddenly appears in front of one as you travel there, it is so super cool! 🚇😎 Be prepared for a bit of a dodgy drive in places though. Vosburg is another one of those authentic Karoo towns where one could probably stay for a long time and love every moment. It's a special place. We'll see you tomorrow in Cookhouse! 🚗

Hi guys, we would love to explore that area of our country some more, so do appreciate what we learn from you. Keep exploring! 😊

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Hello there! 😁 It's the most fun we've had in a long time. We're happy to hear that you enjoy watching! 😊 I hope you're planning a trip in the foreseeable future, there is so much to see out there. 😎🚗

Wow!!!!! A tunnel!!!!Amazing👌👌👌

Interesting point, There is a guy on youtube that got the airgun channel, he shoots vervet monkeys and other pest animals (baboons, Jackals etc) in that exact area. The tunnel and the bridge are not the only interesting things there, there is also the Visriver tunnel (right there with the canals and the , viaduct. The Viaduct get cleaned out yearly and all sorts of bones of animals found inside it, even kudu bones, We were told that if you loose your footing and fall into the canal you are a gonner!) it form part of the Oviston-Teebus tunnel to get water from the Orange into the Fish for irrigation and Port Elizabeth. Those roads use to very well maintained, I remember being able to go as fast as 100km/h without any fear of potholes etc.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

When we stayed at the Waterlea farm on the banks of the Teebus River, the farmer explained to us about the aquaduct that supplies the Teebus canal with water. Super interesting! Thank you for watching! 🚗

Wow! What a big river!!!

Regtig mooi wereld ons het so mooi plekke in onse land dankie DustBugs

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for watching, this was a truly spectacular road. 👌🏻🚗

Absolutely Awesome wow we really enjoyed this video. The pivot fields you should see on Google maps. Thank you always

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Yes! Those perfectly-circular fields of green are awesome! Glad you enjoyed this one! 😁🚗

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

I did so when we were planning our route. Fascinating stuff! 👌

Wow, that amazing stone lined tunnel, with a dirt road no less. Maybe the only of its kind anywhere. And of course it's located in the remote Cape, on a gravel road.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

😁 Exactly! And that's what we find amazing. That it's located on an obscure gravel road which clearly very few vehicles travel on nowadays. We also thought it was a fantastic find, it certainly made our day! 😎🚇

I was also holding my breath on those 2 big puddles…….😳😳😳

Fantasies! Was so opgewonde saam met julle om die "lost gem" te kon ervaar. Pragtige video👏👏

Thanks

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Sure! 😎

Hi guys Thank you for a very interesting journey. What struck me, as challenging was, I would not be sure about if one could travel on roads where there are gates. One usually assumes that a fenced off section means it belongs to someone. I would feel like I was trespassing

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

We've learnt on our travels that if gates are unlocked and have no 'Private' or 'No Entry' signs on them, they're merely closed to manage and restrict the movement of livestock. You will notice in countless of our previous videos how we turned around the moment we thought we might be entering private property. Thank you for watching. 🚗😁

This tunnel, that you came across, looks like it was the railways, even that road must be at some stage it had railway tracks.

The tunnel on the Slagtersnek road was originally the Deurdassie railway tunnel opened around 1879. The realignment of the line saw the abandonment of that section of the railway in 1957.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Indeed! With the help of viewers and some additional research, we were able to establish those very interesting facts about what we now know as the Dassiedeur Tunnel. 🚇 We didn't know its name on the day we drove through there. Construction commenced in 1879 and the tunnel was completed in 1881. Thank you for watching! 😁😁

@francoispieterse7371

Жыл бұрын

Before reading through the comments i had this tunnel in my head the whole time and now that i have watched all your videos i came back to this trip of yours. I went on google maps to see where exactly this pass was but could not realy see, so i went to the beginning of the gravel road in your video and saw the name Dassiedeur and then came to the conclusion that this is the name of the tunnel. Us South Africans are a clever bunch......cant wait for your next video.

Facinating oh my country is beautiful en sooooo groooot ek ry weer lekker sasm dankie julle🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇨🇭🇨🇭🥰

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

You're so welcome. This was a fascinating part of the country to explore, we're so glad you enjoyed it too. 😁🚗 It seems as if you're following our travels from far away. 😎

The tunnel you drove through was the old railway line tunnel. Slagrersnek rebellion - My grandfather (on the Botma side) and his uncle were two of the four gentlemen that were crudely hung by the British government of the time after being harshly accused of the rebellion.

@brianvanniekerk3412

Жыл бұрын

Just a correction 5 rebels were hung.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Oh, wow! I can imagine just how important the entire Slagtersnek history must be to you. Thank you for sharing that with us. We found out, with the help of other viewers and some research, that it was indeed a railway tunnel called the Dassiedeur Tunnel. It was in use until the new railway line was opened on the other side of the Great Fish River in 1957. We appreciate you watching. 👌🏻🚗

This could be a forgotten provincial or secondary road that tunnel is amazing i wonder how many people know about it

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

With the help of a few viewers, we figured out that it was part of the old road between Port Elizabeth and Cradock. The railway line ran through the Dassiedeur Tunnel. 🚇 We didn't know its name on the day we were travelling through it. The new railway line was opened in 1957 on the opposite side of the Great Fish River. It clearly is not a road travelled on by many vehicles, which makes it even more special. It was really a highlight for us. Thank you so much for watching! 😎🚗

Addo !!!!! I went to the game park!

Beutiful and surprising tour!

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

So happy to hear you enjoyed it, thank you. 🚗😁

Look at the bricks in th old tunnel. Some sort of teghnology we will never see again. Travel safely.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

So true! We spent a fair bit of time admiring the stonework. Such incredible craftsmanship from a bygone era. 🤩🚇

@brianvanniekerk3412

Жыл бұрын

The old railway tunnels north of Newcastle are from the same period.

Did you ever find out any information for the ancient tunnel though the mountain at 7m 19s in the video, what a find , I love your tenacity 😎

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, we loved it too! 😍🚇 We did indeed find out info with the help of some of our viewers and some research. We learnt that this road formed part of the main road between Port Elizabeth and Cradock at one time. The railway line ran through the tunnel, which we now know is called the Dassiedeur Tunnel. The new line was opened in 1957 on the opposite side of the Great Fish River. We appreciate you watching our videos! 😁🚙

Good,day. Thank you for your channel. I ,enjoy watching ,your travels from Pretoria. Do you have the GPS reference for the tunnel? I would like to visit it next time I visit family in the Eastern Cape. Regards. David Bothma.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Certainly. The GPS coordinates are 32°30'20.5"S 25°44'42.9"E. It's an absolutely fantastic tunnel, almost a work of art. We're happy to hear you're enjoying our videos. 🚇🚗

If you pop in to the Somerset East museum, you will see the actual beam from which the 5 "rebel" boers were hanged by the British. It was a botched hanging because 4 of the 5 ropes broke under the weight. A furore ensued, but they got new ropes.(I actually touched this beam during a quiet moment in the museum).

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

That must've been a special, yet very sombre experience for you. We couldn't make it to the museum when visiting Somerset East on an earlier trip. I read about the botched hangings when I visited the Slagtersnek memorial outside Cookhouse though. That will be in tomorrow's episode. Such a grim part of the history of SA. 🇿🇦

@jeffbaxter8770

Жыл бұрын

@@DustBugsTravel hi, the story of how and where the beam was found is fascinating. Safe travels.

Hi when you come to that bridge were you go under the railway line the 2 Telkom poles you see I built those in 1986 when they started to electrify the rail .

Thought i knew Easterncape and the garden route, i claerly dont! Only know N2

Is that tunnel not the old railway tunnel. Rail route changed. If so I travelled that way in the late !940s. There was a steam engine at Dassiedeur Station that would assist trains up the pass. The station master there got charged for murdering his wife. Big scandal in those days.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it does sound like you indeed travelled there! The old railway line went through this tunnel, which we now know is the Dassiedeur Tunnel. The new line was opened in 1957 on the other side of the Great Fish River. A few viewers helped us piece this all together, so super interesting! 😎🚂 Thank you for adding to the info, the story about the stationmaster sounds wild, yet completely believable. 😨

I can't believe they've got gates on them farms. Because, because the Af doesn't close anything not even taps, and leave alone closing gates. Now thats more my style of a country, where there's responsible people livin. 😊😅😂

Guys i am not sure but that look like a old railway tack. The cave out sides os the road the riased road and the smooth bends. If some can just correct me.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

You're 100% correct. Keen observation on your part. 👌🏻🚇 We found out later with the help of two other viewers that the old railway line did go through the Dassiedeur Tunnel and a new line was opened in 1957 on the opposite side of the Great Fish River. So incredibly interesting! 😁🚗

very cool trips guys what car do you travel in ?

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Thank you. 😊 We rent a Renault Kwid every time. It has high ground clearance and takes us wherever we want to go. 😎🚗

Old way to PE from Cradock

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

I didn't know that, thank you for the info. That must've been the VERY old way though. 🚗😁

@waswe4204

Жыл бұрын

@@DustBugsTravel It was - the new main tunnel is somewhere to the east I think where the main road now goes. 1920's? Maybe someone can shed more light on the matter.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

I couldn't find much online. 🤷🏼‍♂️ It would be fantastic to know though, especially how old that tunnel is.

@waswe4204

Жыл бұрын

@@DustBugsTravel Dassie Deur tunnel was built in 1879 for both rail and road.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

@@waswe4204 I've just found a super interesting map online. You are indeed correct, the old railway did go through the Dassiedeur Tunnel and a new line was opened in 1957 on the opposite side of the Great Fish River. The cottage we saw before we even reached the tunnel, we now know was the semi-detached platelayer's cottage for the people who worked on the line. Fantastic stuff! 😁🚗

I tried to establish the exact location of the tunnel but wasn't successful. Could you please give GPS coordinates or a map pindrop of the exact position. I went over a canal in that area many years ago and that started my interest in and study of the Fish river tunnel water scheme which starts in Lesotho and ends in PE.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Certainly. The GPS coordinates are 32°30'20.5"S 25°44'42.9"E. Such an interesting part of history that we happened upon unexpectedly, enjoy the research! 😁🚇

@rooftile883

Жыл бұрын

@@DustBugsTravel Thanks a lot! Can now see it on Google Earth - it seems about 280m long. Just about 3km South of it is the Elandsdrift weir in the Great Fish river, from where water is taken with a series of tunnels and canals to the Small Fish river (near Somerset East) where it ends up in the De Mistkraal weir in the Small Fish and from there it goes in a series of canals, tunnels and rivers to the Darlington dam near Kirkwood.

I'm planning a trip in this area. Can you perhaps provide the exact gpx route you've followed from Cradock to Cookhouse?

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Certainly. You can find the route at the following link: www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1ssFbhiKwWcHiWHWXssQQ3H6tx3-xyoU&usp=sharing Enjoy! 🚗😁

@josvermaree5327

Жыл бұрын

@@DustBugsTravel Thanks. Ek sien jy het die R335 juweeltjie tussen Bracefield en Addo main camp gemis 🤥.

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

We choose to focus on the gems we do get to see and not on those we miss. It's simply impossible to get to every single place. 🤷🏼‍♂️

I have a suggestion , let her drive the car and you open and close the gates. Bet it will work. !!!!

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

😁 Nope, I'm the official driver and gate opener, it works just perfectly for us! Thank you for watching! 🚗

With the amount of youtube ads and request for subscription your videos are becoming like SABC. Your content is great though

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching. 😁🚗

Hi i have a question what are the holes for in the sides of the tunnel

@jfvanzyl8745

Жыл бұрын

Are you guys going to adelaid soon or not some beutiful passes around adelaid

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Hello! 😀 I learnt from another viewer that those holes were for maintenance workers to hide in when a train approached. 🚇

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

We most probably won't visit the Adelaide area soon, but we'll certainly include it in a future visit. Thank you for the heads-up about the passes. 😎 We just love them! 🚗

@jeffbaxter8770

Жыл бұрын

I would say they are weep holes to cater for water seepage.

@brianvanniekerk3412

Жыл бұрын

no, it was for workers to wait in while the train passed.

16:330, Im i allowed to hunt here

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

The timestamp isn't clear, but this road was mostly through farmland, so I can't imagine hunting is allowed in the area. 🚫 We are non-hunters ourselves, so we would hope not.

@mzeinvestments9176

Жыл бұрын

@@DustBugsTravel nah, just wondering if that good meat belongs to someone or its from the bush 🤣🤣

honestly... why didnt she open and close the gates.. geesh

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

Perhaps because she had major knee surgery. Three times. It helps to ask rather than jump to conclusions. Geesh. 😁

Passenger ought to open a gate or three??

@DustBugsTravel

Жыл бұрын

So amazing that that is the only thing you took away from this video, it blows my mind. 🤯 Just so you know, she would've, if she didn't have a major knee issue. Better to not jump to conclusions if you don't know someone else's story.