Hey there, fellow adventurers! Buckle up because I’m about to take you on a wild ride through the Tankwa Karoo that Greg and I will not forget anytime soon. Let me paint you a picture : a jeep with 40l of petrol in 2 jerrycans, a freshly changed tire (courtesy of my superb driving), and a road that’s more like a roller coaster thanks to some recent floods. Sounds like the start of an epic story, right? Well, hold on to your hats!

So there we were, cruising along, when suddenly our jeep seemed to be running on red bull. For a second my car had wings and then BAM! BOOM! POWN! BONG! It was like a soundtrack to a bad action movie. And thena weird noise that had me yelling, “Get out! Get out! Get out!” like we were in a spy flick. Overdramatic? Maybe. But hey, better safe than sorry!

After confirming the jeep hadn’t exploded, we discovered the real drama: a petrol pool in the boot. And let me tell you, I’m not a fan of petrol fragrance. There we were, channeling our inner MacGyver, scooping up petrol with our water bottles. Thirty-five minutes and one sacrificed old khaki beach towel later (RIP, old friend), we were back in the jeep, hopeful but not convinced.

Spoiler alert: the jeep was going nowhere. The engine sounded like a metal band without a drummer—just noise and chaos. With no phone signal and the likelihood of passing cars being slim, we had two options: play the waiting game or take on a 15 km trek back to the lodge. Easy choice, right?

Now, let’s set the scene for our impromptu hike. The sun was setting, our water bottles were repurposed for petrol, and our footwear? Flip flops and Birkenstocks. Not exactly the recommended gear for a nature reserve hike with wild animals as your potential audience. But hey, if anyone from Birkenstock is reading this, your shoes can handle the Tankwa Karoo; however, I wouldn’t say no to a new pair (wink, wink).

Off we went, Greg and I, chatting, laughing, and turning a potential crisis into a pretty decent first hike together. The sunset painted the sky with colors that even the best Instagram filter couldn’t do justice. It was a motivational masterpiece just for us. The Gannaga Pass with its 43 identical turns tried to play mind games with us, but we were too busy enjoying each other’s company to notice.

Not once did we argue or snap at each other. Instead, we shared dreams and words of encouragement. Greg even mentioned wanting to propose—talk about a plot twist! But alas, he’s a traditional guy who hadn’t asked my dad yet. So, no dramatic Karoo engagement story for the blog this time.

As night fell, the temperature dropped, and our only light was the glow from Greg’s phone. The sounds of the wild filled the air, and let me tell you, it’s one thing to enjoy nature’s soundtrack from the safety of your lodge, quite another when you’re the potential star of a nature documentary. Despite my anxiety, which can go from 0 to 100 real quick, Greg’s calmness was the anchor I needed.

The only near-panic moment? When Greg mistook a rock for a snake. Can’t blame him, though; we’d had a python sighting that morning!

After a 4.5-hour trek, which turned out to be 35 km (uphill, might I add), we made it back to the lodge. Impressive, right? We were dehydrated and exhausted, but we had each other, and that made all the difference.

We had to retrieve the petrol cans from the jeep, which meant another ride, this time in the lodge’s Ford. But we made it, and the moral of the story really hit home: when driving on gravel roads, be cautious. And more importantly, make sure you’re with someone who sees every obstacle as a chance to strengthen your bond, not break it.

So, there you have it, folks. Our “stranded in the Karoo” tale. It’s one for the books and a reminder that sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you never planned for.

Until our next mishap—er, I mean, adventure—stay safe and keep exploring!

With love and a hint of petrol,

Jess & Greg