The Drakensberg
The Drakensberg is a mountain range that seperates the eastern border of Lesotho and South Africa. Avaleigh and I spent the last three days in this area, trying our hand out at hiking.
Although we are in Africa, we experienced "canada cold" on Tuesday. We were in the Northern Drakensberg and signed up to go on a trip to Tugela Falls which are the 2nd highest falls in the world. We were graced with the present of a lovely German couple (Connie and Stephan) and a very interesting guide. After a 2 hours drive we arrived at our starting elevationof 2500m and then only had to ascent 600m more before we were at the top. Unfortunatley a huge cloud filled the amphitethre and so our view was restricted to just seeing the neighbouring mountain range (we were above the clouds). T
he next day, we sent out for a hike on our own in Royal Natal Park where we climbed past the Cascades to Tiger Falls. This was fun because the sun was finally out, and we spent a good amount of time taking photos of ourselves once we figured out the timer on Avaleigh's digital camera.
After that, we continued in our cute white rental car down the road to the Central Drakensberg and the Champagne Castle Region. We checked in at our backpackers and then snuck into a concert of the Drakensberg Boys Choir. They sang a mix of classic and African music and finished with excerpts from Carmina Burana. It was a great concert...it's interesting how we stumble upon these things. After eating a quick meal at a golf course country club (how do we find these places) it was off to bed because of an early morning rise.
At 5:45 our day began with plans to leave by 6:30 and hiking by 7am. We entered Monk's Cowl Park and began the 5-6 hour climb to Blind Man's Corner. Apparently fit, we arrived at the top of the hike at 8:30 and were back to the car shortly after 10am. Ahead of schedule, we stopped at a local (decadent) bakery for lunch and to pick up a couple treats.
We are now in Durban, completing our tour of South African's 3 major cities. We are staying with a friend of Graham's, Mike Wood, who was also along during my Easter weekend excursion to the Cederberg. Tonite are plans for laundry, pizza and beer. This is much needed as my jeans have dirt from Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South African as they have not been laundered since May 6th (woops). Tomorrow we will sleep in after 3 hiking days, and then explore Durban once Mike's off work.
Saturday morning it's back in the cute white car and we will finally turn west...destination Cape Town June 5th.
Anna*
Although we are in Africa, we experienced "canada cold" on Tuesday. We were in the Northern Drakensberg and signed up to go on a trip to Tugela Falls which are the 2nd highest falls in the world. We were graced with the present of a lovely German couple (Connie and Stephan) and a very interesting guide. After a 2 hours drive we arrived at our starting elevationof 2500m and then only had to ascent 600m more before we were at the top. Unfortunatley a huge cloud filled the amphitethre and so our view was restricted to just seeing the neighbouring mountain range (we were above the clouds). T
he next day, we sent out for a hike on our own in Royal Natal Park where we climbed past the Cascades to Tiger Falls. This was fun because the sun was finally out, and we spent a good amount of time taking photos of ourselves once we figured out the timer on Avaleigh's digital camera.
After that, we continued in our cute white rental car down the road to the Central Drakensberg and the Champagne Castle Region. We checked in at our backpackers and then snuck into a concert of the Drakensberg Boys Choir. They sang a mix of classic and African music and finished with excerpts from Carmina Burana. It was a great concert...it's interesting how we stumble upon these things. After eating a quick meal at a golf course country club (how do we find these places) it was off to bed because of an early morning rise.
At 5:45 our day began with plans to leave by 6:30 and hiking by 7am. We entered Monk's Cowl Park and began the 5-6 hour climb to Blind Man's Corner. Apparently fit, we arrived at the top of the hike at 8:30 and were back to the car shortly after 10am. Ahead of schedule, we stopped at a local (decadent) bakery for lunch and to pick up a couple treats.
We are now in Durban, completing our tour of South African's 3 major cities. We are staying with a friend of Graham's, Mike Wood, who was also along during my Easter weekend excursion to the Cederberg. Tonite are plans for laundry, pizza and beer. This is much needed as my jeans have dirt from Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South African as they have not been laundered since May 6th (woops). Tomorrow we will sleep in after 3 hiking days, and then explore Durban once Mike's off work.
Saturday morning it's back in the cute white car and we will finally turn west...destination Cape Town June 5th.
Anna*
posted by Anna* @ 10:39 AM
1 Comments:
At May 29, 2005 at 9:19 PM,
Anonymous said…
It sounds like an amazing time. Your pictures are incredible. Stay safe. I hope your spreading the proper way of saying BULK around the world for me.
J
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