First, apologies to all for getting a bit behind with the blog. I was able to visit with my friend Jane, who works nearby, for the first time in 2 years on Saturday evening, and after taking her home I needed to catch some sleep before our 4:30 departure on Sunday morning for Kruger National Park. Amazingly, Jane was able to come to Kruger with us, so she and I had an entire day together! It was wonderful!
So Saturday was dedicated to the Panorama Route, which is an amazing sequence of natural wonders along the northeastern part of South Africa. We set out early, and drove through the mountains again, honking our horn through the mountain tunnel as usual. The first stop was at the Graskop Gorge Lift Company, to be the first in line for the Big Swing. This features a cable that runs across a deep canyon. Attached to the center of the cable is a heavy-duty climbing rope. Swingers stand on a platform in a climbing harness and are attached to the long rope. They then back up to the edge and drop off backward into a 170 metre freefall, followed by swinging back and forth through the canyon. It is a real rush! And the canyon itself is beautiful, with a waterfall and lush greenery even in winter. Even those who chose not to swing got to cross the gorge on a cable bridge, and help take videos of the swingers.
Next stop was Harrie's Pancakes, for some much needed sustenance. This restaurant in Graskop features something that is a cross between a pancake and a crepe wrapped around various fillings. Students chose options such as chili con carne, bacon and cheese, strawberry jam, melktart (custard-ish), fig preserves and pecans, bananas, nutella, and others. Some of us also made a brief stop in the adjascent chocolate shop.
Back in the van ("bus"), we headed for
Bourke's Luck Potholes. These amazing stone formations are near the confluence of 3 rivers at the head of the Blyde River Canyon, which is the second largest canyon in the world. It is one of my personally favorite places, although it was somewhat busy on a Saturday midday. I love the wound of running water and the peaceful open sky.
After watching local traditional dancers, walking around the landscape and exploring upstream a little way (including some serious rock hounding, scouting for minnows and tadpoles, and just soaking up nature), we got back to the bus to continue our journey.
We made a brief stop at Lisbon Falls, which is actually made up of several separate falls. The overlook got us quite close.
On to the
Three Rondevels, which is a formation in the Blyde River Canyon that resembles the round, thatched-roof houses traditional to the area.
This is a traditional rondavel. They are still a popular building form, more recently with concrete walls and thatched rooves. This will help you see the formations clearly.
Across the upper left of the photo, you can see the row of "Three Rondavels" across the canyon.
On our way back to the lodge, we awaited the arrival of my friend Jane from an adjascent farm (20 minutes away, pretty much next door neighbors by the standards here). She was waiting to put the 2 suitcases of textbooks and school supplies onto the bus to Zimbabwe, where her brother Andrew (the teacher) would be able to collect them. The bus finally arrived, Jane got the suitcases on, and caught a ride with the bus to our lodge. She brought a package from her brother Andrew containing gifts for all the students. We discovered that she had the day off tomorrow, and could come to Kruger Park with us. She had never seen it, and was excited to go.
Andrew's gifts--African wildlife carved from local stone
Hanging at the lodge
Jane and me (I take terrible selfies!)
We took Jane home, then headed to bed to try to sleep quickly, in order to be awake for our 4:30 am departure for Kruger.
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