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Hello strangers!!!
Apologies for the long delay between blogs, but we got held up in the Drakensberg mountains, where they hardly have any electricity, let alone internet!!
We had only planned on two nights and one whole day there, but when we arrived they were not doing the Tugela Falls hike on the day we were going to be there, so we had to do some quick rescheduling of Baz buses and hostels and ended up staying 4 nights and 3 whole days!
The journey there was ok and our first experience of the Baz bus was good, although the roads here are terrible!
We arrived mid-afternoon and the weather was lovely! Had a gorgeous view over the Amphitheatre mountains and we laid out catching some sun. The hostel had a good atmosphere and we had a nice 3 course meal for tea (every night!). We were staying in a 6 bed dorm and I had the top bunk which was ridiculously high and had no ladder so Gareth had to lift me up! No snorers sharing with us luckily!
Tuesday:
We visited a whole new country!! Another early start, up about 5.30, breakfast for 6.30 and left about 7.30. Got a mini bus to the border of Lesotho- the highest country in the world and the 4th poorest! It was like going back to how I imagine the olden days. They have no electricity and live in huts in the valleys of the mountains. They live off the land and are mainly farmers. We visited a school and the principal talked to us about Lesotho and how they have only just introduced education but it is not compulsory. Then we took a walk through the village and up to some caves where there was some cave paintings dating back millions of years apparently. Had a lovely view over the mountains and valley below, the local kids walked hand in hand up the mountain with us. Then we went to house with a white flag, which means they have spare homemade beer. It was gross- it was more like porridge and made out of corn that had fermented for a couple of days. Only 2% alcohol so didn't get pissed! Also stopped at a house with a green flag, which meant spare food. Had some pap and wild spinach (which was more pleasant). Then we visited the Sangorma, which was really interesting! She is the witch doctor of the community. She told us about how she become it- apparently you get really ill and dream of your ancestors telling you to sacrifice goats and drink their blood and find an oxtail and you don't get better until you do and then you become Sangorma and can charge local people to give them herbs, etc, and make them better. Really weird but interesting. So that was an interesting day and the weather was nice. Just chilled at the hostel in the evening.
Wednesday:
Done the Tugela Falls hike! It put Ben Nevis to shame and nearly killed me! Left at 7.30am again, with a load of Germans and Swiss- they must be used to climbing mountains because I was the least fit in the group, although I done ok until got to the 'gully' which was literally climbing up rocks for 250 metres, with an incline of 200 metres! But we managed! The guide was really funny and helped me a few times! When we left it was really cloudy (we was up in the clouds so couldn't see) and as we was climbing the guide was telling us there was a steep drop beside us. Had to walk across some narrow, slippery ledges, which was scary. When we got to the top the weather cleared, we walked to the top of Tugela Falls, which is disputed to be the 2nd highest waterfall in the world, depending on if you discount it because it has a couple of ledges on the way down. There was some pools at the top and the water was quite warm.
We had lunch up there and then had to climb down these shaky, old metal ladders down the cliff face. It was scary going off the top onto it, but it was ok! The views were beautiful by this time. You had a great view of all the mountains around. As you can imagine we was pretty knackered that night, but it was worth hanging on to do it and some achievement. We was over 3200 meters above sea level at the top and the cliff face was 1000ft drop. Had a sauna at the hostel.
Thursday:
Relaxing day today, although the weather was crappy, so we lurked around the hostel playing cards and scrabble and reading. Got chatting to a nice English couple at tea and an interesting Swiss guy, and then had a drink with them in the evening.
Friday:
Another chilled morning at the hostel waiting for Baz Bus to come about 1.15pm, although it was an hour late. Fairly windy but brighter weather. We played scrabble and cards and read again. The journey to Durban, when the bus finally arrived was ok, took 3.5 hours. But rained most of the way. Our hostel in Durban is interesting- its a big old industrial unit- slightly modified. Hopefully it will be brighter tomorrow as we are off on our Zulu tribe tour! Oh and the scrabble score is 20-0, but he did beat me at some of the card games and pool!
Oh and Vic, I have hopefully e-mailed you my passport date, let me know if you havent got it. Well done on your exams Luke! Good about your arm Jake and your Ipad, I may have to borrow it! Well done on graduating smell! And my bowels are fine thanks dad! Glad all is ok at home. Speak soon xx
- comments
Mum Mandy Hey where to start.... 20-0 scrabble score! Now that takes some doing so I would have thought climbing a little waterfall would have been a walk in the park!!! Please tell me you were on a rope on the ladder on the way down? or maybe don't tell me! It is all sounding fantastic and will keep fingers crossed for nice weather again fo r you to enjoy the Zulu tribe tour. Had a nice time with Sophie and Benny and enjoyed the graduation, but other than that it's been work and mousework! Although did get your father doing some hoovering today, you could tell it was an alien concept because he didn't know how to turn it on!! Well love to you both and look forward to next blog! Love you lots xx ps Your shoes have moved out of my front room! Don't worry they have a new home in an upstairs apartment (well more of a bedroom really). xx
Auntie Vic Thank god you have replied cos we have been watching banged up abroad looking for ya both!!!!! Umm im with mum with hoping you had a harness and hardhat for the decent down the shaky old metal ladders!!! Honestly cant think about that. Next time remember that the views always as good at the bottom. The witch doctor sounds an interesting character to meet, did you buy any 'erbs? Enjoy the Zulus am hoping this a ground tour! 20-0 gareth tut tut, you need to learn how to cheat! Anyways glad your enjoying yourselves and that so far you havent encountered any snoratrons. Got your email cheers alex. Enjoy have fun and stay low xxxxxxx loves you xxxxx
DAD DAD: all sounds wonderful with memorable adventures that must have got your adrenaline going. Bit different at every angle from Wilmslow Drive. Mum Mum was getting bit concerned about no posts, but we can now see why. Still three weeks or so to go so continue to enjoy.
Auntie Vic Dad Dad & Mum Mum????????? Me thinks someones bored without ya!!! Just saying..................... xx
mum The very evening I don't check for your blog Rob tex me to say you had been in touch, it was so good to hear from you both I began to wonder then dad said you could be out in the sticks and you were apologies accepted so good to catch up with your adventure what a time you are having wow! I bet the camera is red hot! must appreciate our busses more they are usualy on time! well two weeks gone already your going to want another week off work when you get home after all this travel, sorry to hear about the scrabble score Gareth you cannot be good at everything Ha! must tell Nan to get some practice in, keep the blogs coming Gizmo and I now going for our morning walk taking a copy of your Blogs for Uncle Frank to read he always asks after you both, take care now both of you keep the up dates coming thank you for making them so interesting love to you both Mum Dad and Gizmo xxxxxxxxxxx