Via de Panoramaroute naar Pretoria
Door: Lindy
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Commando opleiding
04 Oktober 2007 | Zuid-Afrika, Pretoria
Thursday, for us our last day of an incredible journey borne through longstanding friendship and "verbondenheid" with the "Klas 68-6" and their better halves.
A long day ahead awaits us as Peter our driver carefully navigates the sometimes difficult terrain which leads to our final destination Pretoria. And Jorrie our guide faithfully fills us with fact and fiction.
Our journey takes us through Sabie, the Sabie River providing us with sightings of hippos, crocodiles and lions just like the day before while in the Kruger National Park. Then through Pilgrims Rest (a beautiful Victorian village) where Rift gold was first discovered. We travel on through lush green rolling hills and the scenery slowly transforms to huge boulders scarred over centuries by running water as we enter the Blyde River Canyon area. The breathtaking panorama from Gods Window, 1700 meters above sea level, encapsulates mists, mystery and unadulterated beauty of my beloved country. It is surrounded by rainforests and cliffs of lichen covered rocks. We wind our way to the Blyde River Canyon Potholes which are formed by the swirling waters where two rivers (the Blyde meaning Happy and Treure meaning Sad) join. From there we continue our journey to the top of the escarpment, the highest point being 2000 meters above sea level and pose for a group-photograph – a group of friends bound by friendship and goodwill. Our view is of the Three Rondawels, three hills which look like the roofs of the three different types of African homes.
Our descent from this distant part of the Drakensberg down to the highveld winds through ever-changing scenery and we enter the rich, fertile plains of grains, citrus and a new tobacco industry. We have a short break at an artist's derelict workshop. An enormous stone eagle and child stand guard over a carving of a man's face which follows you as you pass by. A truly amazing optical illusion.
We lunch at Ohrigstad, a village in the middle of nowhere, have an excellent lunch in a pub/restaurant called The Lamb and Ale, which is furnished by an amazing local wood craftsman who uses old burnt logs and branches. His furniture is exported worldwide.
On the road again through "dorpies" until we hit the highway and head for Pretoria travelling into a glowing red sunset. Hotel Arcadia ends our journey for today. It also means the parting of ways as Mike and I take leave of our fellow travellers/friends. It has been a journey which I hope has enriched your lives, opened your eyes and sealed once more the friendship and "verbondenheid" which shared travel experiences bring. Our last post Arcadia Hotel is an experience in itself, a "rainbow" hotel in true African style of the good and the not so good but staffed by unquestionably friendly people.
Dear Dutch friends, "welcome to Africa" and thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this journey and realizing Mikes dream with him of his life in Africa.
Heel veel liefs,
Lindy xxxxx
A long day ahead awaits us as Peter our driver carefully navigates the sometimes difficult terrain which leads to our final destination Pretoria. And Jorrie our guide faithfully fills us with fact and fiction.
Our journey takes us through Sabie, the Sabie River providing us with sightings of hippos, crocodiles and lions just like the day before while in the Kruger National Park. Then through Pilgrims Rest (a beautiful Victorian village) where Rift gold was first discovered. We travel on through lush green rolling hills and the scenery slowly transforms to huge boulders scarred over centuries by running water as we enter the Blyde River Canyon area. The breathtaking panorama from Gods Window, 1700 meters above sea level, encapsulates mists, mystery and unadulterated beauty of my beloved country. It is surrounded by rainforests and cliffs of lichen covered rocks. We wind our way to the Blyde River Canyon Potholes which are formed by the swirling waters where two rivers (the Blyde meaning Happy and Treure meaning Sad) join. From there we continue our journey to the top of the escarpment, the highest point being 2000 meters above sea level and pose for a group-photograph – a group of friends bound by friendship and goodwill. Our view is of the Three Rondawels, three hills which look like the roofs of the three different types of African homes.
Our descent from this distant part of the Drakensberg down to the highveld winds through ever-changing scenery and we enter the rich, fertile plains of grains, citrus and a new tobacco industry. We have a short break at an artist's derelict workshop. An enormous stone eagle and child stand guard over a carving of a man's face which follows you as you pass by. A truly amazing optical illusion.
We lunch at Ohrigstad, a village in the middle of nowhere, have an excellent lunch in a pub/restaurant called The Lamb and Ale, which is furnished by an amazing local wood craftsman who uses old burnt logs and branches. His furniture is exported worldwide.
On the road again through "dorpies" until we hit the highway and head for Pretoria travelling into a glowing red sunset. Hotel Arcadia ends our journey for today. It also means the parting of ways as Mike and I take leave of our fellow travellers/friends. It has been a journey which I hope has enriched your lives, opened your eyes and sealed once more the friendship and "verbondenheid" which shared travel experiences bring. Our last post Arcadia Hotel is an experience in itself, a "rainbow" hotel in true African style of the good and the not so good but staffed by unquestionably friendly people.
Dear Dutch friends, "welcome to Africa" and thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this journey and realizing Mikes dream with him of his life in Africa.
Heel veel liefs,
Lindy xxxxx
Reageer op dit reisverslag
Je kunt nu ook Smileys gebruiken. Via de toolbar, toetsenbord of door eerst : te typen en dan een woord bijvoorbeeld :smiley
