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Published: November 12th 2008
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Sani Pass
Nearly at the top The journey from Port St Johns to Sani Pass lodge was a long one, involving 4 different motor vehicles - but for much of the way the scenery was interesting enough to make it enjoyable. After a shuttle from the hostel up to Mthatha, then the Baz Bus to Kokstad, I was met by "Sani Pass Couriers" - a sweet man called Ian and his van - he was also picking up his son from the Greyhound, back from University for study leave, so for most of the journey to Underberg I eavesdropped on the lovely conversation of a father and son catching up.
Sani Pass Lodge is a quiet spot - serious hikers only here. And bikers. They seem to be following me.
I signed up for a trip up the Sani Pass and into Lesotho - it involved an extremely bumpy and precarious ride in a landrover (on a broken seat) - but the views on the journey and the informed chat from the driver made this bearable. After a couple of passport stamps, we were into Lesotho - really another world from the country we'd just left. The population is small, and in any case concentrated on the
Lesotho
A shepherd West side. Whilst the men are teenagers they work as shepherds - its pretty much the only work there is there - then when they are older they tend to stay in South Africa, visiting their families back in Lesotho from time to time.
Its a barren but beautiful place - and at high altitude - it boasts "the highest pub in Africa" near the border.
The other highlight of my Drakensburg experience was a gruelling hike up the Amphitheatre - a group of mountains in a semi-circular shape, boasting the second highest waterfall in the world, to which we hiked.
Starting at about 2500 metres above sea level, we climbed to 3121 metres - hard to do when oxygen is lacking! It was so worth it though - breath-taking (literally) views, and a great feeling of achievement. Then a slightly scary climb down 2 50-rung ladders thrown in to help us get back down the mountain...
Now in Johannesburg catching up on admin/laundry etc before my safari trip into the Kruger national park - and then its on to Oz! 4 weeks in South Africa has passed very quickly.
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Lindsey
non-member comment
Eek!
That ladder looks scary - you take care now, Miss Wilson - we want you back in one piece! Fab to hear your news, lots of love L xx