02 | February | 2008

Archive for February 2nd, 2008

Drakensberg Mountains

Posted in Drakensberg map, Drakensberg mountains, Drakensberg Mountains map, Drakensberge, hiking in South Africa, hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains, Mount Aux Sources, movies, National Anthem, National Bird of South Africa, National Fish South Africa, National flower of South Africa, National Symbols, Protea, South Africa, Springbok, tagged Coat of arms, Drakensberg map, Drakensberg Mountain map, Drakensberg mountains, Drakensberge, hiking in South Africa, hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains, Mount Aux Sources, movies, National Anthem, National Anthem of South Africa, National Bird, National fish of South Africa, National flower of South Africa, National Symbols of South Africa, Protea, South Africa, Springbok on 02/02/2008| 4 Comments »

Click to access drakensberg.pdf

The pdf has loads about the mountain.

Drakensberg Map

On this link, you will find two map links – very detailed and beautiful.

Click HERE to visit different places of the Drakensberg mountain and you can also make bookings from this link. This mountain range stretches from the Northern part of South Africa to the Southern part of the country. The highest peak is Mount Aux Sources, about 4300 m. I was on Mount Aux Sources when I was 15 with a school hiking trip! Two of our teachers went with us. We were about 20-30 students, 15 and 16 years old. I can remember we travelled through Qwa-Qwa –Eastern Free State -and we parked the coaches at Witsieshoek. From there you are sort of already at the foothills of the mountain and it wouldn’t take you that long to the summit. Just a few hours. But hey, be prepared for two chain ladders and strong winds. You have your kit on your back: tent, rucksack, sleeping bag, whatever you take with you – and you go up the ladder with everything. Some of the students were scared and our teacher used a rope to tie around one another to make them feel more safe. I think I just prayed all the way up! There is a hut on Mount Aux Sources, but when we arrived there, the roof was down! So, we just slept wherever we felt safe – away from trees because of the possibility of thunder and lightning.

There are many caves in “The Berg” where you can sleep when going on a hiking trip. Click HERE to see the caves and links, they tell you also about CAVE ETIQUETTE on the cave-index page! You can also read on the “hut” link where to find huts to stay on your trip! And on THIS LINK you can see a gallery of the peaks in “The Berg” and their names. This is really a MUST go place to go on holiday, make sure you don’t miss out!

The flower is South Africa’s National Flower, the King Protea.

The Springbok – South Africa’s National antelope – also the Rugby team of our country called the Springboks.

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Tour the Lowveld!

Posted in concentration camps, Eastern Transvaal, History, Long Tom, Lydenburg, Mount Sheba, Pilgrims Rest, South Africa, tagged Baberton, Blyde River Canyon, Blyderivier, concentration camps, Eastern Transvaal, History of South Africa, Long Tom Pass, Lydenburg, Lydenburg Heads, Mount Sheba, Mpumalanga, Pilgrims Rest, South Africa, White River, Witrivier on 02/02/2008| 2 Comments »

All links in this post will open in a new window. Read on THIS LINK more about Pilgrim’s Rest with beautiful pictures and links to other posts on my blog. It was our second time in the Royal Hotel although we’ve been to Pilgrim’s Rest a zillion times. As a child I grew up on a farm just about 30 minutes’ drive from Pilgrim’s Rest and I don’t think I have to say more!
And of course…if you are in this area, you can’t go wrong by MOUNT SHEBA which is a resort situated in the northern part of the Drakensberg mountains near Pilgrim’s Rest. On the link you can see this map enlarged.

By looking at these pictures, you can see how beautifully this old Hotel has been decorated and I love this bath tub! You feel like spending hours in a bath like this! Everything in the rooms was really very neat and tidy and we couldn’t complain about anything. The service was outstanding and the cleaners very friendly and helpful. They were ready at hand to carry any luggage from the car and it was such a relief to find some fresh tea ready after a long way of travel from Blyde River!

These are the rest rooms of the Hotel it self. I found it very clean and tidy.

And, very odd, still in August – which winter in SA, but this plant was in bloom, so beautiful

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Pilgrim’s Rest

Posted in Gold Rush, History, Mpumalanga, Pilgrims Rest, Royal Hotel, tagged Gold Rush, Historical town, History, holiday, Mpumalanga, Pilgrims Rest, Royal Hotel, South Africa on 02/02/2008| 9 Comments »

I’ve posted before about before about Pilgrims Rest and don’t want to bore you again with the history of the town. In short – for those “lazy” readers… – oh yes, HERE is a link! – this is a historical town in the Eastern part of the country… Mpumalanga. Mpumalanga means… place where the sun rises..so, it’s the East! Previously, it was called Eastern Transvaal and you were lucky (like me!) if you grew up in this part of the country as it is one of the most beautiful places in the country. This historical town – Pilgrims Rest – was founded during the Gold Rush in South Africa and the town is now a tourist attraction and really a “must go” when you go to South Africa. I’ve got some fantastic pictures that will get posted tomorrow about views of the town and more about museums in the town and from the displays in the musems and also from the Hotel itself. So…keep watching this space!

The Royal Hotel was THE place to be – I guess for those miners after a hard day’s work! If you walk into the Royal Hotel, you can “hear” them talking “gold”! The atmosphere is really a relaxing atmosphere. The main road doesn’t go through the town anymore like before and that makes wondering/lingering through the town quite safe and less stressful!

These two pictures are some old posters and it grabbed my attention immediately!

I got permission from this art shop to take some pics inside and they sell the most wonderful art/pottery! Just have a look at all the designs, rich in colour and rich in Africa! I love these designs!

These menus can’t be ignored! You have to sit down and have something to eat, my favourite of course…scones and jam+cream! and those Koeksisters!! how can you resist it!

On these pics you can see evidence of the mining that was going on. There’s museums in the town that is very informative about the area and the “Gold Rush”.Read HERE MORE about the Gold Rush in Pilgrims Rest.