As the crow flies it is only 38 kms from Afriski to Golden Gate National Park (our next stop). However, there is a the small matter of the Drakensberg/Maluti mountain range directly between these two places. We needed to do about an hours drive in Lesotho to the border crossing (at Butha Buthe) called Caledon. The road was windy windy (as in not straight) and with quite a few potholes. It was slow going (or felt that way) as we descended from 3100m to around 1900m.
We had left at just before 9:30am and we were at the border by around 10:30am. The Lesotho border was relatively quick and easy including not even having to get out your car. Then we arrived at the SA border and total chaos. You had to get out of your car to get your passport stamped. People had just abandoned their cars so that they could get into the queue. The non-drivers got into the queue as well while the drivers found a spot to park and then joined the queue. From a quick look it was obviously this was going to take some time. There were about 200 people ahead of us and the line seemed to be moving slowly. It took us 45 minutes to finally get to the front and get our passports stamped and then head over the border. It seems most of Lesotho were trying to cross the border yesterday as well. There were definitely more people than there were cars but when were through the SA border, we saw the multiple taxis lined up to transport the people to wherever they were going.
By this time it was lunch time. We headed into Clarens and went to the Clarens Brewery (we had been previously). When at a brewery one must have an on top beer and our table ended up with quite a diversity – B had a red ale, A a lager, S a blonde and I had a stout. Everyone seemed to enjoy whatever they bought. We also had some lunch at the brewery. Unfortunately, J is now banned from going back to Clarens as she didn’t pay any attention to the toilet signs and used the wrong one. When she exited the stall she found a male using the urinal. She went on to tell us she knows exactly what the guy looks like (we really didn’t want to know). She retreated back into the stall and no doubt the guy was keen to finish up very quickly and get out of there.
We walked around the town and the ladies did some browsing and but seemingly only O bought something. The men thought we had everyone back and then we would lose another one to the shop. A suggested that it seems they shop in series – one comes back and then another goes. Fortunately it was only about a 20 minute drive to the Golden Gate NP.
We had to check in at Glen Reenen camp reception (which we did at around 3pm) and then it is another 15 minute drive up to the Highlands Mountain Retreat. We have two cottages each sleeping 4 people and they overlook the Drakensberg mountains. The view is spectacular. It was fairly cool and the wind was blowing which made it feel colder. By the time the sunset (at 6pm) it was already only 10 degrees C.
We got a fire going inside the cabin and R got Weber loaded with charcoal and got the braai going for dinner. By 8:15pm everyone was yawning and ready for bed. It seems we can barely get past 8:30pm these days. We put it down to the early mornings and fresh air. It is also the reason why I never posted the blog last night. I managed to do the first 2 paragraphs and just couldn’t keep my eyes open.
Until later today …
P, H, S, B, R (for braaiing last night), A, O (I haven’t forgotten about the red wine yet) & J (for the toilet gaffe)