March 7/8 (Updated 3/11): Hogsback Valley and The Valley of Fairies

I never realized that there were as many mountain ranges in South Africa. The road out of Malealea is as treacherous going out as coming in...a nail biter. As we depart, we see children and teenagers going to school dressed : boys - white shirt and pants, girls - skirts and blouses...our students should dress as well. The boy on the mule is an African cowboy...children who do not want to go to school herd the cattle/sheep for the family. The people standing at roadside are waiting for transportation which is provided by minivans...very much like the SLUGS of the DC suburbs who get to work in other people's vehicles...Africans pay for their rides. The yellow building is a rural telephone booth offering telephone serve to the rural community.

Road to Redemption - Hogsback



African Cowboy



Rural Telephone Booth

Bus Stop

"Rough Road, Fasten Safety Belt,
Remove Dentures and Hearing Aids"

Crossing into South Africa- Again

We leave Lesotho, cross the border at the South African checkpoint of Sepapushek and travel south into South Africa's East Cape province. Since we are approaching our destination, Hogsback Mountain resort area, from the NE, our only access is a 50 km (30 miles) of a rough dirt road...bumpty...bumpty..here we go...again!! The weather turns threatening, looks mean and becomes mean...lighting after lighting stroke and the torrents of rain begin...oh great...I can just see us now sliding off the road into a ditch, just like we did in Namibia.  We make into the picturesque Hogsback Valley located within the Amatola Mountains. We stay in en- suite rooms at Kings Lodge (http://www.kingslodgehogsback.co.za/). What a great looking place in spite of the rain.

Another Great Room - King's Lodge



Threatening Weather



It's about 6 PM and the electricity goes our due to the storm. The Lodge has emergency generating power for the kitchen and main dining areas. Candles are distributed to the guests and line the hallways throughout the Lodge....looks surreal...reminds me of Jack Nickleson in the Shining....woooooo!!!

Dinner...no light....go to bed because..?????? ....we are going hiking tomorrow morning if the weather is nice....zzzzzz

Rise at 7:30 AM completely refreshed and the sun is shining brightly. We are leaving for a 6 km hike to the Madonna and Child waterfalls. Off we go to our starting point which is a backpacker's facility named "Valley of the Fairies" (more about this later).The folks at the backpacker's inn give us a trail map and instruct us where to go and what to avoid. As we approach the view point, we come across 2 interesting artifacts...a bathtub hanging on a cliff's edge and a "Lord of the Chain Rings" green vehicle....this is going to be an interesting hike. 

Sylvia in the Green Machine

Taking a Bath

The hike is one of the nicest that I have taken; anytime. We were in the woods 95% of the time so that the sun wasn't beating down on us. The trail was well marked and maintained with steps and handrails where required. We were approaching "Big Tree" a landmark and the trial's turning point when there is a major noise in the bushes and out bounds a beautiful golden lab and his tiny side-kick buddy. It scared the heck out of me; our 2 new friends stayed with us until we reached the Falls.



Easy Does It

 


An Enjoyable Hike

 


Tom and Friend

 


"Big Tree - 800 Years Old"



We reach the Falls and a magnificent sight and sound it makes....as you can see from the photos...it truly is beautiful. After a few minutes of enjoyment and soaking tired feet, we must climb to the top of the Falls to meet Shadi who will drive us back to King's Lodge.

Going Up - Ain't Easy

Under Madonna and Child Spray

Now to the Valley of the Fairies" backpacker's camp. As I travel, I become more convinced that traveling and staying at backpacker camps is the way to go. The places are friendly to all visitors, have Internet at reasonable prices, people to talk/discuss various topics, youthful in age by my standards and a bar that serves inexpensive and generous libations. I spent 4 hours updating this BLOG and partaking of their delicious red South African wine for 10 Rand ($1.25) per large glass....yuuum. I have attached pictures of the inside of the bar...I met the owner Daniel...an Englishman who was traveling through the area as a backpacker ten years ago...he loved it...stayed and worked at a backpacker facility nearby...bought out the owner when he moved back to England...here he is...married and enjoying life....

Bar Area with Nation Flags

Welcome to Fairyland

I got back to King's Lodge late for dinner...having too good of a time at "Fairies"......since we were leaving early in the AM and my wine consumption was causing drowsiness, I went to bed at 9 PM....