All the Way Up
After over a month in the Middle East and North Africa, it was time for a change. It was time to experience the "real" Africa. Following a twenty hour journey to Johannesburg, South Africa, I rented a car and made my way south out of the city. Over the next three weeks, I was planning to visit six countries and drive around five thousand kilometers across the southern region of the continent. My first stop was the Drakensberg Mountains on the eastern border of Lesotho.
Three and a half hours and several baboon encounters later, I arrived at my hostel on the edge of Royal Natal National Park. I awoke early the next day to head to Lesotho with a group from the hostel. After an hour and a half African Massage (driving on questionable roads), we arrived at the Lesotho border. It consisted of a small outhouse and an immigration office no larger than a shed. However, we were greeted with large smiles and questions from the guards; it was a nice welcome and a great start to the day.
Lesotho is a poor country, and quite a rural one. While walking through the mountain villages, it was rare to see a car or working electricity for that matter. Still, smiles were prevalent throughout the entire visit. Although a simple life, many of the people I encountered spoke highly of it. They take care of the land, and the land takes care of them. I was also fortunate enough to meet a traditional mountain healer. With the closest clinic over a two-hour drive away, many villagers rely on healers for their ailments. She spoke of her journey to healing, that she was one of the chosen ones by her ancestors. It was a unique experience, and she sent all of us on our way with simple, yet great advice, "Take care of your body and it will take care of the rest."
There was still another necessary experience to undergo in Lesotho, and that was to try the traditional mountain beer. When I say beer, that term should be associated lightly. After being presented with a bucket full of cream-colored liquid, I decided to give it a try. With a slight hint of traditional beer, it tasted more like a melted bucket of blue cheese. I had no idea how it was made or what was in it, but after a few sips, it started to feel like what beer is supposed to.
The next day, I headed with another group to the mountains bordering the country I had just visited. The Drakensberg Mountains are home to the second tallest cliffs in the world, as well as the second tallest waterfall known as Tugela Falls. It was perhaps the most incredible hike I had ever completed. After about three hours, I came out of the gorge we just climbed to the magnificent sight pictured above. Just above three thousand meters, the cliffs towered above the clouds below. As I walked towards the edge, my heart raced; it was a long way down.
That wouldn't be the last of my higher heart rate. We took a different route down via the infamous chain ladders. Loosely hanging over several cliff ledges, it was quite thrilling to climb down these obstacles. Going well along the lines of African Health and Safety regulations, there was no rope or safety net to go with them. Everyone in the group made it down safely, and we enjoyed the nice sunset walk along the trail back to the hostel van. A long, but incredible day.
At this stage, I have been traveling for two months. It's incredible that no matter how many days go by, each one provides something unique, challenging, or just downright exciting.