in the Drakensberg

Again, I have to say that we live in an amazingly beautiful country. Over the last few days we have spent time in the Addo, travelled to Gariep Dam and then to the Drakensberg. What variety, what beauty and what a priviledge to have been able to do it. My Dad always used to say that should explore your own country first before you venture out to travel the rest of the world. Needless to say I did not always agree and needless to say, now that I am getting older and hopefully wiser, I have to agree. Last year Dick and I travelled through Ethiopia, which was a wonderful experience, however today, as we travelled through the Golden Gate and into the Drakensberg, I just said to Dick that this is so like some parts of Ethiopia and we have it right here in our own country and more accessable and really just as astounding.
We spent a lovelly day in Addo. We went on an early morning drive and just enjoyed the park and the animals. The best for me was the time we spent  just sitting at a waterhole watching the elephants doing elephant things, like playing, schooling the young ones, disciplining the  unruly ones and generally being a family. I must say that after having read the book, The Elephant Whisperer, elephants make a lot more sense to me. Well worth the read. The evening we went on a game drive  with one of the local guides in the open vehicles. It was freezing cold,,however we saw a Caracal (rooi kat) within touching distance from us, walking like only a cat can and then just to show who actually owns the park, walked across the road right in front of the  truck.The guide assured us that it is a very rare sighting, so we really appreciated the effort that the caracal had put in. The night before we were sitting around the braai fire, after having eaten and through the fench a Small Spotted Genet appeared. It just set  there and looked at us and was very happy to be photographed by those who were fortunate anough to have their camaras with them. It was a truelly "Ahah" moment for me.
When we left Addo we travelled through too Cradock and then to Gariep. All of this also beautiful country. You go through hills and valleys and the Eastern Cape is so different that it is well worth travelling the road to just experience it. Gariep dam is obviously not full this time of year and neither was the campsite, other than a group of Indian/Pakistani men on a safari through South Africa. They have been travelling for between 2 and 4 months, depending on who you spoke to. They are spending about 2 nights in at a time in any given place. I am not sure what their mission is, but then agian, each amn to his own. The stretch of road on the N1 to Bloemfontein is hardl  top of my "marketing list".Luckily once we had turned off the N1 and we were heading for Bethlehem and Senekal and Clarens things changed. The towns were pristine and Bethlehem is a town expanding as if it was on steriods.
The journey through the Golden Gate to Drakensville is the Drakensberg is just a trip that should go on any serious travellers' itenary. It is a must do . We arrived in Drakensville late afternoon with clouds on the mountains, but with the assurance from the "receptions lady" that tomrrow will be a clear day. We hope and trust that she is more reliable than SA Weather, as we want to go and explre Royal Natal National Park tomorrow.