Awesome Augrabies!!

We arrived at Augrabies yesterday afternoon after an interesting journey through what mostly looked like No man’s land. The only “town “ that we went through in the 380 km that we did, other than Kakamas, was Nuniputs. Well there was a General Dealer and a Liquor store and another sort of hardware shop and an Afrikaans Church and something that looked like a school, a “Boere Vereeniging saal” and a Police Station and a house or two. Big town!!!! On the way we found a “Padloper” tortoise, which is quite rare in this area, a few Bat ear foxes, dead, unfortunately and some amazing scenery along the Molopo River bed as we got closer to Kakamas. Yet again we were gobsmacked about the ever changing beauty of our own country.

We stopped in Kakamas for a few essentials, like wood and tomatoes and potatoes and bread and then we were off to Augrabies. We were at Augrabies in January when the river was in flood and the falls were just about obscured because of all the mist and many of the walkways were washed away.  What a wonderful surprise when we got here to find the falls still full and fast flowing and AWESOME. Obviously not anything like when in flood, however most of the walkways are open. However the platform right at the top of the falls is still closed and in fact, destroyed. The one just down from that is open and it is a wonderful view from there.  The third platform is also still closed and some of the floorboards are smashed up. I suppose it will be a while before it is all restored. The fact is that the true magnificence of the Augrabies is visible and just a blessing to see. It is indeed the “Place of great noise”.

We drove through the park today and it is as spectacular as any brochure could make it. There are flowers everywhere, the Quiver trees are in bloom and the Parks Board has done a great job in making all the viewpoints safe and accessible. We went on the 4X4 route in the furthest part of the park and for a change it was for free. We saw several interesting things along the way. A strange “fungi” like plant that looked like a mushroom gone wrong. Dick took many photos of it. Then an interesting cricket and more photos and then to our surprise, some Giraffes. Maybe it is ignorance, but I just  never expected to se Giraffes in a place where there are no tall trees. I wonder if they don’t have lower back problems!!

I am so glad that we came back to Augrabies. It is really a place that one has to visit. The beauty is so different ant so varied and it is not too far from Cape Town, either. It is a bit like the Richtersveld and a bit like the Kalahari and a lot like AWESOME.

Tomorrow we are off on the last leg of our holiday. Strange to think that it is now only 10 sleeps away from being home again. We are heading off to Van Wyksvlei and then Fraserberg and then for 2 nights in Prince Albert, 2 nights in Gamkaskloof”Die Hel”, 2 nights in Gamkaberg and our last night in Cloetehuis at Matjiesvlei. So more exciting times ahead, to the bitter end and more freezing mornings, no doubt, but we are strong and healthy and loving every day.

Augrabies Falls