At 9:30 we departed for the Drakensberg Mountains. This was our first drive through the mountains that surround the farm and five minutes into the trip we saw our first baboon along the side of the road. More baboons and numerous antelope were interspersed throughout the day as a 6.5 hour drive became an 8 hour drive due to construction along the way and a 10 minute mistake near Harrismith.
Lest one think we have hit the tropical jungles of Africa there were far more cows along the way than baboons and antelope. At most any time the views were as similar to a trip through eastern Montana as to any jungle view. However, we also saw the third-world part of Pieter’s earlier statement. Any town city we went through had a significant section of shacks and shanties that are the antithesis of what we might think of as a viable living condition, yet they were clearly people’s homes. Intersections were filled with people looking to hitch a ride and sell their wares, oranges, cigarettes etc.
Our day’s trip finally ended as the sun descended over the Drackensbergs and we climbed a single lane gravel road to the Berg House and cottages. A spectacular view awaits us tomorrow. A surprise visitor walked past our cottage. Mark heard a noise and a silhouette of a large animal and proclaimed a cow was walking past in front of us. The rest of the family now laughs as the cow emerged from the dark as an Eland - a large member of the antelope family.
Mark
wow
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