LAZAROW WORLD HIKE-ABOUT

Nepal: Evening below Annapurna.

'LAZAROW WORLD HIKE-ABOUT: WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HIKE-ABOUT?'

Hike-about is an adventure that commenced June 2010. After storing our household movables, ridding ourselves of a house but retaining our 'home' together, we set off with the purpose of hiking in different parts of the world, not forgetting the home country, the USA.

Our primary focus is hiking to mountain peaks but any challenging hike will do just fine. Extended stays enable us to enjoy and experience living in various places amongst differing cultures. Hike-about has evolved into a way of life. It's also a process of discovery, both the world and ourselves.

We work and live 'on the road' but return to the city in which our grandchildren reside, every couple of months. This provides us the wonderful opportunity to be with them as well as a child or two, even three and of course, friends.

By the end of 2023, the blog contained over 1,560 hikes (less than that actually undertaken), each a set of pictures with stories and anecdotes from the trails. An index to the right allows the viewer to identify earlier experiences.

Finally, we are often asked about the journey's end.
O
ur reply, as accurate as we can state, is: "When we are either forced to cease through health issues or the enjoyment level no longer reaches our aspirations, we will hang up the boots."

"A Life Experience As No Other: Dare to Seize the Day Together", published by Fulton Books, depicts our life on the road and mountains until the beginning of 2017. It has developed 'exponentially' since then.

Jenni and Jeffrey Lazarow

Whereas we continue to update the blog regularly, we circulate email notifications infrequently.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Hikes 34 and 35: Thendele, Northern Drakensberg--An African Experience at the Amphitheatre

Magnificent Drakensberg

Small in a large environment

A chain is only as strong as its weakest....

Hi All,

February 14th

We left Cape Town reluctantly but not before meeting with Dani and Gill Saks, their sweet, young children, Jacob and Ruby. We saw Dani some 17 years ago when he visited San Diego for Natalie’s bat mitzvah. Dani is our nephew through Jenni’s sister.
Jungle Jen...again

The problem with overseas travel is that one is forced to buy return-tickets which ‘cramps one’s style’ when wishing to remain in a place for an extended period. Nevertheless, we’re working on a plan. Meanwhile, we flew a little north and mostly east to the port city of Durban. Colyn and Sharon Levin invited us to visit them in La Lucia on our way to the Royal National Park of KwaZulu-Natal. The difference, in our opinion, between La Lucia and La Jolla is that the former is modern, very well planned and at a third of the price or less. We also mentioned we lunched with the Levin’s last week in Johannesburg. The have two homes, we have none. However, we calculate it as an average of one house each. Makes sense, we think. Their home in this delightful enclave is near perfect and their hospitality was superb. Thank you, Levin’s.

Some good bonding

South Africa is a dilemma for us. To be honest, which is the only way we think one should be, Johannesburg is a…well, not a desirable city. However, the natural attractions and beauty of the Cape and the appeal of KwaZulu-Natal have aroused our interest greatly. We mentioned it earlier. The Cape above ground level is another world—an exquisite one. The north coast of KZ-Natal is also a very desirable area within which to live. The dilemma is thus simmering. Perhaps we should engage in a cooling off period, say a winter in North Dakota, to clear our minds. Anyway, we pondered as we sat on the boulevard of La Lucia, coffee in the left hand, index finger on the keyboard while wondering ‘buy, sell, hold or order another cup’. Coffee seemed the least risk to take. The breeze came off the Indian Ocean, cooled the face, the coffee too and made us realize again how fortunate we are.

Water from Heaven

We left ‘Durbs by the Sea’ and drove to the Royal Natal National Park near Bergville. From the moment we approached this district, we could already feel the knees quivering. It is another beautiful part of the country, of the world. Time allowed us a short hike before sunset, especially as our internet system, purchased earlier in the day, did not operate. Instead of being able to do some work, we were forced to enjoy an early evening hike in the foothills. No! It’s not easy.

Crossing number 10 of the day

Another fascinating place

In the morning, we set off for the Gorge and beyond. We hiked over 10 miles, which included viewing spectacular scenery, mountains soaking in mists, greenery, rivers crossed on at least 10 occasions, waterfalls of incredible height and so much more. The variation from the Cape was drastic but this place is dramatic in itself.

Tiny view of amphitheatre

There goes another pair of boots

To get to an internet cafĂ©, we passed through small villages and watched children returning from school. The main road is a thoroughfare for the inhabitants, livestock, baboons, all and sundry. It could have been a scene from the 19th century. We spoke with locals and enjoyed their banter. The African people are friendly, humble and refreshing. Of course, we are not referring to the ‘city slickers’, the unruly elements and the criminal class. Another of life’s tragedies occurs when all are lumped together and compared with the criminal few. One can see the changes that have occurred over the last two decades, many of them easily apparent and for the better.

That's really high

The African blood may have hibernated for a few years but it seems to be pumping through our arteries again…vigorously. Hmm!

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

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