Lazarow World-Hike-About

We originally thought a car trip would provide an interesting and meaningful backdrop to our visit. In retrospect, Jenni made the point that in America, one should travel by road and in South Africa, particularly in the Eastern Cape, by plane. It’s a good idea. We commenced just east of Plettenberg Bay; our new destination being the Central Drakensberg district, close to Cathedral Peak, a distance of about 600 miles, or so. This young woman at Storms River gives the old folks a boost before memorable journey The route we took via Port Elizabeth, East London (stopover), Bisho, Butterworth, Mthatha and Kokstad (stopover), Umzimkulu, Pietermaritzburg, Howick (stopover) and then on to Winterton and finally, the destination in Champagne Valley, Acorn Cottages. To write it was an interesting, frustrating, dangerous, eye-opening, frightening, amusing, something not be missed or repeated would be an understatement. We still are not sure what we witnessed but do know it had an impact ...

Howick Falls, from above. The vertical drop is approximately 330 feet. A person can get soaked without it raining Impressive even though small by the 'big boy' standards In the days before the freeway linking Durban and Johannesburg, there was a good chance the family might pass Howick Falls, take a quick look and then head for Durbs-by-the Sea. Nowadays, it’s a race to get to the coast only slowed down by the toll-gates that litter the N3 freeway (opinion only). Following a harrowing journey through the Eastern Cape, the roads of Natal are a treat. In order to hike down to the base of the falls, one has to sign-in and pay a fee. “I have to warn you that although we have not had an attack since January 2007, unemployment is rampant in the area so be on the lookout,” the woman warned. We always find that comforting and reassuring before heading into the bush. The growth in a wet area such as below a falls is obviously lush and bush is an understatement. With our ed...

Cathkin Peak lifts it distinctive top through the clouds for a moment Jenni contemplates our next move into the clouds More than three thousand feet above the valley, views are breathtaking, clouds lift allowing us to see from whence we began Maybe it is , maybe it’s not. We think it could be one of the most beautiful places visited in our travels. A place of large mountains with unique formations and geology, covered with the greenest grasses, looking like a mowing gang passes through weekly. To stand in the great open spaces, particularly at height, surrounded by mountains with clouds moving constantly, covering and then exposing the peaks, is like watching a theatrical production. We once saw something similar in the Alps of Grindelwald. The songs of the birds, the trickle of the water down myriads of streams, the calmness after storms abate, occasionally, allows a person to become one with nature. At the same time, the mountains dare the hiker to walk along the ...

Surreal as clouds allowed us a glimpse of the 'back-wall' A typical scene in the Drakensberg, heavy downpours are kind to the very green grasses Like a beautiful woman who knows it, the Drakensberg Mountains stand sultry under partial cloud cover, some mist and surrounded by greenery, the latter almost artificial in bright color. Attractive, to say the least, but also irritatingly erratic. The heavens have difficulty with the impetuous creation, too. Daily thunderstorms of enormous power frighten the residents of the valleys as the battle plays out between mountain and Maker. We stand around in awe and trepidation, waiting for the sparring to cease for a while, allowing us to climb up these beauties. As with most areas, the formations, geology and flora tend to have their own unique flavor—the Drakensberg is no exception. Approaching the mushroom after climbing nearly 1,700 feet A view of Cathedral Peak Hotel from above, might be nostalgic for ex-patriates ...