Monday, May 31, 2004
I wake up at half past six AM this morning to pack the bike for my
trip to the Kruger national Park. At seven we had breakfast and just
before nine o'clock I was ready to leave.
I started the Harley....... nothing, noises but not the right ones :-(
After several tries, the battery was almost flat so with the help of Han
and Lisette, I push started the bike.
First I drove through the Golden Gate park. Beautiful scenery, winding
mountain roads and baboons on the road. Unfortunaely I didn't want to
stop because first the battery had to be charged butit was a nice sight
anyway.
In Harrismith I flled my tank near the Greyhound bus stop and then I took
the N3 tollroad and then the R103 to Ladysmith.
From Ladysmith I drove North past Volksrust and Amersfoort (very
Dutch names;-) and then I had a short rest on the side of the road.
I don't know how many kilometers I have done because the speedo cable
broke so I hope I don't run in to many speed traps.
On the side of the road to Amersfoort
The scenery is nice with low hills and grand views. The road is rolling
in a straight line up and down the hills. On the side of the road I see
a springbok (or something like it) but when I try to make a picture, it
runs away. I pass a few lakes and I'm riding relaxed, feet forward on
the forward controls and comfortably leaning to my backpack that is
on the passengerseat of the bike.
From Amersfoort I drive to Ermelo and then to Machadodorp. I fill the
tank again and get onto the tollroad to Nelspruit. On the mountains
around me I see several fires. Finaly I see a sign "Kaapsehoop".
Kaapsehoop is a small villages with guesthouses and artists and Matt
had recomended it to me for the night so I drove up into the mountains
to Kaapsehoop.
It was already started to get dark when I entered the gate (!) to
Kaapsehoop. I asked a lady at an artshop for directions and soon I
found a beautiful guest house, "Silver Mist Guest House".
The Silver Mist Guest House
Fortunately they had a free room and I could park the Harley right
in front of the main entrance so it would be save for the night.
After I stored all my luggage in my room I went to the bar and had
a coffee and chatted with a few South Africans who were sitting at
the bar. One of them was a helicopter pilot and he showed me some
places to visit on my map.
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
For breakfast I had a small bowl of muesli, a ham omelette and a cup
of coffee. Again the bike did not start but the road from the guesthouse
to the mainroad was downhill so it was easy to push start on my own.
Soon after I left Kaapsehoop, I saw a bunch of horses on the road
and next to the road. A long time ago, when the boers surrendered to
the British army, they let all their horses go in the wild and since
then, there are wild horses in the mountains around Kaapsehoop.
Wild horses in the mountains near Kaapsehoop
From Kaapsehoop I drove to Nelspruit and then I tried to find the
road to Hazyview. On my map it was the R538 so I took the R538
from Nelspruit past Witrivier. When I was a few kilometers past
Witrivier I was not sure if this road was going in the right direction
so I stopped at a gasstation to ask for directions and I was not
going to Hazyview this way so I had to return to Witrivier (only 9
kilometers so no problem) It was a beautifull road!
The R538 near Witrivier
From Witrivier I get on the R40 to Hazyview and past Marite,
Bushbuckridge and Klaserie I drive to Hoedspruit. Here I drive
past giant banana plantations.
Banana plantations near Hoedspruit.
I also see much to much poor townships and slums. You see them
everywhere and sometimes they are very big. It is depressing
to see so many people living in these poor conditions.
From Hoedspruit I drive to Phaloborwa with only one stop for
fuel and milk and finaly it is almost half past two PM when
I arrive at Sefapane Lodge.
At Sefapane lodge in Phaloborwa.
It is very nice. When I arrive, I get a glass of fruitjuice and
the key to my rondavel, a round hut with a thatched roof. Very
nice! I park the Harley on my own covered parking next to
my rondavel.
When I'm done unpacking, I go to the reception desk and ask
if there is an internet computer to read my email. There is
so first I read my email. Then I go to an ATM nearby to get
some cash before I go to the Spar to buy bread, cheese, milk
and some chocolat and a bike magazine.
After my bread with cheese and chocolat, I go to bed early
because tomorrow I have to wake up at five in the morning to
go on safari.
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