Ok, day two in the Drakensbergs. After a night at the lovely Amphitheatre backpackers, we headed back to Royal Natal National Park. It was a shorter drive in the morning as we entered the park from the main entrance. The drive to the park was done switching between 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear not because of bad roads, but rather Ellie regularly asking me to slow down or stop so she could get a picture. And luckily I obliged and she got some great photos of the town on the way into the park.
Our first stop was at the visitors centre to figure out which hike we would do before having to head back to Durban. It felt just like stopping at the Waterton visitors centre to determine if the hike for the day has any bear warnings. We were told that Tiger Falls was a good 2 and a bit hours hike, and to make sure that we took the trail in a clockwise route rather than counter-clockwise. And thank goodness for that advice. With a map in hand we headed off to the car park where a slightly sketch security guard made us register for the hike and decided he would walk part way with us to make sure we got on the right trial. He was in fact helpful and we were off on our hike. The hike began with a meander through a variety of vegetative zones. I finally learned what a protea is, but my favourites were the cabbage tree and the one with the fuzzy flowers. The hike took us through the valley surrounded by the Amphitheatre and offered beautiful views all morning (again supplemented by the beautiful weather).
Just past the half way point of the hike, you get to Tiger Falls. Again, not so much water volume, but still a beautiful place. I stood underneath the falls for a bit to cool off, Ellie decided to just test the water with her hand.
From the falls we began the descent past the look-out rock and onto a paved path (I know). Although the path was paved and we were going downhill my legs were burning. The path was ridiculously steep and my quads were in for a work out. We passed many unfortunate groups who had not received the advice we had (clockwise not counterclockwise) and I have to admit, I felt bad for them. The view was beautiful, but I feel as though you would totally miss it trudging up this concrete path.
At the end of the very steep descent was the Cascades. A beautiful little spot where, had we had more time, I would definitely have been swimming. Maybe next time.
The hike ended with a little trip across this bridge. Reminded me of the three billy goats gruff.
After the end of our hike, we headed on to see the Bushmen (or San) paintings. We were told that the tour left every hour on the hour, but when we arrived on time, nobody was there. The gate was open and Ellie decided we should make our way up. Me, being a rule follower hesitated, but continued on. When we arrived at the top, there was Elijah the guide and two ladies, one from France, the other from Capetown, they were all very welcoming. Ellie was right. Elijah showed us some of the paintings and I was pretty proud of myself when I identified one correctly as a heartbeest. I was surprised by the amount of detail and variety in the pieces. Elijah told us that carbon dating had been used to date these specific paintings to approximately 800 years ago, but I don't know how accurate that is (not the carbon dating, the restatement of the dates). The rock paintings were a good little cultural add-on to our weekend in the Drakensbergs.
Oh, I forgot one thing from the weekend - driving. So, when we left Canada we were supposed to come up with personal projects for our time away. I will fully acknowledge that I have done very little to achieve my personal goal. However, Ellie has been better about hers and actually added another one after a few weeks here. She decided that she wanted to learn to drive standard while here. Now, there are some good things about this plan - like she will be learning on a rental and therefore any damage to the clutch is of minor significance. There are also some not so great things about this plan - you must not only learn to drive standard, but learn on the left side of the road with a backwards car.
Well, this weekend was the start of Ellie's lessons. After our hike on Saturday, after I drove through the not so nice parts of the road, I pulled over and we switched drivers. I had been explaining to Ellie the whole ease off the clutch and ease into the gas thing for a few days, but this was the test - had she understood what I meant? Had she really taken it in? So, instructions - clutch all the way in, start the car, foot on the break, put car into first, take the hand break off, switch right foot from break to gas, ease off the clutch while at the same time ease onto the gas, feel the car catch and off we go. She did really well up until the ease onto the gas part, it was more a give it all the gas, but we did get going, not smoothly, but she didn't stall. Anyways, long story short, Ellie came a long way in her first two lessons (Saturday and Sunday). And the left side of the road thing was way better on Sunday than Saturday. We aren't quite up for city driving yet, and there was an incident at a toll booth, but she did really well. And maybe, I will add to my personal project - teaching Ellie to drive standard. I feel like it is one I can achieve in the next four and a half months. (There are no pictures as I thought this might prove to be a distraction).
Our first stop was at the visitors centre to figure out which hike we would do before having to head back to Durban. It felt just like stopping at the Waterton visitors centre to determine if the hike for the day has any bear warnings. We were told that Tiger Falls was a good 2 and a bit hours hike, and to make sure that we took the trail in a clockwise route rather than counter-clockwise. And thank goodness for that advice. With a map in hand we headed off to the car park where a slightly sketch security guard made us register for the hike and decided he would walk part way with us to make sure we got on the right trial. He was in fact helpful and we were off on our hike. The hike began with a meander through a variety of vegetative zones. I finally learned what a protea is, but my favourites were the cabbage tree and the one with the fuzzy flowers. The hike took us through the valley surrounded by the Amphitheatre and offered beautiful views all morning (again supplemented by the beautiful weather). 
Just past the half way point of the hike, you get to Tiger Falls. Again, not so much water volume, but still a beautiful place. I stood underneath the falls for a bit to cool off, Ellie decided to just test the water with her hand. 
From the falls we began the descent past the look-out rock and onto a paved path (I know). Although the path was paved and we were going downhill my legs were burning. The path was ridiculously steep and my quads were in for a work out. We passed many unfortunate groups who had not received the advice we had (clockwise not counterclockwise) and I have to admit, I felt bad for them. The view was beautiful, but I feel as though you would totally miss it trudging up this concrete path. 
After the end of our hike, we headed on to see the Bushmen (or San) paintings. We were told that the tour left every hour on the hour, but when we arrived on time, nobody was there. The gate was open and Ellie decided we should make our way up. Me, being a rule follower hesitated, but continued on. When we arrived at the top, there was Elijah the guide and two ladies, one from France, the other from Capetown, they were all very welcoming. Ellie was right. Elijah showed us some of the paintings and I was pretty proud of myself when I identified one correctly as a heartbeest. I was surprised by the amount of detail and variety in the pieces. Elijah told us that carbon dating had been used to date these specific paintings to approximately 800 years ago, but I don't know how accurate that is (not the carbon dating, the restatement of the dates). The rock paintings were a good little cultural add-on to our weekend in the Drakensbergs. 
Oh, I forgot one thing from the weekend - driving. So, when we left Canada we were supposed to come up with personal projects for our time away. I will fully acknowledge that I have done very little to achieve my personal goal. However, Ellie has been better about hers and actually added another one after a few weeks here. She decided that she wanted to learn to drive standard while here. Now, there are some good things about this plan - like she will be learning on a rental and therefore any damage to the clutch is of minor significance. There are also some not so great things about this plan - you must not only learn to drive standard, but learn on the left side of the road with a backwards car.
Well, this weekend was the start of Ellie's lessons. After our hike on Saturday, after I drove through the not so nice parts of the road, I pulled over and we switched drivers. I had been explaining to Ellie the whole ease off the clutch and ease into the gas thing for a few days, but this was the test - had she understood what I meant? Had she really taken it in? So, instructions - clutch all the way in, start the car, foot on the break, put car into first, take the hand break off, switch right foot from break to gas, ease off the clutch while at the same time ease onto the gas, feel the car catch and off we go. She did really well up until the ease onto the gas part, it was more a give it all the gas, but we did get going, not smoothly, but she didn't stall. Anyways, long story short, Ellie came a long way in her first two lessons (Saturday and Sunday). And the left side of the road thing was way better on Sunday than Saturday. We aren't quite up for city driving yet, and there was an incident at a toll booth, but she did really well. And maybe, I will add to my personal project - teaching Ellie to drive standard. I feel like it is one I can achieve in the next four and a half months. (There are no pictures as I thought this might prove to be a distraction).
1 comment:
Beautiful! These are my favourite landscape shots so far...just amazing!
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