Drakensberg a road trip for all seasons

Drakensberg 

South Africa has some of the most scenic roads, making road trips the ideal way to experience the landscape on offer. It has  never taken much to convince me to hit the tarmac  be it winter or summer I am always ready for the road; my particular favourite stretch is from Johannesburg to Durban. Regardless of the time of the year that route always leaves me in awe of nature and its rugged beauty. This was my motivation in taking up a post as a co-pilot for a 3-day weekend road trip to the Drakensberg.

Action shot - see what I mean, how can you sleep through that journey

Always seeking clarity I asked what were the conditions of being a co-pilot for a 3 day weekend trip? “To be supportive and show the way” was the response.   Perfect! I could do that, after all what one really needs in a co-pilot is a person who can make the journey as fun as the destination.   

In saying YES, I unknowingly opened myself up to learning more about the spirit of generosity that exists within the world.   When you decide you want to be spontaneous and travel the day before a public holiday, you enroll in defying the school of thought that proclaims failing to plan is planning to fail.

After calling every place I could find in the Berg seeking a cottage with 2 bedrooms and braai area, I realised that I was in for a challenge; all the places were fully booked.  In a final attempt out of sheer desperation I asked the person I had on the line, if there was any place they could suggest? “Central Reservations” he suggested “they know everything.” 

These rather human-like, smiley gnomes can be found at the central reservations office

I called, still hopeful because you cannot give up without knocking on every door.  A delightful woman answered the phone; she exuded happiness that permeated through our conversation.  She explained that she had only been working there for a week and didn't know if she could find this rather complicated request at such a late hour.  She asked me if I was travelling with kids that I needed a 2 bed-roomed cottage.  I explained that we were friends; I was met with odd silence that was followed by short giggle, “well, I hope I can find you two little friends a suitable place, I’ll be in touch within the next hour.”  An hour later like clock-work Magda emailed me 2 places that she had found, a miracle worker indeed. She had found a quaint little cottage that could accommodate us.  I didn't expect Magda to go above and beyond for a stranger who was asking for an arm and a leg in accommodation but she amazed me in her willingness.

#1 Trust in the power of asking for help.

Now that the accommodation was done, my mind was on the road.  I enjoy being behind the wheel, but since my job was to show the way I had the luxury of taking in every bit of scenery.  There where huge fields with sunflowers that extended beyond what the eye could see, cows grazing in huge open fields and the panoramic mountain views.

 I even decided to indulge my curiosity about a Honey-comb looking building on the side of the highway, that I had passed several times but had never stopped to see what was inside. Whilst my friend worked on building a relationship with what looked like an ostrich, I discovered that they created interesting preserves and mouth-watering baked goods.  It took a whole lot of discipline for me to walk out of there without something for tea.

#2 Drop what you know and Indulge your curiosity

When we arrived the first thing I saw was the parking area, it dawned on me that the rental of the cottage was something our host had fallen into and not a business venture that they wanted to grow. It was a cottage with all the amenities we needed but none of the charm you would expect from a professional establishment.  It still contained family pictures and Christmas cards dating back to the 90’s. The host though was soft spoken, pleasant woman who brought us farm fresh milk for our tea.

#3 Let go of what you must to open yourself up to possibility

Whilst I finished unpacking, my friend started a fire to prepare our supper.  Besides the salad he cooked a scrumptious feast that left us satisfied in happy silence.  Not only could he make a "fire-lighter free" fire and cook he also washed-up afterwards.  It was a pleasant surprise, a real all-rounder.

#4 You discover things about people when you travel with them, things that you would not necessarily know in the convenience world of city life.

Retreating into nature can only be therapeutic for the soul, to get the most out of this trip we decided to go hiking the next day.  It was a perfect day, warm enough with clear blue skies.  Even though I have been to the berg several times I was blown away by its enormity and magnificence.  So blown away that mid-hike I felt like losing myself in its glory, plonking myself on the side of the path, I soaked in the silence, slight breeze and the feel of it against my skin.  A memory that I could never capture with my camera, beauty that can only be appreciated through the connection of being there with no distraction.  

#5 Generosity of spirit allows you to make room for each other’s quirky ways.

Along the way I felt myself heating up at the next stream I decided to dip my wrists into the mountain fresh, cool water.  What a welcome relief, I could feel my body temperature drop down to a more agreeable degree. 

Nandi Falls

Once we arrived at Nandi falls, I was enamoured with the coolness that I insisted on us eating our lunch under the spray of the falls. Luckily he was not going to allow me to get away with this one and found us the perfect and most probably the most scenic spot. The melody of the stream and tranquility of the area was a welcome reprieve

This was such a beautiful spot, it was not easy to reach but worth the trouble

#6 Great scenery, simple food & good company are the essentials of life 

The beauty of being in nature is it allows you to reflect, with no need to fill the silence with small talk, you get to be present. I was aware of how helpful my partner in crime was, how he always offered a helping hand in places that were precarious.  He was not upset when I rugby tackled him after thinking some wild animal (baboon to be exact) was launching at me.   It was not just me that he looked out for, when I was doing a final look around as we were leaving, I found some new additions to the bathroom and kitchen. It made me think of my Land Service days, that we are here to look after each others interest.  When you leave a place better than you found it, you in turn honour the person and encourage the spirit of generosity & kindness. 

I suppose part of a successful nature inspired road trip is having a person who is pleasant to be around and makes the experience one for the books or blog in this case.

#7 Leave things better than how you found them