Zululand
Trip Start
Aug 27, 2007
1
24
67
Trip End
Jan 30, 2008
Durban,
South Africa
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
We also saw men making weapons and shields, a fortune teller, shaman, pottery maker, and watched a traditional dance.
We arrived in the city of Durban for our last night, staying at the Happy Hippo Lodge
Sani Pass
. We went out for a group dinner at a restaurant at the marine world that was nearby. It was a really good buffet dinner, very nice. We came back to the hostel and we chatted with the guys for a while, neither of them drink, curse, smoke, gamble, nothing! We talked for a while and then had to say goodnight and goodbye, it was an emotional goodbye and Meegan and I were very sad to see our group leave without us. The group was just starting to get on our goodsides and we actually began to think we might learn to like these people given enough time, although we weren't terribly upset to say goodbye to them, we were to say goodbye to the crew. Meegan had similar plans as me, I booked a cheap flight to Capetown leaving on Friday and she was leaving on a bus that night. We had all of Thursday and after driving around Durban the day before we decided there wasn't much do to so we booked a day trip to Drakensburg and Lesthoto (another seperate little country). We had to get up at the ungodly hour of 5 am to leave by 5:30. It was a 2 hour or so journey to Drakensburg and then we transfered from a car to another truck, this one a smaller version of the one we had just spent a week on ! Then the rest of the tour group boards, all old, these ones even had hearing aids, but they were nice little old ladies at least. From there it was about a 3 hour trip through the moutains on the bumpiest road imaginable. When we reached the top we crossed the border and into a real village
Waterfall in Sani pass
. The guide took us into on persons hut and gave us some homemade bread and sip of beer. We didn't take an photos of the people, in fear of they would demand money. Some people in some places forbid there photo being taken, and you must ask for permission first and then you are often charged because they think you might sell the photo and make money from it. It was freezing up there. All the local people wrap themselves in blankets. We had lunch up here at the "highest pub in Africa'. We were so exhausted we could hardly keep our eyes open but we couldn't rest on the way down we were flying out of our seats the whole way down. It was a very long day, we just grabbed some burgers and went to sleep early.
This brings us up to date with todays events which you've already read in the Kruger entry. So yes I almost got mugged today and I'm still freaked out about it, but I have all of my things and I'm fine. Hopefully this won't happen to me again!! After that drama, we went straight back to the hostel and stayed there until my taxi came to take me to the aiport. Meegan and I were both crying, hating to say bye after 9 days together and all the laughs and recent trauma we experienced together! But she lives in Melbourne and I will be there in December and will definetly have to stop for a visit. !
Comments
How sad!
I'm sad for you, having to say goodbye to your friend (again) gosh, try and find one that is doing the exact same thing you are!!! Now you're with a group of old ladies?? I can't imagine going into one of their huts, eating their bread, drinking their beer, was it CL? Sounds scarey and dangerous,yet interesting. Even though you're single, I want you to be fully dressed, none of this partial dressing stuff, those African's might wanna get with you.
Love you,
Mom
wow
Sounds like the day turned to be a good one after all. Nothing wrong with little old ladies we will all be there soon enough. This africa trip sounds like one we will have to take with your parents, they have become quite the adventure's, I think they can do it. I would go broke though I would have to be taking pictures. I am just sick that you didn't I want to see it all!
Annie