STEPPING OUT OF THE RAT-RACE FOR OUR SHORT BREAK

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!

MAXMOM here...

(Dawn over Mpumalanga...

...from the cliffs of Graskop - Thaba Tchew)

Hello there to all my friends across the world!

Our destination was:
MPUMALANGA

A place which offers the most magnificent scenery, incredible views, reviving waterfalls and wonderful culture!

 It is a tourist's haven!

We booked to stay at the "Panorama resourt" in one of the 18 self-catering cottages which are perched on the edge of the North Eastern escarpment in South Africa. 

The African name for the little nearby town is

"THABA TCHEW"

(White mountain)

It is so called because of the mist which sometimes hangs over the edge of the cliffs and which provides crucial sustenance to the beautiful indigenous forests which clings to the mountain sides.

In the distance, the plains of the Kruger National park stretch out...

 ...but at our feet the deep gorge of pristine natural forest offers its song of contentment.

Sunbirds twitter and glow as they flit from one aloe flower to another...

In my opinion this is one of the most beautiful and scenic parts of our amazing country!

It is the romping ground of my childhood.

(The "Pinnacle"...Mpumalanga)

Our little cottage was very comfortable. Thankfully I knew that the climate was unpredictable so I'd taken along my feather duvet - a valuable asset during the very chilly nights.

The four days we spent there offered four very different climates. The days varied from thick mist and rain to clear blue skies with streaming sunshine and a view for miles. 

 We explored the curio shops on the rainy days and sampled the offerings of  various pancakes bars...

 When the sun came out, we visited the mighty BLYDE RIVER CANYON and took in its' magnificent views... 

 The nearby "POTHOLES" reminded us of the power of water and presenting their carved-out creations from millions of years of erosion.

Their depths are incomprehensible and photos don't do justice. Nevertheless my camera did overtime in a vain attempt to record everything and preserve my memories.

It was simply wonderful to be able to sit on edges of rocks whch overlooked the vast African landscape, to sniff the fresh air and take in the magnificent Geographical phenomena which surrounded us.

There is so much to see and explore in MPUMALANGA:

Caves, Waterfalls, Birds, views, African cafts as well as the local communities' efforts to sell their handmade creations - beadwork, wooden and sandstone sculptures, carved giraffes, beads, baubles, gemstones, tablecloths, hats and walking sticks. 

No visit to MPUMALANGA is complete without a visit to the preserved mining town of PILGRIMS REST with its ambience of stoic history of the gold rush and the futile hopes for monetary fortune. The little houses of cast iron sheeting still tell their tales of a difficult and daunting era which today is almost forgotten.

It was just so good to spend the evenings throwing together makeshift meals, to play cards or to retire to bed with a book. In the morning, the beckoning sunlight eventually invaded our bedroom and pulled us out of bed.  We had no alternative by to seize the day! The birds insisted on it too!

"GOD'S WINDOW" is also a sight to behold!...

It is an opportunity to stand on top of one of the highest cliff faces, surrounded by dense forest and to take in the incredible view of the plains below (about a kilometer below) which stretch into the distance of the vast African landscape.

It felt like a special pilgimage into the depths of my soul.

Africa has that special effect on me....

and I am not complaining!

Sending lotsaluv to you all,