Day 9 – 19.03.2018
Today was going to be our last day together as a group and since we woke up so early to make our way towards Johannesburg, we didnt really have time to process that.
As we made our way through Kruger National Park we spotted our last animals. I have to say, waking up that early and then sitting in the van, moving along rhythmically, quite and a cool breeze in my face, I had troubles staying awake for the whole drive leaving through Kruger. The parts I did stay awake for I managed to take a couple of photos from...
This rock for example reminded my of pride rock from the lion king. (Do you see a pattern here?)
We were eagerly trying to spot another leopard in a tree and our guide really gave his best to find something, but instead we found another Bateleur eagle sitting in the tree.
The landscape we drove through was once again so serene!
Here is a little anecdote from last night. We had returned from camp, had eaten dinner and had all gone to bed. Cayleigh heard a sound and went to check on it when she returned from the bathroom. Suddenly she saw two large pairs of eyes staring at her and it gave her a massive fright. Turns out we hadnt properly shut one of the rubbish bins at the campsite and now some kind of animal with large eyes was going through it. She shooed it away after having only briefly seen which animal it was in the shine of her torch. The next morning it was all about deciphering which animal it could have been. And instead of a racoon like animal, she found it. So this animal was sitting around our campsite... A bushbaby or galago!
We left Kruger National Park and were instantly back in a civilisation and the city. What a stark contrast! There were also a lot of shows and parks adjacent to Kruger advertising walking with lions and being close to the big cats. I dont know, something about that made me think back to Thailand where we were explicitly told not to partake in any of them as a lot of drugs were involved and no wild animal is ever completely tame...
We headed onwards towards the Canyon, the last scenic stop before Johannesburg. We drove higher and higher and the little towns along the road reminded me a little of Peru in a weird sense and probably also of the little island of Mallorca with its very similar landscape.
Fertile land means loads of agriculture!
We entered another mini park where a lot of tourist busses were parked. We were all bursting for the toilet and so quicly made our way there. Two older German women were standing in front of the toilet and were quite wound up by the fact that they had to pay for the bathroom and that they werent even receiving back change. Cayleigh and I just went into the bathroom, passing the staff there without having to pay a dime. I was wondering whether the German women had misunderstood something or whether their loud conversation had given us the free pass.
When we returned to our guide and mentioned this to him, he said that we definitely didnt have to pay for the toilets and he didnt know why the German women had paid anything. Turns out their guide must have told them that their bathroom break wasnt for free and they had tried to give the staff there their money. The staff had tried to tell them several times that no money was necessary but the women insisted. So the staff took the money just to get rid of them. That was the point when the women insisted on change, which the staff obviously couldnt give them. How I simply love language barriers sometimes, since the German women could not speak a word of English...
Anyway, back to the scenary. We walked to a view point where we could see the Blyde River Canyon in all its glory.
It is 25 kilometres (16 mi) in length and is, on average, around 750 metres (2,461 ft) deep.
While it is difficult to compare canyons world-wide, Blyde River Canyon is one of the largest canyons on Earth, and it may be the largest 'green canyon' due to its lush subtropical foliage. It has some of the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon on the planet. It is the second largest canyon in Africa, after the Fish River Canyon, and is known as one of the great wonders of nature on the continent.
Possibly the best view in the whole of the Blyde River Canyon is of the "Three Rondavels", huge, round rocks, thought to be reminiscent of the houses or huts of the indigenous people, known as rondavels.
There are many different myths around these „huts“ and they are quite striking to look at.
There is also a dam at one side of the canyon which was completed in 1974. The Blyderivierpoort Dam, when full, is at an altitude of 665 metres (2,182 ft). The canyon consists mostly of red sandstone. Its main purpose is to supply constant irrigation to the surrounding area for agriculture and mining purposes.
When we returned back to the bus, the scenary suddenly took us more towards America and the landscape I would expect there.
More agriculture...
As we reached further and further away from the Canyon and closer to Johannesburg we made a quick stop, since our guide wanted to bring his grandmother some Biltong. I had never tried Biltong, only Beef Jerky (I now know its quite similar) But it was definitely an experience. I tried Biltong with lemon and pepper and it was actually quite yummy. However I could only eat a couple of pieces before my stomach was trying to tell me that it might not be the best idea to...
Onwards we drove and the landscape changed again, reminding me more of the outskirts of Toronto, Canada – vast plains, many farms and similar styled housing.
After a long drive we finally reached Johannesburg and it wasnt as sentimental as some of my other trips had been, but we all made our individual ways to where we were heading off to next. Cayleigh and Kegan were stopping over in a Holiday Inn, since they were off to Durban or Cape Town the next day, and I headed off to my wellness retreat. I had just about enough Rand left to take me to my place and I was glad for Uber working just as well in South Africa :).
The retreat – Hands on Retreat – is a lovely little oasis. Everyone gets a welcome next to their room:
After enjoying a proper shower, clean clothes and just a bit of a lie down after sorting out photos, I was first going to just order in. But after skyping with my dad, who asked me whether I was going to eat at great restaurants again, gave me the initiative to sort myself out and actually leave the hotel room. So I did! I booked a table overlooking the kitchen at Marble Restaurant.
I was a little worried that my attire might not be stylish enough to go fine dining, but I managed with what I had.
Marble was bustling but the seat I got ensured that I would be occupied watching the kitchen, as I was eating by myself...
The amuse bouche arrived, and if i remember correctly, it was salmon with a nitrogen espuma and it was a great start to the dinner.
This is what I ordered:
Octopus – Coal roasted octopus, seaweed anna potato, anchovy custard, pickled samphire, smoked tomato dressing. The smoked tomato dressing was to die for and so was the octopus, ok, pretty much everything on this plate...
As a main I ordered Risotto – Saffron Risotto, oven roasted onion, heirloom tomatoes, parmesan. Devine!
For desert I had Pineapple – Wood fired pineapple, jalapeño ice cream, white chocolate and lime mousse, ginger.
Oh it was so delicious and a well rounded end to a perfect dinner!
After dinner I headed back to retreat and was keen to go to sleep on a proper bed.
If you are interested in what else they have to offer, here is the rest of their menu.
