Explore The World Travel
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Premium
    • Prestige
  • Blog
  • Contact

Tales from Onboard &
​On the Road

South African Adventure - Day 7

1/2/2019

0 Comments

 
South Africa Trip Planning
After our first night on the Shongololo Express we woke up early at 6:00am and admired the scenery as we continued along the tracks towards our next destination. We went for breakfast at 8:15am.  We finished up in time to board the bus en route to Pilgrims Rest at 10:00am.  Our tour was supposed to start at 9:15am, but because the train did not arrive at Nelspruit Station until after 9:30 we were late leaving.   Nelspruit is the capital of Mpumalanga province and though it goes by its original name, the city is now officially called Mbombela.  Mbombela is a city in northeastern South Africa situated on the Crocodile River, is 110 kms west of the Mozambique border and 80 kms north of the Swaziland border.  Because of its location between Johannesburg and Maptuto, Mozambique on the Indian Ocean, Mbombela is a major route.  The population is approximately 60,000 with a racial mix of 49% white, 42% black with the remaining 9% being coloured and Asian.  The main industries are agriculture, coal mining, lumber (paper mill) and the export of Macadamia nuts. 
South Africa Trip Planning
Average summer temperature for this area is a high of 29C and low of -1C in winter.  During the Apartheid period pre 1994, many indigenous Africans lived in homelands, which are similar to North American Reservation lands for indigenous people. Many of the new houses are constructed of brick with concrete tile roofs.  Land is not privately owned but considered tribal land.  Agriculture crops include avocado, citrus fruits, bananas, and papayas.  There is a thriving forest industry in the province but many of the trees are not indigenous to the area.  Pine trees were initially brought in from Mexico and hard woods, including Eucalyptus, were brought in from Australia.  We passed dozens of empty lumber trucks on our 100 km drive north to Pilgrim’s Rest as they were going to load up at the various depots.  As we continued on our trek we drove along the Panorama Route looking down at the huge forests that were blanketing the landscape. The scenery was spectacular as we wound around the mountains and climbed to 1700 metres above sea level.
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
​We finally arrived at our first destination along the Panorama Route - Pilgrim's Rest - the first gold mine located in South Africa. This mine was established in 1873 by Alex Paterson, known as the “Wheelbarrow Man” (because he brought all of his belongings with him from the Cape by wheelbarrow - a distance of 1600 miles!).  This started the biggest gold rush the world had ever seen  It was a huge resource and the town grew up around the miners and their workers. The mine was officially closed in 1974 however the town has remained as a heritage site and the original buildings are still maintained for visitors. Due to the remote location, there is a high rate of unemployment in this town with the locals doing what they can to survive. Many individuals can be seen carrying macadamia nuts in boxes on their heads to sell to tourists.  As well, residents will come and clean vehicles for a small fee. We strolled along the main street of town, visiting the museum and had a coffee and milkshake at a small cafe. Then were back on the bus to our next destination for lunch. 
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
​We left Pilgrim’s Rest and drove for 20 minutes arriving in Graskop where we went directly to the suggested restaurant for lunch only to find it was an overcrowded with the large group from the bus.  We decided to walk around the town first and browse in the shops. We were convinced by a starving artist on the street to purchase one of his wood carvings - he was very persuasive.  Much of the town has very lovely flowers along the sides of the streets and we admired their colour and varieties. Afterwards we found a pancake house to have lunch and shared a minced meat and cheese crepe and a cheese and tomato crepe. 
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
​The next location on our stop was the Blyde River Canyon that sits at 1730 metres above sea level. The area has 7 waterfalls with the tallest at 92 metres. The Canyon spanning 57 kms is absolutely stunning. The jagged rocks and ragged walls make for a wonderful sight. The canyon had a natural river at the bottom and even though it was quite hazy you could see the stunning natural sculptures of the canyon with the different coloured rock and the rounded shapes from years of windy weather. 
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
​Once we had admired the Canyon we boarded the bus again towards our next stop - Bourke's Luck Potholes. Another mining location - Tom Bourke found a small amount of gold in this area and staked a claim however someone else found gold on the other side of ridge which turned out to be a bonanza.  So Bourke actually didn't have much luck.  This area is an incredible natural wonder where crevices have been created by the natural erosion of the earth where the rivers Blyde and Treur converge. The setting is really beautiful with man-made bridges spanning from one side to another. The pools (or pot holes) at the bottom make for breathtaking scenery. It was a long walk down to the bottom but very worth it to see the rock walls with the variations of color and the waterfalls cascading from one level to another. We were informed that the Northern Sutu is the native tribe in this area and there were many women in their traditional dress wandering around the area as well.  
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
South Africa Trip Planning
​Approximately 1/2 km away from Bourke's Luck is God's Window looking over the valley to  Hazy View. While this would be an incredible view overlooking the valley, it was unfortunately very hazy with smoke rising from the villages below.  We tried to capture the beauty of the rolling hills and grassy slopes but it was difficult with the hazy conditions. 
South Africa Trip Planning
​After all our sightseeing for the day we had a 2 hour drive back to the train in the dark. It was a tricky drive along with winding mountainous roads and made even more difficult with the numerous lumber trucks that our competent driver passed along the way. 
 
We arrived back at the train at 7:00pm and quickly rushed to get ready for dinner at 7:30pm.  We enjoyed a sweet potato cake as an appetizer and springbok with vegetables and rice.  
 
The train left at 7:30pm and travelled until 11:30pm.  This provided a much more restful sleep than we had managed on our first night.

If you are considering visiting South Africa, please contact us for expert advice and assistance.

​Continue to Day 8 - click here
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Sharing Our Travel Dreams

    Sharing our personal experiences onboard and on the road, along with tips and insight for creating memorable vacations.

    Sign Up for Travel Tips and Advice

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016

    Categories

    All
    Azamara
    Botswana
    Celebrity Cruises
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    Hawaii
    Israel
    Mozambique
    Oasis Of The Seas
    Ocean Cruising
    Radiance Of The Seas
    Royal Caribbean
    Shongololo
    South America
    South East Asia
    Southern Africa
    Swaziland
    Travel Advice
    Why Work With An Agent
    Zimbabwe

    RSS Feed

Services

Premium​
Prestige
Comment Cards

Support

About
Travel Blog
Contact
 Explore the World Travel is affiliated with Nexion Travel Group Canada, ULC
380 Wellington St, Tower B, 6th Floor, London, Ontario N6A 5B5
HQ Phone 519-660-6966
​TICO Reg #1549342
Copyright © 2022 All Rights Reserved  
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Premium
    • Prestige
  • Blog
  • Contact