The “Gigantic Art gallery” concept stayed with me all day.
Imagine filming this landscape with 3D Imax cameras fitted onto a chopper flying low & slow in & out of these mind blowing vistas…
Magnificent.
But, that’s “Spielberg” stuff, l’m only a builder… So I can’t understand why anybody would build a house in, well, not IN, but a couple of courses above, an obvious water course… River, stream, floodwater… Call it what you will.
Scattered down the Molteno pass out of the high Karoo, there’re houses, entire farms, deep down there, on the valley floor, beside a dry water course today.
What happens on the day that they DO actually get heavy rain up there ?
Only a builder, not an actuary, hell, I’ll take a calculated risk, (more, if it’s fun)… But this ?
Beaufort West was GREAT. At least 10c cooler than up there, clean, with a happy feel… Welcome to the Central Karoo.
My intention was to buy more beer & dive straight into the Karoo National Park.
Thwarted by a skinny kid in a baggy uniform.
“Ag nee Maneer… We’re full”, said the smug, toothless, White boy slouching over the gate.
l felt he said it gleefully.
Not a good start.
“We’ll be BAAACK” Burp burp.
There’s a grapevine, & I’d heard about the “Steenbokie” rest camp in Beaufort West.
The place was “as advertised”, very treesy & cool with cute animals wandering around, almost a petting zoo actually.
Perfect for an overnighter.
Next day, approaching the gate in a lower than necessary gear for maximum vacuum brake sound effect, imagine the disappointment when a new uniform came out with a great big, happy, welcoming smile to usher Nyati into the Karoo National Park.
What’s to say about this Karoo reserve ?
They’ve got lions… Somewhere.
Ostriches.
Gemsbok.
Lots of tortoises.
Zebras.
Hartbeeste.
Bad roads.
Good campsites…If a bit cramped.
Unfriendly neighbours…(Both sides)
It rained… lekker.
Well administered.
Two days was enough.
I spent one entire day parked beside a waterhole & was amazed at the number of animals that visited.
It’s a lot more relaxing than rattling around, over the corrugated roads, eating dust.
In the end you probably get to see a greater number of animals, but it does take away that wonderful “expectancy” factor of a game drive…
What’s around the next corner?
So you left without me and without even a goodbye! Damn but I am glad you are on the road…. Looks awesome and it looks like you are making the most of every inch of the journey.
When did you leave the big smoke and what does rv stand for??? So many questions…. Looking forward to chatting.
xx
Oops… Sorry about that J.
Yup Nyati finally left on the 14th of February, leaving was a frenetic time, as I'm sure you can imagine, but I'm slowly settling into "travelling mode" now.
R.V. =3D Recreational Vehicle.
Look after yourself, & keep an eye on the blog. I love to know people are actually reading what I write.
Yes we all waiting in anticipation for the next story, when you don’t write we all get a bit miffed. It looks so exciting and i think a lot of us are jealous. hee hee Enjoy and keep writing. Loving all the escapades and hearing about the people you meet.
Thanks Drina,
I'm flattered.
Yup, there's been some great people. I'm heading for the Tankwa Karoo next… Nobody there at all. 😉
Enjoy Tankwa Karoo! We’re off on a little adventure of our own for the next week, but will keep an eye on your blog xx
Thanks Georgie,
I think I might "go dark" for a short while.
I'm told there's no signal in Tankwa, but then again, I've been given some seriously wrong info.
Enjoy your adventure…
Love to them all. :-*
Dearest Old Bastard, We will be leaving Bryce Canyon, Utah, this week end and headed for a short stay in Cedar City for Joan’s last Dr. appointment with her new left knee. All is going to plan. Heading to the Oregon west coast for a few weeks of exploring before putting our new/old Travel Trailer (Arctic Fox 29V) into storage and heading to KONA, in Mazatlan Mexico. More news from there.
Hey, hey hey… Not so much of the OLD.
I didn't know about the knee op, but glad to hear it's all good now.
It's always an emotional wrench to leave somewhere you've settled into… You can lean on each other though.
Please do keep me posted on "Kona's" progress.
The official hurricane season should be drawing to a close soon… So I guess that's part of your planning.