MAXDOG'S SUNDAY TOUR

mmmWOOF!
GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXDOG here...

Hello there every furry body! Today is Sunday and should be a day of relaxation, so I thought I'd put on my "MAX THE TOUR GUIDE" hat and take you all on a whirlwind tour of a small part of SOUTH AFRICA. I know that some of you are experiencing icy/snowy weather in the Northern hemisphere, so I thought I'd bring some sunshine into your Sunday...

Today we will be paying a "cyber-visit" to the LOWVELD of South Africa. This is the far north/eastern part of South Africa - a hot, tropical area - set along the northern escarpment. This is the place with which my Mom is very familiar , since it is where she spent her childhood.

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Okay here we go.....

After collecting you all (my special visitors!) from our main international airport, in Johannesburg, we have travelled in our bus for 4 hours in a northerly direction. We have left the city behind us and have stopped to look at the view of the lowveld from a lookout point along the escarpment...

The buildings in the forground are a roadside lodge where you can stay if you so desire. But we have lots to see and I want to take you to look at the waterfall close by - Debegeni waterfall in Magoebaskloof. You may swim here if you wish, but mind the rocks...they are really slippery!




We leave our waterfall behind and drive a short distance. There are tea plantations all around us. Yes, South Africa does produce a range of tea types. This is the SAPEKOE tea estate...

Well, we have to stop here - for tea of course - and I know of the perfect little tea garden with a magnificent view...

After tea, we travel into the start of the lowveld (meaning low lying area), where we see our first signs of it's tropical paradise - Banana plantations!!! The blue bags are there to cover the bananas and protect them from insects...

Look at the view across the banana plantations towards the Northern Drakensberg mountains.

Well, I just have to take you past my Mom's old farm (next picture). This is where she spent a lot of her childhood... The old farm house is somewhere amidst the dense bush.

...and I have to take you to see the famous Baobab tree - near the old farm. This tree is the LARGEST BAOBAB TREE in the world. It is thousands of years old and has a circumference of 47 m around the base of its trunk. The tree has two hollow chambers inside - one a bar and the other a cellar - so we can stop here for a rest as well as to cool off from the seering heat.

Then we are off....

After another 2 hours drive we enter the

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK.

Here you can view all our wild animals in their natural setting. It is a really big park - about as big as Israel, so I think we should spend a couple of days here to take it all in...

After our visit to the KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, we make our way back up the eastern escarpment to experience the treasures of Mpumalanga...

There are MANY waterfalls to visit! Here is one...

If you like we can stop at PILGRIMS REST - a tiny little town and national monument. It was the first place where gold was discovered in this area. The whole town has been preserved as a tourist site. It is quaint and beautiful. You may pan for gold there too in the little stream adjacent to the town. No visit to this town is complete without stopping for a drink on the varandah of the Pilgrims Rest hotel. You can also send a postcard home from here - I dont think there are any internet cafes.

PILGRIMS REST....

We leave PILGRIMS REST and make our way to the SUDWALA CAVES. They are quite amazing geological structures complete with stalagtites and stalagmites. This is one of the main formations inside the caves...

Near the caves are the "Three Rondavels" and the "Blyde River Canyon"...

Near the Canyon are the "Potholes" . These are geological structures which have been shaped by the river's strong whirling currents. If you look carefully you can see fish in the water...

We can stop over again here and enjoy the hospitality of one of the many "Bed & Breakfast" establishments or hotel facilities in the area.

Then if you are keen, I can take you on one of the many hikes in the area...

Our whirlwind cyber-tour is at an end for today. The sun is setting and it really is time for a sundowner. Enjoy the sunset...

Hope you enjoyed my Sunday Tour!

Lotsalicks

MAXDOG - YOUR TOURGUIDE