Sudwala Caves

A geological expedition, one done unfortunately without my camera as I was too scared I would crack or scratch my underwater housing and this is the only type of camera you can take on this exploration into what feels like the core of the earth.

For the normal everyday person exploration of three gigantic halls of the oldest known caves in the world is a must and not so hard as you can walk normal with maybe a slight bend here and there. Each formation of stalagmite and stalactite has a name for example the Rocket, Lot and his wife, Madonna and the Monster.

I of course immediately upon hearing about these caves went for what is know as the Crystal tour, rather than the normal tour which means that I had to report for "duty" at about 09h00 am and from thereon spent five hours of crawling through, up and down extremely narrow spaces, through icy water and loads of mud - over ledges which I now fully comprehend why they say no person with claustrophobia or a fear of heights should really attempt this.

What an experience once you get to the crystal chamber. Thousands of tiny "thousand year old" crystals adorn the walls, the roof ,the floor you name it and stalagmites and stalactites of very shape and size is all around you.

We had a good few laughs about some of the shapes which looked oddly familiar from an anatomy point of view and then much to our delight of seeing these crystals our journey back had to start, which means going back the same way you came. Only now we make it slightly more interesting by sliding on our bums connecting toes to "backsides" and switching off our head lamps which means "TOTAL" darkness.

This is possibly the most effective way of getting people to work in teams as you rely entirely on instructions from the person in front of you... Companies that need to do team building take note...

Had a great day and loved the certificate of completion you are rewarded with in the end.

I am now a glorified "Gat Kruiper" literally:)

Pilgrims Rest

The first gold rush in South Africa took place in 1873 when payable gold was discovered on the farm Geelhoutboom near the town of Sabie on the Mpumalanga escarpment. President Burgers who visited the site names the place Mac Mac and declared the are the "New Caledonia Gold Fields". One of the diggers "Alec 'Wheelbarrow' Patterson, left the immediate area to prospect further afield and found rich gold deposits in the Pilgrim creek.

News of a rich strike triggered the first gold rush in South Africa and Pilgrims Rest was declared a gold field on 22 September 1873. The Gold Commissioner moved his office to Pilgrims Rest and and by the end of 1873 there were about 1500 diggers working 4000 claims.

It is estimated that about R2 million worth of gold (a lot in those days), were mined during the first seven years of mining in the Pilgrims Valley.

A first diggers lived in tents all along the creek and moved as they panned and mined, by 1896 many of the tents had been replaced by permanent buildings. After the first war of independence (1880 - 1881) the reinstated republican government instituted a policy of granting concessions to individuals and companies in an effort to stimulate industries and so in 1881, David Benjamin, a financier from London obtained the mining rights to Pilgrims Rest. Benjamin compensated the remaining diggers for their claims which consolidated with the formation of the Transvaal Gold Exploration Company. In 1895, this company along with other smaller companies, amalgamated to form the Transvaal Gold Mining Estates (TGME).

An average of 300 000 tons of ore per annum was mined in the period 1930 to 1950 which then crashed to only about 50 000 tons per year during the fifties. In 1972 the Beta mine ceased operations as the last operational mine in Pilgrims Rest.

The village however has survived to become a National Monument and living museum.

This is possibly one of my favorite towns in South Africa and a destination to be considered for retirement. It oozes character and to drive through thick mist over rolling hills just to get to this gem is exactly what I had in mind for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Do you remember when.....

How about doing a rally on a really, really old bike:)

Mac Mac Falls

This is one of the most beautiful destinations in South Africa. The Panorama route...

I chose a weekend where unfortunately not much of the scenery could be seen of God's window, the gorge and the three sisters due to the thick mist, but as I have seen it all before I was not too perturbed and instead enjoyed the look of the falls with mist clouds around them, which is a scene in itself.

I will just have to do it again to get the pics of the rest of the scene's or go through my old SA travels boxes to post some of the old ones. Not a problem at all as coming here always feels like you've stepped into paradise. Especially if you end your day in Graskop at Harries Pancakes, which is exactly where I headed after all the walking. A pancake filled with "milktart and caramel was just what I needed" Mmmmmmmm - yes I am doing this next weekend again!

The Chimp Eden should have established itself here! Gorillas in the mist comes to mind:)

Mac Mac Pools

Not nearly as impressive as the waterfall, but none the less a very nice spot to to have a picnic with family and friends and enjoy a typical hot summers day dipping in and out of the pools in a natural setting.

Unfortunately it can get a bit crowded as there are man made barbecue areas and ablution blocks situated at the bottom of the car park adjacent to the first pool. I went on a misty day and stayed away from the crowds, but none the less I was happy to leave when I did as a rowdy tourist bus pulled in with many a occupant very inebriated.

I couldn't help but think, hope one of them is a doctor as the rocks are very slippery, covered in snotty moss and the pools are deep. And then as the first guy dressed in his "Sunday best shoes - not made for rock climbing went flying off a rock and luckily hit the bank on his elbows in stead of the water my thinking went to - May you rest in peace whoever drowns first...