| Diary 16 |
2005 |
Its not what you know its who you know ;-)
I had been staying with Seun and his family in Klersdorp, about 2 hours south west of Jo-berg. I met Seun on the desert run and had popped into visit him and take him some photos on a CD. After having hassle extending my visa Seun and Jackie had very kindly invited me to stay the weekend and during one conversation Jackie mentioned that her brother was manager of the Sani pass hotel. As that was where I was heading I said I would go and say hi and maybe hire a quad bike to go up Sani pass from him.
Sani pass is a famous mountain pass that leads from South Africa up into Lesotho (pronounced Lesutoo) and at the top is the highest pub in Africa at over 9000 feet. If you have a copy of Bike SA then just after my article there is another about Simon and Co taking scooters up there!!! CRAZY!! Mind you he did suggest that i took my Mazda hire car down it, but there is no way you could get down it without very good ground clearance. The views are stunning and riding up through the clouds is a bit special for sure.
Ok i digress click here to see pics and stuff of Sani pass
After failing again on the Monday morning to sort my visa I left Seuns house and drove the 750k down to Underburg and then Himeville and found the backpackers lodge where I planned to stay. Hmmm!! I was not that impressed with the backpackers accommodation to say the least!! Don’t get me wrong the people where very nice and I had dinner with them but the whole thing could have been a lot better!!! Snob ain't I?? Well I have been very spoilt living in peoples homes and really nice guest houses and hotels.
Right where was I ? After dinner I drove up to the Hotel to arrange the quad bike for the morning. As I drove up to the gates of this 3 star hotel I was starting to dread sleeping on my bunk with the mossies eating me to death!! I parked the new but very dirty Mazda outside the plush entrance to this stunning hotel and walked into reception. "Hi is Francis around" I said to the beautiful brunette receptionist and she replied " Oh hi you must be George" I liked it here already ;-) I waited in the bar for Francis to finish his meeting and before i knew it I was in room 15 overlooking the golf course and with stunning views of the mountains as a guest of Francis... Thanks so much Francis.
What a fantastic hotel with incredible views and so much to do. The staff are the best and I spent a couple of evenings with them in the bar. Including one night when the resident masseur decided that I should have the hairs on the bridge of my nose plucked, before i could run away i was pinned down by three women and being plucked!!! Who's a pretty boy now!! Trouble is now they will grow back and by the time i get back to the UK they will be getting caught in my dinners!!!! Or I could comb them back over me bald head!!
Again I was sad to leave somewhere but I was heading down to Capetown to see my friends Mike and Marian and had a long way to go. Another 700ks saw me at Grahamstown where I found a superb guest house and again fantastic hosts. "A Stones Throw" They are Off road bikers and after putting my rucksack in the more than comfortable and very reasonably priced room I joined the lads in the garage for a beer while they worked on their bikes. We chatted about the desert run and of course I showed off the latest edition of Bike SA :-) I spent the evening with them and there friends enjoying a "Braai' (BBQ) under there lapa (thatched shelter), the south Africans are so friendly and again I felt quite at home. The next day I drove another 700ks down the garden route to Mossel bay to visit my friends Dewald and Irma in their awesome wood-log-stilted... stunningly built house. And then on for four more hours to the familiar and welcoming sight of Fergies bar in Table view.
The plan is now to stay over here for another month and go on a road trip with Dewald and Irma to "Transkie" Infact I have already changed my ticket until the 2nd of March!!! Now I need a bit of luck and charm on Monday at home affairs, my visa runs out Tuesday!! OOPS ;-)
