A whirlwind of a year, back in Johannesburg, South Africa and also living in our own home. Private, secure and so comfortable. After 5 years of couches, boat beds, hostel beds, spare beds, and a beach, we welcome the small comforts that you take for granted every single day.
One of my personal life changing experiences this year, was our magical honeymoon to the Northern Drakensberg. AMAZING! Big thanks to our special ones for making it possible by contributing to our honeymoon fund.
We eventually break the honeymoon fund bottle and count the cash, R4 500!! If you know us at all, you will know that we live a very simple lifestyle and because of our lifestyle choice we never splurge cash. This time we could, because that's exactly what the money was for.
Surrounded by the most beautiful and happy souls, we were gifted, the use of two comfy camping chairs, a bottle of red wine and the use of a good, a beautiful hammock and a reliable car with a full tank of petrol. Two days into our honeymoon, we were also reimbursed for our camping fees by the owner of the backpackers. With complimentary drinks at a beautiful hotel. Amazing how beautiful life is when you live each day without expectations.
Anyhow, camping accommodation booked. Shopping done, backpacks packed, honeymoon vehicle packed. We departed at 2am on Thursday morning (27 October) and took our usual alternative route. What a feeling, the best feeling in the world..saying bye bye to Jozi.
The new moon was bright and larger than usual. That's when I realized that the mountains were calling our names. Excitement building and much chatting with Baz whilst Joshua snoozed all the way. Good music playing..our wedding play list. And there the sun starts to peep across the Platberg just outside Harrismith.
Fresh air, beauty all around us, the start of the Berg ahead, the sun shining but raining at the same time. We knew we were in the right place at the right time and for such a special reason. We stopped on route through the pass to take a look at the levels of the dams, a sure sign that rain has been scarce. We arrived at the Amphitheatre Backpackers just after 7am. With people there so welcoming and happy to see us again. (we have been going there together for 10 years but Barry's history is much longer).
Day one:
Divine breakfast all around, camp set up and man does the heat set in. The only motivation, to hang around the pool and sip on ice cold somethings, anything.... Sun set took us back to our tent, sun downers and a massive fire. What? The biggest, hottest and most beautiful fire I have ever been that close to. Followed by a thunder storm like I have never seen. Bolts of lightening leaping across the top of the berg, from the Sentinel to Cathedral Peak, like a giant sitting throwing lightening from his fingertips. Scary but so breathtaking.
Day two:
Up early bells, breakfast overlooking that beautiful mountain and then some fishing at a local dam. Joshua hasn't been fishing in ages, so it was a tad frustrating for him but soon got the hang of it. The heat soon became unbearable so off we went to Little Switzerland for drinks. A special place for Baz, so we spent time there enjoying the view, the people, hanging out with old friends. Life is grand!
Off to the Tower of Pizza for late afternoon lunch and to escape the constant heat. The Tower of Pizza has the nicest trees that offer relief from the heat and the warm winds. Full tummy's and back to the backpackers to freshen up and do absolutely nothing. Early to bed because day three was a big day for us.
Day three:
Up at 5am, quick breakfast and we are off to climb the Amphitheatre, to summit the Sentinel. Joshua possibly being the youngest to ever climb (to be confirmed) this specific trail. We drive up the road from the park gate, the view are something else. Goats being herded by a local on horseback, water seeping from the mountain rocks, the paper flowers are in full bloom and the skies are clear. We chose the right day for this adventure.
Fees paid and register signed, the long walk begins on a thin concrete pathway. The minute we set foot on the pathway the wind picked up and the temperature dropped. Right away, I knew that we were stepping into a special place and we were at the mercy of this mountain and all that surrounds her.
The hike to the gully was long and in some places quite a challenge as we ascended. The spectacular views eased the intensity of the vastness around us. Loose stones and rocks all the way, which meant that we had to be alert at every step. Falling down there was not an option. The air became so thin and the wind blowing so hard, it blew right through us. Cutting like a sharp knife. Right there, I realized just how blessed I am. To be in such a beautiful place with my husband and my son.
The gully was insane. A steep 300m climb to the top. Its okay if the rocks don't move, but they do and its scary. Joshua climbed it with ease. Baz kept motivating me from behind and in total took an hour to climb.
The minute I saw life from the top, I then realised that everything else is so small and insignificant. That there is so much more in this world that we never ever get to experience. Then I realised how blessed I am to be married to this man who has changed my life in more ways than most could imagine for almost a decade!
A walk along the top of the mountain to the top of the Tugela Falls, a few pools of water but no flow. Scary to see just how scarce water is now. A picnic on the top of the world. Biscuits, tea and fruit. Just enough to get us moving, making our way to the chain ladders.
All the way, Baz has not said very much about the chain ladders. I also chose to ignore them, hoping that they would go away. It turns out that I am actually poop scared of heights. A fine time to find that out. The weather is moving towards us, the cloud is low and the rain drops are sporadic but large enough to get your attention. We stop in to take a look at the 'hut' which is just a stone structure, no windows, no toilet, just a safe spot to wait out a storm, which is a good idea.
At the hut we find two backpackers, who set out the day before to camp on the top of the mountain. Well the beautiful storm I watched from below the night before was the same storm that broke their tents. Barry's story of the couple that died on that mountain at that very hut motivated me to get moving. Walking directly into the rain drops, the sun shining but the clouds coming, we finally get to the top of the 'chain ladders'. Oh my life! Whaaaaaat?
I wait patiently for my turn, trying to find a calming space in my mind and my body. Barry and Joshua disappear down the first chain ladder, my heart beating super fast by now. Adrenaline is pumping through my body. So thankful to see Baz's head pop over the top. I knew I was going to be okay, but I didn't realize how a climb down two chain ladders (35m high) would change my life.
Baz-man being the most amazing Guide I know, he took me down the chain ladders, slowly and always right behind me. Left hand, right hand, left foot, right foot..and so I climbed down the infamous chain ladders. The first set was supposed to be hardest of the two, according to Baz. But the second chain ladder was double the length and less stable than the first one! I could hardly breathe, the wind was howling and the temperature dropped. All the way, Joshua is up the ladder next to me shouting...'you are doing great mom, keep on going'. And I did it. I really had no choice at the end of it all.
Another 4 hours from that point, the wind was insane, the trails were all of a sudden harder. Legs and feet tired and mentally exhausted. When the rain hit on the 8th hour and the big wind lifted Joshua off his feet, we both realised just how powerful Mother Nature is. It was time to leave this mountain and make our way back to the car. Shoes off, and the entire experience floods right through my body and the tears just flowed, uncontrollably until we left the main gate. The energy I felt for nine hours is something I can not explain to you. But inside of me, I felt my world shake and my life change.
Back at the backpackers, all we wanted to do was shower, eat, drink and go to sleep. But as we walk through reception, one by one, wide eyed backpackers are telling us about the 'big wind'. Sure as heck, it was the very same big wind that lifted us and moved us on that mountain. Not showing any concern for the tents that have apparently blown away, we settle into a delicious dinner and an ice cold drink. Yes life is grand! We make our way to the campsite, giggling all the way, because low and behold, our tent was the only one standing! Well done Barry Sanders, using all the tent pegs and guy ropes provided ensured that we arrived back to our spot, unharmed.
Day Four:
Off to Little Switzerland for a hike to Begonia Falls, a delicious lunch and a pony ride for Joshua. The hike to Begonia Falls was so easy compared to our little expedition to 10 000 ft. A hike along part of the river and a picnic on the top of the falls. So beautiful and not a soul around, except for the Green Water Snake, the baboons playing around in the area, the river crabs and all the other creatures around us. A dip in the ice cold pool soon got us moving towards the hotel for lunch.
Back at the backpackers, Joshua was out and about, hanging out with his new buddy, Oliver. Baz and I chilled in the hammock, sipping on those ice cold beers, with a view that people pay big money for. Then I realised just how blessed I truly am. Married to the most beautiful soul I know, in this special place, together.
Day Five:
Back to Little Switzerland to go horse riding. Not me thank you, I learnt my lesson 9 years ago, horse riding with Baz. Joshua and Baz, off on the trail they go. An hour goes by and Joshua and Baz are back. Joshua looking a little frazzled and Baz hot on his heels, heading for the loo. Joshua shouting..'that horse ride jiggled my insides, I've got to go!'.
Goodbyes to the special people at the hotel and its time to head back to the backpackers.
We spent the afternoon with some cool people, pool vibes, ice cold beers and dinner, found us fast asleep.
Day Six:
Up early and packed up by 07h00. This time we traveled back to Jozi via Golden Gate, Clarens and Bethlehem. Surrounded by so much beauty, all the way. Life is grand! We arrived back home at 2pm. Its always good to be home, but I sure do long for that mountain, that place, that life and that energy.
I now know that I am blessed, my life is good, I am happy and my husband is one special guy ;-).
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