Considering we only had 640kms to do, the journey took forever. Initial leg is highway all the way and gives you a false sense that you will arrive at destination 7 hours down the road. It eventually took us 9 hours. Pongola was a breeze. I do miss the brightly coloured, thatched rondavels of yesteryear. Nowadays everything is drab, square, cinder block structures. Not much livestock initially. Once we turned off at Jozini, all hell broke loose!
Navigated over a mountain pass of note with stunning panoramic scenes of Lake Jozini. Jozini town is a bustling metropolis on a Saturday: people and cars everywhere. Couple of near misses with goats and cows thereafter; speed bumps every 10 kms or so - all conspiring to add hours to the journey.
All my anxiety regarding the border crossing was in vain. What a breeze - yes, it took a while but what incredibly friendly folk, going out of their way to assist us (on both sides).
Then ... Then ... Then ...
Sand roads, and, I mean, sand roads!!!!
20kms of sand roads ... Took us over an hour but what fun and a grand rush!
Pee break.
Jay ... Man down .... Time to deflate tyres
Brutus performed beautifully.
Spent afternoon settling down and watching what appeared to be a large pod of whales: lots of tail slapping and spouting quite far apart from one another.
Had a late braai and (quite) a few drinks.
10/8/14
Rude awakening at 04:10. Some idiot from home phoning to report a suspicious car ... Really!!! Phoned guard hut to summon MML and couldn't get back to sleep. Coffee and watched sunrise from our balcony.
Our cabins are joined by a large deck so getting together and sharing is an easy pleasure.
As much as the whole beach story disagrees with my skin, I love watching the sea. This is the best of both worlds. Magnificent uninterrupted view, constant susurration lulling one to sleep, warm weather but pleasantly cool in the shade ... Yup ... Very civilised.
Spent a couple of hours wading in the sea with the kids chasing waves ... Good fun. Huge uphill climb to get back to cabin - I was knackerred. Will feel the muscles tomorrow, I'm sure.
Mid afternoon a couple, Andre and Karen, wandered on to our deck looking for accommodation. They couldn't raise any of the estate staff including security. Long story short, we guided them back to Sunset Shack where we (Andre and Karen having edged on looking for fully catered accommodation ... on a Sunday afternoon ... in remote Moz ...yeah right) stopped off for a very pleasant couple of hours. We befriended a young female ridgeback who we named Tinto. (That's become our favourite word, derived from Tipo Tinto, a cheap, rather pleasant local rum. Even that has been renamed by us to Pinto Tinto!)
The kids spent the entire time playing with Tinto who loved the attention. Kids kept chucking sticks and twigs for Tinto. Between the three of them, they built this little log pile (beaver lodge?) in the middle of the "main" road. Locals very pleasant featured and friendly. Didn't think to take the camera so some beautiful photo opportunities were missed but have good memories and ... guess what ... we WILL revisit.
Beautiful red moon tonight
Early bed for me - up since 04:00 and no midday nap - I'm finito!
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