"It is the closest I felt to the book “The alchemist” like a shepherd in the most primitive environment surrounded with mountains, water and sheep, where time is timeless… It is a place were you could listen to your heart and experience the true beauty of Mother Nature...
For me, it was the first time I made contact with snow… so we were going crazy! Building a snowman in the road, walking barefoot and throwing each other… the local people knew we were from oversees… Oeps!!!
The drive was so nice, going up higher and higher in the mountains; the car decided we needed to take a break, where we had a photo session on the rocks dressed like Basotho people, it was 2420m above sea level.
Reaching the backpackers: Daniel and Rebecca showed us the place. We met Pierre and Monique who joined us on a 3-day pony trek. We had sundowners on the grass enjoyed with a stunning view! It is so peaceful and pure. After that the temperature dropped, it was quite cold due to the snow I guess… But a nice BIG FIRE was all we needed. We “BRAAI” an excellent meal before our 3-day experience… We thought we needed the energy! We “kuier” by the fireplace- with such a nice atmosphere because there is no electricity and the place was filled with candles and comfortable couches.
The next morning we were introduced to our horses and the 6 of us got packed and headed for the mountains. The primitive lifestyles were seen again when the farmers used cows to get the soil right for planting seeds. Lunchtime at the stream we saw the bridge that was in the “GO” article – and we knew we were on the right track.
I think the highlight of the day was to get off the horse and make a hot cup of coffee.. and the small hut that we were to sleep in that night. We stayed at one of the local huts that Pascal (our tour guide) cleaned for us and prepared our dinner… and He likes RED CHILLI a lot - and our mouths had a chilli experience with supper. Luckily for us, it was cold, and we slept like “sardinkies in ‘n visblik” 6 people in a small hut.
Next morning… coffee was good! We were up and ready for the highest point in Southern Africa 3480m above see level. We were warned to put on warm clothes, and still some people forgot their gloves! Far on the horizon was a pure white mountain covered with snow. That was were we were aiming for. After 4h riding we stopped for lunch, the wind started blowing slightly and the air got chilly! There were steep hills up and down, it amazed me how the ponies managed it all so easily – with us on their backs they were pretty tough on their feet.
On The Top there was a 360° majestic view of mountains, snow like you only see in pictures and freezing cold like you can't imagine and yes, the wind was blowing hectically but it was a smell of freedom, with a gorgeous cross on the very top!!
This experience will definitely last a lifetime. Coming down I couldn’t believe it was so cold… feeling amazed and a bit ecstatic, we rode all the way back to our hut… the mountain water was freezing cold when we attempted to wash our faces. The local owner let us hold a day old lamb and we took some pics with Lesotho blankets wrapped around us… I felt like a real Lesotho person.
The food was surprisingly less spicy – and we removed half of the rocks from inside the hut, so sleeping was better! The next morning our “trek-donkey” was gone and he and the “trek-pony” had to take our luggage…I don’t blame the poor donkey – they packed him the first day.
Reaching the backpackers the shower called our names and we washed off 3-days of dirt, and having toilets was the BEST luxury ever! No really!!! The fact of not having electricity is so nice. The fireplace and candles made us kuier till late. All the people who stayed with us at the backpackers were amazed at the photos of the top and the whole trip….
It was sad to leave, but the memories will be last forever..."
|