I wrote this as an aide memoire for the holiday and at the conclusion handed a copy to our Tour Manager and now it has been suggested I post it here so hear goes.
Experiencing South Africa.
Visiting my family roots on the dark continent,
A dream for years and so to die content,
I planned this trip with my mums family in mind.
By doing her family tree, here, her roots did I find.
Her great grandaddy was of Cape Town born,
A mixed race child in a country still to take form.
No plan to retrace his footsteps but to savour the experience,
I felt I must see South Africa before I die, if only just once.
Travelling the land by luxury coach, along with like minded folk,
Moving on, seeing all we could, in its beauty we did soak.
Cape Town, a jewel, a pearl, hanging from an African pendant,
Seeing wealth and poverty in extreme; on the tourist so dependant.
Langa township with its cruel past, seeing hope renewed,
A primary school full of eager learners so cheerfully happy their mood.
Prior to that, the famous Table Mountain, surprisingly so cloud free,
What a lure, commanding rock, view changing endlessly.
Being clear it was great to roam on table without it’s cloth,
Of cloud that often rolls in and over every height and trough.
We trod the sands at the Cape, Good Hope, explorers named,
Then Cape Point and Boulder Beach, for its penguins so famed.
I climbed the steps to the lighthouse, on a rock, high-perched,
Then the gardens of Kirstenbosch, for more beauty searched.
We moved on up country to Oudtshoorn on the famed Route 62
Something that both we and the bikers did, a sort of, ‘Must Do’.
Mile upon mile the tedious road wound,
Twisting on through the reddened ground.
Through the Outeniqua mountains though not the famous Pass,
Oudtshoorn, on a large flat plain, midst looming mountainous mass.
Then a tour of the Cango caves and to the Ostrich Farm
To Knysna and the Featherbed, to sample all their charm.
The Cango Caves what a delight,
With a singing guide controlling the light.
Up and down slopes and step,
Like mountain goats got quite adept.
Then the Ostriches so tall and dim,
Hard tipped beaks, long necks so thin.
Grain we fed them on a metal spoon,
Then ate their cousins for lunch in a nearby room.
The road that took us to Port Elizabeth and our Johannesburg flight,
Took us also to Knysna where power cuts turned out the light.
In town first night to have our dinner, along with Jay-Jay
Panic when the computer blew and getting all to pay.
All sorted by redoubtable Barbara, as tour Manager supreme,
Stepped in and efficiently, turned a nightmare to a dream.
Meals were good and such a popular place,
Eating my Crocodile Steak here was no disgrace.
The very next morning by bus then boat we crossed the estuary,
To the Featherbed Reservation all aboard a tiny ferry.
Once disembarked onto the quay some height we had to gain,
So walked up the hill to join, the waiting sturdy Tractor-Train.
Chugged up the hill near to the top,
Way up high brought to a stop.
Most climbed off, the walk to take,
To the caves below, not a piece of cake.
But a good experience that was for sure,
With countless steps and slopes we did endure.
The crashing waves the soft gurgling, whispering tidal waters,
Close up and personal, meeting nature at close quarters.
Then back to the jetty where luncheon awaited,
New tastes and old ones offered, taken, tasted.
An hour or so spent shopping after being returned across,
Found relaxation with restful coffee, welcome gained nothing lost.
Following another evening meal at JJs, eating place of charm,
Fumbling in the dark as off to bed with another outage borne.
Awoke to a lovely morning clear and bright,
Too soon the cloud obscured the dawns first light.
The Tsitsikama Nature Reserve was our next intended stop,
Where we had the chance to walk the walk and reach the very top.
Top of the cliffs that tower over the Storms River where it meets the sea,
A wooden slatted walkway and suspension bridge, beckoned others just like me.
So we walked the walk and crossed the Storms as it joined the Ocean,
Concluded with a gait like sailors, from the bridge-a-swaying motion.
Out of breathe with sweat soaked skin and clothing,
Cold drinks in shaded marquee tent then onwards with our roving.
And so to Johannesburg a so rich city built on blood, finance and gold,
From Port Elizabeth we flew, to pause at the Krugers mighty threshold.
But first a visit to a town so rich in history, struggle and blood,
Soweto - Mandela, Beeko, the boy Pieterson, of their stories to be told.
Humbly stood in Nelsons’s home, still there on Vilakazi Street,
Hector Pieterson Museum of the uprising, refusal to accept defeat.
Democracy, that hard won prize, that shines through all with pride,
Though shamed by corruption of former heroes who now many do deride.
We ate a meal at Chez Alina, a home built restaurant with home made fare,
In the centre of those very streets, that with Mendella they once shared.
Then a quiet night for an early start as we leave for The Kruger National Park,
The big five we hope to see, plus plenty more as we begin our safari in the dark.
During a long days drive we stopped off twice at two places of interest,
Rourkes Potholes and Gods Window, though I thought potholes were the best.
The potholes were great water pools, into which rapids and waterfalls cascade,
Before moving on over the rocks into a deep canyon, that time and water made.
‘Gods window,’ a viewpoint on towering cliffs,
Giving marvellous views of creations gifts.
Our accommodation in bungalows set so prettily, not far from the Kruger Park,
The monkeys in the trees chucked empty nutshells on my roof until it grew dark.
So all was peace when after dinner to bed we all did set
As a 4am call in the morning was the earliest alarm call yet.
Off to the Kruger National Park early we did drive,
Probably the most anticipated part since first we all arrived.
For a day and half most of us traversed the park in a Safari Truck,
Realising that it needed skill, communication, and great deal of luck.
If to see lots of animals and birds that were early risers too,
Giraffes, Zebra, Impala; Water buffalo, Elephants, Lions; the majestic Koodo.
A giant snail, a tortoise or two, baboons, monkey’s, a troop of wild dogs,
Birds of all colours, Wildebeest, Hippopotamus, and stiff tailed warthogs.
We didn’t see the Cheetah nor the beautiful leopard, as around the park we drove,
Though the park wept torrents at our leaving and laughed as for cover we dove.
That’s it then, for most of us the holiday tour is over and it is our very last day,
To our drivers, our guide, Shaz, Tour manager, Barbara, there is one thing left to say.
That of course, is a BIG THANK YOU from everyone, your camaraderie ensured success,
Thank each other also, for bonding so very well, and if asked did I enjoyed it?
Of course it is,YES!
Harry Pleavin. March 2019
