Central/Upper Berg (Drakensberg, South Africa)

April 3^rd, 2011 (January 2011) – We left the Sani Pass area and began our foray through the back roads of central Drakensburg.  Although we had a map and some vague idea as to where we were it felt a little like we’d entered East Jesus. Small villages and large swaths of farmland were all we encountered for a couple of hours. It was beautiful but a bit unsettling at the same time. 

Driving a VW Polo along a empty dirt road (we did pass what appeared to be two other tourists in a small red car at one point) can leave one thinking about the possibility of a breakdown. Sure Avis provides 24 hour roadside assistance but they’d have to find our stupid asses first. And I would not describe the Polo as all-terrain so we had to tread lightly.

Eventually, we made our way to the town of Winterton where we decided to splurge on a room for two nights. Leslie was still not 100% and I was starting to feel a bit under the weather. The prescription was a comfortable bed and a flat screen television. Yeeesss. After a good night’s sleep we drove some 30 km into Champagne Valley and went for a short hike in the Monks Cowl area. We had planned on doing a more extensive jaunt but, once again, the weather was not particularly cooperative. The threat of rain was ever present. We did manage to have a nice stroll and were still able to take in some of the area’s natural beauty, passing rainclouds and all. One advantage to cruddy weather was the distinct lack of humanity. This adds a nice touch to the desolate scenery.