South Africa Trip - Day 9: Long day into Jo-berg (6/12/10)

The GWR certificate for the abseiling we are unable to do. Shame!

We decided since no abseiling was possible, we would take horses to view the waterfall we were supposed to abseil down; I will let it be known here that I do not like riding horses as I have had bad experiences falling off them mainly in Peru, so I was not looking forward to this. 

I am ready for the horse. The question is, is it ready for me?

The ride is shaky as the walk is muddy and hilly and my horse seems to be struggling to find decent footing and not listening when I try to communicate what seems like an easy path. We eventually get there and the sights are breathtaking; beautiful, huge waterfall with lush vegetation all around and mountains everywhere. 

One of the many amazing views from the horse trip.

Thar she is. That is the waterfall we should be abseiling down. It is huge!

My bro and I at the waterfall. I guess I should have read the memo about taking off the helmet for pictures. :)

The gang appreciating (and me blocking, sorry) the waterfall. It was definitely appreciated that the weather cooperated for this trek.

Even better was the few signs of civilization were simple fences and ranches and homes that made you feel like you were really removed from it all; I like having that feeling every now again. We head back with the same shaky horses and get back to the cabin to have lunch before we headed back on that road of death to leave L. 

One of the many troubled spots on the road in/out of the hotel we stayed in. Keep in mind this is nicer than it looked the day before. 

So when there arent pot holes and steep cliffs threatening your drive, there is livestock (in this case, donkeys) in the way. We also saw herds of sheep and people walking on said road.

Not all is bad about the road; this view is one of the great things about driving on a rural, mountain road.

Some houses nestled among the mountains. 

I found a soccer field in Lesotho. This picture embodies one of the main reasons I love soccer; you can play anywhere. Love the beautiful game!

Who needs to make a phone call? We didnt stop but there were numerous stalls like this in Lesotho. I wondered if it was actually a pay phone in there or if its just graffiti. 

Way down wasn't too bad as we were going with gravity at all the horrible parts and it was a little drier as it wasn't raining/snowing today. Get back across the border, get into Jo-berg and drop the rental car off before getting a cab to our hostel (Gemini backpackers). Check in, get our bunks (we are in a room of about 10 bunks – afterwards I found out that we paid ~60$ each for a bunk in a 10 bed room; that is what the WC does for lodging), then go to the hostel bar to grab a beer to celebrate our arrival. We get our beers and go chill by the fire outside while talking to our compatriots there to see the WC. @~4am C and I go to bed while S and J keep going with the group.

There was a flame twirler at the hostel, so after a few drinks, I decided to go chat and give it a try. 

I am giving it my all. The guy was freaking amazing at his art. I was spastic and eventually hit myself with the fireball. I never was good at nun-chuck activities