We arose early again this morning for further explorations of the geological features of the Blyde River Canyon. Known as the Panorama Route, this drive presents stunning views of the Blyde River Canyon and the forested lands below. The canyon is the third largest on earth but does not compare in size to the Grand Canyon in the US. The canyon passes a feature of 3 hills that resemble 3 African round houses or “ rondavals”. When you see the picture you will understand why. We also visited the Pinnacle, a large rock pillar rising some 30 meters above the forest floor. Our third stop of the day was to the Bourke’s Luck Potholes. These depressions and holes in the canyon walls were created by the grinding of hard rocks against the softer stone of the river bed and have resulted in a variety of pools, channels and waterfalls. If you have visited the Sooke Potholes you will have some idea of the attraction although these on are much more impressive.

Much of our travel yesterday and today has been through very hilly countryside covered in timber plantations, orange groves and closer to the town of White River, macadamia trees. Oranges and macadamia nuts are a big export crop. South Africa is now the largest producer of macadamia nuts in the world. There are mile after mile and 1000’s of hectares of pine and eucalyptus plantations. The plantations are in various stages of reforestation. The pine in particular grows very fast. 15 years from planting to harvest. The pine is used for some furniture manufacturing but primarily for pulp. The eucalyptus being a hard wood is used structurally in the gold mines to support the tunnel roofs.
In the town of White River the hillsides are covered in fields of blueberry bushes grown under sun shades.
White River is our stop for the night and we arrive at the meeting point for a hook up with our White River Rotary club hosts . We were introduced to a lovely couple, Eric and Susie Howlands. They are about our age or a little older. Susie is the farmer of the family, cropping organic salad greens, macadamia nut and figs. They plant seedlings every week which are ready for harvest in 6 weeks so there is a continuous cycle of planting and harvesting 12 months of the year. Susie also manufactures pesto sauce using macadamia instead of pine nuts and mayonnaise under her own brand. She both retails and wholesales these products. Eric operates a company that supplies equipment and enzymes for the treatment of sewage waste. Eric is also president of the White River Rotary club. For a couple in their late 70’s they are incredible bundles of energy.

Last night we were hosted by the club for a braai, a South African bar b que. Great chunks a chicken and beef roast cooked on a charcoal fire, potluck salads, plenty of beer and wine and a birthday cake for dessert. All wrapped up and home in bed by 10:30, exhausted but happy.

This morning I beat the alarm set for 6:00 AM by 5 minutes. We enjoyed a light breakfast on the veranda overlooking the farm, birds chirping in the bright morning sun. Soon we were of to meet our fellow travelers, bid our hosts a hearty thank you and off we went.
Today’s destination is Skukuza in the heart of Kruger National Park. We arrived at the entrance gate at about 11:00 AM, filled out forms to record our names, paid our fees and in the gate we went. Skukuza is about 35 kms from the gate but it took us 3.5 hours to travel that distance. It is about 35 degrees Celsius under a bright sunny sky. According to Noel Coward “Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun” but here wildlife abounds. We hadn’t gone a kilometer from the entrance when there was an elephant. A little later on a giraffe and THREE little ones. We saw hundreds of impala standing wearily 20 feet from our car. Wildebeest and kudus were more rare but we did see them. And this was just on our drive in to our lodgings.
We have checked into the Skukuza Safari Lodge and we have been assigned our own rondaval for the next two nights. RONDAVALS are a traditional African round mud house with thatched roofs. Our unit is a round, cement walled cottage with a kitchen, nice bathroom and AIRCONDITIONING. As mentioned earlier it is warm here. So getting settled in we enjoyed a drink on the deck overlooking the river, watched a herd of elephants splashing across just up stream from us and watched the sun go down. This is what they call a “sundowner” We are up at 5:00 for a 6:00 AM departure for a day’s long safari drive. Lots of pictures and stories again tomorrow I’m sure. Goog night from the Kruger.🙏