1600km. That is how far we traveled in four days, and I would do it again in a heart beat.
Having never traveled to the Karoo or even to Bloemfontein, this past weekend has been one of new places and experiences. The adventure started Thursday afternoon, half past one where Alet (dear friend and Cradock local) and I caught our lift headed to Bloemfontein. We arrived late afternoon and were met by Alet's sister Marlè and her school friend Cathy. From the beginning of the journey, I was overcome by the sense of being privileged and blessed to endeavor onto ground that I had never trodden, and it all began in Bloemfontein.
We drank a quick but very needed cup of coffee (little did I know that it was the first of MANY for the weekend) and then headed to meet Alet's mom at the house we were staying for the evening with pizza and wine in tow. After supper, which was accompanied with plenty of laughs, we decided to grab an ice cream. Being adventurous with eating ice cream in winter inspired us to be daring and attempt to enter Naval Hill, and after some sweet talk from Marlès side, we were given a strict limit of ten minutes to be in and out. We sped up took two photos and sped down, but definitely a great bonus!
Seven o'clock the next morning we hit the road on our way to Cradock with a four-hour journey ahead of us. We made a few quick stops at Tom's Place and Colesburg and by half past eleven, we had arrived at our destination, Cradock in the eastern Cape. My eyes were as round as saucers as we drove through the historic town. The buildings are those of the old colonial style adding to the quaintness of the town.
Alet took me through a tour of her Alma Matre, and once again I was astonished. The school itself was beautiful and so well maintained, and Alet kept repeating how privileged she was to be able to complete her high school career there. After a failed attempt to grab something to eat at a local coffee shop, we exited town and were on our way to the farm, located an hour outside Cradock.
Opening a farm gate in the Eastern Cape is quite a magnificent experience. With the fresh air surrounding you and wide, open spaces leaving you breathless you have no choice but to fall in love. We arrived at their humble abode which was every piece as lovely as I had imagined it and immediately started with getting food on the table. After eating way too much (another habit of the weekend) everyone retired to a couch to take a much-needed nap. We woke up to be fed once more, but who can say no to a 'Karoo skaap tjoppie'?
Saturday morning Alet and I grabbed the camera just after the sun rose and climbed the nearest koppie. When we turned our backs we were met by the most breath taking view of mountains upon mountains. After snapping a few photos we hastily made our way back and finished up. We jumped in the car and headed into Cradock for the Writers' Festival.
As aspiring writers and journalists, such occasions are always spectacular. We attended Toast Coetzer's interview as well as Etienne van Heerden who talked about his new book. Here we laughed and learned plenty. Here we also met up with Thomas and Destiny, two of Alet's best friends who also gave me great insight as to why Alet is the person she is. After a quick Wimpy lunch, we headed to the Schriner House where the event we actually traveled for took place. Alet's reading of her own poetry was spectacular and sitting in the audience I felt every inch as proud as her mom sitting in front of me.
This concluded our Cradock escapades after which we were exhausted. After a home cooked meal and another cup of coffee, we all hit the sack. 10 o'clock Sunday we were on the road again, this time starting our ever long journey back to Potchefstroom and after arriving at just after 7 o'clock I can successfully say I have traveled to the Karoo and back in one weekend.
It was all in all a magnificent experience and the Karoo definitely left its mark on me, hopefully, I shall return in a time not too long off.
Having never traveled to the Karoo or even to Bloemfontein, this past weekend has been one of new places and experiences. The adventure started Thursday afternoon, half past one where Alet (dear friend and Cradock local) and I caught our lift headed to Bloemfontein. We arrived late afternoon and were met by Alet's sister Marlè and her school friend Cathy. From the beginning of the journey, I was overcome by the sense of being privileged and blessed to endeavor onto ground that I had never trodden, and it all began in Bloemfontein.
We drank a quick but very needed cup of coffee (little did I know that it was the first of MANY for the weekend) and then headed to meet Alet's mom at the house we were staying for the evening with pizza and wine in tow. After supper, which was accompanied with plenty of laughs, we decided to grab an ice cream. Being adventurous with eating ice cream in winter inspired us to be daring and attempt to enter Naval Hill, and after some sweet talk from Marlès side, we were given a strict limit of ten minutes to be in and out. We sped up took two photos and sped down, but definitely a great bonus!
 |
| Bloemfontein liggies from Naval Hill |
Seven o'clock the next morning we hit the road on our way to Cradock with a four-hour journey ahead of us. We made a few quick stops at Tom's Place and Colesburg and by half past eleven, we had arrived at our destination, Cradock in the eastern Cape. My eyes were as round as saucers as we drove through the historic town. The buildings are those of the old colonial style adding to the quaintness of the town.
 |
| Alet taking me on a tour through her old hostel |
Opening a farm gate in the Eastern Cape is quite a magnificent experience. With the fresh air surrounding you and wide, open spaces leaving you breathless you have no choice but to fall in love. We arrived at their humble abode which was every piece as lovely as I had imagined it and immediately started with getting food on the table. After eating way too much (another habit of the weekend) everyone retired to a couch to take a much-needed nap. We woke up to be fed once more, but who can say no to a 'Karoo skaap tjoppie'?
Saturday morning Alet and I grabbed the camera just after the sun rose and climbed the nearest koppie. When we turned our backs we were met by the most breath taking view of mountains upon mountains. After snapping a few photos we hastily made our way back and finished up. We jumped in the car and headed into Cradock for the Writers' Festival.
As aspiring writers and journalists, such occasions are always spectacular. We attended Toast Coetzer's interview as well as Etienne van Heerden who talked about his new book. Here we laughed and learned plenty. Here we also met up with Thomas and Destiny, two of Alet's best friends who also gave me great insight as to why Alet is the person she is. After a quick Wimpy lunch, we headed to the Schriner House where the event we actually traveled for took place. Alet's reading of her own poetry was spectacular and sitting in the audience I felt every inch as proud as her mom sitting in front of me.
 |
| Alet reading her poetry |
 |
| Toast Cotser and Etienne van Heerden |
This concluded our Cradock escapades after which we were exhausted. After a home cooked meal and another cup of coffee, we all hit the sack. 10 o'clock Sunday we were on the road again, this time starting our ever long journey back to Potchefstroom and after arriving at just after 7 o'clock I can successfully say I have traveled to the Karoo and back in one weekend.
It was all in all a magnificent experience and the Karoo definitely left its mark on me, hopefully, I shall return in a time not too long off.
Comments
Post a Comment