{"id":988,"date":"2010-12-25T14:14:55","date_gmt":"2010-12-25T12:14:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/?p=988"},"modified":"2021-03-24T11:42:16","modified_gmt":"2021-03-24T09:42:16","slug":"lesotho","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/lesotho\/","title":{"rendered":"THE LANDLOCKED COUNTRY IN THE CLOUDS"},"content":{"rendered":"

We have visited Lesotho a couple of times before, especially the eastern side coming up with Sani Pass from KwaZulu Natal, but this time round we visited Malealea Lodge in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho and entered from the more developed western side at Wepener.<\/p>\n

\"Mountain<\/a><\/p>\n

Arriving at the border post at Van Rooyen\u2019s Gate (hours 06:00- 22:00) near Wepener all was quiet the day after Christmas and the formalities were done without a glitch and off we go.<\/p>\n

\"Just<\/a><\/p>\n

Our plan was to camp at Malealea Lodge and explore the vicinity during the last week of the year. \u00a0Since our previous visit to Lesotho we noticed that the main road network improved a lot, but as soon as you get onto the gravel things are still the same = the further from civilization the worse the roads.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

The roads are potholed and maintenance non-existing. \u00a0After all this is why we come here – to get away from it all. \u00a0This is definitely bakkie <\/em>(pick up) country and apart from the traditional donkeys this is the most reliable mode of transport.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We arrived just in time and in good weather to pick our perfect camping spot before dark fell.\u00a0 The camp site was filling up rapidly and the rondavel (<\/em>hut) accommodation was also busy. \u00a0It seems that other people had the same idea than we had \u00a0– to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.<\/p>\n

\"In<\/a>Shortly after we pitched our tents the dark clouds were rolling in over the mountains. \u00a0Bad weather was on its way …<\/p>\n

\"Rain<\/a><\/p>\n

Soon the rain was with us.\u00a0 And this was more or less the pattern for the rest of the week \u2013 showers in the late afternoon and chilly weather every night.\u00a0 Luckily we were pitched on the higher part of the sloping camp ground so we managed to keep dry \u2013 well sort of!<\/p>\n

\"Red<\/a><\/p>\n

The next morning, while having a cup of steaming coffee at the lodge, we watched how the ponies were saddled up and packed for an overnight trek through the mountains and adjacent villages.\u00a0 In an effort to help the local community ponies are rented from the community upon which they receive an incentive from the lodge.\u00a0 This also encourages the local people to look well after their ponies to benefit from this project and supports job creation.<\/p>\n

Time for to search for a geocache which is sort of impossible to find, because you are never alone and never not noticeable. \u00a0Small children \"Gearing<\/a>has the habit of just popping out behind every bush and rock and follow your every move. \u00a0The cache was \u00a0planted during 2010, with four attempts to find it, but no success.\u00a0 Our hopes were not high that it would still be available, but nevertheless we tried.\u00a0 We too could not find it and I doubt if it still exists after all the years. \u00a0Unfortunately we had a bad incident – whether intentional or unintentional – near this particular village as a Basotho child threw stones at our vehicle (luckily no damage was done), but be aware of such occurrences when you travel around the country.\u00a0 Things can quickly turn into a situation if you do not handle it well.<\/p>\n

\"Curious<\/a><\/p>\n

Near our camp the village boys and cows (one dressed with a bandana) were very curious about the motorbikes and they came to check it out with envious eyes. \u00a0Then hubby decided to treat one or two of them by taking them for a drive down the road.\u00a0 I think that was the best ever Christmas present they could wish for \u2013 smiles, smiles, smiles!!\u00a0 Goes to show a small gesture can makes a big difference to someone else.<\/p>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

Sadly, the week flew by and the Lesotho break also came to an end. On the last day we were up early to start packing our gear with the sound of the peacocks in the background as a last reminder of our short visit.<\/p>\n

\"Some<\/a><\/p>\n

And then we got a bit of a surprise \u2026.. a snake \u2026.. under our tent.\u00a0 Eish! \u00a0 Nobody was expecting this \u00a0visitor. \u00a0Well, I suppose it probably was the only dry and cozy place in the rainy conditions \u2026 \u00a0Who could blame him?<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

When checking out we mentioned it to the owners of the lodge and they were somewhat surprised at what we told them as they have never seen a snake there at Malealea – and they grew up there! \u00a0So there is always a first time for everything … even a snake at Malealea Lodge.<\/p>\n

\"Soaking<\/a><\/p>\n

The long road home was waiting. \u00a0It was time to go to home base once more.<\/p>\n

So been there, done that, ticked the box. \u00a0\ud83d\ude42 \u00a0 According to my travel bucket there are still a lot of new places waiting to be discovered. \u00a0So let’s move.<\/p>\n

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” \u00a0(Dr Seuss)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

oOo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We have visited Lesotho a couple of times before, especially the eastern side coming up with Sani Pass from KwaZulu Natal, but this time round we visited Malealea Lodge in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho and entered from the more developed western side at Wepener. Arriving at the border post at Van Rooyen\u2019s Gate (hours 06:00- 22:00) near Wepener all was quiet the day after Christmas and the formalities were done without a glitch and off we go. Our plan was to camp at Malealea Lodge and explore the vicinity during the last week of the year. \u00a0Since our previous visit to Lesotho we noticed that the main road network improved a lot, but as soon as you get onto the gravel things are still the same = the further from civilization the worse the roads. The roads are potholed and maintenance non-existing. \u00a0After all this is why we come… Read more ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1002,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[125,156],"tags":[398,965,159,157,964,158,966,847],"geo":null,"yoast_head":"\nTHE LANDLOCKED COUNTRY IN THE CLOUDS - TRAVELBUCKET<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"this time round we visited Malealea Lodge in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho and entered from the more developed western side at Wepener.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/lesotho\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"THE LANDLOCKED COUNTRY IN THE CLOUDS - 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