Took the N1 north out of Jo'burg to Pietersburg. A curious mix of traditional Africa
and modern mall. We walked round the street market but attracted more attention
than we felt comfortable with. Off to the mall! Self made ham and cheese sandwiches
for lunch. Beer at £3 per crate? Two, please!
The country has been split into two flat featureless plains covered with six foot high scrub trees. Litter abounds as does abandoned rusty machinery. Land is cheap [people fence off large chunks of it then sticky a solitary rusty truck in it]. Many shanty towns - single storey rooms often without a window, made of brick or corrugated iron walls with a corrugated iron roof. Always a tall thin toilet in the corner [of the plot]!
Plenty of extended burnt patches beyond the ever present four strand barbed wire fence. Only ever went to be replaced by a 16 strand! Everything is fenced off. Slept through plenty of the journey! Up the R521 to Machete Farm camp, a Drifters own.
Machete Farm camp S22.25081 E29.29563 Elev. 552m.
Filmed some cave art and the sunset. Our first Braai (BBQ) and a few beers. The real [story of the] safari as told by Paul, our guide/cook. News that we're avoiding Zimbabwe and going through Botswana. Then off to bed.
Copyright 2002 Ian Fitchet. All rights reserved.