Lesotho > Bus breakdown…

Today we leave the Drakensberg again. After breakfast, we drive away from the Orion Mont-Aux-Source Hotel. We turn left and exit the Royal Natal National Park. We pass large dams, built to generate electricity. At the largest dam, we make a photo stop. As we continue driving, I take out yesterday’s map. On this detailed map, I can follow our route and see that we are crossing Poccolan Park. At the top of the mountain pass, we get out of the bus and walk along the stunning rock formations downhill. The rocks hang over like giant mushrooms. Further on, we have a view of the hundred-meter-high Brandwag Rock, which Gerhardt says is the most famous rock in South Africa. We get back into the bus and continue through Golden Gate National Park.

Lesotho - The impressive Brandwag rock in the Golden Gate National Park

On the way to Ficksburg, the bus breaks down. The bus already had little power going uphill, but now it completely stalls. Hofard thinks there is dirt in the diesel. He tries to reach the village of Fouriesburg behind us by letting the bus roll backward in neutral. Down below, Gerhardt manages to get the police’s attention. Just as he steps out, the bus starts again. We quickly drive to a nearby petrol station. Gerhardt is escorted by the police. With extra diesel, we set off again. However, the problem is not resolved, and a few hills later, we stall once more. In front of us, it’s a good opportunity to take photos of the magnificent mountains. The road to Ficksburg is slow going, especially uphill. At times, it’s tense whether we will make it to the top or if the engine will stall again. At half past twelve, we enter Ficksburg—a charming little town with many shops. The streets are lively. While we have lunch in town, the bus goes to the garage for repairs. We walk through Ficksburg, browse the shops, and have soup and a sandwich in an English pub. The bus repair is taking longer than expected, so we update family back home in an internet café. We also walk past Ficksburg’s sandstone buildings and the two churches. At half past three, we settle in the pub for a nice beer. At quarter past four, the bus arrives—it’s been repaired. We quickly board to drive to Lesotho. Along the way, it soon becomes clear that the repair hasn’t helped; the bus still cannot climb properly. Heated phone calls are being made from the front.

Lesotho - The sun sets in Lesotho

Tomorrow, the bus will be replaced with another one. Meanwhile, we slowly continue toward Lesotho. Fortunately, the border post is open 24 hours. Crossing goes smoothly—stamp, stamp—and we are in Lesotho. The sun is already low on the horizon as we pass the capital, Maseru, which is just past the border. Many people from Lesotho work in South Africa because of better job opportunities, and most of them live in the capital. Lesotho is slightly larger than the Netherlands and has 1.3 million inhabitants. We continue a bit further into Lesotho, following the road through the valley. Along the way, everyone waves to us enthusiastically. By half past six, the sun sets behind the mountains, and darkness falls quickly. In the dark, we leave the paved road and turn left to drive the final seven kilometers to Malealea Lodge. Along the way, it’s completely dark; no one has electricity. At the lodge, lights are on, with cheerful festive decorations welcoming us. There are more groups here—at long tables, at least four to five groups, all Germans and Dutch. We take our luggage to our room. The door is invitingly open, and the light is on. This also means the room is full of mosquitoes. Because we arrived so late, the light came on automatically when the generator started. We spray to fend off the mosquitoes. We eat in the dining hall. The other groups are eating as well. Unfortunately, the food is a bit cold because we arrived late. In the evening, we go to our room before ten, because exactly at ten o’clock, the generator turns off.