Hazyview -- Panorama Route

After flying from Cape Town to Mpumalanga Airport, we spent a  few days relaxing at Perry's Bridge Hollow, Hazyview, kind of regrouping in preparation for the next few weeks.

Perry's Bridge Hollow

 We caught up on some rest and laundry, repacked our bags properly, spent a day touring the Panorama Route exploring the natural wonders of the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes.

 

 

We have had time to visit an art gallery, a beautiful gift shop and even a hairdresser at Perry's Bridge Trading Post.  We have charged up all batteries, uploaded photos, cleared memory cards and enjoyed a meal over which we were able to discuss everything we had seen to date.

As planned, our tour guide John met us early in the morning for a tour of some beautiful, 

natural wonders of the African landscape.  This tourist drive is called The Panorama Route, and there are many viewing places and vistas where you can stop and look out over the vast African land.  The time spent with John in the car enabled us to learn the history of the local area we were visiting and gain a better understanding of some of the hardships these people faced in their daily lives.

The Three Rondavels

Blyde River

The Lisbon Falls

God's Window

Bourke's Luck Potholes

  

Next door to Perry's Bridge Hollow is Hippo Hollow Country Estate which offers an 

African cultural show at The Shangaan River Club.  At the sound of the drums inviting you down a flare lit pathway, a night full of song, dance and colourful costumes awaits before a delicious meal of traditional food at shared tables. 

 

I have been happily patient, but the next morning I am almost jumping out of my skin for the real African adventure to begin.  As we drove away from Hazyview and passed through small towns, heading towards the Gowrie Gate, we saw many enterprising people on the roadside offering the usual array of colourful and sometimes exotic fruits and vegetables, haircuts, car washing, biltong, cooking utensils and clothing for sale.  There were many women with a dark eyed baby swaddled to their backs, holding the hands of another child and balancing an impossibly full basket of something or other on their heads, making their way to and from the markets.  They walk tall and proud and must have excellent neck and core strength to never lose their balance.

 

Eventually, after we have left the last town behind, a sign indicates a right turn ahead to the village of Dixie, and there are several other unassuming signs standing nearby indicating several safari accommodation lodges are also down this dirt road heading to Dixie.  A hot, dusty and bumpy road leads us to the Gowrie Gate.  Let the adventure begin!