Fun in the Berg

The Drakensberg mountains or uKhahlamba (the Barrier of Spears) is a 200-kilometre-long mountainous wonderland and was declared a world heritage site in December 2000.

Cath and I had booked a week there last year and were very excited at going on holiday together, just girls, looking forward to relaxing, sight-seeing, giggling a lot (of course) and eating a lot (of course).

The drive down went quickly it seemed, although we stopped a couple of times for the usual breakfast and coffee which we both love doing and another time just for coffee.

We arrived in the late afternoon, booked in at the Reception and were handed the keys to our chalet. We couldn't wait to see it. We drove down the mountain path, with a steep view on the one side and a forest on the other, and towards the end of it found our chalet which was to be our home for a week. All the chalets are 'A-line', built high on the slopes of the mountain.

(When we book into a place we have never been to it's always with slight trepidation that we insert the key in the lock for the first time.)

We walked in and explored. The views were magnificent from the lounge and bedroom and from the bedroom balcony , but inside the chalet felt a little old-fashioned, with dark furniture, but spacious all the same. We quickly unpacked, and went for a walk to discover our new surroundings. The hotel also had beautiful views and we soon found their terrace where they served light meals, coffee and drinks.  It was cold and wintery and the sharp icy wind stung our faces.

That evening neither of us felt like cooking and as we had noticed a little restaurant just at the entrance to our hotel, we decided to give it a try. Although it was quite close we drove there as we did not feel like braving the winding forest road in the dark on our way back, intrepid travelers that we are, (although I must admit that Cathy is a much braver explorer than I am.) When we arrived the restaurant doors were locked but we could see a couple of people inside. We knocked and a man opened for us, welcoming us in and telling us that they were really open, but that they had had a hold-up the night before and were taking precautions! We were the only ones in the restaurant all evening, feeling a bit anxious behind locked doors, but after a glass of wine or two, the fear subsided and we had a thoroughly good time. The food was not that great but as we were hungry, in a new place, anticipating a lovely week, that also did not matter much.

As we climbed into our little car we were glad we had driven there and not decided to walk. Sleepily and carefully we drove back to our chalet in the dark and were happy to lock the door behind us, feeling safe, and climb into our respective beds as we were tired, full and looking forward to what the morning would bring.