Drakens = Dragon
Berg = Mountain
Some legend about a Boer father & son sighting of a dragon over the mountains.
BOER :
Farmer (Afrikaans); generally used in eighteenth and nineteenth century to refer to white South African settlers of Dutch, German, and French Huguenot origin; generally supplanted by the term Afrikaner (qv) in the twen tieth century.
(reference.allrefer.com/country-guide-study/south-africa/south-africa149.html)
For more information on the history of Drakensberg and detailed explanation of the mountain formations (quite interesting actually), you can go to the Drakensberg Tourism Website.
The joining of these photos aren't great but you get the idea. Can't remember the name of this dam but one of those significant ones that you will see when driving through Drakensberg. Weather was quite cloudy so the photo does not really do justice. Hmmm....
I think this is the Sani Pass. Ok, I admit my memory is failing me.[ Northern Drakensberg ]
The stretch of vacant road at Northern Drakensberg. We were there off-peak season so it was nice and quiet. Drakensberg is a popular holiday destination for families. Need I explain why?[ Intruding into the cottages ]
This was actually one of the more interesting little 'adventure' we went on. Our tour guide decided to intrude into one of these thatch-roof cottage dwellings of the Blacks, to give us a first-hand experience of the living conditions.....
Verdict : It is no wonder these people have such short lives! There is no ventilation and it is similiar to living in a kiln. No electricity (= no lights), no water.... makes the term 'bare minimal' seem like an understatement. The cottage may look 'cute' to look at but believe me, not that cute to live in.
Verdict : It is no wonder these people have such short lives! There is no ventilation and it is similiar to living in a kiln. No electricity (= no lights), no water.... makes the term 'bare minimal' seem like an understatement. The cottage may look 'cute' to look at but believe me, not that cute to live in.
Inside the cottage
Doesn't look that bad outside, huh?
[ Northern Drakensberg : 'RUGGED GLEN" ]
This is a pretty little area in Drakensberg. Ahhh... this is when I have to tell a little story of the Blacks and their land domination ways.
In South Africa, hearsay, the Blacks have the liberty to plant themselves as they wish. So apparently one settler can decide at any point to claim any land his home and plop goes the zincs (which later on during the Wild Coast tour I learnt that they use sign boards as their roofs... that's another story), welcome welcome, a new habitat has begun!
I must say though, they distinctly have exotic taste in their selection of habitat settlement(s). They do have the tendency to pick the prettiest spots with the most spectacular views and stick their flags (smell and flavour) into the grounds. So it is a usual sight of Black squatter camps in less distinct districts (which doesn't necessarily mean the dumps).
Then of course, comes the Blacks classification between the 'passive' and 'aggressive' (If my memory hasn't failed me completely, I think it is the Zulus). So apparently the Blacks dwelling at Drakensberg are the nice passive ones. There isn't surprising, is it? Even a buffalo could become sedated in a place like Drakensberg.
In South Africa, hearsay, the Blacks have the liberty to plant themselves as they wish. So apparently one settler can decide at any point to claim any land his home and plop goes the zincs (which later on during the Wild Coast tour I learnt that they use sign boards as their roofs... that's another story), welcome welcome, a new habitat has begun!
I must say though, they distinctly have exotic taste in their selection of habitat settlement(s). They do have the tendency to pick the prettiest spots with the most spectacular views and stick their flags (smell and flavour) into the grounds. So it is a usual sight of Black squatter camps in less distinct districts (which doesn't necessarily mean the dumps).
Then of course, comes the Blacks classification between the 'passive' and 'aggressive' (If my memory hasn't failed me completely, I think it is the Zulus). So apparently the Blacks dwelling at Drakensberg are the nice passive ones. There isn't surprising, is it? Even a buffalo could become sedated in a place like Drakensberg.
The most decent looking house is owned by Head of the Village.
It is interesting watching the kids play and run about barefooted. A reminder of innocence and simplicity that is almost non-existent in the world we live in.
[ 'Little Switzerland' Chalet, Bergville, Drakensberg ]
If ever, ever anyone is going to Drakensberg, Little Switzerland is a MUST-STAY chalet. The view from the chalet is to die. An ideal weekend getaway place. This place epitomises the meaning of cheap and cheerful. Rated 4-stars, costs about ZAR600.00 (can't remember the exact cost... maybe 580, maybe 640) and sleeps up to 6 people - 2 bedrooms and 2 additional pull-out beds in the lounge.
However, it is a shame that the management has not taken greater care into maintaining the place. The condition has deteriorated since my last stay in February 2004. I hope that it will not be in shambles the next time I'm there!
However, it is a shame that the management has not taken greater care into maintaining the place. The condition has deteriorated since my last stay in February 2004. I hope that it will not be in shambles the next time I'm there!
View from the balcony of the chalet. I did mention that the scenary is to die for, right? Ok ok... yell at me... I did an atrociously sloppy job at seaming the photos together!
Someone's definitely enjoying the place.... (p.s. see the fruits at the corner? It travelled with us a loooonnngggg way.)[ The Happy Breakfasteers ]
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