April 4, Aliwal, South Africa

Internet is sometimes hard to find even in "almost like home" South Africa.

We left Johannesburg a few days ago and headed for Kruger National Park. Had to rent a car - can't take bikes into the park. Saw lots of animals and were tired and hot by the end of the day. Stayed in a very nice hotel while it stormed outside all night long. In the morning the car next to our bikes was crushed under a fallen tree and the place was a mess and the power was out all over town. Not the usual weather I had thought people must by used to.

On to Mozambique - just the southern tip of it; in and out of Mobuto (sp) - big dirty city; not interested. On to border and into Swaziland. We slept in a game reserve all by ourselves except for the animals.... Very nice - see picture of our first tent setting up. On thru Swaziland all along the eastern side and back into South Africa the next day.

On to Himeville at the base of Sani Pass. Up early and up the pass to the highest pass in South Africa and the higest Pub for breakfast. I crashed twice going up the last very steep and rocky and zigzagy last 2 kilometers - would still be there if Pat hadn't picked my bike up and gotten me started again!

Crossing into Lesotho there, we went directly (using the word loosely) across Lesotho to Butha-Buthe and out the other side into South Africa again and down to Ficksburg for the night.

Today, we will sleep here in Awinal and tomorrow head for Port Elizibeth before traveling down the coast to Cape Town.

Lesotho is very high everywhere. The people are friendly and a cross between cowboys and sheep hearders. The homes are all round with conical roofs. Poor country! No welfare and not a lot of work to be had. Difinetley worth the visit for the scenery and the serenity.