Back from Lesotho into South Africa. It's a little bit like coming straight from Africa back to Europe. We realized it even more after re-entering the rainbow nation that this state is miles appart from the rest of the African continent. Much better infrastructure, much higher level of lifestyle (at least in the rural areas) much higher educational level. Still, it's not all gold that glitters, and a lot of people are complaining that the standards are getting lower, but this country has still a huge potential and a lot of resources (not only minerals and diamonds). There are as well a lot of problems. Clashes of culture and beliefs. Clashes of stubborn ideas, traditional ways (amongst the whites and the blacks) and new forward looking generations. There are problems ahead but also a lot of hope for this very, truly rainbow-nation!!!
We were again most welcomed by the people we met along the way! Most hospitable and friendly people. Thanks to each and everyone of you for your kind hospitality. It makes traveling in South Africa very pleasant. Although the heat level could be a little lower, but as far as I know there is still no influence of human beings in this section.
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| Very good advise, cyclists are always hungry and every excuse to grab a bite is most welcome. |
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| Small city life in Ladybrand. |
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| Already back in France? Where is the sea then???? |
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| Little baby bat, shivering in the cold afternoon rainstorm. We do like it and wait for hours until the thunderstorm and the lightning have lost their frightening power. |
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| It's so fluffy!!!! |
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| Tiny little grasshopper rendevous in the middle of the yellow flower bed. |
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| This one is real. It looks like it is one of H.R. Giger's monsters. |
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| What do you see on this picture? |
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| Getting water at the windmill. |
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Rhino awareness is his aim. The giant has a big heart for the giants.
Last year over 500 rhinos were killed in Krüger NP! For what? For some sex enhancing powder for Asian markets! Grow up people!! |
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| yes, we are getting closer! |
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| Beautiful queens of the night! |
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| Singing in the rain, and dancing in the rain... |
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| Like these boys!!! Although the rain was already over by then. |
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| Shortest kilometer ever, the picnic place is right by the trees. |
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| Puncture again, but the bike-master has it fixed in no time. |
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| We know in comparison with the swiss alp passes this is nothing. But in the summer heat of the Karoo, it took a lot of motivation and energy. But we made it and the down hill ride was just fantastic. |
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| Beautiful old houses along the roads. This one is a guesthouse and an alpaca farm. The alpacas are being used to protect the sheep against the wild cats and the jackals, what an excellent, cheap and efficient mean!!! |
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| Christmas cupcakes in a lovely cafe in one of the oldest towns in South Africa. Graaff-Reinet. |
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| Reinet house in Graaff-Reinet: impressing what the settlers brought with them when they moved into the region! |
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| South Africa where are you going? |
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| It's the rainy season... |
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| Once upon a time in the west... |
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| There is some history there... |
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| White South Africans live a very secure life! There is a lot of fear around. To us, this is very strange, we are not used to it at all... |
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| Cangoo Caves near Oudtshoorn: impressive and VERY touristic. |
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| Ostrich Farm near Oudtshoorn: Yann tries the ostrich riding and lasts about 5 seconds! |
