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 |   A Journal to impart knowledge and facts |
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July 22, 2015 I'm going to start today to record on a daily basis whatever happens to strike my fancy. So, it is a very cool breezy day. I just posted 5 short book reviews to The Monthly Reading Challenge. I'm suppose to put away some winter wood today from the woodpile outside but I'm playing hookey from work to write so starting this blog will get done. I'm having a daily fight with a flock of English Sparrows that are trying to take over my barn. They are making a terrible mess so they have to go. I have destroyed several nests so far they don't leave but they get out of the barn when I am around. I'm just starting the fight so I guess I don't know how far I have to go to discourage them. I'm trying not to spread myself to thin on WDC because I find so many things that are interesting here and I am trying to work on a new story. I really enjoy sitting at my desk with a cup of tea and reading blogs on WDC. |
This museum is not something anyone should hurry through. Enjoy the (2000+) photos, discuss some of the ones that appeal to you. Did you discover the other name for Johannesburg and what is it? Jo'burg, Jozi, Egoli, three nicknames for Johannesburg. Egoli=The City of Gold or Golden Reef City. There is only one word for The Resident Boutique Hotel, well maybe two; homey or cozy. I find a need for rest in the Resident Boutique because of my Johannesburg travels. After a drive around the waterfall city project I landed in the Apartheid Museum. I liked these quotes I found in the museum: "Humanity was born in Africa all people are ultimately African." "Something inside would not let me compromise." The entire Bill of Rights should be published around the world because it is so expressive of the inner desires of people. I also liked the political cartoon exhibit. The museum is going to be relevant over the years as a new generation seeks knowledge of its heritage. Another museum that caught my eye is the Origins Centre Museum. It combines scientific facts with cultural heritage and history of many subjects. There are dinosaur facts and parts, DNA exhibits including skeletons, bones, and skulls. Historical facts of periods in earth times, ancient Art, and culture crafts. The Wartrail panel is a painted lab of rock depicting figures to analyze. It leads the visitor to wall stories of mental out of body experiences that may have been depicted in the artwork. I could not let it go here I had to work in a Pilanesberg National Park safari. We rode in an open air vehicle that looked like a truck, but sounded like a tractor. Actually, the tractor sound was comforting. More powerful than a regular vehicle I hope. It was with the Bakgatla Safari group. We saw lions, zebras, giraffe, a very large monitor lizard walking in the roadway warthog traveling in a group, white rhino, and elephants at a waterhole. The elephants were so large up close. Some were off to the side grazing. In all it was a day filled with knowledge gathering. The Safari guides dropped me at the Boutique at 9 p.m. and I'm hungry for food. We had a lunch with the safari, but that was quite awhile ago. ![Merit Badge in Travel
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| Prompt: Pick out one of these things to do in Cape Town https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g312659-Activities-Cape_Town_Central_Wes... and write a story, article, or poem about it. Two Oceans Aquarium is located at Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. It is open in all kinds of weather. The penguins are one of the attractions that lure tourists and Cape Town residents on a regular basis. Two Oceans Aquarium A world hidden from sight, explored with viewing tunnel windows . Just the right height. A touch pool helping us see, Life is ancient, diverse below the sea. Below two oceans you will find, Kelp forests and seaweed woods. Hiding rays, sharks, eels, seahorses, crabs, ocean fish of all kinds. |
| 30 Day We're spending a relaxing day at the hotel. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g312659-d12223139-Reviews-The_Silo_Hote... If you want to explore a bit, they recommend the Botanical Gardens. https://www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch/ talk about the things you discovered at the hotel or the garden.  The Silo hotel was actually built in and over an old silo. Wow. What a nice place this is, I'm not sure I want to just spend one day. Definitely, spent some time in the pool. Then slept in as well. Then got restless so went with a guide to the Kirsten Bosch National Botanical Gardens. South Africa has placed these conservation gardens in many different places throughout South Africa. The South Africa Biodiversity Institute is responsible for these flora places. Such beautiful views from the ground. There is a large conservatory of plants. The outdoor plants are native to the Cape Town region. A walkway placed high over head is one of the ways to view the plants. You can find small waterfalls and pools among the arrangement of plants. There were lots of plaques around to explain the plants we saw. We climbed around in one old gnarled tree with limbs growing close to the ground. walking through Botanical Gardens connects one to the earth in a special way. Then the guide wanted us to experience a more normal part of the city. He took us down a highway to a place called the Brass Ball where we ate fish and chips while watching waves crash on the sandy beach. We watched surfers get wasted as the rolling waves were high and rough. There is beer, wine, and alcoholic drinks as a part of many types of places such as the Books and beer pub last night. This is because alcoholic beverage is a part of the social atmosphere of Cape Town. |
| BCoF: We're doing a mystery bus tour. You get to put your thinking cap on and write a flash fiction ghost story. 100 words or less. https://www.capetownmagazine.com/events/mystery-ghost-bus-haunted-tour-in-cape-t... the bonus surprise of the day is actually our hotel. Wait until you see this incredible pool. We're staying here tomorrow too so don't worry about missing out on the amenities. {/c   We stopped at Rugby Jocks for a light beverage to see us through the night. As we exited the pub I noticed two pencil thin lights meandering away through the night. This started out near Bishops Court. We had a quick crowd conference. Blue moon, Hullabaloo, Sandra Lyn, Carla--yeah and lynn and Fivesixer. There was a short argument but all agreed on one thing--the lights were definitely moving with purpose. So, we followed them. I thought I could see faint outlines of human forms but, I wasn't sure. As we approached the Ponce City Market the electricity in street lights started flashing on and off. After we entered the market it leveled out but, the lights were dimmer. I noticed a book stall called books and booze. We entered. There were second hand books of all types as we were browsing through the shelves a large snap cracked in the air near the door. Hey! those lights just left. We all sprinted toward the door at once. Sure enough outside the lights were traveling swiftly in a northerly direction. We were headed toward Rosebank and the artist district of the city. The pace was swift and I was sure I could see the forms of two people it looked like the lights were attached the back of their heads. But, that can't be right because the lights were trailing the forms like streamers in a breezy night. Carla agreed. Then we lost them. Didn't matter cause we were too busy looking over the street art and visiting the ZeitZ Museum of contemporary African Art. This was going to take awhile because there are lots of smaller art museums here as well as some great places to catch a meal and we were hungry, The night wasn't getting any younger. I had to stick my head into different shops and art exhibits to round up the group again. Mainly because I noticed the lights down one street headed west toward the coast. Everyone agreed we should keep following, so off we went jogging for a few minutes until we could get them firmly in sight again. Into a wide beautifully paved plaza right into the center of town. Museums here as well. We stood in awe at the architectural grandness of the different museums and buildings that surrounded the plaza. It would take more than the time we had on this night to visit all these tourist sites. And anyway the wispy lights were on the move again headed for Beach Road. Did they stop? No. The lights jumped upon the top of a passing vehicle and went sailing away. We stood dumbfounded in the middle of the road. A passing motorist stopped to question us. All of us at once pointed at the lights riding on top of the swiftly moving car. I know what that is jump in he motioned so we all piled into his little truck. The truck swung swiftly into the fast moving traffic and we sailed through china town, then on through Mini Tel Aviv, down to Sea Point. Now, just ahead of us the two people attached to the lights were more clearly seen. They left the top of the car they had been riding and sailed skyward straight out to sea. By now, we had tumbled out of the little truck, all running toward the harbor point staring at the crazy thing we were watching. Blue Moon started jumping up and down pointing at the ocean. Ship, Ship, she cried. Sure enough two sailors were boarding a ship which bobbed and danced on the heavy ocean waves. It's full sails dancing in the wind seemed to beckon "Come aboard." It made me shiver. The truck driver had parked his vehicle and walked over to us. Looks like it might be the Birkenhead HMS he stated as he stared out at the sea. Sank in 1842. There were 643 people on board. Only 193 made it to shore. Of course we starred at the ship; then. at our new found guide of ghost ships. See, every once in awhile the ghost ships return to the cape. He shrugged. I don't know why just to see the sights I guess. Can I give you a ride to anywhere? |
| 30 day We're heading straight out on our tour of Cape Good Hope and hopefully we'll see penguins and get some time on the pristine beaches. There's lot of things on the itinerary. Check it out and talk about the things that appeal to you. The link has 100 pictures available for your perusing enjoyment on trip advisor. And there's more pictures on travel and leisure. I'm sure you can weave a tale by looking at the pictures.   There it is! The Egyptian sphinx. Do you see it lynn, Fivesixer? I tugged at Sandra Lynn to turn her in the direction I was pointing. Blue Moon chirped her input. I think I see the Flying Dutchman. The Flying Dutchman is a ghost ship legend of a ship that went down off the coast of the Cape. We not only saw penguins; we saw Chacma Baboons. It's only a 30 minute drive from the Nature Reserve Entrance to the cape. The road runs parallel to the coast line. We had to stop for everyone to take pictures of the expansive impressive views. I liked to look at the clouds piled up in long rows, wind blown into place, like a hedge in the sky. Ostriches running wild on the beaches, tribes of baboons with baby monkeys along the road, red hartebeasts, cape zebras all within the wildlife reserve. Looking out to sea with binoculars a southern right whale was spotted. Look quick before it dives. Cape Hope is a port for ships. It was originally called the Cape of Storms. Warm winds blow one way and cold winds blow another way inside the bay, at different times of the year. It creates good oxygen and blows away pollution when cycling into the warm part of the year. Where the Atlantic ocean meets the Indian Ocean warm currents hit colder currents creating rough massive waves. These waves have caused more than one ship wreak. The name was changed to Cape Hope to help change its reputation for disastrous sea problems.Cape Good Hope is not the southern most point as the signs seem to indicate. It was a long and satisfying day in the sun. No storm to mar the trip. |
| BCoF Your tour guide isn't up to par so your're planning the activities for Durhan's late afternoon and nightime. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g312595-d16911364-Durban_Cit... Check out the restaurants and tell us which one you prefer and why: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g312595-d6033553-Reviews-Mali_s_In... or https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g312595-d5029013-Reviews-The_Grill... don't worry we have hotel reservations at: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g312595-d299216-Reviews-Garden_Court_Ma...  Durban proved to be a great city to see. At the third largest city of South Africa it has a rich history. Durban means bayou or lagoon. The waves come crashing in so I guess it's a really great spot of surfing. The Moses Stadium is a beautiful design. There are some very good spots for tourists to see. I heard that Da Gama stopped here looking for a route to India. Another fact is Durban has been around for about 12 thousand years when hunter gatherers were prevalent in the area. All these restaurants had 4 or more stars. So, I looked at a lot of travelers comments. I chose the Panarottis for their pizza. Panarottis has a lot of 5 star comments. You can be a part of making your own pizza and they have lots of toppings to chose from. Also, we could sit at tables outside and watch the tourists go by. I liked the way the staff served the food and the choices we had. I had a pasta dish with a piece of baked fish and vegetarian pizza. Last there was bananas on a waffle heaped with soft ice cream covered in Carmel sauce. Hungry from all that camping and singing in Lesotho. |
| Final segment of our excursion in Lesotho Thank goodness we were rescued in the middle of the night, we got a little sleep, change of clothes and breakfast. Semonkong to Underberg After breakfast, we either hike to or take a 4x4 drive to the Maletsunyane Falls. The weather determines whether we drive or hike. Depart the Lesotho Highlands via passes that enter South Africa at Qacha’s Nek. We snake our way through the last remote villages of Lesotho. We cross the Senqu river again – which we first saw on Day 1 and then follow it along the Senqu River valleys toward the border town of Qachas Nek. Once back in South Africa we travel through to the small town of Matatiele. From Matatiele we skirt alongside the Drakensberg mountains and return to Underberg along scenic back roads, returning usually around 15:00-16:00. (3-4 pm) https://www.wri.org/resources/data-sets/orange-senqu-river-basin-study https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qacha%27s_Nek https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk03fpZXvXPAt1bLoAtEYuOVVcs7zRQ:159572385... Discuss what you've seen today. Impress us with your observation skills. So, today I learned a lot of odd facts. Some apply to what we saw specifically today and others apply to news in Lesotho. One of the news items is important to our travel because the weather over southern Africa is turning cold. I thought how unusually our weather here at home is because August has always been a very warm month. Not so this year. Last night We hit 40 degrees toward the early morning hours. In that frame of mind I found a local weather report for Lesotho and discovered that if the rate of moisture in the air continues Lesotho and parts of other countries this far south in Africa could experience snowfall by morning. Temperatures could drop below zero degrees. The Orange Senqu River Basin extends over 4 different countries; Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and south Africa. The main river in the basin is called Senqu in Lesotho. This reference indicated that the river may have other names where is traverses other countries. (I did not take the time to find the other names, if you know you can enlighten me). Drakensburg Mountains greatest elevation is within Lesotho borders. Drakens burg means dragon mountain. It is famous for the fact that it has hiking trails for all different abilities of hikers. The mountain is known for different types of animals. Depending on where you are in the mountain you can find giant antelope, mountain reed buck, grey Rhebuck, orilii jackal, Genet, civet, baboons, and vervet monkeys. There are a lot of different very nice places to stay that attract tourists. I was kind of surprised to find the amount of nice horses and trail rides offered here. (at this point I should say, horses have a really good instinct for staying alive. From what I saw in several different YouTube videos, it's a good thing because of the type of trails into the mountains these animals are using. If you are riding one and give it a choice it will chose the best footing and keep the rider safe.) Matatiele is in South Africa. My curiosity led me to wonder if there are any border clashes so I looked into a local news website and found that as recent as August 18, 2020 there was an incident where two Lesotho soldiers pursued cattle thieves across the border into South Africa. Shots were exchanged between The Lesotho police and the South Africa Defense force. The two Lesotho law enforcers have been arrested and are seeking bail but so far do not even have legal representation. There is presently a lot of infighting among political rivals within the country. A Prime Minister is being forced to resign because his present wife paid to have his former wife killed in 2017. I stopped reading the news in Lesotho when it began to sound to much like home. I have to say I enjoyed researching all about the dams, rivers, mountains, and living creatures and people of this nation. The schools and education systems show a lot of care is being extended to ordinary citizens of this nation and in years to come it will pay off in educated people who care to preserve a way of life for the people of this nation. There are campgrounds in Lesotho for those who want to experience a more wild look at the country. ![Merit Badge in Blog Camping
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Traveling with you in Europe was so much fun, hope you join us again next August! Until then, we hope all your blogging experiences inspire you equally as much!
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| BCoF: BCoF There's some interesting people from Lesotho. Pretend you're interviewing one of them, what questions would you ask? Give us at least 7 good questions. Don't forget to mention how you handled the unexpected adventure after the vehicle broke down. Improvisation time. http://countrylicious.com/lesotho/famous-people  We spent our evening conversing and learning about the local culture while we waited for our car to be fixed. I asked the family how life had changed because of the Katse Dam. I was told that King Letsie III with Nelson Mandela was helping the entire African continent to stabilize with their ongoing out going personalities. Please tell me about King Letsie III? The king has a very extensive education. He has a bachelors degree in law. He studied legal studies in G.B. he took a diploma in Agriculture Economics with Wye college. He has used his knowledge to resolve and eliminate malnutrition in the country. His efforts have extended to the African continent. The irrigation and financial success of the Katse Dam is part of this effort. So, the effort to promote trout raising is also an economic success? Yes. Most certainly. It also plays a role in the King's effort to teach the country about eating habits as they relate to health. I asked questions about recreation for the family. we had an in depth discussion about actors and actresses. Desmonde Dube was mentioned for his role in "The Number 1 Ladies Detective series. This is a series that is in great demand. We discussed the Olympics because I wanted to know if they send athletes? Lesotho has a good runner, Mosito Lahata. Our friend brought out a lesiba. I had asked if he knew of this folk instrument? We were talking about musicians and he was able to demonstrate this homemade instrument. I asked him if he knew about the manokhorang instrument? This is the one I saw being played by a young man when we visited the 13 churches. He said he did not have any experience with this instrument but he had a friend who played one. I learned a lot from this night time visit. Indepth things I might not have known about if the auto did not break down. |
| Leribe to Semonkong After breakfast we backtrack slightly to visit a riverbed close to our accommodation to view evidence of prehistoric life forms. If the river is in flood these ancient footprints are hidden but usually the water levels are low enough o look at the Dinosaur Footprints. We leave the main road to Maseru and travel to the Kome Caves, home to modern cave-dwellers. These caves were originally inhabited by clans escaping the Lifqane wars and cannabilism. We make our way to Thaba Bosiu along the back roads which go through many rural villages. Thaba Bosiu is a cultural centre of utmost importance to Lesotho and its history, We then drive into the capital city Maseru for lunch. This gives one a good understanding of modern-day city life in Lesotho. Mid afternoon we head back into the highlands of Lesotho going through the Mantsa Pass to the highland town of Semonkong. Dependant on weather and water levels, enjoy a lovely sunset over the Maletsunayne falls before checking into Semonkon g. oh no, our vehicle broke down and we're going to spend the night in the wild. https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/places-global-african-history/m... discuss what you discover in the information and in the pictures. If you lived back then how would you handle cannibalism? Join in or become a vegetarian How did you cope with the breakdown and having to rough it over night.   http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/megatheropod-dinosaur-footprints-lesotho-05... Kome Caves is still inhabited by a generation of the people who built them. The Ha-Kome family was fleeing from a cannibalistic society. I would prefer to eat vegetables. No I would not join cannibals. I don't even like the stories or movies of people who are stranded and turn to cannibalism to survive. When we rented our vehicle we were given some advice. Always lock our car. Vandals and petty thieves are at large. It is knowledgeable information for world travelers that many societies feel a little more important, when a tourist comes around so be cautious and friendly. We were also given a number to call if a breakdown were to occur. So, for us it was a surprise and dismay when the car radiator was punctured by a flying stone and we needed to wait for the rescue to occur. We were on a rural highway. There were farms spaced along the road at intervals. When the car started steaming we slowed to a stop. Everyone got out to push it off the road onto the side. The phone number we were given just wouldn't ring. Maybe out of range. As we were counting snacks and looking at the map, night was falling. We were near the conical mountain, area. We could see Mt. Qiloane in the distance. A man came walking along the roadway. He indicated we should not sit along the road. WakeUpAndLive shook his hand and motioned him to the front of the car. The man looked the radiator all over and shook his head, "ah, ah." he said, over and over than he waved and walked away into the night, he left the road and headed inland up a bit of rising land. I could see there was a foot path there. About a half hour later a young man came down the path with a 4 wheel drive vehicle. He motioned to us to help him hook up a chain. Then, we all got back in and he pulled our vehicle up the trail about half a mile there was a farm there. He showed us they had WIFI to use. So, we called and left a message. The number we called talked to the young man who actually explained in some English words that they would come to fix the car in the morning. There was a whole family of people. The mother showed us to sit down in a very comfortable living area and served us with tea. The father who turned out to be the man we had seen on foot nodded a lot with a big smile and said, Aha, a lot. There were three other children all were in late teens and could speak some English.So, we were able to talk about our travels and they told us about their school and farm. Blue moon and Sandra Lynn went out to sleep in the car. The rest of us bedded down with sleeping bags provided by the family on the floor of the family room. In the morning we wandered around. I noticed some wild animal tracks around the car. Maybe hyena but the girls who spent the night in the car were oblivious. About 11 a.m. a tow truck arrived and a different car was also brought. We switched our belongings into the new vehicle, and the tow truck latched onto our and off they went. Everyone was sorry to leave because the hospitality had been so special. The father clapped his hands when he saw the tow truck. We took their email address with us waving and goodbyes all around everyone was promising to keep in touch. We were very grateful for their hospitality. Our trip continued on the Maseru city. The capital of Lesotho. It is on the left bank of Caledon River. Fifteen miles south of Maseru is the national university. The city also has agricultural and technical schools. There is a railroad link to South Africa and air service to Johannesburg. The roads into the city go out to many different parts of the country. Many of the buildings have conical roofs similar to what we saw at the Bird Haven Lodge. I bought a cone shaped hat to wear and keep as a souvenir. This was a day to remember. |
Prompt: Write about Katse Dam https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293803-d1764272-Reviews-Katse_Dam...  Since 2010 Lesotho's independence has been stressed by a possibility of being annexed by South Africa. Once a colony of Britain. It gained it's own independence. Political problems have risen in the county by some who think it worthless for the smaller country to maintain it's independence, when the larger country of South Africa completely surrounds it. Once called Basutoland it continues to maintain its independence. Nevertheless, The Highlands water project and transfer tunnels is a project of cooperation between the two countries. I like to view dams. They are amazing feats of building architecture. The Katse dam causes water to flow into 3 different rivers. These rivers are stocked with trout. There are also fish hatcheries for trout that can be viewed within the waters of the dam. Trout is therefore one of the major exports of Lesotho. The people export the fish to Japan and other countries. The Dam is the second highest one in Africa. The water for it comes from summer rain and winter snows. South Africa pays three million Miloti a month for the water it gets from the Katse and Mohalo dams.Katse dam is a half moon shaped dam with a enough room across the top for a double road way. There is a business at the top of the dam which teaches with pictures and graphs all the specifics about how the dam was constructed. It cites the amazing amount of concrete that was used in construction even how many tons of concrete were delivered and poured per day during the construction period. The dam and area cover 8.8 acres of ground. This water project provides water for irrigation for two countries and is beautifully landscaped. |
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