{Drakensburg} Weekend in the mountains

I have so much I want to say about my weekend away in the Drakensberg Mountains a few weeks back, but I don’t think anything I will say will do the Drakensberg Mountains justice.

 A few months ago I mentioned that my husband and I were spending our second wedding anniversary away in the Drakensburg with friends (who happened to get married one year after we did on the same day as us) and at the time I hadn’t been to the Drakensburg mountains for a number of years so staying in a small part of this beautiful province last year taught me this year that I have been pretty naïve about the Drakensberg mountains.  In fact I realised that I am very much a tourist in my own country (and here I was  confident about being a born and bred South African) 

I was reminded that the Drakensburg Mountains is a World Heritage Site and I truly felt privileged that this Heritage site is in South Africa. It proves to me time and again what a beautiful country i live in. I say this with total confidence as i have traveled to some beautiful countries, i have seen some incredible sights and South Africa amazes me each and every time. 

The family and I spent this time away at the Champagne Sports Resort. We chose this venue as it was fairly central and the list of activities were endless, this was important for  some of the family and friends we went away with to ensure everyone could do as they pleased.

My plans for the weekend was to do as little as possible. Take In the fresh air and just spend some time with family and once again take in the beautiful scenery. How could we not when Champagne Sports resort made sure we were as comfortable as possible. 

The reception area

This is a view of the lounge area in the resort

This is a panoramic view of the bedrooms

This is the view from the Hotel room's balcony

Other things to do in the area was go for a chocolate tasting at the Chocolate Bar (just across the road from Champagne Sports Resort) There you could pair coffee with chocolate. We opted for the chocolate fondant and coffee -  It was a real treat!  

And last but not least, there was this quaint little village or centre if you will (Thokozisa) on route to Champagne Sports resort. There is a lovely restaurant, deli, bar and stores under one roof. It really is worth ambling through if you have the time. 

Have you been to the Drakensburg area and what were your favourite parts? 

♥

Zimbabwe (Kariba), A forgotten Gem

So over the month of June I was fortunate enough to spend sometime in Zimbabwe for a wedding. I am so grateful I was able to visit this beautiful country along with wonderful family and friends I got to meet along the way.

Out of all the countries I have visited, the Zimbabwean people are probably the friendliest (next to the Japanese) in spite of the political situation there (just not at the border).

The wedding was held on an island on lake Kariba which is one of the biggest man-made lakes in Africa (the continent). Our journey to this Island (Spurwing) was a 3 hour journey on a house boat which we then stayed on for a week after the wedding. I was told that sunsets are like no other in the world and as I have traveled to different countries and had the privilege to experience beautiful landscapes and sunsets i have to agree that you will not experience a sunset like a Kariba Sunset.

Kariba is the closest to nature you could ever be. We heard the call of the Fish Eagles every morning, the "laughing" of the hippos next to our house boat every day (morning to night) and we experienced a Buffalo eating along our houseboat one night. We didn't get to see any lion but boy, did we hear them!

I have had people tell me you haven't lived unless you've been to London, New York or Paris and I agree these are places i would go back to time and time again. But truly you have not lived if you haven't experienced Kariba!