South Africa: An adventure with a history lesson : Day 2

Day 2: Drive from Johannesburg to Phalaborwa via the Panaroma route

We left early - the hostel staff at Curiocity backpackers suggested we stop at a waterfalls (whose name we have long since forgotten) on the way to Sabie, however, after reading up a bit online about the waterfalls, we decided against it for two reasons - safety and time constraints. After a couple of hours of driving, hungry stomachs and full bladders called for a stop at a gas station with restrooms and a fast food restaurant - Steers (http://steers.co.za/). We had pita with egg and cheese. We were so hungry we gobbled it up and it tasted so good. We stocked up on snacks - local biscuits and chips - Simba chips, with a happy lion on the cover and tangy chips inside - reminded me of Uncle Chips and Lays chips flavors from India.

We tried a few flavors. Our favorite was Mrs. H.C. Balls Chutney (http://mrsballs.com/), chips flavored with the popular South African condiment.

We reached Sabie around noon. It had started to rain by then. The Panaroma route starts from Sabie. During our research we came upon this article which served as an excellent guide and we pretty much followed the same route.

We stopped by Smokeys - the railway car restaurant. Only vegetarian option - the pizza. We were super hungry (again). The order took forever to come. Our drive from Johannesburg to Sabie had taken about 5 hours, the lunch break a good 1 hour. We regretted having stopped at Smokey's and realized if we want our food to be quick we should not be stopping at restaurants.

Most of the view points on the Panaroma route close at around 5 pm. A few are open till 6 pm. We started from Sabie at around 12 pm. Our original plan was to go to Pilgrims rest and then to Graskop. However, we had to drop Pilgrims rest from our plan - history vs nature. Nature won. First stop: Mac Mac falls.

 A short walk leads to the view of the waterfalls.

We stopped at Graskop to check if we could purchase a gas canister. We made it to Graskop at about 5 minutes to 1. By the time we checked with the information desk the only store in the city to have gas cannisters was closing at 1 pm and we did not make it in time to the store.

We went to the local grocery store to get jam and bread. We bought a bag of Litchis being sold by the road and back on the Panaroma route.

We had checked the weather before and we knew rain was expected.  The Pinnacle view point was closed. Everything was covered in a fine mist. Fog and clouds - we could not see beyond 15 - 20 feet on the road.

We did stop by God's window. It was pouring again by the time we got here. Still, there were two big groups of people enjoying the rain. We walked up to the God's window view point. Nothing there to see except the fine fog. We walked up a few stairs in the rain forest and made our way back. There was a party of about 10 teenagers/people in their early twenties drinking and dancing in the rain. They seemed like they were having fun.

 

We skipped wonder view considering how bad the visibility was. We made our way to Lisbon Falls and Berlin falls.

Oh what views greeted us! Waterfalls surrounded by green hills. We spent time taking in the beauty and purchased some local art.

Lisbon falls

Berlin Falls

Our next stop would be Bourke's luck potholes. There are bridges and walkways from which one gets good views.

Bourke's Luck potholes was our last stop for the day on the Panaroma route.After that we left to Phalaborwa. Only the second day and we had seen some beautiful sights.

We had dinner at Gholavan's pub (https://www.phalaborwa.co.za/directories/gholovan-pub-grill/) - pizza and greek salad. We stayed at Daan and Zena's backpackers (http://www.daanzena.co.za/).

Gholavan's pub

Our room at Zaan and Dena's backpackers. We had a private room for the night. They have dorms as well.

Daan and Zena's backpackers.