South Africa Chapter 2: e il coccodrillo come fa?

I was a sleep walker when at 7am I reached the wellness centre for some more pampering. The masseur gave me a very thorough African facial cleanse with Africanology products and a deep massage. I woke up 5 years younger.

We checked out soon after breakfast and left behind Walkersons estate and sleepy Dullstrom, directed to the Kruger National Park via the Panoramic route.

Sleepy Dullstrom

We asked direction to a tiny little boy who cheekily replied: "Two rands" -- little f****r. We gave him chocolate instead and took a smiley photo of him. : )

Two Rands

At lunch we stopped at a gastro pub and talked to a very helpful owner who gave us a few tips. We visited the nearby Kruger's house, the first south african president to fight the british invasion.

Gastro House

Kruger's House

A group of wild horses literally cut our way. I couldn't believe my eyes! We stopped at a craft shop in this remote village inhabited by wild horses and bought a funky glass vase. The scenery of the panorama route was breathtaking: the vegetation goes from arid to lush and it's varied with hills, mountains and endless valleys. Banana plantation, fruit stalls and a chain of prefab villages framed our itinerary. We went from a 5 star country hotel to a 2/3 stars accommodation, and it was ten times better. Okay, you don't have fireplace in the bedroom and the lake view but you gain more friendly fellow guests, better food and tall tree view for a quarter of the price. Our early dinner included avocado and crocodile (!) starter and venison stew. I kept asking the waitress if it really was real crocodile! It really was real, and tasted divine: juicy and soft and tasty. Our meal was accompanied by a red Jacobsdal Pinotage 2005, a strong choice but perfect with venison.

Crocodile Kebab

We retired into our cottage for the rest of the night and had a long sleep ready for another early rise. In the next chapter, an excursus of natural beauties, including the Pinnacle, God's Window , Pot Holes and the third biggest Canyon in the world. Until then, chin chin!