TRAVEL SOUTH AFRICA A LETTER FROM AFRICA Nr. 3

Hello My Dear Friends, 

I am back at base camp after an adventures journey through South Africa; crisscrossing from east to west and then heading all the way north to the boarder of Swaziland. There I met up with friends, and then we traveled back to the Cape via KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho. I clocked 6,000 miles on my speedometer in approximately three weeks with stopovers in several exquisite places and here and there I rendezvoused with friends. My first sleepover at the Lord Milner Hotel 1883 in a place called Matjiesfontein.

LORD MILNER HOTEL MATJIESFONTIEN IMAGE: NOLEEN KUTASH ©

Everything in this quarter mile street (old town) is part of the Hotel. The bar is located in what use to be the town’s post office. The coffee shop is now located in towns former bakery, and the hotels reception area, use to be the old grocery store in town. So staying at the Lord Milner means you walk all over town to reach different parts of the hotel. It’s the tiniest place, I have ever seen and there is nothing besides the train station and the Lord Milner, not a thing as far as the eye can see. Dinner was served by candlelight and there was a dress code; men had to wear jackets and ties and therefore the ladies were all dress-up as well.  The old train station across from the hotel is now a museum and I spend hours nostalgically wondering around.
 
STATION MATJIESFONTEIN IMAGE: NOLEEN KUTASH ©

Matjiesfontein’s tracks are as busy as ever and even South Africa’s world famous Blue Train appeared, what seemed to be out of nowhere.  I was out and about at the crack of dawn taking pictures, and as I peered through my lens at the tracks right there in my viewfinder Select read more to continue.......

BLUE TRAIN IMAGE: NOLEEN KUTASH ©
the Blue Train, made its way through the station in hasted silence.  Bright and early the next morning, I was on my way to De Aar to visit a new friend I made whiles on photography course, when I first arrived in South Africa. Martisan, invited all of us on course to come visit her in De Aar.  However, I was first to take her up on her invitation, and warned her that I would, when she extended it.   De Aar is positioned in the Great Karoo; not the small Karoo on route 62, which I have already written about in "A Letter From Africa Nr. 2" - they've had a tremendous amount of rain and I'd never seen the Great Karoo this beautiful.  

DRIVE THE KAROO IMAGE: NOLEEN KUTASH ©
It was quite a drive from Matjiesfontein and all I had was a hand drawn map to guide me to Martisan and her husband’s Game Farm.   The drive was on an un-tarred road for what seemed like an eternity, without any cars passing me in either direction.  And then I reached this obstacle in the middle of the road.  What’s a girl to do?

I could not call anyone for my cell phone showed no reception.  So I got out of my car, rolled up my pants and proceeded to zigzag through the water to figure out the depth. In places I sunk in deep enough to know that this was not something I was willing to try.  I got back in my car with muddy feet and all, turned around and drove back the way I came in search of help.  Approximately 15 minutes later I surprised two Karoo bachelors when I drove up to their homestead requesting assistance. They readily agreed and saved the damsel in distress. 


I arrived at Martisan and Julian Theron’s lovely home (see above) and was blown away by their hospitality and their amazing game farm called Plaatfontein 33,000 hectares. Julian is world renowned for breading trophy quality deer.  From their home I could see their hunting guest lodge, it sleeps 22 people, and it was magnificent. Everything about Martisan and Julian were impressive their home was tastefully furnished, my room and bathroom were amazing and I just had the greatest time.  It did not take much to convince me to stay another night, for there was just so much to see, do and explore on Plaatfontien and I was ready to capture it all on camera.  Here are a few Plaatfontein moments.

IMAGE NOLEEN KUTASH ©

KAROO IMAGE NOLEEN KUTASH ©

KAROO IMAGE NOLEEN KUTASH ©

KAROO IMAGE NOLEEN KUTASH ©

KAROO IMAGE NOLEEN KUTASH ©

A Letter From Africa Nr. 4 will be my Next stop in Upington to re-connect with my other best girlfriend from school Ronel and oh… it was so worth the 500 mile detour to spend quality time with her on the banks of the Orange River where she has a beautiful home, guest house and vineyard.