Day 10: Graskop to Jo'burg on Election Day

Today we made our way from the Town Of Graskop in the Mpumalanga Province, near Kruger National Park, back to Johannesburg. In route to the Kruger Airport we stopped at a number of waterfalls near the towns of Graskop and Sabie. We started the day by backtracking a bit to see two falls, Berlin Falls and Lisbon Falls, on the "Blyde River Canyon Scenic Drive" and then continued South to view several more along the "Waterfalls Tour Route," the stretch of highway between Graskop and Sabie. The waterfalls are provincial parks, or what appear to be the equivalent of small US state parks. At each facility is a checkpoint to pay the R5 to R20 fee, some sort of viewing platform, and a large covered pavilion with space for local vendors and artisans to sell their wares. We took the opportunity during the morning drive to enjoy both the scenery and the handicrafts. The afternoon took us back to Jo'burg where we found our hotel and settled in for a bit of down time after an exhausting couple of days. The day was made especially interesting in that today was election day in the Republic of South Africa. It seemed everywhere we turned were signs of the election.




Picture of the Day: Berlin Falls, Just North of the Town of Graskop, Mpumalanga Province

Since we arrived more than a week ago, we have been seeing signs of the upcoming elections with political activity gradually rising to a crescendo today (Wednesday, May 18th). Being election day there seemed to be a new excitement in the air as party loyalists worked to "get out the vote" and everyone we spoke with seemed to have something to say about the expected results. Last night as we sat in a cafe in Graskop we watched as a pickup truck draped with political banners and full of young men drove back and forth through the village with upbeat music playing loudly through mounted speakers. The men in the back were enthusiastically waving banners for their party, the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC has been the ruling party since the fall of apartheid but after limited progress on social reforms and a series of recent scandals, are considered vulnerable in local races this election. Clearly, they were out fighting for every vote. This morning, as well, we saw the political captains gathering their troops across from our hotel and dispatching trucks plastered with banners, each being given an assignment and sent in a different direction. Later, as we made our way through the region, we would see the trucks stopped at various places, talking with groups of people. It was so refreshing to see their passion in the democratic process. Wonder if we've lost a bit of that in the US?

Election excitement aside, it was still a day of sightseeing for us and it began in earnest with a short trip back north, seeing Berlin Falls and Lisbon Falls.



Above: Lisbon Falls along the Blyde River Canyon Drive.

It was at Lisbon Falls where we first stopped to check out the local handicrafts. It was still early, but a few local women were just beginning to put out their goods as we arrived. As they begin to fill their tables, we saw the colorful beads necklaces, carvings, and fabrics they had to offer. Earlier, we had seen a sign posted at one of the parks saying that the vendors had been invited by the provincial government to these sites so that the local economies could benefit from the tourist stops.



Above: Local vendor shows off her items

It was such a treat to be able to purchase souvenirs directly from the surrounding community. There were so many unique offerings and the experience of talking with the women was a treat.



Above: Vendor stand at Lisbon Falls

A bit later we made our way to Mac Mac falls, another picturesque site. Again, local artisans were gathered and we were able to find some wonderful carvings of our favorite critters!



Above: Mac Mac falls along the Waterfall Scenic Route




Above: Local artisan wraps our purchases.

Eventually we made our way to the airport and it was off to Jo'burg. Tonight we're settled into the hotel and waiting anxiously for tomorrow's flight to Victoria Falls. We'll enter through Zimbabwe and then cross the border into Zambia.

Stay tuned for our adventures at The Falls and in traveling through Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Until next time,

Becky & Rachel


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Johannesburg, South Africa