2010 - Baobab Tour
World's Biggest Baobab Tree,Duiwelskloof, South Africa, Big-Five Tour 2010
Day 1 - Saturday 31 July 2010
The group gathered at Klaus’ house for a scrumptious German breakfeast. Marius our webmaster also joined us for breakfast. We departed from Klaus’ house at around 09:00, heading towards Badplaas. Due to the hectic roadworks in progress around JHB, especially on the N3 our group got split up in two with the front group heading on the N12 towards Secunda via Delmas and the second group heading on the N17 towards Leandra. The two groups rejoined near Bethal and headed towards Carolina via Ermelo where Andreas experienced a sudden a loss in engine power.
Re-Joining of the group near Bethal
By closer inspection he realized that his spark plug had vibrated loose. During the process of refitting the spark plug Andreas got sprayed by his engine with some engine oil in his face and caused great amusement for the others while watching. He was subsequenty given the nickname Sparky. We arrived safely in Badplaas were we enjoyed lunch and a few cold beers before unpacking. After we all unpacked a few of us went to the pub to watch the rugby and the rest of the group headed for the swimming pools.
Finally a Bath
After the swimming and the rugby we met each other for dinner and headed to the local restaurant where we enjoyed a great dinner and we all had a good laugh about Andreas and his loose spark plug experience.
Day 2 - Sunday 1 August 2010
From Badplaas we headed towards Sabie and Graskop via Nelspruit. On the way towards Nelspruit we were riding on some great twisty road sections and before we knew it we were in Nelspruit where we had a great brunch and talked about the great roads that we just rode.
Scotty looked quite styling on Klaus Snr's Harley...
After brunch the support crew headed to the shops to get the ingredients for the night’s dinner and then we headed to Sabie were the twisty roads continued and Klaus Jnr. and Ryan had a great time on their superbikes. From Sabie we headed towards God’s Window via Graskop were we walked up to Gods Window and up through the rain forest were we enjoyed the great view and took some awesome photos.
God's Window near Sabie,Mpumalanga
From Gods Window we headed towards Blyderiver Canyon were we stayed over in the Blyderiver Canyon Forever Resort. After booking in and unpacking we went to the Three Rondawels were we observed the great view of the Canyon. Hermand and Andreas cooked up a storm that evening and we all ate like Kings.
The View at the Blyderiver Canyon.
Day 3 - Monday 2 August 2010
Today the 2nd August the Big Five group sang a German birthday song for Klaus Snr. and Dietmar with Herman spearheading the group with some great German vocals. We packed and greeted Klaus Jnr, and Ryan who headed back to JHB. The rest of the group headed towards Thsipese.
Big-Five sing birthday song for Dietmar and Klaus sr.
We headed to DuiwelsKloof where we stopped at the largest and oldest Baobab tree in the world, We were overwhelmed by the size of the tree and with the bar inside the tree. The tree was inspected with great detail by all of us. From there we headed on the N1 towards Louis Trichadrt were we stopped for lunch.
We continued towards Thipese were we come across a few more Baobab trees.
After a long day in the saddle we arrived at Thipese Forever resort were we unpacked, enjoyed a few cold beers and headed to the mineral hot pool.The pool was occupied by the older generation which were entertained by Klaus Snr. when he proceeded to remove his swimming trunks. He received quite a friendly look from the ladies ,the husbands of the ladies however were not so impressed.
We had dinner at the restaurant were Klaus Snr and Herman entertained us as well as the rest of the restaurant with some old German songs.
The Mineral Pool at Tshipese were Klaus provided some entertainment for the Ladies.
We left early in the morning after our breakfast and had a long day in the saddle. We headed towards Alldays via Messina were we came across more Baobab trees.The road from Messina to Alldays was very long straight stretch of road. In Alldsays we had lunch at a small Cafe after which we headed towards the Game Fram were we encounterd some gravel roads to Dietmar’s delight.
Andreas and Hansie had a few small incidents on the game farms sand roads and were relieved when they made it to the lodge.
Andreas and Hansie had a few small incidents on the game farms sand roads and were relieved when they made it to the lodge.The game farm owner took us for a game drive in the evening were we went up to the kopie and looked down onto the Limpopo river, we spotted a few elephants across the river.
The game farm owner took us for a game drive in the evening were we went up to the kopie and looked down onto the Limpopo river, we spotted a few elephants across the river.
After that we went down to the river were we had the opportunity to watched the crocodiles feeding on the intestines from the kill of the day.The evening we had a great dinner and we all sat around a cozy camp fire where we got joined and entertained by SA’s own Munchausen ( big five hunter), we all had a good laugh.
Day 5 - Wednesday 4 August 2010
We got up early the morning full of enthusiasm and headed for a game walk, unfortunately the enthusiasm quickly died down when we realised we are not going to find / see any game.
After our walk we worked up a great appetite and had a nice breakfast in the open air.
After breakfast Dietmar and Herman went to explore the game farm on the motorbike in the hope of finding the mornings missing game. They spotted fish eagle and a few small buck and Herman received a hunting lesson from our big five hunter. The rest of the group spent the day relaxing around the swimming pool.
Dr.Hoerscher auf Grosswildjagd
The evening we had a braai and Dietmar and Andreas spent the evening in the Jacuzzi were Andreas and Dietmar bonded and discussed various riding techniques.
Andreas Discussing Dietmars Riding Style, "It'a a question of Technique"
Day 6 - Thursday 5 August 2010
We headed towards Lephalele (Ellisras). We arrived in Lephalele and had lunch at the Keg after which we booked in at the guesthouse.
New Medupi Power Station - We were not allowed much closer than this.
We went to view the construction site of the new Medupi Power station were we got welcomed by a young Julius Malema follower who explained nicely that we were not welcome and we were told to leave immediately. That evening Marius arrived rather late in his Mercedes.
Day 7 - Friday 6 August 2010
After Breakfast we headed towards the last stretch of our tour. Dietmar and Marius exchanged vehicles with Dietmar driving the Mercedes back to Jhb and Marius continuing on with the bikers towards Kroondal.
Lunch at Northam Mavara Lodge.
We observed a large number of Hippies at Northam, all presumably on their way to the Oppikoppi Music Fest. We decided to have lunch just outside Northam at Northam Mavara Lodge. After what felt like a decade of waiting lunch had finally arrived.
The Nostalgic vibe of Bergheim captured by Mike.
En route to Kroondal we encountered some dense Friday afternoon traffic and everyone was very relieved when we all reached Bergheim Resort safely. The venue had unfortunately deteriorated a lot from its former glory and Klaus had appropriately commented that the venue would make an ideal tourist attraction as a Nostalgic 70’s East German Community.
Hermann and Andreas Cooking up a Storm Again.
After unpacking Scott and Hermann ventured off to town to buy the ingredients for the evening’s meal. Scott also returned with a gift for Klaus. An appropriate sized whiskey glass. Herman and Andreas Proceeded to Cook up a Storm while Scott the Braaimaster was attending to the meat.
Big Five enjoying the food from the two chefs and Scottie, our Braai-master..
After unpacking Scott and Hermann ventured off to town to buy the ingredients for the evening’s meal. Scott also returned with a gift for Klaus. An appropriate sized whiskey glass.After a Satisfying Meal the evening was spent enjoying each others company.
A Few Drinks after Dinner.
Day 8 - Saturday 7 August 2010
For Breakfast we enjoyed some left-overs from the previous night's dinner. After Packing we set off for Jhb.
Bergheim inn,Kroondal.
Shortly before Rivonia we stopped, collected our luggage and greeted each other. Franz joined Marius and Mike to the East Rand where he had to drop his rental off. Klaus,Hermann,Andreas and Scottie headed back home to Rivonia, and the rocker rocked his way back to Krugersdorp.
A great time was had by all, and we are all looking forward to Next Years Tour !
