South Africa 2008

[Cooltours]

....ain't this in a Casino? Right? I think I remember having been there 2002 or 2003... There was trees and benches between the slots...

[picoda]

Originally Posted by Cooltours

....ain't this in a Casino? Right? I think I remember having been there 2002 or 2003... There was trees and benches between the slots...

Yes, it is some big shoping center with casino. Monte Casino. Everything inside looks like Italian small town.

[Frgich]

Svaka čast

[Andres A]

Awesome report, great pic's, thanks for share, fantastic South Africa


Happy New Year.

[picoda]

Sani Pass – Roof of Africa


5 o’clock. We are ready for adventure.



On the road to Sani Pass.



“The valley of thousand hills”





The road is full of monkeys. When we are stoped for the photos they are hiding in the trees.



Just a little bit of sludge to worm up.





On the gas station I left my right glove. I notice that very soon, after 50 km. So, if you see some guy on the photos, riding in Africa, with one winter and one summer glove, don’t worry. That is very fancy in Africa those days.



English breakfast in the middle of nowhere.



Sani Pass – Roof of Africa

Sani Pass, a beautiful mountain pass witch is only connection between Kwa Zulu Natal and Lesotho. Only a good 4X4 vehicles or enduro motorcycles can drive on it because of the really bad parts of the pass. In the years before, Sani Pass was part of the famous enduro race “Roof of Africa”. This race is called also “The mother of hardenduro”. Now, Roof is moved deeply in Lesotho. Ivan is one of the good competitors from the Roof of Africa.










By, by SAR. On the top of Sani Pass is the border of Lesotho. I need visa for Lesotho, witch I don’t have. But, I will think about that later. First we must get there.



We have many small water crossings.





The road is become harder. I don’t have photos of the hardest part because something else is on my mind there. Survival.





Sani Pass







We meet this man on the way up and give him some dry meat witch Ivan’s cousin Bruno gave us for the trip. He is happy.





On the way up.











Another two people on the way up. Hiking. If I think now, I am not sure are there two people there. Maybe, one of them is result of my tired mind.



Last stop.



Sanni Pass is done!





Lesotho, here we are!






next........... Lesotho, back on Sani Pass, Drakensberg......

[picoda]

Originally Posted by Frgich

Svaka čast

Fala!

[picoda]

Lesotho

We are on the top of Sani Pass, entering Lesotho. It is time to think about my visa. I will try on a bluff, so we will see it. Border pass is a small house with two young custom officers inside. First they taken Ivan’s SA Passport, put the stamp, and give it back. Than, one of them, take my passport and look in it. I see that he doesn’t know what to do. Few minutes he was looking in the passport of the country he never heard about and he don’t want to ask anything. He put stamp in it and we are free to go.



Lesotho, officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a country entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. Formerly Basutoland, it is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name Lesotho roughly translates into "the land of the people who speak Sotho”. The Lesotho Government is a constitutional monarchy. The Prime Minister, is head of government and has executive authority. The king serves a largely ceremonial function; he no longer possesses any executive authority and is prohibited from actively participating in political initiatives. It is the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1000 m in elevation. Lesotho has a population of almost 2 million. Big problem in the country is HIV infection. The prevalence is about 29%, one of the highest in the world. The official currency is the loti, but can be used the South African rand.
Unfortunately, we have only few hours for Lesotho. Beautiful mountain country. I’ll be back here some day.









You can see difference from the SAR. Lesotho is very poor country. But, the people are very hospitable. Only the young kids sometime throw the stones on the cars in the mountains. Some strange game.







Highest Pub in Africa. They have very good Lesotho beer. Maluti.





The money from all over the world.



But, very strong currency has a special place.



View from the terrace.







They are from Denmark and traveling in Africa for 4 months.



Two more Maluti.



After few hours and more Maluti’s it is time to go back down.





To much Maluti?



Now, this man is little bit strange for me. After few hours he was gone only 100-200 meters. Maybe this is only show for the rich tourists. I hope so.



Sani Pass is finished. I am very happy. My small Roof of Africa is done. The next photo is from Ivan’s Roof.




next.....................beautiful Drakensberg area

[GB]

Wow!!! Stunningly beautiful pics!

[motorradrudi]

Hey! Looks very good and spectacular!

Best greatings from Germany
Rudi

[picoda]

Drakensberg


We are back to SAR. On the way to Drakensberg. We have few river crossings.



Filling up the boots. You never know when you will need few liters of water.



Maybe, maybe.







Drakensberg



Washing



Swiming








Drakensberg







Dance, just for us.







Drakensberg. Beautiful. Still long way from Joburg and the rain is close.











It is hard to describe this beauty.



We are very tired, but we can't go back now.







On the road again.







They are finished the school and they are proud. They deserve some sweets.









Nice small town









It is not easy for two of them.



„Just“ 300 km more to Joburg.



Lunch – dinner in “Small Switzerland”







Waiting for the food in this position.



After the dinner, last 100 km in the night and on the rain, off course. Believe me, very very hard 100 km. We come to Joburg late in the night, very tired and washed out.






next....................Toy Run

[Duscherck]

Beautiful experience! Thanks to have shared here!

[picoda]

Joburg - Toy Run

After almost 3000km, mostly off road, we are very tired. I was sleep like a baby. We have two reasons for our come back to Joburg. This weekend is reserved for the Toy Run and on Monday Ivan's father Angelo must go on a heart surgery.

Today is „take it easy“ day. We are going to visit some moto shops in Joburg. I will buy the most imortant moto accessories in Africa. Camel pack.











Lunch with Eddie Murphy.



We must do something useful today. Try to animate '94 Honda CR after few years in the garage. Can we do that?





Little bit of cleaning, little bit of fuel and beautiful noise of the two stroke bike is in the air. And lot's of smoke, off course.



We spend this afternoon playing on the farm.



The day of rest is finished. Let's go to bed, hard weekend is in front of us.


Toy Run

Largest Motorcycle charity event in the world with over 50 000 motorcycles include all over SAR. The Toy Run was originally started by Biker individuals in 1982. In 1996 the TOY RUN COMPANY was founded and registered as a section 21 company and directors appointed from the organizing committee. The directors, the organizing committee and the distributing Round Tables are comprised of volunteers and no remuneration for the many hours of work is expected by them, or given by the Motorcycle Toy Run Company. Every year more than 30 000 toys were collected and distributed.

Dirk and Ivan are in organization of Toy Run. They organized Off Road Toy Run and we will be part of that this weekend. Our base for next two days will be „Dirk Bronco“ place out of Joburg.





Today we will marking the track with the stickers for the run tomorow. We will do that for our Adventure group. Dirt bikes and Quads have other tracks.







Here we are. Trying to find the best track for tomorow.





They are all lovers of good off road riding.



















We are back at Dirt Bronko. Last consultations before the race tomorow.



Late afternoon we come back to Ivan's farm. Steven is here also. Ivan's friend. He will come also on the run tomorow with his other bike KLR 650.



Dinner in the Ivan's cousin house and after that to the other cousins place on the birthday party. We must go home early becouse it will be hard day tomorow.




Toy Run – The day

People are coming. Mens and Womens. From 7 to 77.





This is coming to the Toy Run.





The „Marshall“ of the internacional group. Large group. With one man. Me. It is not easy to look after this group.





Ivan & Mozi





Two Dirk's love.



People are coming. Toy truck is filling up.











He is watching and think about his bike in the future.



Before the start.



I am almost ready.






The run

Dirt bikes started first in a few groups, than Quads, and after them we are started in our Adventure group. Maybe 30 bikes in our group. The race was very good. On the half way we are stoped in some Bar to wait for everybody in the group. Before that one motorcycle want to feel the deep send. It was golden Transalp. If you know the rider tell him that in the deep send you need to speed up and keep the head up. After 30 seconds the Transalp is on the road again. The run was finished after 2 hours all together. It was very nice and I meet many good people there. After the run big party was organized but we can't stay long becouse we must going to another Ivan's cousin on a lunch.

Only one photo from the run.



Here you can see famous singer for Croatia on the stage. This man in white shirt desperately want to turn of the microphone. I don't know why!?



Now,it's better.



Some of the toys will be in his hands. And in the hands of many poor children in Africa. That is what makes all of the participants happy.









We are leaving the party and go on a lunch to Ivan's cousins place. We are very tired and dirty. And very hapy also.







Uninvited guest



Ivan's old '84 XR in his cousin garage. Let's try it. We didn't ride for so long.



After lunch or dinner and a bath another nice day in Africa is finished.


next.................The King, food, motorcycles, impressions

[picoda]

The King of Africa

Monday's. The day when Ivan's father Angelo goes to hospital for the heart surgery. Large operation. Although Angelo is extremely vital, and JAR known for heart operations, Ivan is quite worrisome. Me too. Awake around 8 am. Ivan was already in hospital.

While I am waiting, Ivan I wash Transalp because tomorrow it will be returned. I realy had something to wash. After that, I find the good company and spent a pleasant morning.

The Farm















It's easy to have fun with good company.







As eternal antitalent for football, I gave priority to games without the ball. So my two "left legs" have the opportunity to avoid plaster.



I hope that this will be the same when they grow up.





There is still someone who's my wife especially like to thank. I returned home all my biker gear and clothes washed and dry. Monika. She is long time with the Ivan's family. Now takes care of the household and Angelo and she is terribly missing Ivan, his wife and children.







After Ivan came by me, we went to the hospital where we spent the afternoon and expected completion of the operation. After 6 hours operation is finished. Operation has gone through all right but later some bleeding is started and we was very scared. The next day everything was fine.

These greetings are for Angelo, who is currently recovering at the farm.



In the hospital. This is maybe some Croatian doctor. We have this surname in Croatia.





Another day is finished and tomorow I am going to see the King of Africa.


The King

First I must return the bike. With 4000 km more on the clock.



Lions park

This lady like cars.













He is the King.



After the lunch











I dont know what he is trying to, but I know that he's insurance policy must be very expensive.



In fact, I can do this also. My lions are even bigger but the camera angle is not good, so they look smaller.





The ladies are hungry.







We meet somebody else too.











Departing the park to visit Dirk and his driving school. A small school is held on the course as part of the facility, while Michelin Superbike School is held at the Kyalami track and other tracks in SAR.



Small bikes for small school.



Big bikes for Michelin Superbike School.



From the school we are going to dinner with other friends becouse this is my last night in Africa.



Food

It is hard to describe the variety of food in the SAR. Of all the kinds of European cuisine in which leads the grill, over Asian strongly spiced foods, especially Indian, to dishes from African tribes. I will try to describe in the next couple of pictures. As far as drinks I can speak only about the two types. I have only that tried. Water, which is very nice and clean compare to some other African countries and beer, which is very good with many tipes of it. I like Black Label and a great beer from Lesotho, Maluti.

Meat

Pig ribs



Burenwurst



Portugiese meal



Zulu gulash



Dry meat





Fish

From Indian or Atlantic ocean



Indian meal



Scampi



Spices





Motorcycles

All of this would not have a meaning if that has nothing to do with motorcycles. South Africa is a paradise for the bikers. Excellent roads and beautiful places for those who love driving off road, affordable prices of equipment and the bikes. And so, before the end little bit more of motorcycles.

The bike hospital











Dirk's bikes.





Ivan's bikes. Old, but very good bikes. I like this bikes.







More motorcycles

















Impressions

Crime will in this part left aside. This is a beautiful country full of contrasts. A country of beautiful nature, frendly people, excellent climate and good food. Beer is also the food, right? Small living expenses, good health care and cheap housing. A unique blend of modern country of first world and the primeval Africa. In short, imagining this country with less crime, I see one of the few places in the world where I could live. My travel in SAR of some 4000 km is only a small part of this great country. Imagine that Croatia in this country stand more than 27 times. All in all, I will return to this beautiful place.

And for the end few more unpublished images

Joburg - almost ready for 2010 world championship



„Mai Mai“ - market





On the road and off the road









Jan's farm

















Beware of motorcycles.....................



.................................or



On the road







Durban







Kwa Zulu Natal









Sani Pass









Lesotho









Toy Run








The end

[Duscherck]

A Great story ,reported with amazing photo

[ivan_m]

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