We’re right back at it at the crack of dawn.  Up, luggage out, breakfast and on the van.  First stop today is the glass factory, which turns out to be a whole annex of shops run by locals with local products.  The factory itself was a true factory!  20 or so guys on the floor doing all sorts of tasks from heating the glass to blowing it to finishing it to ready for sale.  It was a deafening place, but very interesting to visit and watch.

Outside was like a park with picnic benches and lots of grass and a play area for kids.  Oh – and peacocks.  Lots and lots of peacocks.  One was even in the glass store eating the cat’s food – and making this amazing screeching noise!  Others were outside on the benches and tables, also making noises (of course after Charl made some call to make them call back!).  We’re still way up in the mountains and the views from the top of the complex are really quite lovely.

After buying some earrings and hand made candies, we head back to the van for a beautiful drive through the mountains, along rivers and lakes, making our way out of Eswatini to the Matsamo cultural village on the other side of the border crossing.

Along the way, however, we were stopped by Eswatini police for inspection. Charl had already told us stories about being stopped in other countries, so a hush fell over the van when we were first stopped.  The officer wanted to know what we were carrying. Charl answered, “People.”  Next, she wanted to know what the microphone is used for? Charl answered, “So the people in the back can hear.” Ok, she says. Charl then asked her to sing a song for us and she said she couldn’t sing. Then she told Charl to sing – which of course we’ve established that he can’t either! She told him if he sang a song we could leave!  Fortunately, Elon knew her and basically just said goodbye!  Oh, and gave her a liter bottle of water! Too funny.

A little while later we were stopped once again.  Of course, Elon knew these guys too so we got away quickly without any water giveaway this time.  

We reached the Border a little after 11, processed our way through then walked into S. Africa and headed to the Matsamo Cultural village. Our guide, Sheila, met us there and welcomed us to the village with an explanation of how the tribe operated.  All these folks are actual tribe members – they don’t actually live like this anymore, but they trace their family heritage back through the tribe.

The village huts are interesting – so solidly constructed – and we are guided through one of the huts where the first wife of the tribe elder would live.  The second wife lived a little further away, and the young single ladies lived in the hut right next to the entrance – so if they village was ever invaded, the warriors would see them first and not think there was any threat in the village.

After our village tour, we are led to a stage where the tribe performs a series of dances and songs – all so energetic and with great harmony.  They are a wonderful choir with the charismatic leader moving singers around to make their voices sound the best.  Below are a whole bunch of videos I took – they were just so great you really couldn’t stop! Also some still photos if you don’t want to bother with a bunch of videos !

Of course at the end of the tribe’s performance, we have to participate.  Fortunately, because I’m videoing, I don’t get picked, but Ed does!  And thus ensues an entertaining ten minutes or so of dancing with Ed picking up the steps and moves quite well – and looking like he was enjoying himself (even though he definitely didn’t want to do it and sat in the second row to avoid being chosen!).

After a group photo that no one really wanted to take….we break for a lovely buffet lunch with a wide selection of foods including beets!  Most every buffet has beets – morning, noon and night – which makes me very happy!  There is also chicken, chakalaka, pap, which is basically the S. African version of grits and a totally delicious banana pie with ice cream.  Yummy!

Now, back to the van.  This is a long driving trip, that is for certain!  We have another 4 hours until we arrive at the hotel at Kruger Gate!  So, 2 hours driving – now through what you would picture as S. African scenery, the flat grasslands and the odd tree standing out against the fluffy white clouds in a bright blue sky – to our rest stop which is a huge retail complex with a Spar and a Tops.  Perfect for us! 

We hit the Spar, pick up snacks and packing tape (the suitcase did not fare well during our cross-country trek!), then to Tops for beer and back on the van and ready for our final 2 hours.   We’ll be happy to see that hotel! And what a hotel it is!  Just gorgeous – all outside decking and walkways, another enormous room with a huge patio overlooking more gardens, big restaurant – where we are eating this evening. Just perfect.

We have enough time to get the bags, freshen up and head down to the restaurant for an excellent buffet dinner and drinks. Then it is back to the room straightaway for our 5am wake up call and 5:45 departure.  Full day game drive baby!