Another early morning – but then again – they are all early!  We bid farewell to this awesome hotel……

…then are on the bus by 7:30 for a really long day taking the panoramic route to Jo’burg.  While long (we are all so tired of this van!!) it is spectacular driving up through the mountains, looking down into the cloud filled valleys. 

Our first stop is God’s Window, so named, well, because it looks like looking down on the world from God’s window!  We are up so high, the mountains surrounding us, clouds lazily drifting over the peaks.  There are 2 viewpoints, each with a more gorgeous view.  We are lucky to be able to see anything, actually, as Charl says the clouds obscure the view more often than not.

Next up are Bourke’s Luck potholes, interestingly formed “potholes: in the quartzite rocks.  Caused by either water flows, swirling around the rocks, or lava pushing up into the crevices, the rock holes are both beautiful and fascinating.  There is a lovely walk with bridges across the main potholes and a rocky path along the waterfalls that flow into the Blyde River Canyon. 

It’s so lovely and quiet here – and not a lot of people – which makes wandering around the rocks and looking at all the sights wonderful.

On our way back up to the top, we run into Walt and Pat and all do some posing on the big picture “frame” at the top of the hill.

Then we’re off – again!  Last stop – the Three Rondavels.  Spectacular!  It’s the Grand Canyon of South Africa – and actually, it really sort of is.  This area is still part of the Blyde River Canyon which runs for 25 kilometers and is the third largest canyon in the world.  So very Grand Canyon-ish.  And beautiful.  While the clouds obscure some parts of the peaks, they are mostly visible, and make for magical photos of cloudbanks floating around the upper part of the canyon.

The colors are just stunning.  Caused by Lichens growing along the mountainsides, they almost looked painted on, making it incredible to think the colors are caused by different strains of funghi.  Nature at its best.

Now we push on to Jo’burg, down to lower levels of the African continent – although not so low, seeing as Johannesburg is 5,000 km above sea level.  But still a bit lower, with a stop at a Harries Pancakes or lunch  Great.  Just what we need!  Pancakes!  But fortunately they have both savory and sweet varieties, as well as salads and a soup Charl has been talking about that Ed wants to try.  We end up ordering the soup as well as a chicken salad and cheese and bacon pancake to share – all excellent!  Oh, and did I mention HUGE?  The stuffed pancakes are ginormous – I took a picture of Sam’s sweet and savory versions just because!

Our pancake isn’t as big, but it is still so good and filling.  The chicken salad is literally chicken salad atop lettuce.  Really good – and on the lighter side at least.  It balanced out the pancake…hopefully….

Finally we are in the home stretch – at least the last 3 hours of homestretch driving that is.  We wind through more typically S. African landscape and into the darkness surrounding the huge city of Johannesburg.  We’re all really happy to see the hotel finally!  And what a hotel it is!  Very artistic and Hollywood-esque.  Great furnishing – and the rooms – oh the rooms – they are very modern with the shower in just a glass enclosure right in the room (think NCL Epic only better).  And all the rooms are named for a famous actor or actress of the time – we are in the Liza Minelli room – complete with pictures of other old actors and actresses above the bed.  Totally eclectic and fun.

After a drink at the lovely bar downstairs where we sat outside in the nice cool evening air, we ended up retiring to our room and just eating some of the snacks we had collected along the way for dinner.  After that big late lunch – we really weren’t all that hungry anyway.

Tomorrow is our last day on the tour – we are still just amazed at how fast time really does fly.