We started at Drie Rondevels, which is a formation in the canyon that looks like 3 round huts or houses. From this spot, you can look up and down the canyon a long way, and the river appears tiny at the bottom. I love standing here at the edge and just letting the peace and permanence of the place soak into me. I hope to store up enough of the feeling to be able to take it out when I need it!
The Drie Rondevels in Blyde Canyon
Another angle, with Danielle on a rock upper left
Sammi overlooking the canyon
The crew enjoying the view
Photographing the photographer
Soaking in the view
Allyssa on the rocks
Tanya photographing me???
Wide variety of rock textures (with my brown shoe toe bottom left for size comparison)
The lake downstream from the rondevels
Our next stop was at Potholes, where three rivers converge to become the Blyde that flows down the canyon. The artistry created by millenia of water wearing at rock is absolutely miraculous. The water seems to beckon to us, looking cool and playful at the bottom of the potholes. Light and shadow play over the colorful rock, and reflect in the water.
Allyssa, Sami and Luke at Potholes
Looking down into some of the potholes.
Tumbling water continues to sculpt this amazing place
The cool sound of rushing water is everywhere
Until we find some mid-stream rocks to relax on above the falls
Allyssa enjoying nature
After checking out the potholes, we scrambled over rocks to one of the streams feeding into the canyon. The water was very cold, but too tempting, so we waded around on the slippery rocks and used the site to record a video.
After we finished at Potholes, we drove to a place called the Big Swing. This is a cable swing out over a different part of the canyon. One backs off a platform, freefalls 70 metres, then swings back and forth across the canyon, eventually coming to rest on a platform, and taking a glass elevator back to the top. We all decided to give it a try. We waited almost an hour for our turn, then Allyssa went first. Danielle and I went together as a tandem: I was calm until we backed to put our heels off the edge of the platform; then I decided maybe I should be old enough to know better! But I couldn't let the others down, so when the jumpmaster counted to three and released us, we fell backwards into the canyon. The freefall was terrifying! It lasted approximately 4.5 years, and we fell through to at least Middle Earth. I could barely breathe, let alone scream, and I only opened my eyes when we suddenly reached the rope's end. We hit the harness hard enough to half knock the wind out of me, then swung nearly to the far canyon wall. Down in the canyon, it was cool and green, with a waterfall cascading down the side. We swung far across again and again, and we began to relax a bit. All too soon, the man on the platform at the bottom instructed us to grab onto the rope so that he could slow our swinging and guide us to a landing. Danielle reached for the rope and it slipped just past her hand and went behind us. I didn't initially see that it had partially wrapped around her outstretched hand and arm. The rope caused us to spin around, wrapping itself again. Our arms in between us were trapped, so I had to reach my sort left arm across both of us and reach up to try to free her arm. I loosened it, but as soon as I did so, we began to be lowered toward the platform and it tightened again. We were able to prevent it getting too tight and we arrived safely on the lower platform. The walk through part of the canyon to the elevator was amazing: More jungle than lowveld, with vines hanging everywhere and moisture in the air. In addition to nice walkways, they had hung a stained glass panel overhead, and showed some outdoor sculpture. The elevator was glassed-in, so we watched the waterfall all the way up. We passed several people along the way who congratulated us on our jump, which was fun. As we made our way back up, we watched the others; each one went over the edge like a champ!
Allyssa all harnessed up and ready to go
Danielle dons her harness
And is ready to fall!
Allyssa is trying not to get nervous as she awaits her walk to the edge.
Nervous but determined!
I have videos of all the jumps, but will post them tomorrow or another time. It's getting late and after a lovely supper of grilled pork chops, scalloped potatoes, pumpkin fritters, vegetables and salad, followed by chocolate mousse, I am getting pretty sleepy! Jessica met us back at the lodge, and said that Rita, Andre' and their teams were a bit more successful today, and were able to dart and transport 15 of the buffalo from the mine site. I'm glad that things improved from yesterday, although I can't imagine how they got that many buffalo under those conditions!
Tomorrow we will drive through part of Kruger Park. Due to the presence of so many potentially dangerous animals in the park, we will have to stay in the vehicle, but I expect to see many fascinating animals.
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