Lesotho Archives - The Monsoon Diaries

You’re Going To Miss…Southern Africa

by Calvin Sun | Aug 18, 2016 | August 2016: Southern Africa, Botswana, Eswatini/Swaziland, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Post-travel Reflections, South Africa, You're Going to Miss It..., Zambia, Zimbabwe

Dear Calvin,

I hope this finds you doing well. I came across your site via CU Class Notes. I am CC 2010. I have been inspired by your story and website, and as a fellow lover of travel and medical student, would definitely be keen on learning more about your travels and how it all works out.

Also–I saw that you have not yet made it to the African continent (according to the place markers on the website’s map). [That is mainly where I travel, and my family is also from there. I would be more than glad to provide you with connections in the countries I have been to/enjoyed, should you make it that side.]

Thank you, and I am truly looking forward to hearing back from you.

All the best,

Nadi Nina Kaonga

— Nadi’s first ever e-mail to me, January 29th, 2013

Press play. And then start reading.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African proverb

You’re going to miss the first impressions, the first hugs and handshakes in a random hotel, the jet-lag tempered by an excitement of going on your 2nd (or even 3rd) monsoon with once again the proudly self-proclaimed “worst tour guide ever“, and not having a clue of what could transpire with these familiar friends, co-travelers, and even strangers for the next 16 days.

You’re going to miss setting off on a city that nearly suffocates you with a beautiful chaos, the overwhelming crush of humanity in the world’s oldest outdoor market, trying to find a stolen phone and coming to terms to being forced off the grid for the next few days, the sweet taste of mint lime juice after walking over 12 miles and 20,000 steps with your new travel family, and laughing over the inefficiency of a simple task of getting food at the airport.

You’re going to miss waking up after 4 hours of sleep in a different capital city, the quiet lazy morning of eating simple — but different — bread and watered down coffee before watching a beautiful sunrise over Nairobi.

You’re going to miss landing in another unfamiliar country although this time with a familiar face waiting for you at arrivals as if you already had family here, being welcomed by the very person who sent an e-mail on January 29, 2013 that first compelled you to organize this very trip to subsaharan Africa, being taken in with open arms by a sister and her grandfather that you wish you’ve always had, and being shown around the warm heart of Africa, but only after waiting more than 2 hours to get your visas (well, you might not miss that).

You’re going to miss the popcorn and water that greeted you in the car that would take you to a most beautiful lake that you felt like you had all to yourself, grabbing drinks and kicking back to a splendid view, before heading back to a home-cooked meal so good that you can’t help to having seconds (or thirds), all the while watching with mischief at a grandfather 4 times your age eat 4 times your amount of pie.

You’re going to miss the 5am transfer to the airport before a quietly emerging dawn in Malawi to board a lonely plane in a lonely airport, landing in the afternoon at a country infamous for its civil war but now on the cusp of peace, exploring a remarkably diverse capital city that could have mistaken to be on the Mediterranean, hunting for fresh fruit like a local at the municipal market, being the only customers in a huge empty restaurant and getting better-than-expected food, and afterwards exchanging stories and travel advice with fellow backpackers at your hostel.

You’re going to miss haggling down an entire bus to Swaziland before watching nervously as your bags rattle around outside on a precariously connected trailer, walking through no-man’s land to another country while talking about Donald Trump with fellow transferrers, looking for bathrooms in the chaotic bus terminal of Manzini before settling in at one of the most impressive hostels you’ve ever been.

You’re going to miss collectively deciding on horseback riding while enjoying a comfortable lunch overlooking pastures in the middle of nowhere, heading towards an unexpectedly beautiful safari all the while your horse does its best to sneak in a mouthful of vegetation while you’re trying to keep up with the group.

You’re going to miss the drinks and dinner at the safari camp, failing to blend in with the chi-chi older crowd, before getting to know the Peace Corps volunteers on the eve of their farewell after they had been staying at your hostel for the past 2 years.

You’re going to miss the smooth morning bus ride to South Africa, the subsequent quick flight to Lesotho and the warm welcome by the warmest aunt-nephew duo, and the exploration of a nearby lake at sunset before heading off to the nation’s top restaurant on the second floor of a hat-shaped building.

You’re going to miss grabbing drinks at a sketchy local bodega so you could stay up with the group on our last night together, engaging one final heart-to-heart conversation before waking up to a frigid Lesotho morning.

You’re going to miss randomly greeting Lesotho’s prime minister on the tarmac as you boarded your flight to Johannesburg, before meeting the rest of the group to begin the second week.

You’re going to miss going out on the town for a night of mayhem, getting to encounter so many younger locals who took more of an interest in us than we would have expected, and trying to find our way back home inebriated during the middle of the night.

You’re going to miss the humbling experience at the Apartheid Museum, learning about Mandela’s legacy before truly experiencing a taste of it at the prisons on Constitution Hill, and the serendipitous discovery of a world famous food market after aimlessly strolling back to the scene of the crime of the night before.

You’re going to miss freaking out over missing 2 people in the group who failed to board the flight with you to Zambia, the mad dash across 4 countries in one day seeing arguably the world’s most beautiful waterfalls from both sides, fending off a rabid baboon, seeing an unreal sunset over the falls, the quiet night drive into Botswana, and the giddiness of seeing an elephant quietly greet you in the backyard of your lodge before you headed to bed.

You’re going to miss the excitement of going on your first safari, getting to see your first herd of elephants, kudus, giraffes, hippos, and hundreds of other animals that were unafraid to approach your jeep, then quickly getting over seeing your three-hundredth elephant by the end of the day, nodding off on a lazy boat ride on the Chobe waterfront, before staring dumbstruck at a beautiful sunset over the horizon as animals continued to feed, unbothered by our presence.

You’re going to miss turning down a bad deal for ATVs, and then sitting idly in an airport still under construction with literally nothing to do but watch repeating stories in syndication on CNN International, returning home to Johannesburg where you befriended even more locals at the hostel on your final night there.

You’re going to miss answering a challenge to climb Lion’s Head immediately upon your arrival to Cape Town while another part of the group finally get a Girls’ Night Out, the silent wish you had done more cardio during your climb, and the feeling of redemption when you finally reached to top as the sun was setting over the ocean.

You’re going to miss trading photos back and forth between the groups, debating on who had a better time as you celebrate conquering a hike that wasn’t supposed to be really done on the first day.

You’re going to miss making friends on the boat ride to Robben Island, meeting a former prisoner there as he recalls his days with Nelson Mandela, witnessing another gorgeous sunset over a natural wonder of the world at Table Mountain, and then delighting yourself with one of the best meals you ever had alongside your fellow epicureans.

You’re going to miss the early morning car ride to see African penguins in the midst of their mating season and unbothered by your presence, the feeling of accomplishment by reaching the Cape Of Good Hope on the edge of civilization, the WTF moment of being recognized by a random student who attended one of your travel workshops 2 years ago, and the nail-biting detour to find a fellow traveler’s former school before heading back to the airport.

You’re going to miss packing your bags in an oversized tank/jeep that you would eventually call home and being led around by a guide you would eventually call a friend as your group headed off into the world’s oldest desert.

You’re going to miss the heartfelt conversations and sharing of music on the way there, the difficult hike up to the top of Elem Dunes to watch the sunset, the warm fire at your campsite, having one of the best pork-chops you ever had after it was cooked right in front of you, and braving the slumber outside despite the cold.

You’re going to miss waking up with your mouth open and night filled with so so many stars.

You’re going to miss putting the final exclamation point to your trip as you finally come upon the surreal landscape to reproduce one of your favorite photographs, then staying longer than expected as you know this probably will be the last time you will ever be here for a very very long time.

You’re going to miss the relaxing ride back home, with enough time to reflect upon everything you had just seen, but more importantly knowing for a few more moments moment you were surrounded by new lifelong friends who had just shared experiences that you wouldn’t be able to repeat again with anyone else.

And you’re going to miss most of all, each other; a group of unique personalities united by adventure, where we’ll all look back one day and ask ourselves if we did see all that we saw and went as far as we did.

And we certainly did — far, and most importantly, together.

The Prime Minister Of Lesotho Sees Us Off To Jo’Burg

by Calvin Sun | Aug 5, 2016 | August 2016: Southern Africa, Lesotho, Serendipitous!, South Africa, Walking Tours, Way Way Off the Beaten Path

We slept in again this morning, waking up at a more civilized 8am and lazily taking in the chilly morning air of Lesotho. Our taxi then came to pick us up at 9am to take us back to the airport.

Once arriving at 10am (traffic is somehow always terrible here) and going through security, we watched as a military formation greeted us on the tarmac.

Some very important people started to walk past us.

And as an AirLink shuttle touched down in front of us and opened its hatch, out came the Prime Minister of Lesotho, Pakalitha Mosisili.

Apparently he took a standard commercial flight from Johannesburg with other, normal, everyday passengers; tourists and other civilians quickly disembarked after him (although they didn’t get the royal military treatment like he did).

After they disembarked, we immediately boarded that very same plane he was on, (one of us got to sit in his very exact seat!).

After a quick 45 minute flight back to Johannesburg and then nearly an hour on the passport line, we headed to our accommodations in the city center at Curiocity where we met the rest of the group for week 2!

We took an hour to freshen up here and then headed west towards downtown Johannesburg. The first stop was the Top Of Africa, the tallest rooftop in the African continent, for sweeping 360º skyline views of the city.

Its entrance is located in the basement level of the Carleton Centre Building.

Entry fee costs 15 rands per person and they’ll direct you to take the elevator to the 50th floor.

Afterwards we walked more west, reaching the old vestiges of colonial Johannesburg when it was still under British rule: the Johannesburg City Hall and its old Post Office.

City Hall

Old Post Office

Then we passed by a few open squares…

…before finally reaching the old law offices of Nelson Mandela and OR Tambo, formerly located on the second floor of the Chancellor House.

This historic site was the first ever law office for the black population of South Africa and became the stepping stone for both Mandela and Tambo in their fight against the status quo and Apartheid.

The 45 minute walk from Curiocity Backpacker’s Lodge to the Chancellor House covers the entire length of Central Johannesburg, with the majority of the major sights (Mandela House, Constitution Hill, the Apartheid Museum) located father out from the center and in the suburbs.

Deciding to save those for tomorrow, we returned to Curiocity to have a surprisingly fantastic dinner at the new South Africa tapas restaurant Love Revo across the street.

And since it’s our first Friday night together, now we head out on the town!

- At time of posting in Johannesburg, South Africa, it was 18 °C - Humidity: 19% | Wind Speed: 10km/hr | Cloud Cover: sunny

From Swaziland (aka Eswatini) To Lesotho

by Calvin Sun | Aug 4, 2016 | August 2016: Southern Africa, Blitzkrieg!!!, Border Crossing, Eswatini/Swaziland, Getting that VISA, How Did You Do That?, Lesotho, Rules Are Meant To Be Broken, South Africa, Way Way Off the Beaten Path

After a beautiful yesterday at the Mlilwane Wildlife Reserve, we returned to our hostel at Sundowner’s and exchanged travel stories with the Peace Corps crew that had already been living at the hostel for months. Somehow during our introductions, a serendipitous plan for an epic West Africa itinerary materialized (stay tuned)!

We then turned in around 11pm, finally getting a full night’s rest on our trip before waking up at 6:30am for a 7:15am TransMagnific Bus to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International airport. The cost is 600 SAR per person.

TransMagnific’s buses can be reserved beforehand via an e-mail through their website (along with getting to pre-reserve your own lunch, snack, drink, and movie!) but they either accept wire transfers or full payment the day before at their offices in Mbabane.

Out of convenience, last month I had wired money to and emailed Sundowner’s owner, Ben, to make a payment on our behalf and he ended up driving into Mbabane to pick up our tickets. Thanks Ben!

Waiting for the bus

The additional perk of staying at Sundowner’s Lodge is that the bus actually makes it one of its official stops before heading onwards to Swaziland’s capital of Mbabane and then Johannesburg, so that was pretty convenient.

Because the 6 of us were the only passengers, we got a small van instead and no movie (and yet they had promised us a movie!!!).

After about a 20 minute drive, we arrived in Mbabane at the main TransMagnific offices, where we received our bagged lunches and coffee:

We then drove onwards for about 2 hours to the border between Swaziland and South Africa.

If you use TransMagnific, the driver does EVERYTHING for you. You literally just follow him as he scurries along to the offices where he does all the paperwork and getting your passports stamped, while you watch awkwardly and maybe wave hello when they confirm that you’re exiting Swaziland and entering South Africa.

Our drive at the booth taking care of business

After being stamped out of Swaziland, we rushed to keep up with our driver as he dashed to the South African office for us to be stamped in. I guess he’s not getting paid by the hour.

After getting stamped in and having our passports returned, we headed back out into the van and entered South Africa.

There’s a rest stop about an hour into your journey, which happens to be very very pretty.

The view from my urinal

After about 2 more hours on the road, we reached OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at around 11:50am. We then hung around getting more food and chilling out for a few hours, before boarding a South African Airways Airlink Shuttle Flight at 2:55pm for Maseru, Lesotho.

The 45 minute airplane ride itself was stunning.

Once the terrain became more mountainous and less flat, we knew we were crossing from South Africa into Lesotho.

After 45 minutes in the air we landed at 3:55pm, after which we literally walked off the plane on the airfield towards arrivals.

Once inside the airport we filled out a few forms, had our temperature taken by these laser guns pointed at our foreheads (my first), and bags checked by customs.

By 4:05pm we were out the door and on our way to our accommodations at Durham-Lesotho Link.

FYI, there are no cabs at the airport, so we had to pre-arrange a taxi service to pick us up for 60 SAR per person.

It took a 45 minute drive through surprisingly heavy traffic to get to Maseru from the airport. Once we were at Lesotho-Durham Link, which is located in the old airport and by the Air Force base, we were quickly directed by security to our rooms without even needing to register.

We then headed out to the nearby lake, committing a mild form of trespassing.

We kicked back with views of the lake at sunset, along with mandatory group photos to mark the end of week 1.

With the returning monsooners!

...and the new monsooners!

At around 7pm our original taxi drivers came back to pick us up and took us to the only “attraction” in Maseru, which is the Basotho Hat, shaped like the local style of hats.

Formerly a souvenir/crafts store that had sold the eponymous basotho hats, it’s now the home of The Regal Restaurant, the town’s top place to dine, serving mainly Indian and local fare.