Mermaid Pools - 12/13/12

The view from Drakensburg Gardens Resort

Mermaid Pools

BEN - Fresh off yesterday’s frustrations, Gabby and I decided to do something about it.  We had been hearing from a bunch of guests that the National Park at the end of the road was very cool.  The problem was we had no ride, so after the morning rush we made some sandwiches, and walked to the end of the Khotso driveway.  Since the road Khotso is located on terminates at the park, hitchhiking is relatively safe, as it is really the only place to go (aside from some hotels and B&Bs).  We started walking and practiced our thumb wave.  Within 20 minutes we had our first takers, an Indian couple on their honeymoon who said we looked friendly enough.  They weren’t planning on driving all the way to the end of the road, but could take us some of the way.   Little did they know what amazing conversationalists Gabby and I are.  We chatted and looked at their recent wedding pictures.   The drive turned out to be very scenic, following the Mzimkulu River as it wound its way up towards the Drakensburg Mountains.  We eventually reached Drakensburg Gardens Resort, the end of the road, a where Steve’s daughter Candice works.  I couldn’t believe the place.  A true resort in the mountains chocked full of amenities including 5 restaurants, bars, golf course, put-put golf, petting zoo, swimming pools, peacocks, etc.  We said thank you to our chauffeurs and started walking.  Steve had told us that the Park’s Board office was past the resort and we soon found out what that really meant.  We walked through the giant resort and country club and up a long falling apart road for 4 km.  We finally reached the Park’s Board office and were in complete awe.  We both knew we had to come back here, because the scenery was breathtaking.  A gem of a national park hidden away;  no advertisement, no signs.  The only access is by walking through a big resort.  When we actually reached the office, we realized we didn’t really have time for any of the hikes, as they were all pretty lengthy, so we wandered over to the river to check out Mermaid Pools.  We found the river raging through a smooth section of rock and ending in some nice pools.  We took our shoes off and had some coffee and chips we had packed while taking pictures.  The crystal clear water was freezing and numbed our toes.  We had to come back here.  We eventually headed back to Drakensburg Gardens where Steve, Claire, and Candice had agreed to meet us for dinner.  We walked the long driveway back, and changed our clothes in the bathroom before having some drinks at the Sports Bar.  When Steve was done chatting with EVERYONE (he is loved by everyone) we went to the buffet (where Candice got us a huge discount).  We scarfed down a variety of foods, my favorite being chicken a la king.  It was nice to hang out with Steve away from the farm for a bit.  After dinner, we all packed into the pickup for an uncomfortable ride home.  What a day.