SA 2013 Day 6 – Panaroma route back to Joburg

The last day with Tydon included the transfer back to Joburg through the Panaroma route. The name suggested pretty views which we were clearly in favour to the long boring road which brought us to the safari on the first day but we were sure it wasn’t going to last a good 4 hrs. Packed, loaded up the vehicle after breakfast and we were on our way out of the safari. First stop after some 30mins of driving and we were at the Lisbon Falls. It was pretty small area where there was a deck overlooking the falls. The guide told us that the falls resembled a pregnant woman bathing in the pouring water. Spent probably just 15mins max and we were on the road again.

Another short drive and we reached Blyde River National Park where we could find the God’s window. There was some nice relaxing walk up to the top where the view was excellent.

So much for the Panorama route. We proceeded to a town of Graskop where we were brought to a Curio shop where they sold “things you normally won’t want in your bedroom”, according to the guide. These include African masks that could be as large as 2m in length and other sorts of sculptures! True enough, we did not buy anything other than a wooden keychain.

After shopping, we stopped by a pancake shop that served one of the nicest pancakes there was, and not to mention, a great variety of them. This satisfying lunch was served in a modern deco cafe warmed up by a fireplace, a welcome escape from the cold outside. After lunch, it was another 2 hrs back to Joburg.

Checked in back at the City Lodge in Joburg airport. We were given a slightly different room and this time, it came with a bathtub with a huge shutter gate that opens to the bedroom.

We decided that we should visit Emperor’s palace tonight since there weren’t many choices and shopping malls weren’t the best places for dinners. Walked over to shuttle bus stop at the ground floor and hopped onto the free shuttle heading for the Emperor’s palace. Paid a bellboy some tips and he took us straight to the front of the queue. There were a lot people who were heading to the Emperor’s Palace direct from the airport and while they needed to load up the luggages, we easily boarded the mini bus and got ourselves seated. By the time the door closed, there were guests standing, packed to the door already.

The Emperor’s palace had 3 hotels of varying luxury and costs. The bus stopped in all 3 hotels and we were told to get off at one of these hotel to get to the food court, linked by a walkway. This place had a lot of eating places and we simply chose one. Walked around abit after dinner and return via the same shuttle bus at the hotel entrance.

Rested early so as to prepare for our flight out to Zambia the next day.