Panorama Route

And now, back to beautiful scenery. 

While I was on safari at Kruger National Park, I took a day long driving tour of the Panorama Route.  I toured with a wonderful   couple from the UK, Mike and Carol who are celebrating their 50^th wedding anniversary.  

The panorama route covers beautiful terrain.  We passed through farming/logging area areas with large tracts of land growing bananas, some citrus and lodge pole –type pines.  The bunches of bananas hanging in the trees are always covered with a big plastic bag to protect them from bugs and monkeys.

We drove along Blyde Canyon and saw waterfalls and a cool place called “Bourke’s Luck Potholes”.  This is where the Treur River (River of Sorrows) meets the Blyde River (River of Joy) and forms these smooth sided cylindrical potholes in the river bed and walls.  It got its named when a Scotsman named Bourke threw a rock at the potholes and discovered gold.  That’s where the Luck comes from!

Bourke's Luck Potholes

Bourke's Luck Potholes

More potholes



The view from God's Window of  Blyde Canyon

  

The Blyde River Canyon is the 3^rd largest canyon above ground in the world.   The Grand Canyon is first I believe.   Think of if the Grand Canyon’s sheer walls were all covered with grass and shrubs.  That’s what Blyde canyon looks like.   Much more impressive in person than the pictures show.



Carol, Mike and Sam the Tour Guide



We finished up the day in the mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest.  It was once a bustling mining town but now is just a quaint little tourist stop selling souvenirs. 

Shari