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Our Route through LESOTHO in 2009 in the car covering approx. 300km. In 2008 we covered approx. 220km on the motorcycles.
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April 04, 2009. We enter Lesotho from South Africa at the Butha-Buthe Border Crossing. |
Driving through Maseru, Lesotho's Capital, we do find the turn off to Thaba Bosiu. |
We park the car at the base of the mountain. Thaba Bosiu, was King Moshoeshoe's mountain stronghold. |
A steep climb and we are able to visit the ruins of the King's residence. |
The view is incredible from the mountain top. |
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In the distance we can see the Qiloane Hill the inspiration for the Basotho hat. |
This country is also called the African Switzerland. |
Little mud-and-thatch villages dot the valley. |
Ruby takes it all in. |
Several graves ... |
... surround the King Moshoeshoe's graveside. |
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It is interesting... |
... to wander through the graveyard... |
...and read the tombstones. |
As the sun sets we make our final destination Roma, ... |
... a small sandstone town approx. 35km from Maseru on the A3 route. |
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April 05, 2009. Setting out early we head for the Rock Paintings... |
Our little Kia didn't have enough ground clearance and we left it behind, ... |
... walking the last couple of kilometers to the HA KHOTSO/HA BAROANA Rock Paintings. |
We descend a path into the valley across a foot bridge to the wall of rock paintings. |
This is Bushmen Rock Art... |
...of the Maluti Mountains. |
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The Rock Paintings fall within the Neolithic or late Stone Age. |
These rock paintings have given historians and archaeologists... |
...insight to the life of the early inhabitants of Lesotho. |
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One of the best preserved rock art sites. |
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After spending a wonderful hour exploring the paintings we wander back to the car. |
The daily life of Basotho people. |
Traditional mud-and-thatch houses. |
Heritage is still thriving here. |
The rental car makes it back to the paved road. |
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March and April is a perfect time to visit Lesotho before the winter hits. |
We take a drive east into the Maluti Mountains. Our first Pass - BUSHMAN'S PASS at 2,268m. |
Followed by another pass - GOD HELP ME PASS at 2,281m. |
We continue to go deeper into the heart of Lesotho. |
The scenic BLUE MOUNTAIN PASS - 2,633m. |
We continue to Marakabei until ... |
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... the pavement stops and we are unable to continue with the car. |
Several small village are located at this altidute. |
A barren land. In the distance we see the Mohale Damm. |
Instead of mud, these houses are built from stone. |
The design of these houses are mainly found in Lesotho. |
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The traditional dress of the Basotho people. |
We take a break and watch... |
...as locals herd their cows... |
...and work the fields. |
A paved road, but most of the Basotho people use the horse for transportation. |
Another Basotho Village. |
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The incredible road to the Mohale Dam. |
The MOHALE DAMM. |
We could spend hours driving around in this scenic mountain range. |
We return to our campsite at the Trading Post Guest House in Roma. |
A local guide takes us from the Trading Post Guest House up the mountain to see the DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS. |
It is quite impressive, we did not expect such deep impressions of the footprints. |
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The sun is setting... |
...as always we are surrounded by local children... |
...who are excited to be with us. Our last day in Lesotho comes to an end. Back it is to South Africa. |
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