Sani Pass Winter 2011

We were given two Land Rover Defenders for the weekend from Land Rover Durban and we decided to put them through the most grueling test. Sani Pass in the Drakensberg.



Sani Pass is one of the most treacherous roads Southern Africa has to offer 4X4 enthusiasts and what better way to experience it for the first time than in the "Best 4X4 By Far". The pass starts near Underberg and ends 2874m above sea level up in Lesotho. In the middle of winter it is not uncommon to find frozen waterfalls and ice on the road.

They say that you can see the remains of vehicles on the side of the mountain that failed to make it up. I didn't see any. What I did see were hikers, mountain bikers, a few Toyota Hiace taxis converted into 4X4's and the occasional mountain goat.



The Defenders we used were a two door short wheel base and a six seater long wheel base. I was counting my lucky stars we were in the short wheel base Defender as it is easier to maneuver around the almost vertical hairpin bends. The guys in the long wheel had a bit of difficulty with a greater turning circle.



On the top of the mountain we found the highest pub in Africa at the Lesotho border post. After stamping our entrance into Lesotho we went over to Top Chalet for a drink. They don't keep beers in the fridge because they're just as cold on the shelves! We opted for the hot chocolate to keep us warm. A favorite is Glühwein. A hot wine and spice drink.

We then took a drive further into Lesotho for about 10kms. To our delight we came across snow and being men who like to act like boys we promptly wrote our names in the snow the way only boys can!



The snow capped mountains in Lesotho are beautiful. But it's a wonder how the locals live in the highest country in the world in those extreme conditions. Coming back down we hit an ice patch around a bend that sent our Landy sliding sideways. Fortunately we had a very experienced driver and didn't end up down the side of the mountain.

I really felt like we were on a Top Gear expedition and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Would you dare go up Sani Pass? What would be your ultimate adventure?

WWE, Costumes and Cirque

What an awesome weekend!


On Friday night I had the privilege of watching the WWE Smackdown event at Durban's Westridge Park Tennis Stadium from the ringside. I am not a huge wrestling fan and don't know most of the wrestlers of today. When I was a fan there were the likes of Hulk Hogan, Diesel, The Ultimate Warrior and Ricky The Steamboat Dragon! The wrestlers we got to see at Westridge were The Big Show, Kane, Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Christian and a few others including SA's own Justin Gabriel!

Today's wrestling is filled with theatrics and rivalries but that's what makes it so entertaining. The spectacle was sold out and there were fans from the ages of 2 to 80 years old, all screaming from the top of their lungs for their favorite fighters! There was a kid behind me that was screaming so loud I'm lucky to still have my eardrums intact!

Although you can see that the fighting was faked or staged it was still impressive to see some of the moves these guys had to make. They are without question superb athletes, most of them in peak physical condition!


Saturday was Waewest's Superhero and Villains Costume Party. I hired a Batman costume from Troubadour Productions. I was afraid that it wouldn't fit but fortunately it was made out of lycra which is super stretchy! There were some stunning costumes, most of them made from scratch but still amazing! Some worth mentioning was the beautiful Poison Ivy(@waewest), Spidergirl(Christy), Batgirl(@wildchild2006), Psylocke(Jill), Lumo Boy(@Al_Dog7) and Superman(@AMG133)! There were many more costumes but I think Waewest won the best costume with her Poison Ivy outfit!


Last night I had the good fortune of being invited to Madame Zingara at Suncoast! Madame Zingara is a traveling circus and dinner theatre! Although it was freezing cold last night you are quickly intrigued by the magic that is Madame Zingara as soon as you enter the circus grounds. Strangely dressed characters greet you and there are stalls to gear up for the entertainment inside. Many bought feather boas and fun hats.

Inside the circus tent is where the magic really comes alive and a three course meal is served between the entertainment. People were awed by flying trapeze artists, a little dwarf, amazing contortionists and beautiful singers. The food was great but the entertainment was spectacular. A must see if you can get tickets as most nights are sold out!