The mini Kindgdom of Swaziland next to South Africa
A short two hours drive from Johannesburg you will be at the border of Swaziland . A small kingdom that lives under the ruling of a King and his numerous queens. Yes each year he choses a new one. But I am not here to discuss politics. I went to discover Swaziland. Friends told me often that Zwaziland it is a nice getaway at the steps of South Africa. A pretty waterfall setting welcomes you at the very relaxed border post. The big change are the roads that are far from as perfect as in South Africa. The countryside is very lush. There is a tremendous drop of cars on the road and sometimes one thinks, I must be the only driver here. I drove through Manzini the capital towards the country side,nothing to write home about. I had no booking, a luxurious Casino and Gold course was advertised further down the main road. That is not what I wanted, I was looking for nature off the beaten track. I found this wonderful camp lodge set on top of a hill about half an hour drive off the main road. Call me headless I forgot the name and can't find it again on the Internet. The bungalow were set in a circle around and a campfire. Each bungalow/room was entirely handmade woven of woven grass and branches. Stunningly pretty, quite, natural. Sadly my small digital camera's flash wasn't strong to reach the near cathedral ceiling height. Antelopes came into the enclosure several times. As the heat is quite intense in the daytime the doors are small and there are no windows and the bungalow stayed very cool without aircon. So taking better pictures in the day time was impossible as there was no electricity in the room only in the bathroom so you'll have to do with the slightly out of focus images. Anyway it was romantic and pretty. The restaurant with quite a simple but tasty buffet was located on at the edge of a pond inhabited by several crocodiles, no swimming here. The shady viewing terrace, is behind glass windows don't let the picture fool you. they said they want all customers to leave happy and alive. Crocodiles are known to jump high and fast..
Thepool was pristine and gave all the kids and myself a good dose of refreshment. People are extremely friendly and welcoming but one sense a sort of veil of sadness hangs over their eyes. I think it has to to with heartship in their lives. People are very poor here and when they are employed many share t their salary to stay alive.
Far from the royal lifestyle that includes jet,yacht,helicopter, and deluxe cars for his magisty and all his wives...mmmh let's not go further there. On my way the second day I stopped at small village complex with outstanding architecture and a lovely B&B . The place seems to be a powerhouse of creativity. There are several boutiques and on site arts & crafts center "Gone Rural " http://www.goneruralswazi.com/ is working hard to help HIV & AIDS sufferes. 700+ woman work for them dying the beautiful grasses into a rainbow of colors that are woven into many artifacts from simple table runners to pool chairs and everything in between. They were building " The fantastical House on Fire" awe-inspiring performance arena located in the Malandela’s venue next to the Gone Rural workshop and shop is an & art gallery with a distinctly new African brand. This fantasy environment is as unexpected as it is moving. A walk through this enchanting space is a must for every traveler in the Southern African region. At its core is a sunken "Afro-Shakespearian Globe Theatre" creating an ideal venue for parties, functions and events for 50 to 500.
"The House on Fire" gallery host one of the finest collections of sculpted pop art in the region. Wooden thrones, angel benches and candle stands imbued with tiles, jewels, textures and paint techniques are available to the discerning collector.The stage then I was told was going to welcome big shows and stars and festivals. I hope for them it will work. It was still partially under construction with humongous ideas and everyone was talking and telling me how wonderful it will be. They sold amazing chairs ( not the type you fold and put in your trunk as you can see). The website looks as creative as the real place http://www.house-on-fire.com/... Not far from there at the Rotunda I bought some stunning looking rocks ( not lighter than one of the amazine chairs) but smaller :-) and believe it or not , they are still gracing my garden here in Canada. Then I went to Swazi Candles http://www.swazicandles.com/ ok candles galore very pretty but in a car with 30+ for two days I had my doubts. I loved the chimney mantle that was decorated with tin can tops( that I have started collecting since for a project of my own) http://www.welcometoswaziland.comThere I purchased from a man cutting wood along the road this sign painted with wax on a piece of plywood telling it all about health in Swaziland" Use a condom nice time kills" it says. I then drove on to the twin falls a picturesque setting sort of royal national tribal setting with stunning dancers dancing and swinging huge oil drums with their teeth. The tribal village, where the Marijuana Pipe of the chief is proudly displayed matched my first night bungalows . Last but not least I stopped in a B&B that was...mmmmh OK to modern to westernized but it had amusing chairs in the garden made of mining shuffles. I would recommend anyone to go to Szawiland it is really worth a 3-4 day trip. So if you are around in South Africa in 2010 rent a car and give it a try . They need your money more than any one in the region. The safari Lodges I am told are also great but that I had done too many already.
Read MoreThepool was pristine and gave all the kids and myself a good dose of refreshment. People are extremely friendly and welcoming but one sense a sort of veil of sadness hangs over their eyes. I think it has to to with heartship in their lives. People are very poor here and when they are employed many share t their salary to stay alive.
Far from the royal lifestyle that includes jet,yacht,helicopter, and deluxe cars for his magisty and all his wives...mmmh let's not go further there. On my way the second day I stopped at small village complex with outstanding architecture and a lovely B&B . The place seems to be a powerhouse of creativity. There are several boutiques and on site arts & crafts center "Gone Rural " http://www.goneruralswazi.com/ is working hard to help HIV & AIDS sufferes. 700+ woman work for them dying the beautiful grasses into a rainbow of colors that are woven into many artifacts from simple table runners to pool chairs and everything in between. They were building " The fantastical House on Fire" awe-inspiring performance arena located in the Malandela’s venue next to the Gone Rural workshop and shop is an & art gallery with a distinctly new African brand. This fantasy environment is as unexpected as it is moving. A walk through this enchanting space is a must for every traveler in the Southern African region. At its core is a sunken "Afro-Shakespearian Globe Theatre" creating an ideal venue for parties, functions and events for 50 to 500.
"The House on Fire" gallery host one of the finest collections of sculpted pop art in the region. Wooden thrones, angel benches and candle stands imbued with tiles, jewels, textures and paint techniques are available to the discerning collector.The stage then I was told was going to welcome big shows and stars and festivals. I hope for them it will work. It was still partially under construction with humongous ideas and everyone was talking and telling me how wonderful it will be. They sold amazing chairs ( not the type you fold and put in your trunk as you can see). The website looks as creative as the real place http://www.house-on-fire.com/... Not far from there at the Rotunda I bought some stunning looking rocks ( not lighter than one of the amazine chairs) but smaller :-) and believe it or not , they are still gracing my garden here in Canada. Then I went to Swazi Candles http://www.swazicandles.com/ ok candles galore very pretty but in a car with 30+ for two days I had my doubts. I loved the chimney mantle that was decorated with tin can tops( that I have started collecting since for a project of my own) http://www.welcometoswaziland.comThere I purchased from a man cutting wood along the road this sign painted with wax on a piece of plywood telling it all about health in Swaziland" Use a condom nice time kills" it says. I then drove on to the twin falls a picturesque setting sort of royal national tribal setting with stunning dancers dancing and swinging huge oil drums with their teeth. The tribal village, where the Marijuana Pipe of the chief is proudly displayed matched my first night bungalows . Last but not least I stopped in a B&B that was...mmmmh OK to modern to westernized but it had amusing chairs in the garden made of mining shuffles. I would recommend anyone to go to Szawiland it is really worth a 3-4 day trip. So if you are around in South Africa in 2010 rent a car and give it a try . They need your money more than any one in the region. The safari Lodges I am told are also great but that I had done too many already.
