Another long day clocking in 482 Kilometers.  We actually took an unplanned detour that added a few of those kilometers but it was fun so no worries.  We started off early at the hotel just outside the Kruger Gate.  We rode back the way we came in two days earlier.  Ten we headed south through banana plantations on nice roads that were pretty straight and well paved.  Much of the day was spent on nice roads but we had a few places that had sweeping turns and some nice scenery.  We stopped for coffee at a nice little café that was surrounded by art shops.  Unfortunately there were having power problems and could only serve cold drinks.  This really wasn’t a problem since even at an early hour it was getting to be quite warm.  We hung out there for a little bit and then headed out.  Marcus was driving the van and stayed with us pretty much all day.  Before lunch we reached the border of Swaziland.  The border crossing is a bit of a pain, first you have to exit South Africa, that is not bad and the place you get your passport stamped is air conditioned.  Then you drive a couple hundred meters and have to enter Swaziland.  That was a much longer wait and their building was not air conditioned.  They did have a TV on tuned to Judge Judy.  Met some nice English people while waiting in line and chatted with them for a bit.   

 

Finally got past the border control and rode another 25 minutes until we stopped for lunch.  The view from the yard of the lunch place was great so we took some group pictures and had some good food.  I was dehydrated so I drank a lot of juice and water.  I needed it.  From there we rode about 10 minutes to a vista point.  There were a bunch of stands selling carvings so I bought a Warthog and a Rhino, total for both was 50 rand ($7).  Then off on a nice long ride through Swaziland.  This is a pretty poor country and the dwellings looked pretty bad.  Everyone we saw on the road, and there were lots of people walking along the roads, seemed happy to see us.  Just about everyone waved at us, though a few groups of boys faked throwing rocks.  A lot of the roads here are under construction and there were speed bumps everywhere.  Also there are a lot of cows and they tend to wander into the road a lot.  Many times we needed to slow down and pass the cows slowly as they were in the roads and along the sides.  We did a quick pit stop later in the afternoon for drinks, but it was pretty hot and people wanted to get to the hotel  It was about another 120 kilometers to the hotel so off we went.  It was getting late and the sun was low and in our eyes for the last few miles, we were also really tired and everyone was happy when we got here. 

 

The hotel is also a casino and used to do a lot of business before South Africa legalized gambling.  It is a nice place with a clean pool and small rooms that are more like bungalows.  Before going to out rooms Claus bought everyone a beer to apologize for the accidental detour, not that anyone was upset.  Then we headed off for showers, or to change and go swimming.  After a few beers we went to dinner, another good meal and after dinner a little gambling in the casino where I lost 200 Rand.  I decided to call it a day and come type this up then head off to bed. 

 

 

Read on to day 5 - Our Ride into Shakaland