Lesotho

I fly into Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, from Cape Town, discovering, only when my passport is demanded, that it is a separate country, an enclave, entirely surrounded by South Africa. The only other two enclaves in the world are in Italy. This is a tiny kingdom, the only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 metres. It was known as Basutoland, when it was a British colony (up to 1966). It was expedient for the Basuto people to make an agreement with the British, in order to keep out the TrekBoers - would be Dutch settlers. After independence, Lesotho became a constitutional monarchy, but democracy has been problematic and there has been more than one coup. There have been calls, from some, for integration with South Africa to ease travel restrictions and ease bureaucracy.

Lesotho (pronounced Less-oo-too) is also a complete contrast  to what I've seen so far. I skid, in my hired Corolla (with CD player blaring more Johnny Clegg) down very rural dirt tracks. I’m glad it’s not my own car. Lesotho is not known as 'The Mountain Kingdom', for nothing. The edge of the Drakensberg Mountain range, the Maloti Mountains are the highest in Southern Africa. There are wild pale emerald fields, rich crimson soil and soaring spiky aloes. Also a rusting road barrier, and the local bobby.

“Why you no married?  No want?  What about me?”

Malealea, Lesotho

To Malealea Lodge, in the heart of the mountains.  Shell and flower covered stone rondavels, peacocks with pea-chicks (as opposed to chick-peas), stunning scenery, pouring rain, dramatic thunderstorms and two rugged Afrikaner adventure tour operators.  The dynamic duo, Johannes and Andries, are in charge of pony trekking, rock climbing, 4 WD driving (constant competition as to who can be the most manic driver), abseiling and river rafting.

Pony Trekking

I choose the least potentially exhilarating of the options on offer and go pony trekking along the mountain ridges. Well, the pony ambles along The Ribeng Gorge edge, walking where it wants and eating when it wants and takes me with it.  I’m very happy, except when my recalcitrant steed tries to bite me; the views across Lesotho are incredible. A few of the locals, wrapped in multi coloured wool blankets, wander along with us, chatting amicably. Two six year-olds are puffing away on cigarettes.

The next day's trip to the waterfall is cancelled - everyone is ill, I'm told. I'm not too disappointed as it's been thunder and lightning all day and I've played cards with Andries all afternoon.

River Rafting

The following day it’s still  the pouring with rain, but we're river rafting. I’ve no idea what the scenery is like. I can’t see. The men do the paddling and their little Staffie terrier, Josh spends the whole day scrambling on and off the inflatables, terrified, leaping onto dry land and then back again as she sees us disappearing into the distance. She’s not the only animal swimming, as cattle too, follow us along the river bed.

Communications in Lesotho

There’s no cell signal at Malealea.  I drive to the top of Paradise Pass six kilometres from Malealea Valley where I'm staying and scramble to the top of the hill.  The mobile works here.  I meet two Swiss girls texting their boyfriends.

“Cell Phone Hill” we laugh.

In the evening we have a camp fire and Andries croons Leonard Cohen to his guitar. Lady Midnight follows me to bed. Onwards, to Durban.