So after many months of planning, our Africa Adventure has started with the first leg from Maputo to Midrand.
Woke up quite early (5:45am) to get ready and get the bike out of a friend´s garage at 6:30 am. Then went to do a quick tour of the places I remembered the best and take some pictures.
Went to see the house where I grew up and the park where I used to play when I was young. Difficult to explain all the emotions that went through my mind. TOP !
Then went to see the church that I remember as as young man going on Sunday afternoons and watch the great movies of that time (Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments ...).
Next was to visit the road by the sea, called "marginal" and seeing the beaches where I remember playing soccer with my Dad and his and my friends.
I would have easily have spent the whole day visiting different places but I was on a clock to get to Johannesburg before the sun went down.
Still went to the hotel for breakfast and met with Xixo and Robie and discussed some more about the route.
At about 10am left Maputo towards Johannesburg through Ressano Garcia.
Riding in Mozambique is very different from riding in South Africa. Roads are not in as good condition, so much more hard core. All asphalt, although in some places there was only one lane so traffic was stopped often which delayed the trip more than I expected but I suppose that is the beauty of riding in Africa. Adjust, adjust, adjust ...
Going through Boane brough a smile to my face as I could remember my Dad´s army stories when he was stationed there.
Passing through the border was an event as there were many more people than I expected and plenty of confusion all around.
It took me 2 hours to cross the border but eventually made it and entered into South Africa.
The way from Ressano Garcia to Johannesburg took me through some nice twisty roads and well known places. Could see the Drakensberg and the Lebombo Mountains in the distance. My Dad studied in White River at a boarding school so going past the sign that pointed to the turn felt great. Other places I remember as a young man in the many trips we did to Johannesburg or to the Kruger National Park were: Komatipoort, Malelane, Nelspruit and MachadoDorp
Stopped just outside Nelspruit for lunch. It was advertised that they served Brazilian Chicken but it was not anything of the kind. Not a great lunch ...
Finally got to Johannesburg at 6pm after a long day riding and went to visit my school friends that I had not seen for many decades. In less than five minutes we were speaking as if I had never left. The mark of true friends. Great bunch of guys !
Riding from the restaurant back to family house at 10pm where we are staying was an interesting event after having heard some stories from the guys.
No red light stopping and always moving at different speed from the cars finally made it home by 11pm.
Wow, what a day.
Make Life a Ride !
Wow, what a day.
Make Life a Ride !
Click HERE for all the photos of the Day
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