Jacaranda

Bright sunny saturday morning, where dawson's call was an alarm indicating the time to be ready for the mountains. The early morning quiet drives has always amazed me; the ease with which the dawn comes out falling out with its saffron color, the exuberance of African sunset, with a promise of tomorrow & a sense of belonging. Although the distance to Kranskloof was 104km the journey seems to be opposite unlike the last one with Dawson and Cheena...

It was almost noon when we started from our place, weather being cloudy with cool breezes running straight on our faces through side mirrors. The violet color flowers of Jacaranda made cheena jump out of front seat, shooting the best possible images, praising the beauty of southern-africa and expressing the love towards nature.

Everything was green this time, no violet lights can be seen from horizon, the cool breeze was from the car ventilator and navigator was changed to kasli, except dawson who still remained as a common passenger of back seat. The hairpin bends, the windmill and the bridge & waterfall were still there and remained same; all making a gesture of playing the game- 'STATUE' with someone, waiting for their opponent's one last visit in order to say- 'STATUE OVER'. The early morning saturday plan made dawson a bit restless, in turn shouting for some nescafe. Apart from three of us, Albany bread, Lays, tomato, sweets, energrade were the remaining passengers who joined us on our way to the Kranskloof base camp...

Ronny is in his late 70's or early 80's, always followed by his german shephard, lives and takes care of the forest. It was a desperate attempt to reach the base camp after some 8 phone calls to him, in order to find the correct directions. The first look of the camp reminded me the backdrop of the horror flick 'chain saw massacre' where everything seems deserted, broken, rusted, lost and never moved.

Nothing changed this time too, except the absence of Ronny. It was chantal (his grand-daughter) who guided us to follow the trail and start the hike without any map. Though Kasli was thrilled to start the trek, dawson yet again seemed reluctant with the idea of leaving the vehicle and going in woods without any map. The feeling of Into The Wild can only be expressed once- if you are there. Mountains stretching to horizon, wilderness, rocks, chameleons, baboons, shrubs, kloof, running water with zero touches and polish by man. The complete trail was of 9 km which we completed in less then four hours; Kasli seen as a good hiker and dawson with no fitness. It was a well timed and executed hike which ended with few sandwiches, water and the payment to the owner...

The Upperdeck is one place, which brings your best out of you when it comes to fun and enjoyment. With a complete Afrikan touch, giving live band music, the rugby and soccer on big screen, the best drinks to offer and some mouthwatering cuisine has made it a must go place for every southafrican riding a bike. It was cheena who started the dance on table and posing with harley handsomes for some clicks last time.

We remained calm, sober and nice, satisfying ourselves with some pancakes, chips and beers. The stopover ended with a bye to Denis (my local friend who stays in magalies). It was yet another different day coming out of our monotonous lives, making us feel content and leaving us blissful. The presence of Jacaranda last time, and their absence on saturday, left me wondering as when next am i going to see you. And though the idea of returning to the same place never expires from one's mind, sometimes the return also takes you back in cherished lanes of your memoirs.

: AJ
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P.S.: Rituraj is a writer/ screenplay/ assistant director whom i met in a train to mumbai, who explained the difference between a story and screenplay to me. With some of his key points, a tried to write and connect two different stories in a single blog, this time.
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