I have a tendency to go on hikes with only my flip-flops - not even proper sandals. This hike was more steps than track, but in the end, the views (as always) was amazing.

After spending some time in the town of Robert Sobukwe Town, South Africa, we ventured 5 minutes out of town to the Valley of Desolation situated within the Camdeboo National Park. It was a steep drive, one that we regretted when we drove down, but in the end we were fine. (Apart from a brief moment in which we smelt burning rubber and our breaks, everything was eventually fine.)

So, come along with me on this virtual journey of yet another amazing spot in South Africa.

Arriving with Some Views

Just outside of town, you are met with the most beautiful views. As you drive out of town, you are met with mountains, but also the endless stretch of what feels like endless space.

As you drive into the nature reserve, the landscape quickly changes. The native plants, predominantly the plant called Spekboom, takes over everything. From the one side of the road that is somewhat dry and dead, to the other side that is green and lucious.

But up we must go!

Some Stairs to the Valley of Desolation (and not Heaven)

As you take the turn to the valley of desolation, you meet the first hill up. Luckily, you can drive this part.

But then you need to park your car. And here the stairs begin. The first is for a brief detour, a lookout point, one where you can easily snap a picture or two of the beautiful view.

From the high vantage point, even our most secret of worries does not make sense. The philosopher Pierre Hadot notes that the ancient philosophers held the notion that viewing the world from above helps you with seeing your problems as not defining who you are. From here, our day to day struggles seem very small.

But then we found more stairs...

But we were headed toward the valley of desolation...

The Valley of Desolation

There were more steps... But the higher we got, the views got more beautiful.

The landscape was rough and dry. The wind was incredible, and at times it felt like we were being blown away...

But even with the wind, we could not help but appreciate the world that unfolded in front of us.

The landscape felt like something from overseas, the grand canyon... My now wife could not stop speaking about how it reminded her of the American landscapes.

Standing so high above the world really gives you a unique perspective. We were the only ones in the area, so we had the view to ourselves. But there was something else there that few people experience: The dead silence of the world so high up. Every now and then, you hear a bird or eagle. But apart from that it is the empty silence of the wind that carries the world with it.

Here is a short video:

And as Soon as it Started...

It ended.

We made it down safely after some hiccups with the breaks. The small car we drove did not like the steep down hills.

And because we were in a nature reserve, there was some animals alongside the road as well (see below).

But we left, like always, with a different sense of the world. We left with a bigger world in our hands.

For now, happy travels, and keep well.

All of the musings and writings are my own, albeit inspired by the beauty of the surroundings. The photographs are my own, taken with my Nikon D300.