The Power of Semonkong

“Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.”

We arrived at Semonkong Lodge in the dark. Only the next morning did we realise the river wrapped around us and there were mountains guarding us.

We went on an international trip for my birthday! (Lesotho might be next door, but still, it counts.) My mom got a lift and joined us at the last minute, which made it all the more special.

Life there looks so different. It looks simple and tough at the same time. Part of me envies it… Huts scattered across hillsides, many with morogo (green veg) growing. Free-range cows, sheep, chickens – and kids running around.

Saturday stretched long and wide, like only mountain time can. We woke up late, waited ages for water to boil for coffee. Then we ate a slow, hearty breakfast in our pjs. We went 4x4ing to the edge of the view of Maletsunyane Falls – wild and spectacular. Then Oup and Natey went fly fishing. Later, we did what must now be called a bucket list tick: donkey pub crawling… how hilarious and fun! Then we still had to wait 2 hours until supper was served. So we sat by the fire, chatted, and laughed. The food at the Duck and Donkey, their onsite restaurant and tavern, is next level delicious! And the bread is a I-can’t-stop-eating kind of yum!

Just before we left this morning, snow began to fall lightly. What a pity we didn’t get snowed in.

Here is a video of our weekend: https://youtube.com/shorts/gytJysBWbpc?si=cD_YoCOO-LbyjFZz

Here is a video of the donkey pub crawling:https://youtube.com/shorts/phm0hC0GBGA?si=On_nTle8uLhBGPj0