We met up with Doug Tilton and drove to Lesotho for a few days. Doug is the PC(USA)'s Regional Liaison for Southern Africa, so he works with the partners in Lesotho, as well as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar & Mauritius. He helped us to set up appointments with the Lesotho Evangelical Church, the PC(USA)'s partner, and visit several of their organizations and programs. We were so thankful for Doug's help and we thoroughly enjoyed his company.
But first, we spent a day on a pony trek on the mountainsides of Malealea. Ryan has wanted to do this since the first time he visited Lesotho, when he was studying in Johannesburg in 2004. Doug had never taken the opportunity to trek either, though many people had recommended it to him. It was an amazing way to see the gorgeous mountain kingdom of Lesotho.
It was quite scarey at first, scaling the rocky mountainside on horseback. Especially going down! It felt like you were about to tumble over the pony's neck. Gradually, we began to trust our sure-footed ponies more and more. We rode to a waterfall and then to "bushmen cave paintings," to which we had to get off and hike the rest of the way. When we were on foot on the steep and rocky paths, we appreciated our ponies even more!
Ryan saddling up
On top of the mountain, starting off from Malealea
The valley below
a herd-boy and sheep
It's crazy to me how the people live on this mountain--
what would seem like a major hike to us is the daily walk for this woman
Halfway down the mountain
At the bottom
Crossing the stream
Self-portrait
back on top--that's the stream we just crossed!
We parked our horses and hiked back down to the waterfall--
the hillside was full of the tinkling sounds of the bells on the cows, goats & sheep
Some of the cows. Their bells were actually pretty huge
The waterfall
Doug, Molly & Ryan in the icy-cold water
Siphutswe, which is what you call someone who doesn't have good hygiene!
Molly with Siphutswe
The man who took us down to the waterfall--playing a homemade instrument kind of like a violin
Back on the trail
Ryan climbing up the cliff
Ryan on his horse, Saliva
Molly on Siphutswe
The mountaintop area near the cave paintings
cave paintings approx. 7000 yrs old!
cave paintings approx. 7000 yrs old!
cave paintings approx. 7000 yrs old!
Everyone taking lots of snaps of the cave paintings
Hiking back from the caves
Doug on his horse, Sunshine
One last view from the top
There is only one lodge in Malealea--"Malealea Lodge & Pony Trek Center" is really the only game in town, and it does alot to support the community, bringing income and jobs to the village. Our trekking guide, Tsepho (Say-po), is a local young man finishing grade 12 (though he was probably 19 or 20). The lodge used a generator, so the rooms only had electricity from dusk to 10pm. There was also a local choir and band that performed nightly.
solar-cooker with coffee pot & a peacock on the roof
The lodge had about 3 male peacocks and 6 or 7 females
A rondavel hut where we stayed--this type of hut is called "crocodile" style.
It's outer walls are coated with cow dung and small pebbles make colorful designs.
The drum was made out of a metal barrel, and cymbals made from little pieces of metal.
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