Waking Up in a Cold Hut in Lesotho
I woke up on March 22nd in a cold place — a round hut made of bricks with a grass-type roof. They had offered to light a fire for me the night before, but I didn’t want them to make the effort. As it turned out, I was only up for about 15 minutes before going to bed, so it would have been a waste. The hut had a solar-powered ceiling light controlled by a remote, so there was always light even when the generator wasn’t running. The generator typically operates between 6 and 10 in the evening — a comfy place with what they have.
A Helpful Fix from the Mission Leader
The leader of the Dutch mission group, who also drives a Land Cruiser, noticed that my mud flap had come loose — likely from the mountain pass. I had provisionally fixed it before, but it came undone again. He happened to have an extra nut and some big washers that fit perfectly, and he simply fixed it and told me about it afterward. What a helpful gesture from a fellow traveler!
A Moving Church Service with Shepherds
After breakfast, we loaded up two vehicles — the private Land Cruiser and a mission vehicle belonging to the church — and made our way to a little church where local shepherds gathered. The shepherds walked in from nearby houses over the course of the service. We sang, talked, and they even invited me to say a few words, which was a truly moving experience. We took group photos with everyone, including the shepherds. The pastor, who is from Lesotho, translated everything from English into the local language and did a wonderful job.
Crossing the Kingdom in the Sky
After saying goodbye, I was the first to head out across Lesotho — truly the kingdom in the sky. The road was amazing and stayed paved, winding around peaks at about 9,000 feet elevation. There weren’t many villages along the way; I recall just one significant settlement. I was making my way to Butha-Buthe on the other side of Lesotho, and by the time I arrived, I had descended quite a bit in elevation.
Finding a Place to Stay Near South Africa
Looking at the information I had, all the accommodations seemed to be fully booked. Since I was close to South Africa, I decided to head that direction and keep an eye open. Sure enough, just outside town I found the Caladon B&B, a little off the main road. They had a room available, and the lady running it was very enthusiastic about hosting guests. Breakfast was included, making it a great find.
Reflecting on Two Nights in Lesotho
All in all, it made for two wonderful nights in Lesotho. I’ve only seen a sliver of the country — there’s so much more to explore. Maybe never, maybe another time, who knows. Thank you for coming along!
