| CHERRY FESTIVAL |
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Ever got into trouble for spitting out the pips when your eting watermelon? Well say you are practising for the pip-spitting contest at the annual Cherry Festival at Ficksburg, the largest producing cherry region in Southern Africa. At the price of fresh cherries in shops, you need to practise with other fruit. |
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| DROOL AT A BRAAI |
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Arguably one of the best before, during and after match vibes in the country: smack your lips for the boerewors braaiing on the fields outside Durban’s rugby stadium during ant Curry Cup or Super 14 match. |
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| VREDEFORT DOME |
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Some 200-million years ago a meteorite about 10 kilometres wide collided with the Earth with a force equivalent to 10 million atomic bombs. It shattered the Earth’s surface and broke up on impact, leaving the Vredefort Dome. The crater measured about 270 kilometres in diameter, but over millennia the rim has been eroded; it now stretches around Vredefort, Parys and into the North West Province. The ‘dome’ part of the whole thing is a granite, granulite and gneiss upliftment that, before the impact, lay more than 20 kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface. There are other interesting rock formations further away from the dome that is a result of the impact. As far as scientist can tell, this is the oldest and largest collision between Earth and an object from outer space. Make sure to drive through Parys after looking for rocks at the dome. |
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| JEWEL OF SOUTH AFRICA |
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The village of Clarens is situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains in close proximity to the Golden Gate National Park and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Clarens is an Artists haven with many well known artists either living in or frequenting the village on a regular basis with many art galleries scattered around the village square. The tranquil village ambience combined with scenic views and a mild climate makes for the ideal weekend getaway for city dwellers from Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Durban. These cities are all approximately 300km from Clarens or a comfortable 3 to 4 hours drive away. Rich in beauty, with an aura of peace and tranquillity. Clarens is endowed with more trees than most other Free State towns - the fresh, light green willows and colourful blossoms of the many fruit trees are an unforgettable sight in spring time; whilst the magnificent autumn shades of the lombard poplars attract artists, photographers and nature lovers. The town is known for the many Art and Craft shops which offer the visitor a wide range of curios and original artwork. Another feature which adds to the picturesque atmosphere of the village is the many sandstone buildings. The popular Golden Gate National Park is located in the near vicinity of Clarens, and the area attracts many visitors. |
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