Bergville/Ladybrand, Day 46-up early to start out to Ladybrand. Although we’ve been awed by the scenery in South Africa, the Golden Gates Highland National Park may top the charts. We thought the featured photo looks like a Baboon.

One of the more interesting towns on today’s drive was Clarens. It’s been developed into an artists center with galleries, restaurants and little shops. It was a good place to stop and stretch our legs for a while.

There were fields of sunflowers alongside the road, between Clarens and Ladybrand. They were a small variety, we thought they might be grown for oil.

The booking in Ladybrand was at Living Life Station, the old railway depot. The 5 guest rooms are in the old station masters house. The place is bohemian bourgeois, and our hostess, Cora Mart was most gracious and welcoming. They have a cafe on site with incredible pastries made on the premises.

Our room is huge and absolutely charming with a fireplace, soaking tub, giant shower, patio and comfy overstuffed furniture.

This area of the Free State Province has hundreds of caves that have human hearth ashes dating back 55,000 years. We are hoping to explore some of them tomorrow. Ladybrand has a population of 16,000 and is located 16 km from Masuru, Lesothos capital.