Photo Adventures with Ed

Tara and I had finally managed to get ahold of her friend Julie in Lesotho while in South Africa. Tara and Julie met up in South Texas while volunteering at a birthing clinic.

Julie is working for Partners in Health in a remote village in Lesotho. She’s providing midwifery skills and training to the local people. So naturally we made a small diversion and headed over to visit her, spending three days in Lesotho. For Julie’s part she had to drive 12 hours on very rough roads to meet us in Maseru, the capital city.

The main adventure for us was to head out to Semonkong Falls to do a little hiking and horseback riding in the mountains. I captured some great photos, including one taken from the top of the falls just at sunset. It was a blast hiking (running) back to the lodge in order to get home before it was pitch black.

Lesotho is primarily rural country and home to the Basotho people. Getting around mountainous areas has always been a challege, so the Basotho pony is ideal choice for local transportation. Breeding and riding these surefooted ponies is very important. In the towns and mountains, it is not unusual to meet a Basotho horseman, traditionally clad in a kobo – his cloak or blanket. The people will raise their hand in the traditional greeting “Khotso” – meaning peace.

Lesotho is breathtaking, and a must visit mountain kingdom that is unlike any other area in Africa.