Deeper and Deeper - The Hel
The Hel is Afrikaans for "Hell".
At this time of year, the name doesn't seem quite logical, but the Hel is a narrow canyon which dips 400 meters lower than the surrounding countryside. In the summer, it is said to be brutally hot. For a long time, a hiking path was the only way to the Hel and everything essential had to be brought in on donkeys. The population here was mainly self-sufficient. Nowadays, you need one and a half hours to cover a 50 km long dead-end (!) into the ravine. The term "remote" describes it quite well.
Today, the Hel is a national park and at the same time, world cultural heritage. Many of the old farm houses have been renovated and can be rented by the visitors. We stayed two nights in the awesome quiet of the Kloof and went to explore the area on foot.
Our onward journey to Cape Agulhas led us through gorgeous countryside which by now had turned slightly autumnal. We couldn't get enough of admiring it!
Translated © 2010 by Annika Valikhovskaya
