The Cradle of Human Kind

My dad is studying to become a Tour Guide and he is really enjoying it. While busy with his Gauteng studies, he came across "The Cradle of Human Kind". This is where they found Mrs Pless.

So in Dec (2007), he decided to take a field trip down to Krugers Dorp to go have a look at the Caves etc. My mother and I went along. I actually quite enjoyed it even though I don't believe in Evolution, or that the earth is Billions of years old.

First we made a trip to the Wimpy. Let's face it, you can't go anywhere without stopping to eat. lol. Then we started the journey off to the Sterkfontein Caves. Before the tour guide comes to pick you up for the Cave tours, you get to go through this little museum that "proves" evolution. Skulls, tools etc. For a South African Exhibit, it was actually quite modern and really well done.

After that, it's off to the caves where the guide tells you about how the caves are Billions of years old and how Ape men fell in and all that. Again, this would be much more interesting to someone that actually believes in Evolution. With that said, I actually did enjoy the Caves part of the tour a lot.

The caves were a little creepy at first, and I really did not want to walk at the back for fear of some creepy stuff that want to attack me. But after a while, it's okay and you get used to the darkness.

At one point we were 40m below the surface where it stays a nice cool 20 degrees or so. Really refreshing on a hot day.

I cracked myself while watching my mother try to go through tiny holes and crouching down while walking through tiny tunnels. Memories like that are irreplaceable. LOL. Don't worry, I bumped myself against the walls and roof of the small spaces quite a few times.

At the end of the tour, our guide, Gift, gave us 2 option. A long way back and a short way back. Knowing my father, you don't give him those options. We ended up taking the long way back to the car. It's just a 10min walk, but still...I'm tired. On the way to the car you can check out where they found Mrs Pless. So that was a bonus.

After a drink we were on the road again. This time we were off to the Cradle of Human Kind Museum. A fantastically modern, which seems out of place, building and exhibits.

In here you go on this little boat ride taking you through a few elements. Fire, Air (or cloud), Ice, Water and earth. I must admit that I am not one for the unknown in dark places, so I found myself constantly afraid of what is coming. But nothing scary happened. It's one of those moments that you can't take of film. Just go and experience it for yourself.

After that you go into an interactive section where you can look at video's, listen to multimedia, do some reading on Dinosaurs and Cave men and the evolution of man.

It was a really great trip, and I would like to take Gert there as he is a believer of Evolution and I think he really will enjoy the caves and Museums a lot.

If you want to see more photos, check out my FaceBook profile. It's open for everyone to see. :-)