We all have these photos … throwback photos!
It’s described as ‘nostalgia-inducing pictures … from a different era of your life”.
Every Thursday we will throw a photo of ‘way back when’ on our blog. Why on a Thursday? Because it’s just a day away from the weekend … and we love weekends!
You are welcome to join in or just enjoy the photos (#TB Thursday).
June 2017 – Sutherland (Northern Cape Province, South Africa)
You might remember that we featured the Tankwa Karoo in our previous TB Thursday #19. On this road trip, we ended our last day in Sutherland.
Sutherland’s main economy includes sheep farming and tourism. It is a small town with a little over 3,000 inhabitants, but has many guest houses and guest farms. The South African Astronomical Observatory plays a significant role in the town’s economy and is a major boost to tourism.
South African Astronomical Observatory
Because Sutherland is in such a remote location with a dry climate, its night skies are some of the world’s clearest and darkest – ideal for stargazing. Tours are offered on a regular basis where you can look at the stars through the largest single optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere (called SALT).
We visited the museum and then did a guided tour of the Observatory. Here we could look at the stars to our heart’s content – almost as if they were an arm’s length away.
South African Astronomical Observatory
The other famous fact about Sutherland is that it is the coldest town in South Africa. Snowfall is common here during winter (which we didn’t experience with our visit), though temperatures did dropped to -5 °C (23 °F) during the night.
Even though it was VERY cold, we still enjoyed a ‘braai’ outside
When we woke up the following morning, we found frost on our car as well as on a nearby tree trunk. But soon the sun came out and even though it was still quite cold, it turned into a lovely sunny day.
Frost on our car
Frost on a tree trunk
Ouberg Pass:
From Sutherland we had to drive back home. But as always, a magnificent mountain pass awaited us to get back into the plains of the Tankwa Karoo.
Panoramic view of the Tankwa Karoo on top of Ouberg Pass
The Ouberg Pass is probably the most impressive gravel pass for adventure travellers in the Northern Cape. On the way down we found 44 turns, corners and curves, which included 8 hairpins and another 4 corners sharper than 90 degrees.
A look back at the Roggeveld Mountains that we have just conquered
As we drove through the last part of the beautiful Tankwa Karoo, we saw a lone Gemsbok standing by the side of the road. When we drove into the Tankwa a couple of days ago, we saw a herd of these magnificent animals and now we only see this one as we exit the Tankwa … almost as if to say “Goodbye until next time”.
A lone Gemsbok in the Tankwa Karoo
Wet and Dusty Roads 
Wow! That observatory is impressive! It’s beautiful. Love reading about your adventures.
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Yes, the observatory is quite something! We went up the roof area to look at the stars through the telescopes – needless to say, it was amazing! Thanks for joining us on another throwback Jessica!
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Did you see a lot of stars? Or was it too cold to look for them ? Maggie
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Oh yes Maggie, we saw hundreds and hundreds of stars! In the observatory, of course, you see them through the large telescopes. But even that night, next to the fire, the sky was lit up with bright stars – the Southern Cross was clearly visible. But it was pretty cold so we didn’t spend too much time outside 😉.
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Ons was ook in Sutherland en het nie by SALT uitgekom nie. Ons was wel by n ander plek in die dorp waar ons deur 4 verskillende teleskope na die sterre en Saturnus gekyk het. Dit was ongelooflik mooi! Was ook vir my die koudste wat al ooit gekry het. Selfs met lae klere aan het ek steeds gebibber van die koue. Maar ten spyte daarvan was die ondervinding asemrowend 🌟🪐🌟
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Ek onthou jy het genoem julle was by Sutherland – koue, koue plek daai 😳. Ek het gesien daar is ander plekke in die dorp waar mens ook kan sterre kyk … ek dink ‘n mens kan net in die middel van die hoofstraat gaan staan en jy sal sterre sien!
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Dis verseker!
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What an amazing opportunity to visit the observatory and see so many stars; I would love to do that someday. It was very thoughtful of the herd to appoint a delegate to wish you well as you left the area. 😉 Thanks Corna, for sharing this lovely post!
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We loved our time at the Observatory … seeing the starry sky up close was pure magic. Ah, yes the delegate – very considerate indeed 😉.
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My friend Tim would like this, he loves stars. And I remember the first time I saw the Southern Cross when I was in Pretoria many years ago, “when you see the southern cross for the first time…”
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It’s great to read that your first experience of the Southern Cross was in Pretoria. Yes, the observatory is definitely a stargazer’s paradise – one can look at it through a telescope for hours on end and see something different every time.
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I still remember, “when you see the southern cross for the first time…” I was in Pretoria so many years ago. What a night and all those stars you have.
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From a young age, my father always pointed out the stars to me at night – Southern Cross, Morning Star, Evening Star, The Three Kings (also known as Orion’s Belt) – pretty amazing. I think the most beautiful I have ever seen the stars (with the naked eye) was in the Cederberg Mountains … there it almost felt like you could touch them!
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Sorry for the double comment, the first one didn’t show up so I thought it didn’t work and pasted again. Or maybe it was just worth double mention.
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Ha 😉, I thought it was the case … but like you, I thought it was worth the double comment! Thanks!
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We have a few dark sky preserves in Ontario which are reputed to be great for stargazing. I’d love to go during a meteor shower or something. But I often struggle to stay up late! How wild to see some frost the next morning!
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I can imagine Ontario must be a good stargazing area too. Oh, I would love to see a meteor shower! I saw Halley’s Comet in 1986 and that was pretty amazing. Yes, even though we didn’t see snow, it was special to see the frost everywhere the next morning (and cold).
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Now that is a really enormous sky! I have never been to an observatory. I would love to look through a powerful telescope. The night sky is fascinating and so beautiful. I saw the Southern Cross a few times when on board ships. How nice to get a send-off by such a grand creature!
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When I’m in Sutherland it feels like I’m surrounded by the universe … it probably sounds outrageous but that’s how it feels to me! Oh, thank you for the reminder: When we were on the Red Sea, just before Covid, one night we sat outside on the deck of the yacht and saw a very clear and bright Southern Cross (what a lovely memory)! I always love to see Gemsbok in their natural habitat – they are grand indeed.
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We would love to visit the SALT observatory. While have been to a few, they didn’t let visitors do any stargazing. That added to the wonderful national park would be a fabulous adventure. We always enjoy your posts.
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It was a great experience to be able to go inside the observatory … and to look through those mighty telescopes! I’m glad you’re enjoying reading more about our adventures – thanks for stopping by often.
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Ek wil bitter graag Sutherland besoek, maar ek hou nie van koud kry nie… 😀
Ek het al by n hele paar mense gehoor dat die Tankwa se leiklip-paaie nogal hard is op jou voertuig se bande. Wat was julle ondervinding daarvan, Corna?
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Jy’t reg gehoor Dries, daai leiklip pad is niemand se speelmaat nie! Ons was nou al ‘n hele paar keer deur die Tankwa en het nog nooit ‘n pap band gehad nie (“touch wood”) … maar dan, ons Suzuki Jimny het “All wheel drive” bande wat dalk help. Dit is altyd veilig om ‘n band (of twee) ekstra saam met jou deur die Tankwa te ry. Omdat daar net hier en daar opvangs is (en nie baie verkeer nie), kan ‘n mens dalk ‘n tydjie teen die pad gestrand wees as jy motor probleme optel. O ja, en ons ry nie sommer vinniger as 80km per uur op daardie grondpad nie … anders mis jy in elk geval die mooi (niks 😉) langs die pad!
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Dankie vir die goeie raad, Corna!
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Ek het eintlik bedoel “All Terrain Tyres” … ‘skuus, ek sien nou eers ek het verkeerd getik 🙃.
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South Africa has a lot to offer. I didn’t know about the observatory, but I have seen the southern sky at night (in Namibia) which was absolutely stunning. And Gemsbok (or Oryx) are one of my favourite antelopes. I was thrilled to see them in the wild.
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You are right Jude. On one side you have the beautiful beaches, then stunning mountains and suddenly you find yourself in a semi-desert! Oh yes, we were also privileged to see stars in Namibia – it’s amazing, isn’t it? Love the Gemsbok – such a beautiful antelope with its spectacular horns.
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I’d be interested to visit that observatory and to enjoy the spectacular views on the drive from Tankwa Karoo though not with me at the wheel! It’s so much fun learning about South Africa from your travels Corna.
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Oh yes, the visit to the observatory was great – it was just amazing to see the stars up close! ‘m also glad that Berto is mostly the driver … especially on those gravel roads and over mountain passes. Thanks for stopping by to read about our adventures Marion, as always I really appreciate it. A blessed Easter weekend to you and your family.
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Corna, you have got us again with another place we simply cannot miss if and when we come to SA. Sladja is a passionate stargazer, so the Astronomical Observatory would be firmly on our list. The setting looks incredible too. Ha, I see that absolutely nothing can keep you guys away from braai, which is of course how one should live life. More dramatic, desolate landscapes to boot, I can see why this needed to be added to your blog files.
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Oh yes, if Sladja is an avid stargazer, she’ll love Sutherland! Haha 😄, you’re right Leighton … I think we’ll even have a braai in the snow (if that opportunity ever presents itself)! It was nice for us to tour the plains of the Tankwa Karoo again – thank you for coming along.
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This is an amazing place. We didn’t see this South African Astronomical Observatory. Thanks for sharing this idea. Anita
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It’s a great place for stargazing – even if we can’t see the Northern Lights that you see so often. Thanks for coming with us Anita.
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Appropriate throwback Thursday as it is winter and cold, thankfully not so cold as Sutherland. The stargazing must’ve been magical, thank you for sharing Corna🌸💕
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Although Sutherland is beautiful in the winter, I’m glad we don’t live there … I don’t like getting cold (though, it would be lovely to see the snow)! But you’re right Henrietta, the stars there are incredibly beautiful – it’s almost as if you’re surrounded by them.
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