23. The Serpent's Nest (_Ai-_Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park)
- 6 years ago
In the far northwest of South Africa lies a forgotten land, known as the Richtersveld. It stretches eastwards from a desert coast beaten by the cold Atlantic Ocean, deep into a mountainous hinterland of sand, rock and sky. Five young explorers set off from Alexander Bay High School on a mission into the arid land to find the legendary Big Snake (’Groot Slang’), a spirit that can transform itself into anything.
Following its spoor, they taste some of the bitter plants that help people survive there. They marvel at the rarest quiver tree in the world, and play music on the thorny spikes of the Halfmense (‘half-people’). They visit the graves of two sisters whose lives were intimately intertwined with the Big Snake. Their search finally leads them to the scary and mysterious Wondergat (‘Wonder Hole’), the lair of the Spirit of Heitsi Eibib.
After the Zebra Bus got stuck in a sand pit, the crew meets up with a Nama family, the indigenous inhabitants of that part of South Africa. Amongst the goats and dunes, they set up camp with these herders and sleep until a bright new sun awakens them. They continue their search for the Big Snake in the next episode.
Following its spoor, they taste some of the bitter plants that help people survive there. They marvel at the rarest quiver tree in the world, and play music on the thorny spikes of the Halfmense (‘half-people’). They visit the graves of two sisters whose lives were intimately intertwined with the Big Snake. Their search finally leads them to the scary and mysterious Wondergat (‘Wonder Hole’), the lair of the Spirit of Heitsi Eibib.
After the Zebra Bus got stuck in a sand pit, the crew meets up with a Nama family, the indigenous inhabitants of that part of South Africa. Amongst the goats and dunes, they set up camp with these herders and sleep until a bright new sun awakens them. They continue their search for the Big Snake in the next episode.