Gill Oriental: 2012

Wednesday 3 October 2012

The Big Hole - Kimberley

Well, Kimberley itself is a hole, however the main attraction is The Big Hole! And let me tell you, its pretty amazing. I was overwhelmed by the museums and the grandeur of the place itself!

Walking in to the Big Hole. These buildings were restored to their original glory. They even show the sleeping quarters as well as the De Beers railway coach used by Cecil John Rhodes to commute between Cape Town and Kimberley.

The entrance.

The entire building is beautiful and modern, it's about the only first world thing i've ever seen in South Africa!

This is some of the original equipment used, and you can see the old jigging machines and grease tables specially designed to extract the diamonds from the ore.

Although the mining techniques have vastly improved, modern diamond mining still uses some basic methods that were developed in Kimberley.

Ya, it's sort of in the middle of nowhere...

Walking onto the viewing platform. The end of the platform is 30 feet wide and 30 feet long exactly the size of a 19th century mining claim.

I think this gives a sense of the Big Hole's remarkable scale and grandeur. They have hauled 2722KG of diamonds out of this hole, from 22.5 million tons of excavated earth. This crater is 214 meters deep with a surface area of 17 hectares and a perimeter of 1,6KM. That's pretty hardcore!

Wow, look! There it is! Amazing, The Big Hole is such a huge part of our history and I've never been to see it! Thousands of prospectors flocked to Kimberley and created the largest hand-dug excavation in the world.

Looking back across the viewing point. The thing shook and felt super unsteady!

Me at one of the mine shafts! Did you know that The Big Hole made Cecil John Rhodes one of the wealthiest men in the British empire...???

One of the original trains.

Some more equipment.

An original John Deer tractor used during the excavation.

the trains used by Cecil John Rhodes.

The place we are staying in Kimberley, El-Khaya.

Swimming pool.

The entrance.

Hi...Hi Kyle...I miss you so much, I love you so much...and I wish you were with me...like, so much!

The underground of the Big Hole. The technique of underground mining was pioneered at Kimberley. The mine revealed to geologists, for the first time, that primary deposits of diamonds were ancient volcanic pipes. Until then, people thought they were only found on river banks as was the case in India and Brazil.

It's pretty freaky down there...its all the original mine shafts, but they have weird sounds playing and it really feels like you are in a mine shaft.

The shaft.

Some of the original equipment.

I think this is where all the fun starts!

Rules and regulations...

Inside the exhibition centre the a multi-faceted story of diamonds is revealed, including myths and legends of ancient people who believed diamonds have many mystical powers.

The story also covers the colonial history of South Africa and sub-region, which entered a dramatic phase after the Diamond Rush.

A replica of one the diamonds...

Diamonds are measured and categorized in 4 ways: colour, clarity, cut and carat. I suppose diamonds are truly a girls best friend!

Nieu Bethesda - The Owl House

Well, I've been back home for 3 weeks...Maybe it was time for another excursion through my own country with my friend Simone! And so far so good! Anyway, Nieu Bethesda is 30km down a dirt road off the N9 Highway and is in the middle of nowhere, and there is literally nothing there...However, it is so quaint and cute.

This is the main road in Nieu Bethesda, you can tell this place rocks HARD!

The few places you can turn in Nieu Bethesda.

Surprisingly, there were a few places there!!!

This is what it looks like - barren land, a few horses, dust and...a couple of guesthouses!

The Owl House - Nieu Bethesda's main attraction.

This was the homeland and birthplace of Helen Martins in 1989. This was her family home ad after the death of her parents, she transformed this modest Karoo dwelling.

Drawing inspiration from meagre resources and using the most basic materials, her remarkable undertaking took over 25 years to complete.

An owl, made from concrete and broken glass, as are most of the sculptures in her garden.

Helen suffered from arthritis and failing eyesight - after considering her work complete, she took her own life in 1976.

The home was donated to the Nieu Bethesda community as a national monument for everyone to enjoy!

"This is my world" is the theme throughout the Owl House. It is basically a journey of mystical discovery to a mythical mecca in the East. Not true East, but a signpost on the fence designated by Helen in her own self contained universe.

Me with a sphinx..

It is truly inspirational to see what she had done.

The animals, themes and religious artifacts she made are a sight to behold.

More owls...

Walking into the house. Apparently her father was a man with a hot temper, and while he was dying she put him in a room that she had painted black and called it "The Lions Den".

Gives another meaning to concrete jungle hey?????

The living room, this house is odd, no doubt about it.

There is such an eerie feeling while you walk around it, possibly because its dead quiet and freakish!

She has plastered broken glass all over the walls, cupboards, floors, ceilings and pretty much any other space available.

The interplay of light and colour are the essence of this elaborate scheme of interior decoration.

This interior design is amplified by the myriad of lamps, candles and specifically shaped mirrors.

Her stove...how's this for creative!

Her courtyard, the image of the sun is plastered all over the place.

I think this is Adam eating an apple from the serpent...

Her mecca...

Lion?

Camel with an owl's face!

She has a full nativity scene in the back garden, however this nativity scene includes many different religions!

Its truly amazing! If you have read Athol Fugards "A Road to Mecca", then you'll know the remarkable story of Helen Martins. If you haven't read it, do yourself a favour.