Traveller SPRING 2022

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Philippolis will celebrate its 200th year of existence in 2023. Over the years, this Free State town has seen groups of people come and go, including notable figures from the past. Today it’s home to an artistic group seeking peace and quiet. WORDS & PHOTOS BY MIA LOUW 38 Rich in history and with a bright future AA Traveller | SPRING 2022
Weekend getaway Sir Laurens van der Post Entering Philippolis from the direction of Trompsburg For me, the highlight of Philippolis is the towering Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) building that looms large when you approach the town from the north. Philippolis lies in the northern stretch of the Karoo – a gateway for Gautengers and a slightly softer landscape than the rest of the semi-desert region stretching south. The town is nestled in a basin, and if you come from the direction of Trompsburg, the church is one of the first buildings that sticks out amongst Voortrekker Street’s ginormous trees. The cornerstone was laid by Reverend Colin Fraser in 1869, but church services at this location date back to 1826, when the London Missionary Society built the first missionary church here. Philippolis is named after Dr John Philip. He was the superintendent of the missionary society and preached in the local community. From 1826 to 1862, it was the capital city of the Griquas, under the leadership of Adam Kok, before they moved to Kokstad in KwaZulu-Natal. “Through the centuries, the San; then the Griquas; and later the Voortrekkers, who crossed the Orange River from the Cape Colony through the Transgariep, brought their cattle to the town’s two fountains,” says Jens Friis, a former journalist and the author of the book Philippolis - Die oudste nedersetting in die Vrystaat. We’re standing on the hill behind his family’s guesthouse on Koksfontein Street, on the north-western outskirts of town. To the one side lies Genadeberg, which in English means mercy mountain. “During droughts, animals would travel up the hill in search of pasture. It was a small mercy if there was any food higher up,” he explains. You can still find signs from the South African War (1899-1902) on the hill: bullet casings, stone cairns, and food larders built by the British, who used the hill as an elevated point of attack. From here you have a clear view of the Groenhuis Guesthouse. It’s made up of several renovated buildings and stables – the main house dates to 1889 – and in total there is enough space to sleep 30 people. Jens grew up in Philippolis. Both his parents were teachers here, and his father taught at M.T. Steyn High School (later High School Philippolis), where he was also the headmaster for 12 years. Thanks to the high school’s first general reunion in 16 years, Jens was encouraged to write a coffee table book about his hometown – and in just three months! Fast forward two years and a “weekend getaway” turned into a permanent stay when Jens and his better half came from Sandton to visit Jens sr. (80). Luckily, they were in the countryside when Covid-19 lockdown was implemented. The dream was to move here and take over the guesthouse one day, but lockdown > 39 SPRING 2022 | AA Traveller
Page 1: traveller AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION OF
Page 4 and 5: 56 50 12 Contents 23 3 Gerda says
Page 6 and 7: The AA at your service ACCREDITED S
Page 8 and 9: 2022 AA ENTRY- LEVEL VEHICLE SAFETY
Page 10 and 11: Maruti Suzuki S-Presso’s safety p
Page 12 and 13: Road trip he Karoo 12 IT'S A VIBE
Page 14 and 15: Road trip The post office in Nieu-B
Page 16 and 17: Road trip 16 something I can apprec
Page 18 and 19: 18 Witpoortjie Falls at Walter Sisu
Page 20 and 21: GROENKLOOF NATURE RESERVE If you li
Page 22 and 23: ON SALE NOW HIKING GUIDE NEW VIEW,
Page 24 and 25: Road tripI’ve recently discovered
Page 26 and 27: Road trip 26 Take the back roads be
Page 28: Road trip TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO 1.
Page 31 and 32: City art Did you know that Johannes
Page 33 and 34: City art Brenda Fassie Memorial His
Page 35 and 36: John o’Groats 8 Hiking Inverness
Page 37: THE IRISH WAY Ireland is home to tw
Page 41 and 42: orchids in a smaller, heated greenh
Page 43 and 44: Weekend getaway GOOD TO KNOW With O
Page 45 and 46: Science At around 4 mm in length, G
Page 47 and 48: Local entrepreneur By Kim Arendse A
Page 49 and 50: Local entrepreneur “I believe tha
Page 51 and 52: Recipes ASPARAGUS AND KLAPPERTJIE Q
Page 53 and 54: Fact Fioretto, which means “littl
Page 55 and 56: Recipes BOEBER DEEP-FRIED BABY MARR
Page 57 and 58: Photography tips & tricks 1. INCREA
Page 59 and 60: Photography tips & tricks TIP: Incr
Page 61 and 62: Books Super athletes and a must-rea
Page 63 and 64: Freestyle South Africa is know for
Page 65 and 66: Advice 10 bad driving habits Whethe
Page 67 and 68: ADDITIONAL SOURCES: aa.co.za; arriv
Page 69 and 70: Motoring HYUNDAI TUCSON The Hyundai
Page 71 and 72: Motoring VOLVO XC60 Thinking of buy
Page 73 and 74: Motoring The SUV segment’s grip o
Page 75 and 76: HYUNDAI STARIA Let’s start with t
Page 77 and 78: Puzzles Blockbusters CROSSWORD 100
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