it would be like to live in the tiny settlement . There were a few vacant plots with ‘ for sale ’ signs pegged into the ground . We snapped a few pictures as we made our way back to the hotel .
Sitting outside on the terraced lawn overlooking the river , with a couple of drinks , was very satisfying after a tough day in the saddle . Everything about the place seemed to have a lick of grandeur in a simple old colonial style . The staff were dressed in formal uniforms and even the glasses we were offered were fancy . Everything seemed a little dated though . As if the entire place and people , were trapped in the 1970 ’ s . It was both beautiful and a little sad . The business had everything set-up for success , yet no people . The broken punt , the months of Covid and no tourists , the bad economy and the tough access road were all contributors . I really hope things turn around soon , because if this place had to be sold for less than it ’ s worth and some large franchise revamps it , all the charm will be lost . It ’ s real and simple . A little like me .
Mike and I sat sipping our beers right out of the cans and debating this as the sun slowly slipped down behind the mountains .
Dinner time came and we went up to the restaurant . We expected to be the only patrons , but it was surprisingly busy . Tables were set with old white cloth and silverware . There was an old somewhat stretched cassette tape playing classical restaurant themed music . The day ’ s menu had been typed out in a style reminiscent of a formal wedding menu . I was happy to see that the main on offer , was lamb chops . Mike agreed . We were ravenous .
That night , I slept with a smile , dreaming of the beautiful eye turning KTM beast , the river , the time warp hotel and restaurant , and my plate of delicious lemon and pepper seasoned lamb chops .
Breakfast the following morning was a much more casual affair . The meal was a nice fry up of bacon , sausage , toast , and eggs . We wolfed it down , rushed back to grab our bags and said a quick goodbye and thank you before roaring off with the hotel staff waving in our rear-view mirrors .
It felt so good to be back on the bike and rolling down the gravel . The roadworks crew were just arriving and had not yet sprayed the surface when we sped over . The conditions were a lot drier than the day before , so we managed to ride the stretch without wobbling and slipping . Our biggest challenge that day , were the cars and trucks . Overtaking in a dust storm is troublesome and sitting behind a truck that is chucking up a tsunami of gravel , is just not fun . It ’ s a fine line between choosing to just back off or to power through quickly and get in front of the dust storm . The big
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