THE road skirts Swaziland on the way to Ermelo and the beginning of the N2.  We are still traversing the spine of Southern Africa, although the Drakensberg is giving way to the Lebombo. This is still an area synonymous with gold-digging and adventure, although around Ermelo the gold is black and is burned for the power stations. Ermelo is also the last gasp of the flat Highveld before the road goes down to the Indian Ocean coastal terrace. Click here to follow Niki's Journey. Photo: SA Tourism.