Biggest man made Hole in the World

The Big Hole in the distance with the new viewing landing for spectators
@Inlemay (17714)
South Africa
December 26, 2015 11:27pm CST
Good Morning - I have this song buzzing in my head this morning "Wake me up" by Avicii, BUT in actual fact I dont want anyone to wake me up quite yet as I am still in Holiday mode! First stop on our travels was to show the NewYorker the biggest ever man made hole in the world "Die Groot Gat" as it is called in South Africa and now one of the Premier mines of the De Beers group. Years of work have gone into restoring the little village on site into a tourist museum and the visit is well worth the drive. If you are not driving the country then you wont get to see this remarkable sight as it is a little off the beaten and tourist track. The Hole is now totally a Museum - except for what might be going on under the water and under the ground. Can you imagine that this hole started out with a man and a shovel - looking for his fortune. Many a famous Diamond Magnate found their fortune here - Cecil John Rhodes, Barney Barnato and the German Alfred Beit. Recently the mine was in the news when a dog who miraculously survived "after it fell an equivalent of 50 stories down the Big Hole in Kimberley, and then managed to stay alive without food for eight days, was finally brought to the surface after a 15-hour rescue mission " and I quote from the news the words of the rescue team: “From the moment I went into the water, I knew that it was not going to be an easy task. At one stage we were going to give up. The dog was traumatised and had gone through so much. I managed to calm her down and after I touched her and placed the harness around her, she gave her full co-operation.” . . . “While we were swimming back, the dog became exhausted and stopped swimming. The harness dragged her down and I used my one arm to keep her afloat." This happened on November 16 - 2013 and has now become part of a modern story of the Big Hole. I hope the NewYorker enjoyed the tour and the sights as well as the history behind the Diamonds of South Africa - because we do have some of the best in the world! You might want to know that there is an effort in progress to register the Big Hole as a World Heritage Site.
9 people like this
8 responses
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
27 Dec 15
I can imagine that it must be huge because the Kimberley mines were operated for an extremely long time, although I would expect that there is likely to be a better one in New York. This made me think about one of my favourite comedy songs by Bernard Cribbins, so I searched it on YouTube:
Bernard Cribbins cracking song Hole In The Ground, Proper British this, Enjoy!
2 people like this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
28 Dec 15
I remember about the dog and was so relieved when it was rescued! I hope it does become a World Heritage Site @Inlemay .
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
28 Dec 15
They have done so much work there, they have even rerouted the main road away from the hole to preserve the earth. Its quite the tourist attraction now, but good.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
27 Dec 15
That must have been a traumatic experience for that poor doggy. I am glad the rescue was successful.
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
28 Dec 15
hello Anja - havent checked you out in days - how have you been
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
28 Dec 15
What a great rescue story, so glad it had a happy ending.
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
28 Dec 15
Our country was glad of the happy ending - we sat on tenterhooks all the hours of rescue.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
31 Dec 15
I am glad the doggie was saved!
1 person likes this
• India
9 Jan 16
its really amazing story behind the whole,hope to see it
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Dec 15
I am sure he must have enjoyed the tour, it sounds like a fascinating place.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48937)
• United States
29 Dec 15
Thanks for sharing the story of the dog.
1 person likes this