After more than a 2 hour drive we passed the Riversonderend sign on the side of the road. We were now truly in the middle of nowhere amongst cows, sheep and between the farmlands. We turned off the tar onto a dirt road with a small forest visible from the road. We pulled around the corner to discover the entrance and checked in there. Now the hunt was on to discover the rest of our troop who arrived much earlier than us and had set up a stretch tent which made them pretty easy to locate after all.

We drove up past Lady Bonin’s tea caravan, just beside the dancefloor, and took the corner, not far and we parked the van on the corner of Main and Cornwall streets. We unpacked and set up camp while pouring the first arrival drink in nothing less than a sippy cup. In no time I was ready to make a little mission down to the turquoise caravan to pay Lady Bonin, the tea lady, a little visit. There I found all sorts of delicious tricks and decided to part with some cash early on, while I still had it, and treat myself to a set of teas to take home; Moroccan Mint and Caramel.

I took a walk around and through to the dancefloor imagining the weekend to come. I had not been to an Easter Vortex in more than 6 years so I was looking forward to the adventure for many reasons. Already the music seemed a winner as I was hooked and took myself for a dance as the sun set on an exciting Friday. We went into the evening discovering the amazement of the decor and dancefloor setting at its best with a truly incredible display and a wonderland of eye candy. Soon Sway was spinning some musical magic with her set and after which I was off to bed with the condensation hanging on my breath.

The early morning was bitterly cold wrapped up between the covers in our tent. The relief when Bruce took over and the music’s melody moved through me easing my body and along with the sunlight to warm my bones. I opened my eyes and got myself together and in search of something warm. Following a cup of Passion Fruit and Orange fusion I reviled in the flavours of an early morning Amarula coffee. The day went on to present some brilliant really beats with continuous sessions on the dancefloor courtesy of talents such as Chabunk, Magnus (Cornona) and Creator.

Saturday evening was welcomed with an early set from Spekta followed Talisman and Mike VR as groups crowed on the dancefloor and around the warmth of scattered fires to enjoy the following beats. As the early morning grew colder I once again retired to me tent to get warm and chill-out for the coming Sunday Sessions. Sunday morning was greeted by a welcome sunrise and a set from Shift. Sunday’s dancefloor grew through the morning to an awesome crowd on the Sunday afternoon moving to the music of Mr Dave Mac and Connecto.

With Dean Fuel about to play we were just leaving Riversonderend after an awesome weekend and a chilled Sunday of musical missions and outdoor adventure. Another day on the cards for Vortex goers as the masses leave on the Monday, we took to the road on Sunday afternoon dirty, happy and swopping stories while welcoming the thought of home as we watched the rain move in towards the little forest hiding the temporary settlement of party goers. We missed the traffic and reached Cape Town in no time.

Easter Vortex 2011 presented me with some life long memories of weekend to remember. I look forward to attending more in the coming summer and bringing you more outdoor party news from the season. For now here’s wishing you all a warm and happy winter until then with lots of entertainment news coming your way from indoor parties in South Africa this winter and a few brilliants bits from the international scene around the world.

Check out Inrichmint TV for footage and short clips from the party: http://www.youtube.com/inrichmint
Feature & Photographs by: Jacqueline Freer
http://www.inrichmint.org