S.A Day Two

Wake up at 5:00am quick shower and coffee then out on drive by 5:45, the scenery is amazing as the sun comes up over the mountains. We drive down to see the pack of lions that we saw yesterday who have obviously eaten and are full up and sleeping by the water hole then up to the airstrip where a new pack of cheaters have appeared and are lying on the tarmac runway. A plane comes into land and the cheaters refuse to move, so the plane has to sit there for twenty mins before they finally decided to get out of the way. The wildlife comes first around here and everybody else has to fit round them, after this we went on and had a short stop where coffee and liquers were served and Dumi found a trap door spider he poked it with a stick and it tried to drag it into his hole, but Dumi was able to pull it out and show it to us all it was huge. The drinks were then packed away and we set off again spotting a white Rhino and Calf then an old Bull Elephant just down from where I am staying, he came a bit close to the car for my comfort but carried on walking past us, just as we were about to turn into the lodge we came up close and personal to some warthogs who stood in the middle of the road so we had to drive round them. Finally got back to the lodge where hot chocolate cream and extra chocolate bits were served then into breakfast, buffet style with fresh fruit and muslei cornflakes were laid out on the table and your order for cooked was taken with tea and coffee.

I have been up for 51/2 hours after a six hour sleep proceeded by a 28 hour journey so was a bit tired at this point and went to bed for a few hours.

Missed lunch but had another shower and whilst sitting on the loo was suddenly confronted with a monkey staring at me, this does put you off your thinking. Made the next drive at 3:30 after having an ice tea at the bar. The first animal was a lone Bull giraffe, we had a long drive ahead as we were heading for the northern reaches of the game reserve. Passed some Zebra and a massive heard of Nyala's another lone Giraffe and some buffalo. We find a Black Rhino the difference being the White Rhino has a flat mouth where the Black Rhino has a more pointed mouth, one eats the grass where the other digs for the shoots. With three jeeps tracking this heard of elephants we finally come to a clearing and they cross the road right in front of us. Time for another sundowner then back to the lodge for more Sherry, Wine and food before retiring back to my bed so as I can be up for 5:30 tomorrow morning (yes we get an extra half hour in bed tomorrow)

S.A. Day One

Well its started and yes its worth it.

Had a two hour delay at Heathrow due to storms where I was stuck sitting on a plane waiting for it to taxi to the runway. This delay finally left me with only 40 Mins to do a transfer at Jo-Burg, thankfully due to a very helpful porter who managed to cue jump me I was the second to last person on the connecting flight. Trouble was this plane had no jet engines and only carried 20 people.

After a bouncy flight I was greeted by one of those chaps that holds a board up at the arrivals hall (not so much a hall but a shed), 2 hours later I finally get to my destination, am introduced to all the staff (120 in all, the resort holds 40 guests) who all remember my name, my bags were taken from me and I'm shown into lunch with a drink thrust into my hand. (By this time all I wanted was a shower and bed). But was told to report to the bar at 3:30 that afternoon. After lunch I was shown to my room which is almost as big as my house with two bathrooms a bedroom lounge and private balcony, not forgetting the free bar, climate control, fan and a telephone where you just dial 9 for security who have to escort you around the resort at night as there are no fencing to stop the animals coming in.

Had a shower then back to the bar straight into a brand new 4 x 4 My driver Dumi and tracker Aaron start of first seeing loads of Nyala and Warthog's came across a pride of lions 3 brothers and a very bossy sister(What's new, only joking Laine.) Lying about by the waterhole waiting for some food to come by, then on to see 4 cheaters on the plain eying up some wilderbeast that were playing. After traveling a bit further the jeep suddenly pulls to a stop and Dumi jumps out rifle in hand as its dark and considering what we had just seen I start getting a bit worried now. Time for sundowners they shout and suddenly produce table and a bar that the Cricketers would be proud of. A couple of G&T's later we head back to base where we are presented with a selection of Sherry's and are shown to the Boohma for dinner and wine, then call for security who appear out of nowhere and am escorted back to my room for some much needed sleep.

Getting Excited

With only a few more days to go before I embark on the journey of a life time I have just started getting excited about it. I must admit I have gone through all sorts of emotions about this trip from wanting to do it, to why am I wasting so much money and not looking for a proper job, and from yeah I'll have a great time to will I be safe on my own, and would I enjoy it more if somebody else was with me.

I will have never flown so much in my life in such a short period of time, and those of you who know me well will also recount what a terrible flyer I am. I' m hopping that this journey will cure my loathing of flights as I have no real option, some of the planes that I will be on will probably be smaller than my car.

At the end of the day I think it is better I do this trip on my own. I can always take somebody with me again, but just this once I need to go and explore by myself, and find the real me, meet new people, and see the country for what it is and not what the papers report.

Yes I am frightened but excited, cautious but jubilant however, It has struck me tonight that it is my destiny to do at least this one trip. It will be a lifetime experience for me, although I will miss all my family, including Jack, and friends so much. I now realize that I have to do this trip and am really looking forward to it.

I think I have everything sorted out from malaria tablets to guide books, House and Jack sitters to copies of all my documents and tickets. Camera and enough Memory cards so I can bore you all stupid with hundreds of pictures, upon my return. The rest is up to me to sit back and enjoy the journey of a life time.

Love You All

Itinery for Holiday

The time has arrived where I'm almost off on my holiday.

My first stop will be Phinda Mountain Lodge which is in Kwazulu Natal, this is where I'm hoping to go on game drives and see the big five.

I then get a transfer to Zimbali Lodge and Country Club with time for a spot of Sea fishing and with a bit of luck get a charter boat to catch some Marlin or other game fish depending upon the weather.

Then comes a short flight and on to the Garden route, where I stay at a place called St James of Knysna (they 'K' is silent). From here I can visit various spots and chill out for a while and enjoy the lagoon.

I then have to take a drive to Hermanus where I stay at Ocean Eleven Guesthouse and can view the Whales from the cliff top.

My next stop is at Cape Town where I'm staying at the Victoria and Alfred Hotel. Hopefully this will give me a chance to go up Table Mountain as well as sample some of the local wine, may even take a trip round some vineyards whilst I'm there would be a pity to miss out.

Then the last stop on my travels will be two flights up to Victoria Falls before coming back home.

I will miss everyone but hope to keep in contact via this blog site. As long as I can find internet connections.