Just returned from an all day tour of the area area surrounding Capetown including a boat trip to view a seal rookery, a scenic drive to the Cape of Good Hope, lunch at Cape Point (of course Ken hiked up to the old lighthouse for pictures), Boulders Pigeon Colony and finished the day with a visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Another full and very pleasant day. Dinner tonight with our Canadian "fellow passengers" and tomorrow, the long ride home begins.
It has been an awesome trip and an unforgettable one with wonderful traveling companions, a fantastic guide and good weather.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Thursday, May 17
Thursday May 17. Early breakfast and on the road by 8AM. We all agreed that our stay in Knysna was great and for Ken, too soon it was time to move along in our trek of South Africa. A drive through town reenforced our view of the beauty and hospitality of this very charming little city on the bay. We stopped at Victoria Beach for a glimpse of the surf and surfers. Our guide told us that this is one of the finest surfing beaches in the world and certainly, if our view was an indication, we believe him.
A quick stop for coffee and pastry at a charming roadside business was enjoyed and then we made our way to Oudtshoord, the ostrich capital of the world. We were given a tour of an ostrich ranch and three of our party provided us with a picture op as they sit sitting on the ostrich. I will elaborate more on our visit and include pictures after we get home and have time to assimilate all of the sights and sounds of this great trip. After a race between a male ostrich and female ostrich in which the male (of course) won we enjoyed a lovely lunch and then drove the short distance to our hotel where we will spend this, the last night of our structured tour.
A quick stop for coffee and pastry at a charming roadside business was enjoyed and then we made our way to Oudtshoord, the ostrich capital of the world. We were given a tour of an ostrich ranch and three of our party provided us with a picture op as they sit sitting on the ostrich. I will elaborate more on our visit and include pictures after we get home and have time to assimilate all of the sights and sounds of this great trip. After a race between a male ostrich and female ostrich in which the male (of course) won we enjoyed a lovely lunch and then drove the short distance to our hotel where we will spend this, the last night of our structured tour.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Monday May 14 Still having some discomfort from my Sunday malady, we asked about a doctor. Chris, our guide quickly ascertained the services of one and reported would he would be at the hotel at 6PM. Surprised that it went so smooth. We liked the doctor very much. He was extremely thorough, checked my vitals, took a detailed health history, diagnosed my problem as gastronomic intestinal, prescribed medicines that he provided and provided his e mail address in case we needed further consultation. We were impressed. Chris had told us the doctors here were outstanding and if the doctor we saw was representative, we certainly agree. I did not want to report my details but I wanted to share with you that this country is extremely modern and the hospitality factor is unbelievable.
Tuesday May 15 we made our way into Knysna through beautiful scenic hill and dale in spite of the rain and clouds. Our arrival here was one of dramatic and beautiful views as we overlooked the little city on the bay fed by the violent ocean that surrounds this coastline.
Wednesday May 16 we enjoyed a lovely boat cruise and a day on our own. Details of our day will be expanded on when we are home and have a chance to digest this tremendous trip that we have had.
We are off to our next destination and I will report on that tomorrow.
Tuesday May 15 we made our way into Knysna through beautiful scenic hill and dale in spite of the rain and clouds. Our arrival here was one of dramatic and beautiful views as we overlooked the little city on the bay fed by the violent ocean that surrounds this coastline.
Wednesday May 16 we enjoyed a lovely boat cruise and a day on our own. Details of our day will be expanded on when we are home and have a chance to digest this tremendous trip that we have had.
We are off to our next destination and I will report on that tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Friday May 11 we were given a peek into Zulu culture with a visit to Shakaland,an authentic Zulu Village. We were given a tour of the village and provided with insight into the traditions, customs and lifestyle of the Zulus. Joe, our resident guide at the village made points by addressing me as "granny", a fitting reference but one difficult for me to acknowledge. After our brief tour of the village, introduction to spear making and beer making ceremony, we were served a lovely lunch prepared by the citizens. Our visit concluded with an entertaining display of tribal dancing.
SOUTH AFRICA HERE AND NOW
A late arrival. At our hotel in Port Edward deprived us of full appreciation for the beauty of our accommodations surrounded by a golf course and ultra modern amenities. Contrary to my preconceived idea of South Africa, this is a modern country of great resource.
Saturday, May 12 we departed our hotel at 730A for a full day of travel to the Wild Coast arriving at Crawfords Beach Hotel in Cintsa just after 3 PM. We arrived just in time for early beach walkers to catch a beach wedding which they reported as simple but lovely. Dinner was served buffet style in the dining room of the resort while below us the congratulatory music, toasts and frivolity of the wedding reception could be heard.
Sunday May 13 marked our first full week in South Africa. The week has been full, adventuresome and energy challenged. We have enjoyed the animals, the awesome scenery, the Swazis, the Zulus and the history of South Africa which our guide has provided us.
I caught a cold after getting caught unprepared in a rain storm while touring Kruger and it concluded with a bout of flu like symptoms that cost me a day out in the wild. The maid was kind enough to wish me a "happy mothers" day, which help me remember that Terri had given me a card to be opened on mothers day. The card was a delightful reminder of the reason I am blessed as a bona fide member of that awesome group called mother. That said, I nursed my malady and made the best of my seclusion.
Ken and the rest of our group visited a native village where a 93 year old lady reviewed the history and traditions of the locale. She shared commentary on the impact that various countries had provided her region. She said the Germans taught the natives how to do things, how to cultivate the land, how to plant vegetables and build things. The English were not so helpful. They were gentlemen.
After lunch and a tour of the village, they did a safari on a wild game refuge which the group enjoyed immensely. It was a great day for the group and Believe me the pictures were spectacular. My Cup runneth over.
Monday May 14, was a hard days drive in the rain which interfered with our enjoyment of the scenery, views and beautiful Indian ocean that we could only glimpse through the fog. Nevertheless it was uneventful day but once at our hotel, our accommodations were outstanding. More later.
SOUTH AFRICA HERE AND NOW
A late arrival. At our hotel in Port Edward deprived us of full appreciation for the beauty of our accommodations surrounded by a golf course and ultra modern amenities. Contrary to my preconceived idea of South Africa, this is a modern country of great resource.
Saturday, May 12 we departed our hotel at 730A for a full day of travel to the Wild Coast arriving at Crawfords Beach Hotel in Cintsa just after 3 PM. We arrived just in time for early beach walkers to catch a beach wedding which they reported as simple but lovely. Dinner was served buffet style in the dining room of the resort while below us the congratulatory music, toasts and frivolity of the wedding reception could be heard.
Sunday May 13 marked our first full week in South Africa. The week has been full, adventuresome and energy challenged. We have enjoyed the animals, the awesome scenery, the Swazis, the Zulus and the history of South Africa which our guide has provided us.
I caught a cold after getting caught unprepared in a rain storm while touring Kruger and it concluded with a bout of flu like symptoms that cost me a day out in the wild. The maid was kind enough to wish me a "happy mothers" day, which help me remember that Terri had given me a card to be opened on mothers day. The card was a delightful reminder of the reason I am blessed as a bona fide member of that awesome group called mother. That said, I nursed my malady and made the best of my seclusion.
Ken and the rest of our group visited a native village where a 93 year old lady reviewed the history and traditions of the locale. She shared commentary on the impact that various countries had provided her region. She said the Germans taught the natives how to do things, how to cultivate the land, how to plant vegetables and build things. The English were not so helpful. They were gentlemen.
After lunch and a tour of the village, they did a safari on a wild game refuge which the group enjoyed immensely. It was a great day for the group and Believe me the pictures were spectacular. My Cup runneth over.
Monday May 14, was a hard days drive in the rain which interfered with our enjoyment of the scenery, views and beautiful Indian ocean that we could only glimpse through the fog. Nevertheless it was uneventful day but once at our hotel, our accommodations were outstanding. More later.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Monday May 7 we departed Johannesburg for Kruger National Park. On the way our guide drove us through some spectacular countryside. We arrived at Casa del Sol outside Kruger at 530P. Our accommodations were lovely, dinner good and an early night was declared in anticipation for a 545A departure for the Park.
Tuesday, May 8 We arrived at Kruger a few minutes after six and much to our surprise we were greeted by our first sighting of the day, a .... And thus began a fabulous day of cavorting among the animals and enjoying the wonderful animal kingdom "up close and personal" in spite of a brief shower. During the day we were treated to first hand photo "ops" of too many animals to name but suffice to say that it was a wonderful full day ."out and about" in the wild.
Wednesday, May 9, we departed ..... For our next overnight in Swaziland. After clearing immigration and customs, we made our way through the countryside to ..... Where a drive through the animal sanctuary into ... For more great views and picture "ops" of the resident animals. Our accommodations were traditional huts of the locale that were simple but adequate and surprisingly comfortable. After dinner we were treated to traditional music performed by the staff at the resort which concluded another spectacular day on the road.
Thursday, May 10, we made our way through Swaziland and back into South Africa for an over night at ...... Resort and a boat trip up river For a first hand view of the eco oriented efforts ro preserve the wonderful wetlands and precious life of the country's great resource of animal and bird life. On our way to dinner we were treated to a view of two rather large hippopotamus drinking from the pool outside our room. What a sight!! This is an event that happens infrequently and thus, we were lucky enough to see it ."first hand".
Tuesday, May 8 We arrived at Kruger a few minutes after six and much to our surprise we were greeted by our first sighting of the day, a .... And thus began a fabulous day of cavorting among the animals and enjoying the wonderful animal kingdom "up close and personal" in spite of a brief shower. During the day we were treated to first hand photo "ops" of too many animals to name but suffice to say that it was a wonderful full day ."out and about" in the wild.
Wednesday, May 9, we departed ..... For our next overnight in Swaziland. After clearing immigration and customs, we made our way through the countryside to ..... Where a drive through the animal sanctuary into ... For more great views and picture "ops" of the resident animals. Our accommodations were traditional huts of the locale that were simple but adequate and surprisingly comfortable. After dinner we were treated to traditional music performed by the staff at the resort which concluded another spectacular day on the road.
Thursday, May 10, we made our way through Swaziland and back into South Africa for an over night at ...... Resort and a boat trip up river For a first hand view of the eco oriented efforts ro preserve the wonderful wetlands and precious life of the country's great resource of animal and bird life. On our way to dinner we were treated to a view of two rather large hippopotamus drinking from the pool outside our room. What a sight!! This is an event that happens infrequently and thus, we were lucky enough to see it ."first hand".
From so Africa
Monday May 7 we departed Johannesburg for Kruger National Park. On the way our guide drove us through some spectacular countryside. We arrived at Casa del Sol outside Kruger at 530P. Our accommodations were lovely, dinner good and an early night was declared in anticipation for a 545A departure for the Park.
Tuesday, May 8 We arrived at Kruger a few minutes after six and much to our surprise we were greeted by our first sighting of the day, a .... And thus began a fabulous day of cavorting among the animals and enjoying the wonderful animal kingdom "up close and personal" in spite of a brief shower. During the day we were treated to first hand photo "ops" of too many animals to name but suffice to say that it was a wonderful full day ."out and about" in the wild.
Wednesday, May 9, we departed ..... For our next overnight in Swaziland. After clearing immigration and customs, we made our way through the countryside to ..... Where a drive through the animal sanctuary into ... For more great views and picture "ops" of the resident animals. Our accommodations were traditional huts of the locale that were simple but adequate and surprisingly comfortable. After dinner we were treated to traditional music performed by the staff at the resort which concluded another spectacular day on the road.
Thursday, May 10, we made our way through Swaziland and back into South Africa for an over night at ...... Resort and a boat trip up river For a first hand view of the eco oriented efforts ro preserve the wonderful wetlands and precious life of the country's great resource of animal and bird life. On our way to dinner we were treated to a view of two rather large hippopotamus drinking from the pool outside our room. What a sight!! This is an event that happens infrequently and thus, we were lucky enough to see it ."first hand".
Thunder
Tuesday, May 8 We arrived at Kruger a few minutes after six and much to our surprise we were greeted by our first sighting of the day, a .... And thus began a fabulous day of cavorting among the animals and enjoying the wonderful animal kingdom "up close and personal" in spite of a brief shower. During the day we were treated to first hand photo "ops" of too many animals to name but suffice to say that it was a wonderful full day ."out and about" in the wild.
Wednesday, May 9, we departed ..... For our next overnight in Swaziland. After clearing immigration and customs, we made our way through the countryside to ..... Where a drive through the animal sanctuary into ... For more great views and picture "ops" of the resident animals. Our accommodations were traditional huts of the locale that were simple but adequate and surprisingly comfortable. After dinner we were treated to traditional music performed by the staff at the resort which concluded another spectacular day on the road.
Thursday, May 10, we made our way through Swaziland and back into South Africa for an over night at ...... Resort and a boat trip up river For a first hand view of the eco oriented efforts ro preserve the wonderful wetlands and precious life of the country's great resource of animal and bird life. On our way to dinner we were treated to a view of two rather large hippopotamus drinking from the pool outside our room. What a sight!! This is an event that happens infrequently and thus, we were lucky enough to see it ."first hand".
Thunder
Sunday, May 06, 2012
Sunday PM. Johannesburg SA
Arrived Safe and sound none the worse for 14 hours wear and tear JFK Johannesburg. Tired but excited for the morrow and what sounds like an exciting adventure. There are 8 of us and our guide sounds committed to showing us The Africa that he loves and knows.
Will keep you posted.
Arrived Safe and sound none the worse for 14 hours wear and tear JFK Johannesburg. Tired but excited for the morrow and what sounds like an exciting adventure. There are 8 of us and our guide sounds committed to showing us The Africa that he loves and knows.
Will keep you posted.