Bright and early monday morning we head for the Vodafone shop to get this dam ipad SSSIM card issue straighten out. unfortunately, Mrs "congenially" was the only Techy available. First she wanted my Passport, for what I will never know, then she played with her computer punching in my Sim numbers. I noticed she was making faces as if the numbers did not work, so i politely said are you having trouble, she just stared back so I just clamed up after that. Then she wanted my cell phone to install the other SIM to activate it but it did not work so she use her own cell and it did not work. She your SIM card is no good and I said well you sold it to me... as she stared at we again i was wishes i could "delete" my last sentence. I really think she was just advising me that it was faulty and I don't think I was suppose to answer.
She then returned my cell and took my iPad to the "Back " room probably so i could not watch her every move. About 10 or 15 minutes later she reappeared, seemingly in a better mood and said the could activate it but the internet was down and that I should return in 1 hour. an hour late I return and she handed me the iPad it's activated and ready to use. I was going to check it right in the shop but I thought that might be pushing my luck, so i returned to the RV and sent a test msg and it worked.
Now, we can finally get on our way to Merry Pebbles camp gropund in Sabine. This a tourist area and has many thinks to see such as Water Falls, picturest landmarks, a several other old gold mining towns that service on tourist only. They also have lots of Hawkers.
We took the secondary roads against the advise of our friends but you know us " No Guts.. No Glory ". For the 1 st 2 hours all was well and then we hit 40 KM of road construction. We had to share the same lane with gravel trucks and road equipt so 30 KMH was the top speed. After that little interruption we were clean sailing until we were about 1 hour out of Sabine. We were in the mountains at 6000 ft and then a very thick Fog hit us so again we were down to 20 and 30 KMH. In fact I rode on a guys tail light for about an hour until we dropped down in the valley.
As we were coming down a steep hill into Sabine, apparently the speed sign said 60 KMH, and apparently I missed it and apparently the Radar picked me up at 76 KMH in a 60 zone. I think the cops all over the world ask the same question. Do you know how fast you were going... of course not or I would have slowed down. anyway he took my Licence and said to come with him so he could write me a ticket. So he studied my drivers Licence and said it had a wealth of information until his licence which was pactically useless as it lack any real info. So we chatted and he ask me about Canada and what i did for a living so i played the "Air Force' Card. then i noticed myMilitary Retirement card so i took it out and should it to him and he says, OH you were a Captain in the Air Force. Then shortly thereafter he handed me my Licence and said no more speeding. I shook has using the special handshake used by the " Blacks " and which the appreciate and I was Scott Free.
We then proceeded to our camp site and it is beautiful. It covers about 50 acres, it is all treed and mostly grass. The road ways are all interlocking brick.The bathrooms are 5 Star not like the pig pens in Canada. We are paying about 22.00 Cdn but one like this in Canada, if you could find one would be 35.00 to 40.00 a night. They have a resturaunt with the park so Carroll and I ate there. I had lamb chops and Carroll had Snitzch all for 20.00 Cdn and the food was excellent.
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
6 Nov Back to Bela Bela ( WarmBaths )
Just so you are totally confused, Bela Bela and Warmbath are the same city. Warmbath was the original name of the city due to the Hot Springs right in the town but the " majority " black gov't has decided to change the name of some cities/town to a "Black " name hence the name Bela Bela. This is most confusing to us as our GPS with the ZA chip does not recognize the changes. Yesterday we actually thought we were in the wrong town until we seen the old name on the store front.
OK, enough about the history. On sunday the 6 th we return to Bela Bela because the we had to see the vodafone dealer on Monday morning. On Saturday I had the Vodafone shop install the SIM card in my ipad as it is nearly impossible to find free WiFi. unfortunately i hit the shop at 11:30 and they close at 12 noon and don't open until Monday. The "Techyy " seemed to have a hard time installing the SIM card and if fact went into a back room so i could not see her fumbling with it. About 5 min to 12 she say I need you cell phone to install another SIM which will activate your ipad. When i said it was a few blocks away in my RV, she hands me a sheet with directions with 7 steps to do it myself. She said was easy or maybe she said simple , but those words used around my computer always spell trouble. Carroll and I tried several times but it would not activate the ipad.
Hence the reason we returned to Bela Bela. We spent sunday swimming in the Wave Pool, then a dip in the Hot pool, and took in some sunshine to polish our Tan. We met up with some friends at the camp site and joined then in the evening at the Hydro Pool. I'm still not sure why they call it a Hydro Pool but it is huge, 1/2 indoors and 1/2 outdoors. Now we wait for Vodafone to open Monday morning at 8 AM
OK, enough about the history. On sunday the 6 th we return to Bela Bela because the we had to see the vodafone dealer on Monday morning. On Saturday I had the Vodafone shop install the SIM card in my ipad as it is nearly impossible to find free WiFi. unfortunately i hit the shop at 11:30 and they close at 12 noon and don't open until Monday. The "Techyy " seemed to have a hard time installing the SIM card and if fact went into a back room so i could not see her fumbling with it. About 5 min to 12 she say I need you cell phone to install another SIM which will activate your ipad. When i said it was a few blocks away in my RV, she hands me a sheet with directions with 7 steps to do it myself. She said was easy or maybe she said simple , but those words used around my computer always spell trouble. Carroll and I tried several times but it would not activate the ipad.
Hence the reason we returned to Bela Bela. We spent sunday swimming in the Wave Pool, then a dip in the Hot pool, and took in some sunshine to polish our Tan. We met up with some friends at the camp site and joined then in the evening at the Hydro Pool. I'm still not sure why they call it a Hydro Pool but it is huge, 1/2 indoors and 1/2 outdoors. Now we wait for Vodafone to open Monday morning at 8 AM
Monday, 7 November 2011
4 Nov ? 5 Nov Mabalingwe
We moved from Bela Bela to Mabalingwe which is a Nature Reserve some 28 KM down the road. We did so on the advise of a friend and we did not have a reservation. What an exercise to get a camping spot even thought there we some a valuable.
When we arrived at the gate a security guard ask if we had a reservation and we said no. He say " no can enter". We were told by friends to never take No for an answer and just keep talking. So Carroll took over the conversation and the guard got his supervisor to help. Carroll finally got a phone # from him and call the reservation desk, but only after talking to 3 more people. So , it took us 10 min and 5 people just to get thru the Gate. They allow us to enter and go look for for a site. The girl at the Camp site ( person # 6 ) gave us 5 choice. After we selected a site we were sent to the " Reception " area which was about 5 KM away to sign in and pay. When we arrive at the Reception desk a" White " guys ask if he could help. when we said we wanted to sign in and pay he said he could not help but go to the Cashier. So we did but she sent us to the Reservation desk ( that would be person # 9 ) . This lady took our information and then send us back to the Cashier who finally took our money. We then return the 5 KM to the Camp site and past our receipt to ( person # 10 ) and Lo and Behold we were allowed to stay for 2 days. Does this sound like a Make Work Project????.
We then schedule a 5 PM to 8 PM Game Drive. but I will not born you with that process but suffice say we did not see many animals and about 6:45 we got hit with a rain Storm and had to termination our tour. Did they return our Money? Yeh Is the Pope Catholic. end of day one.
On the 5 th we sat around the Hot and Cool swimming pools talking about life in general and some folks gave us some good tips on where to go for a visit. Since WiFi is almost non-exsistant around here we decided to return to Bela Bela tomorrow ( Sat ) and get Vodafone to load the iPad so we can use . It sounds simple but just wait for the next Blog. We are in ZA... nothing is simple.
When we arrived at the gate a security guard ask if we had a reservation and we said no. He say " no can enter". We were told by friends to never take No for an answer and just keep talking. So Carroll took over the conversation and the guard got his supervisor to help. Carroll finally got a phone # from him and call the reservation desk, but only after talking to 3 more people. So , it took us 10 min and 5 people just to get thru the Gate. They allow us to enter and go look for for a site. The girl at the Camp site ( person # 6 ) gave us 5 choice. After we selected a site we were sent to the " Reception " area which was about 5 KM away to sign in and pay. When we arrive at the Reception desk a" White " guys ask if he could help. when we said we wanted to sign in and pay he said he could not help but go to the Cashier. So we did but she sent us to the Reservation desk ( that would be person # 9 ) . This lady took our information and then send us back to the Cashier who finally took our money. We then return the 5 KM to the Camp site and past our receipt to ( person # 10 ) and Lo and Behold we were allowed to stay for 2 days. Does this sound like a Make Work Project????.
We then schedule a 5 PM to 8 PM Game Drive. but I will not born you with that process but suffice say we did not see many animals and about 6:45 we got hit with a rain Storm and had to termination our tour. Did they return our Money? Yeh Is the Pope Catholic. end of day one.
On the 5 th we sat around the Hot and Cool swimming pools talking about life in general and some folks gave us some good tips on where to go for a visit. Since WiFi is almost non-exsistant around here we decided to return to Bela Bela tomorrow ( Sat ) and get Vodafone to load the iPad so we can use . It sounds simple but just wait for the next Blog. We are in ZA... nothing is simple.
Sunday, 6 November 2011
3 Nov Bela bela
At 5 PM tonight we are going a Game Drive ( not a Safaria as Safaria is an overnight trip or longer) . So today we checked out all the facilities in this park. Besides the Wave pool, and the large Hot pool, they have 2 lge slides, A slide that uses Inner tubes , a Zip line, aGo-Cart Track and a 1 KM long Water Ski Oval where you are pull around the oval on a cable at a speed up to 30 KM an hour unless there are young kids using it , then they slow it down. As it turns out, one of the skiers was the Maintenance man from Germany who actually install the Ski tow in 1993. He was here doing a Semi-annual check and of course has to ski to ensure all is working good. I had a good chat about the operation so I said , what happens if you fall 1/2 way around. He said , Oh, that's when SFSW kicks in. I said , what hell is that. He says Ski; Fall; Swim to shore; Walk back to the start. Then I ask the obvious question , How deep is the water and he said about 1 meter and without thinking I said , that's not very deep. His anwers; What's difference , you only ski on top of it. the cost to is R50 for 1/2 hour R80 for 1 hour. R=.13 cents Cdn.
In the evening we did the game Drive with 8 other people. We seen a few Ostrich, many different bred of Antolope, a herd of Zebras, several Giraffe and a herd of White Rhinos. We thought the Giraffe where the high light of the animals.
We arrive back at the Hotel located on the Camp site ( it also has a convention centre ) and we decided to have supper in the Hotel resturaunt which was highly recommended by the Driver. We ordered their special which was 1/2 a rack of ribs, 3 prawns, Baked potato and something that resembled shedded onion rings all for R80 ( around 10.00 cdn). My beer cost 2.50 cdn.
After supper we headed to the Hydro pool , a huge indoor/outdoor Hot pool for about an hour to swim, soak and talk to others doing the same. Two couples we had met the day before invited us over to their " Caravan " for a drink of Amarula ( much like Bailey's) for a night cap. Amarula is made from a fruit that grows wild on a large tree in the nature Reserves. It is a favorite food of the Elephants . Sometimes the fruit falls to the ground and ferments, then the Elephant eats the fruit and gets Drunk. I actually seen a video on Youtube of this happening. Good Night
In the evening we did the game Drive with 8 other people. We seen a few Ostrich, many different bred of Antolope, a herd of Zebras, several Giraffe and a herd of White Rhinos. We thought the Giraffe where the high light of the animals.
We arrive back at the Hotel located on the Camp site ( it also has a convention centre ) and we decided to have supper in the Hotel resturaunt which was highly recommended by the Driver. We ordered their special which was 1/2 a rack of ribs, 3 prawns, Baked potato and something that resembled shedded onion rings all for R80 ( around 10.00 cdn). My beer cost 2.50 cdn.
After supper we headed to the Hydro pool , a huge indoor/outdoor Hot pool for about an hour to swim, soak and talk to others doing the same. Two couples we had met the day before invited us over to their " Caravan " for a drink of Amarula ( much like Bailey's) for a night cap. Amarula is made from a fruit that grows wild on a large tree in the nature Reserves. It is a favorite food of the Elephants . Sometimes the fruit falls to the ground and ferments, then the Elephant eats the fruit and gets Drunk. I actually seen a video on Youtube of this happening. Good Night
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Bela Bela 2 Nov
Today we ventured to the stores in town as we needed some stuff from the hardware store and then some more groceries. As I parked I ask a lady how long I could park in this space , and said it doesn't as we have no police in town to enforce the rules. These people ( both white and Black) speak many lauguages and I assume by looking at each other they know the language. I bought 3 items at the hardware store and for the life of me, I could not understand what the hell the lady was asking me. So I just handed her the money shown on the cash register.
Then we went grocery shopping and could not find Sour Cream, mainly because we were looking for our type of container. We ask a White lady ( shopper ) so she went to the Black "shelf packer " but spoke in a different language. I ask if she spoke many different language and she replied that she spoke two but could understand several more.
In the afternoon, we hit the outdoor Hot pools and unbeknown to us all the schools in Pretoria were on a day off so there where Bus Loads of school kids. I started to count them but I stopped when I got to a Zillion. Need you ask the colour of most of the students. Besides the huge Hot pool there is a Wave pool (not hot ) complete with a slide. and there are no rules on the use of the slides which surprised me. You can come down in a train formation, head first , even in an inner tube or air matress. And I must admitt, I did not see anyone get hurt. So much for rules. I did one of the big slides myself, but I made sure it was all clear before I went down.
In the evening we went to the Hydro Pool again . I'm not sure why the name Hydro but it too is huge and it wraps around the hotel and they have a walking bridge over one area. When you swim under the bridge you are now going outside which is nice with the hot water and the cool evening air. In this area we met 2 couples ( White ) who are camping near us. One couple are Africans ( meaning Whites born in ZA) . The other couple are immigrates, he from Holland; she from UK.
After discussing most of the world problems and them giving me a history lesson on their country, they invited us over for a night drink of Amarula (sp ) , much like Bailey's. It is a drink made from a wild fruit tree and the animals eat the friut that has fallen off the tree and fermented and they actually get "Drunk". I have seen the pics of this.
Tomorrow, thursday we are going on a 1 1/2 hour night Safaria.
Then we went grocery shopping and could not find Sour Cream, mainly because we were looking for our type of container. We ask a White lady ( shopper ) so she went to the Black "shelf packer " but spoke in a different language. I ask if she spoke many different language and she replied that she spoke two but could understand several more.
In the afternoon, we hit the outdoor Hot pools and unbeknown to us all the schools in Pretoria were on a day off so there where Bus Loads of school kids. I started to count them but I stopped when I got to a Zillion. Need you ask the colour of most of the students. Besides the huge Hot pool there is a Wave pool (not hot ) complete with a slide. and there are no rules on the use of the slides which surprised me. You can come down in a train formation, head first , even in an inner tube or air matress. And I must admitt, I did not see anyone get hurt. So much for rules. I did one of the big slides myself, but I made sure it was all clear before I went down.
In the evening we went to the Hydro Pool again . I'm not sure why the name Hydro but it too is huge and it wraps around the hotel and they have a walking bridge over one area. When you swim under the bridge you are now going outside which is nice with the hot water and the cool evening air. In this area we met 2 couples ( White ) who are camping near us. One couple are Africans ( meaning Whites born in ZA) . The other couple are immigrates, he from Holland; she from UK.
After discussing most of the world problems and them giving me a history lesson on their country, they invited us over for a night drink of Amarula (sp ) , much like Bailey's. It is a drink made from a wild fruit tree and the animals eat the friut that has fallen off the tree and fermented and they actually get "Drunk". I have seen the pics of this.
Tomorrow, thursday we are going on a 1 1/2 hour night Safaria.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
1 Nov Bela Bela
I still have not taken the time to provide an update on 30 and 31 Oct but I will find time soon. But for 1 nov here goes.
As you may recall we are picking up the RV today and the RV dealer picked us up at our Hotel at 10 AM. We expected a quick " Sign Here" and we would be on our way. First we had to have a coffee with the manager and then she went over the "contract" and made sure we understood EVERY word. This took about an hour. One item of note was that she gave me 3 days to get use to a "Clutch " If I took out the clutch during first 3 days she would replace it but after the 3rd day i would have to pay for it. Then the manager ( she ) had her Demo guy show us everything about the camper and I must admit there are a few difference from our 5 th wheel. The Camper Van is a Mercedes chassis with a Mistbushe diesel engine and it will cruise at 120KMH.
As a side note; I ask the tour driver if 120Km was the speed limit, he no; that is the "take off speed" ; Cruising speed is somewhat higher and he is right.
Anyway, the next move was for me to drive the Van to the loading area so they could load everything we needed to camp and again the Manager supervised the loading and insisted we extra sheets so we don't have to do a wash. she said camping is for fun not washhing clothes. However, we are the exception because she said that not many people rent a Camper for 2 months. After we loaded the camper, we ask where we could find the nearest grocery store. She said not to worry, my Shuttle driver will take you there and wait for you. The shuttle driver is a retired business man who was bored in retirement so he took this job and loves it. Besides he was a wealth of knowledge. he says the country has changed in every ( good )way since they held the World Soocer Finals.
Finally, around 1:30 we got on the road to Bela Bela which is about 80 KM north of Pretoria and arrived in at our camp site around 3:30 PM.
The Hotel and Camp site is called " Forever Resorts, WarmBath " . The park has a huge hotel , numerous camp sites and many chalets ( cottages ) but the main attraction is the Hot Pools and i mean pools . The "Hydro " pool which is the best attraction is about the size of 2 Olympic pools. We spent about an hour in the Hyrdro pool last night and of course chatted with several people. One tidbit ( I will add these as i get them ) is that South Africa ( ZA) has 53 Million people and there are only 3 Million "Whites". I now feel like I'm the only "White Guy" in a Black band.
As of 9 AM 2 Nov we have not explored the whole park so we must get going. We also have to buy a few more item we need for our camper.
As you may recall we are picking up the RV today and the RV dealer picked us up at our Hotel at 10 AM. We expected a quick " Sign Here" and we would be on our way. First we had to have a coffee with the manager and then she went over the "contract" and made sure we understood EVERY word. This took about an hour. One item of note was that she gave me 3 days to get use to a "Clutch " If I took out the clutch during first 3 days she would replace it but after the 3rd day i would have to pay for it. Then the manager ( she ) had her Demo guy show us everything about the camper and I must admit there are a few difference from our 5 th wheel. The Camper Van is a Mercedes chassis with a Mistbushe diesel engine and it will cruise at 120KMH.
As a side note; I ask the tour driver if 120Km was the speed limit, he no; that is the "take off speed" ; Cruising speed is somewhat higher and he is right.
Anyway, the next move was for me to drive the Van to the loading area so they could load everything we needed to camp and again the Manager supervised the loading and insisted we extra sheets so we don't have to do a wash. she said camping is for fun not washhing clothes. However, we are the exception because she said that not many people rent a Camper for 2 months. After we loaded the camper, we ask where we could find the nearest grocery store. She said not to worry, my Shuttle driver will take you there and wait for you. The shuttle driver is a retired business man who was bored in retirement so he took this job and loves it. Besides he was a wealth of knowledge. he says the country has changed in every ( good )way since they held the World Soocer Finals.
Finally, around 1:30 we got on the road to Bela Bela which is about 80 KM north of Pretoria and arrived in at our camp site around 3:30 PM.
The Hotel and Camp site is called " Forever Resorts, WarmBath " . The park has a huge hotel , numerous camp sites and many chalets ( cottages ) but the main attraction is the Hot Pools and i mean pools . The "Hydro " pool which is the best attraction is about the size of 2 Olympic pools. We spent about an hour in the Hyrdro pool last night and of course chatted with several people. One tidbit ( I will add these as i get them ) is that South Africa ( ZA) has 53 Million people and there are only 3 Million "Whites". I now feel like I'm the only "White Guy" in a Black band.
As of 9 AM 2 Nov we have not explored the whole park so we must get going. We also have to buy a few more item we need for our camper.
Monday, 31 October 2011
Quick note
Having lunch in a mall in Johannesburg. We pickup our tv tues then we are on Lourdes way.I have too good stories cming when I get time. Yes, we have been lost already, dam gps
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)