Monday, 14 November 2011
Sunday, 13 November 2011
12 Nov Saturday Satara to Skuzuka
Today we left Satara for our next stay which is Skuzuka but still in Kruger Nat park. The distance is 92 KM, althought I have noted that milages are approxi, give or take 20 %. anyhow, the Max speed is only 50 KMH so no body is in a hurray . Beside you do not want to hit an Elephant or a Water Buffalo so you better be prepared to stop if they are on the road.
So around 8 AM we took off and kept our eyes peeled for animals and we were not disappoint. Again we seen everything but the illusive Leopard. We seen a family of Elephants have a mud bath in a shallow water hole near the road. That attracted our attention for 15 mins or so , not mention taken at least ten pics. You can never take enought pics and you can always delete them. Then, we came upon 5 or so Giraffes who decide to cross the road and or stand on the road eating the leaves of the nearest tree. after 10 or 15 mins they decided to move an let us thru, which was kind of them.
About 50 KM from our start point , stopped at a picnic area, which comes complete with a store, large sitting area if you buy from the resturaunt, gas Bar-b-Q, picnic table by the river and of course Rest Rooms. they also have a dozen Monkey perched in a nearby tree ready to steal any of your lunch that you don't have cover or under lock and key. We decide to have a coffee and to munch on some of the package of cookies we brought with our coffee. We each had two cookies with our coffee and i closed the rest of the cookies and set them between Carroll and I on the table. that dam unsuspected Monkey came out the tree, across our table and took the whole package of cookies before I could gab them.
After leaving the picnic area we head south to our destination but along the way there were at least a dozen cars stopped along the road that meant there was probably a lion or leopard sighting. As it turns out , it was 3 Lions and everyone was jockeying for a position for a Pic. After Playing " chicken " with few of the cars, I finally got into posn for the Pic that suited Carroll. The Game Drive driver challenged me but I had the right of way so he finally backed off.
We finally arrive at Skukza and got checked in to our camp site. The it was so hot we headed for the pool and stay for about two hours.
It does stay to cool a little once the Sun goes down at 6:30. We decide to eat out again . the meals are very tastey and very reasonable. We had a greek salad; Carroll had pork riblets and I rump steak, and a beer to wash it down all for 32.00 .
So around 8 AM we took off and kept our eyes peeled for animals and we were not disappoint. Again we seen everything but the illusive Leopard. We seen a family of Elephants have a mud bath in a shallow water hole near the road. That attracted our attention for 15 mins or so , not mention taken at least ten pics. You can never take enought pics and you can always delete them. Then, we came upon 5 or so Giraffes who decide to cross the road and or stand on the road eating the leaves of the nearest tree. after 10 or 15 mins they decided to move an let us thru, which was kind of them.
About 50 KM from our start point , stopped at a picnic area, which comes complete with a store, large sitting area if you buy from the resturaunt, gas Bar-b-Q, picnic table by the river and of course Rest Rooms. they also have a dozen Monkey perched in a nearby tree ready to steal any of your lunch that you don't have cover or under lock and key. We decide to have a coffee and to munch on some of the package of cookies we brought with our coffee. We each had two cookies with our coffee and i closed the rest of the cookies and set them between Carroll and I on the table. that dam unsuspected Monkey came out the tree, across our table and took the whole package of cookies before I could gab them.
After leaving the picnic area we head south to our destination but along the way there were at least a dozen cars stopped along the road that meant there was probably a lion or leopard sighting. As it turns out , it was 3 Lions and everyone was jockeying for a position for a Pic. After Playing " chicken " with few of the cars, I finally got into posn for the Pic that suited Carroll. The Game Drive driver challenged me but I had the right of way so he finally backed off.
We finally arrive at Skukza and got checked in to our camp site. The it was so hot we headed for the pool and stay for about two hours.
It does stay to cool a little once the Sun goes down at 6:30. We decide to eat out again . the meals are very tastey and very reasonable. We had a greek salad; Carroll had pork riblets and I rump steak, and a beer to wash it down all for 32.00 .
Saturday, 12 November 2011
11 Nov Game Drive
Today we did another self Game Drive in the morning but to a different area. again we seen the usually Elephant , Buffalo Giraffe and s few Lions. We never mention the antelope because there must be a Million of them and they come in about 8 or 10 different species. We finished our trip around noon so we had a lunch and headed for the pool ,like everyone else as the Temp was in the 40 C range. I met too young guys from Colorando who were on a 3 month backpacking around Africa. The public Transportation system in ZA is terrible and they were finding it had to get from point A to point B.
This evening around 5:30 we went to a local Watering hole for the animals ( to see them come for a drink), however they fools this evening because only seen Hipos ( mostly under water )Warthog, and some antalope. As point of interest, everyone must be inside the Fenced camp site by 6:30 and they mean it. We got back at 6:15 and there was a parade of car racing to get back on time. time for supper and a few cool ones.
This evening around 5:30 we went to a local Watering hole for the animals ( to see them come for a drink), however they fools this evening because only seen Hipos ( mostly under water )Warthog, and some antalope. As point of interest, everyone must be inside the Fenced camp site by 6:30 and they mean it. We got back at 6:15 and there was a parade of car racing to get back on time. time for supper and a few cool ones.
10 Nov Game Drive
Today we decided to get up early and do a Self Game Drive , like many others in the camp. Most folks take a picnic lunch and stop along the way. I should mention that early to most folks is between 4 and 5 AM. Early to us is 6 to 7 AM. Some where around 7;30 or 8 we took off on what ended up being a 3 hour Game Drive and we seen lots of animals. One particular Giraffe was blocking the road eating from a tree, of course, so we took a few pics and admired it until it was ready to let us pass. We also spotted an elephant, a few Lions and a Rhino but they were too far away for a good pic. After our picnic lunch we complete the trip but not before a huge Elephant decide to walk down the road towards us so I put the RV in reverse, just in case, I was in his way. Finally he walked into the trees and we headed home, much delighted to see all these animals. The temp was around 43 to 44C so we headed to the pool and stayed there until 3:30. Since we had schedule a 3 hour Sunset Game Drive We had to be ready to go at 4:30 PM. It gets dark around 6:30 so the last hour we have Hand held spot lights to fine the animals and at that time of night they are usually laying down. We were amazed at how adapted the ZA people on our trip were at finding these animals at night. Anyhow it was a great Game Drive, and we arr home around 8 PM which was longer than expected but with so many animals to see, and the guide giving us the details, our ride was extented. We then made supper and TURN on the A/C so it would be cool for sleeping. We went to bed at 10 PM and as i looked around I believe we were the only one up.
Friday, 11 November 2011
9 Nov Sabie to Satara
Today we left the town of Sabie and our very nice camp site at Merry Peoples and headed for Kruger nat Park to a site called Satara. Although we only had to travel 250 KM, we were advised by other campers that we must stop to view some of the sites along the way. Our first stop was a the "Pinnacle" which was a canyon where the river eroded away much of the rock, many hundreds of years ago, but this one Plateau, about 50 Feet in diameter, must have been made of a harder rock material as it stood about 100 ft tall in the the middle of the canyon. Also, every stop has several Hawkers selling there wares. Although it only cost R5 to get into the place it cost much more just to get Carroll out of there. Somehow, she owes it to the hawkers to buy something.
The next stop was only several Km down the road but it is " God's Window" so of course, with a name like that , it cost R10 to get into the place. After a short walk and a few senic pictures, we again ran the gauntlet of hawkers but Carroll got away unscathed for a change.
Our next stop was about 1 1/2 hrs down the road, aptly named the Potholes. Since this attraction included a 1/2 km walk and had a resturaunt, not to mention 10 or 12 Hawker "Booth " , this placed cost R5 for each person but and another R5 for the vehicle. The Potholes, as you might imagine, is were the " Rushing River " actually cut any soft material out of the rocks and it now appears little many potholes filled with water running in and out of theses holes. By this time our feet where tired so we,along with many others soak our feet in the cool water. After this Rushing River flowed over the Potholes it continued down the canyon and cut deep into the cayon walls which is now at least 50 or 60 ft deep.
Since it was now around 1 PM we decide to have lunch so Carroll returned to the RV and made a sandwich while I save a table near the reasturaunt and watch some small monkeys steal food right off the plates of unsuspecting patrons. One guy lost a sandwich and a banana. When Carroll returned with our lunch the Monkeys headed for our table. I actually had to cover my sandwich with my hand to stop the theft. Then , Carroll left a window open in the RV as it was close enough for us to see and the dam money jump in the RV looking for food. I ran to kick him out but he heard me holler so he jumped out before I got there.
After lunch Carroll again visited the Hawkers and bought a table cloth and 6 Place mat. Carroll bargined with the lady and she dropped her price by R20 and threw in a pot holder so you just know she got the best of the deal.
Now we had to hit the road running as we had to reach Kruger Park and our camp site by 6:30 as they lock the gates. We finally reached the edge of the park and we thought this was our destination for the night. Much to ur surprise Mr. Security said we had 60 more KM to go. After checking thru we took off only to find out that the Max speed in the park is 50 KMH, mainly so you don't hit any animals because they have the Right of way. Besides you do not way to challenage an Elephant, Rhino or a Buffalo. So we mosied along at 50KM. We did see some animals along the way but getting to the Camp site was more important as were tired and hot. Once we reached the reception area we then found out that we needed a Daily or annual Park Pass. The camping was about 20.00 a day but the Park Passwas was about 25.00. anyway we finally reached our camp site got set up for the night. We decide we were too tired to do a night Game Drive and that could wait until tomorrow.
The next stop was only several Km down the road but it is " God's Window" so of course, with a name like that , it cost R10 to get into the place. After a short walk and a few senic pictures, we again ran the gauntlet of hawkers but Carroll got away unscathed for a change.
Our next stop was about 1 1/2 hrs down the road, aptly named the Potholes. Since this attraction included a 1/2 km walk and had a resturaunt, not to mention 10 or 12 Hawker "Booth " , this placed cost R5 for each person but and another R5 for the vehicle. The Potholes, as you might imagine, is were the " Rushing River " actually cut any soft material out of the rocks and it now appears little many potholes filled with water running in and out of theses holes. By this time our feet where tired so we,along with many others soak our feet in the cool water. After this Rushing River flowed over the Potholes it continued down the canyon and cut deep into the cayon walls which is now at least 50 or 60 ft deep.
Since it was now around 1 PM we decide to have lunch so Carroll returned to the RV and made a sandwich while I save a table near the reasturaunt and watch some small monkeys steal food right off the plates of unsuspecting patrons. One guy lost a sandwich and a banana. When Carroll returned with our lunch the Monkeys headed for our table. I actually had to cover my sandwich with my hand to stop the theft. Then , Carroll left a window open in the RV as it was close enough for us to see and the dam money jump in the RV looking for food. I ran to kick him out but he heard me holler so he jumped out before I got there.
After lunch Carroll again visited the Hawkers and bought a table cloth and 6 Place mat. Carroll bargined with the lady and she dropped her price by R20 and threw in a pot holder so you just know she got the best of the deal.
Now we had to hit the road running as we had to reach Kruger Park and our camp site by 6:30 as they lock the gates. We finally reached the edge of the park and we thought this was our destination for the night. Much to ur surprise Mr. Security said we had 60 more KM to go. After checking thru we took off only to find out that the Max speed in the park is 50 KMH, mainly so you don't hit any animals because they have the Right of way. Besides you do not way to challenage an Elephant, Rhino or a Buffalo. So we mosied along at 50KM. We did see some animals along the way but getting to the Camp site was more important as were tired and hot. Once we reached the reception area we then found out that we needed a Daily or annual Park Pass. The camping was about 20.00 a day but the Park Passwas was about 25.00. anyway we finally reached our camp site got set up for the night. We decide we were too tired to do a night Game Drive and that could wait until tomorrow.
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
8 Nov in Sabine
Today we will tour the area but first we will visit Vodafone for the umpteenth time as the Sim card/Stick on my computer would not connect and I do not know how to reprogram it.. After waiting 15 minutes the "Techy " found time to help me. After he reprogrammed it he walked me thru the procedure so if it happens again I can correct it. For that little bit of help it cost me 20.00.
While I was doing that Carroll visited with the Tourist info booth and got a map and direction. The young lady was most helpful and advised us were not to go or park in two of the small towns we were going to visit.
First we went to "Bridle Falls" ( doesn't every country have one ) . although it was 5 KM down a cobble stone road, we were advised it was a must see. Obviously, these folks have never see Niagra falls. When we got to the gate the Security said the cost was R5 ( about 50 cents ) . He advised me that my vehicle was safe with him. I ask how far to the Falls since it was all up hill and he said about 300 or400 M. About half way up to the Falls I realized the Security guard had skipped way too many "Math " classes. But we made it and it was a good test for Carroll's knees and they servived . From here we were directed to another MUST see Falls located at Lonely Creek. The cost to enter had now doubles to R10 ( little over a dollar ) . However the climb was shorter but the water was still on a downward path as expected. Now that is the end of anymore "Falls " unless we get to Victoria falls. I should mention that all these attraction have 5 or 6 hawkers with all their wares to sell.
Next we headed for an old Gold Mining town called Pilgrim's Rest, which was 30 KM away thru a narrow mountainous road but very picturest. This town is strictly a Tourist trap type town with many hawkers with booths along the only street in town. It actually has an uptown and Downtown but the sneery is all the same. The unemployed of i assume are many stand on the street to wave you in to a parking stall and then want to wash your car for R50. I told the guy who waved me in Not to touch my Vehicle. Little did I know he was deaf ( Ithink ) because , in my absence he did splash some water on my vehicle. But after a argument I did pay him R35 and of course he played his ( my children are starving ) card. anyhow we had lunch at local cafe and read about the History of the town from the menu. Then we walked the main street and Carroll bartered with the Hawkers and she managed to but some ZA junk.
After , we left Pilgrim's Rest and went to another small town but it is a type of town where everyone in the area buys their groceries and Sundry item so it had no significants for tourist. So we returned to our Camp site and jumped into the pool for an hour.
There was a middle age gent ( white of course ) in the pool and he was a wealth of knowledge about . One of the items of conversation we found interesting was about the logging in this area . There is a Huge logging industry in this area , albeit not in concert with the Tree Huggers. All the trees for hundreds of miles have been cut and replaced with a pine tree from MX, aptly named the Mexxican Pine. these trees are planted in rows exacting so far apart and they only take 12 years to mature. Unfortunately they take a large amount of water from the soil and the area hence the water table is sucked down. Also, and I must say amazing to me , is that no animal, bird or insect with go in the forest of the MX pine because it is not their nature habitant. He says the forest are erie quiet and the animals have moved to other areas which is their natural habitant.
While I was doing that Carroll visited with the Tourist info booth and got a map and direction. The young lady was most helpful and advised us were not to go or park in two of the small towns we were going to visit.
First we went to "Bridle Falls" ( doesn't every country have one ) . although it was 5 KM down a cobble stone road, we were advised it was a must see. Obviously, these folks have never see Niagra falls. When we got to the gate the Security said the cost was R5 ( about 50 cents ) . He advised me that my vehicle was safe with him. I ask how far to the Falls since it was all up hill and he said about 300 or400 M. About half way up to the Falls I realized the Security guard had skipped way too many "Math " classes. But we made it and it was a good test for Carroll's knees and they servived . From here we were directed to another MUST see Falls located at Lonely Creek. The cost to enter had now doubles to R10 ( little over a dollar ) . However the climb was shorter but the water was still on a downward path as expected. Now that is the end of anymore "Falls " unless we get to Victoria falls. I should mention that all these attraction have 5 or 6 hawkers with all their wares to sell.
Next we headed for an old Gold Mining town called Pilgrim's Rest, which was 30 KM away thru a narrow mountainous road but very picturest. This town is strictly a Tourist trap type town with many hawkers with booths along the only street in town. It actually has an uptown and Downtown but the sneery is all the same. The unemployed of i assume are many stand on the street to wave you in to a parking stall and then want to wash your car for R50. I told the guy who waved me in Not to touch my Vehicle. Little did I know he was deaf ( Ithink ) because , in my absence he did splash some water on my vehicle. But after a argument I did pay him R35 and of course he played his ( my children are starving ) card. anyhow we had lunch at local cafe and read about the History of the town from the menu. Then we walked the main street and Carroll bartered with the Hawkers and she managed to but some ZA junk.
After , we left Pilgrim's Rest and went to another small town but it is a type of town where everyone in the area buys their groceries and Sundry item so it had no significants for tourist. So we returned to our Camp site and jumped into the pool for an hour.
There was a middle age gent ( white of course ) in the pool and he was a wealth of knowledge about . One of the items of conversation we found interesting was about the logging in this area . There is a Huge logging industry in this area , albeit not in concert with the Tree Huggers. All the trees for hundreds of miles have been cut and replaced with a pine tree from MX, aptly named the Mexxican Pine. these trees are planted in rows exacting so far apart and they only take 12 years to mature. Unfortunately they take a large amount of water from the soil and the area hence the water table is sucked down. Also, and I must say amazing to me , is that no animal, bird or insect with go in the forest of the MX pine because it is not their nature habitant. He says the forest are erie quiet and the animals have moved to other areas which is their natural habitant.
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