As you can see this "Blog " thing is now working for me, but I'm not a Techy so it is what it is.
Today we did another Self Drive which probably covered 100 KM. We went to another Camp site ,called Lower Sabine, which was on our travel plan and recommended by other folks. unfortunately , we missed seeing the every elusive Leopard , as he crossed the road about 20 mins ahead of us. However, we did encounter several Elephants, as it seems we always do, a few Giraffes. and a herd of about 200 Water Buffalo. Man it was very hot again today but apparently only reached 37 C. We stopped at another picnic/restaurant area for lunch but those Monkeys did not stand a chance this time as I was ready for them and protected my Sausage Dog. On our return trip home we did see a huge Rhino but he was too far away to take a Pic and when I called him, he pretty much just ignored me.
When we encountered the Water Buffalo, we were about 100 M away. Since they seemed to be taking their own sweet time, I tooted the horn hoping they would get the msg and hurry across the road. Well; this one big Bull stopped in his tracks and turned and stared at me. I immediately backed up another 200 M as the guide said they will charge a vehicle. If I can read the Bull's mind I believe he was saying " As a matter of fact, I do own the road ".
Soon after we got back to the Camp we hit the pool. Shortly after that about a dozen young american College girls also jumped the pool so we drummed up a conversation. They are here for 3 months doing research on the wild animals. and there activities.
Tonight we cooked supper on the Bar-B-Q , therefore I had to use briquettes and that is not my strong suite. Oh! too have a Gas Bar-B-Q with us. Tomorrow we move to anther Park .
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.
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