We decide to give the early morning a try to find that "Dam " Leopard that has been avoiding us for the passed week. We got up at 6 AM , made a coffee and headed our for another self Drive. We looked every place a Leopard has been spotted lately; even up several trees but NO luck. So we only seen the Big 4, because tomorrow we must leave Kruger to see the rest of ZA. During our 3 hour drive we seen many more Elephants. One such herd crossed in front of us so we stopped, as if we had a choice, enjoyed the view of watch two young ones wrestle over a small tree. Once they cleared the road way, or I thought they did I moved fwd. What I did not see immediately was a Mother and baby who were also heading across the road but I was now in their path. Since they were real close Carroll handed me the iPad and said " here , snap a pic of them real close ". I'm not sure how close they were but I tell you that the mother had "bad breath" . I already had the MH in low gear so when I seen the " white " in the Mother's eye I hit the throttle. Foretunately we both headed in the opposite direction so nobody got hurt and I got to change my underwear we we got home. We also seen a few Giraffes, they are so causual; a Rhino, who totally ingnores everyone, Willobees and a Wild Dog, which was our first.
We return to camp around 10 AM and decide to have Brunch and to rest awhile. In the afternoon we left the Park proper to visit , what we thought was a small town ( called Malelane ) about 10 KM from the park. We should have know better because this is a huge Sugar Cane and Agricultural area. Once we entered the town/city in was obvious that it was a Booming Centre, with a large shopping area.
I should mention that there is a huge Sugar Cane processing plant near town which probably employs a large majourity of the population. We could also see a steady stream of 18 wheelers loaded with cane heading for the plant. However , I was surprised that the Cane was not harvested by a machine, as it is in Texas. It seems to be cut by " Manual Labour" and loaded by a Bobcat, using a "Clam Shell". I assume that by using manual labour, it puts many people to work.
As one ZA ( White ) said to me, we not a 3rd World country but our gov't is working on it. Tongue in cheek of course.
After returning back to camp we hit the pool for a quick dip. Carroll took a picture for a couple of visiting British girls while I mused over what little clothes they were wearing. ha ha.
Then we took in a "free " movie put on by the park about the Park animals, had supper at the resturaunt and called it a day. tomorrow we are heading south to explore more of ZA.
Friday, 18 November 2011
Monday, 14 November 2011
14 Nov Monday Moved to Berg-en-Dal
I was playing around with my ipad last evening and apparently left it turned on. So my friend Les ( from NS but spending the winter in TX ) called me on Skype, thinking I was on line. However, we are 9 hours ahead of TX and he called at 5:40 AM , my time ,and as you may have guessed I was sound asleep. Once I figured out where the ringing noise was coming from I grab the ipad but without my glasses I could not see who was calling so i Decline the call assume that someone had called the wrong number. Anyhow, I sent him a Skype msg to tell Les what had happen.
Around 8:30 AM we headed for our new Camp site , called Berg-en-Dal which was about a 75 Km drive, again at 50 KMH. We did a short detour hoping to see a Leopard , but it was not so. On the way we did see a Rhino and a herd of Elephant that crossed the road in front of us. We arrive here around 3 PM and headed straight for the pool as it was about 37 C.
In the pool we met a couple from Sweden and he and I talk about the Political problems around the world. Then we decide to take a1 hour drive around the aera as there is a town nearby. The town seems to function a a Sugar Cane factory but it started to rain real hard so we return to our Camp site.
At 6: 30 we took in a move (Free ) about the park animals and then had supper at the resturaunt, again for the amazing price of 30.00 Cdn and that included my wine.
Around 8:30 AM we headed for our new Camp site , called Berg-en-Dal which was about a 75 Km drive, again at 50 KMH. We did a short detour hoping to see a Leopard , but it was not so. On the way we did see a Rhino and a herd of Elephant that crossed the road in front of us. We arrive here around 3 PM and headed straight for the pool as it was about 37 C.
In the pool we met a couple from Sweden and he and I talk about the Political problems around the world. Then we decide to take a1 hour drive around the aera as there is a town nearby. The town seems to function a a Sugar Cane factory but it started to rain real hard so we return to our Camp site.
At 6: 30 we took in a move (Free ) about the park animals and then had supper at the resturaunt, again for the amazing price of 30.00 Cdn and that included my wine.
13 Sunday Nov Hot as Hell
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 .
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 .
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.
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