Today was a terrible day as we had to travel thru the rain to our next location which was somewhere near Durban. Our exact plans are never made until we get close to out destination , just in case we change our mines. By the time we had travel a few hours we began to think that fighting the traffic in a rains storm wasn't worth the fight so we chose a camp site called Natalia as it was only 40 KM from downtown Durban.
After we found our camp site and got set up we decided to ask direction to a Shopping mall since there wasn't much you can do in the rain. The gate keeper, an older gentleman gave us very specfic direction and we were sure we could not get lost or miss the Mall. Well, we made 3 runs at getting to the Mall from the Freeway but finally found the entrance. First I must say that this is a Huge Mall with 5 or 6 entrances. However, every entrance had a height restrictionof 2.2 M ( we are 12 feet high so you do the math ) and they have an overhead bar to make sure you don't excede the height . On the last entrance we just turned in anyways as it also said Bus and Taxi parking and Deliveries only. Once I got in the entrance lane I realized there was no turning back due to the line of cars behind me. I had no choice but to pull into the "Delivery Vehicles " only lane, thinking I could somehow get turned around. However there is always a "catch " and this looked serious. They had a security gate and I assumed you would need a pass code so I rung the intercom and got ready to plead " temporary Insanity " hoping they would let me thru to turn around. All of a sudden the gate open and I drove thru, all the time thinking some security cop would stop me and boot me out. We decide to keep driving around the entire Mall until someone stopped us but they never did. We just drove out the other end and went home since we could not get parked.
When we arrived back at the camp site the rain had abated to a mist so we donned our rain gear and join a few other brave sole, who were also bored and went for a short walk on the beach. To be honest, we mostly talked to the others on the beach, in lieu of wlaking very far, until the rain drove us back indoors.
Since the train tracks ran close to our camp i ask one guy about the train system since it is only run by electricity. His advise was , don't every ride the train in ZA , becuase, without a doubt you will be robbed. He says, it is not safe for Whites.
All in all; it was a lousy day. Hopefully the rain will stop tomorrow so we can visit Durban
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Saturday, 19 November 2011
18 Nov Friday; Battila
We spent thursday night in Richard's Bay at a camp site on the Indian ocean, however, it started to rain hard about 1/2 an hour after we got set up so there wasn't much we could do except have supper and listen to the rain , which continued thru the night. To make matters worst, I could not get a connection on the computer, probably partly because of the weather and also we were located in a heavily treed area. On Friday morning we decided to tour the city/town and found a Macdonald's and they usually have WiFi so we decide to have breakfast and use there WiFi. Like most hotels, WiFi is only free for 15 Min and then you have to pay.
We then checked out their beach area and with the rainny weather , the beaches were not crowded. Only the arden surfers were out in the ocean.
This placed did not tickle our fancy so we moved down the road about 200 KM to Battilo. This city/town is definitley a tourist area but also is a sugar cane growing area. We found a camp site on the Ocean for about 20.00. In fact the guy at the gate charged me R180 but told me to officially sign in after 2 PM when the owner would be in the office. When I went to sign in she refunded me R15 because I was a " Pensioner" . They don't use the word " Senior " and we were also advise to ask for pensioners rates.
After signing in we headed for the city as I still could not get a connection on my Vodafone SIM card and i was sure they would have a Vodafone shop in town. We stubble over a HUGE mall and I went to the Vodafone shop. They young lady checked my SIM card and verify it was good but said the weather was causing some connection problems. I put the SIM back in the computer and it worked so the young lady told me to use a desk provide and check my emails which I did while Carroll shopped
After Carroll finished shopping we went to the grocery store to buy supper. These store, much like a Safeway, and have an array of already cooked foods such as meat pies,chicken pieces, shikobs, stew, fish, rice any and all veggies, and salads. so for about 5.00 we had supper cooked and just had to warm it up in the Mirc.
Unforetunately, as we arrive back at the camp site it started to pour rain and never stopped all night. When we left Sat morning it was still rainning so hard the wipers would hardly keep the windshield clear. As if I need another distraction while driving. We are now on our way to some where near Durban about 100 KM south.
We then checked out their beach area and with the rainny weather , the beaches were not crowded. Only the arden surfers were out in the ocean.
This placed did not tickle our fancy so we moved down the road about 200 KM to Battilo. This city/town is definitley a tourist area but also is a sugar cane growing area. We found a camp site on the Ocean for about 20.00. In fact the guy at the gate charged me R180 but told me to officially sign in after 2 PM when the owner would be in the office. When I went to sign in she refunded me R15 because I was a " Pensioner" . They don't use the word " Senior " and we were also advise to ask for pensioners rates.
After signing in we headed for the city as I still could not get a connection on my Vodafone SIM card and i was sure they would have a Vodafone shop in town. We stubble over a HUGE mall and I went to the Vodafone shop. They young lady checked my SIM card and verify it was good but said the weather was causing some connection problems. I put the SIM back in the computer and it worked so the young lady told me to use a desk provide and check my emails which I did while Carroll shopped
After Carroll finished shopping we went to the grocery store to buy supper. These store, much like a Safeway, and have an array of already cooked foods such as meat pies,chicken pieces, shikobs, stew, fish, rice any and all veggies, and salads. so for about 5.00 we had supper cooked and just had to warm it up in the Mirc.
Unforetunately, as we arrive back at the camp site it started to pour rain and never stopped all night. When we left Sat morning it was still rainning so hard the wipers would hardly keep the windshield clear. As if I need another distraction while driving. We are now on our way to some where near Durban about 100 KM south.
Friday, 18 November 2011
17 Nov. Headed for Richards Bay
Man , this was a hard day driving. All the roads were secondary ( meaning 2 lanes) and only some had shoulders. I should add, that any two lane road with 8 ft shoulder turns into a 4 lane Freeway and you better move to the shoulder if you are not doing 120KMH because they will be blinking light as they come up behind you.
Also, there were many miles of construction. First, you should know that the maps do not have the miles between towns and the road signs are only approxi, give or take 20 %. Also, the gov't has changed the name of some cities/towns to Black names but the maps have not been changed yet nor has the GPS been revised. To add to the confusion, some roads are R33 and R44 but R44 will turn west after a few miles while R33 continues north. The sign do not nec indicate this so you end up driving several mile before you notice the error. We ask one guy who seemed like a traveller , according to his stories, how far from Badplaas to Richards Bay and he said about 323 Km so I figure about 5ard Hours drive. The acual distance was over 500 KM and there was no end to the road constuction which held us up for about 1 1/2 hours. I was beat by the time I got to Richards Bay. We got to Richards bay and booked into a Camp site hoping to do a Bar-B-Q but the rain started and contiued on thru the night. To make matters worst, we were located in a heavily Treed area and I could not get a connection on my Vodafone airtime Sim card so i could even do the Blog. I spent the evening reading. Tomorrow we head south towards Durban
Also, there were many miles of construction. First, you should know that the maps do not have the miles between towns and the road signs are only approxi, give or take 20 %. Also, the gov't has changed the name of some cities/towns to Black names but the maps have not been changed yet nor has the GPS been revised. To add to the confusion, some roads are R33 and R44 but R44 will turn west after a few miles while R33 continues north. The sign do not nec indicate this so you end up driving several mile before you notice the error. We ask one guy who seemed like a traveller , according to his stories, how far from Badplaas to Richards Bay and he said about 323 Km so I figure about 5ard Hours drive. The acual distance was over 500 KM and there was no end to the road constuction which held us up for about 1 1/2 hours. I was beat by the time I got to Richards Bay. We got to Richards bay and booked into a Camp site hoping to do a Bar-B-Q but the rain started and contiued on thru the night. To make matters worst, we were located in a heavily Treed area and I could not get a connection on my Vodafone airtime Sim card so i could even do the Blog. I spent the evening reading. Tomorrow we head south towards Durban
16 Nov Headed for Badplaas
OK; we are now finally and officially touring ZA. After leaving Kruger park we headed for a Place called Badplaas. it is not a Town or city but an area and it is a Theme park complete with a 100 or so Chalets and 75 camping sites, along with a host of shops and resturaunts to take your money. it's main attraction is a lagre ontdoor hotpool, 2 outdoor cool pools , several slides and one indoor Hydro pool. they cost to camp and to use all the facilities ( with the exception of the Hydro pool ) is R125 X .13 cents will give you the Cdn equivalent. The bathrooms are at least as good as any 5 star hotel in N. A. and there is a bathtub in the bathrooms, which you will not see in Canada or the USA. or MX.
We met a third generation ZA couple at the pool and as usual, I pried into there knowledge of the country since the Blacks' took power and, too say the least, it is interesting. Also, the newspapers are full of Gov't scandals.
Everyone we have talked to have given us advise on where to visit so that has been a big help since we left our " Lonely Planet " book at home. The people are extremely friendly. However, we have noticed that the "Blacks' " only answer the question you ask and do not offer addition information. As an example, I ask which way to the pools and they said turn right at the tee junction but the fact that i can not get our MH in the lot never occurred to him. Also, I paid for our camping with a R120 but cost was R115 and the reception did not have the R5 change because the " Finance " people had gone for lunch. I said, they don't even trust with change for R100. Tomorrow we will head south towards Durban.
We met a third generation ZA couple at the pool and as usual, I pried into there knowledge of the country since the Blacks' took power and, too say the least, it is interesting. Also, the newspapers are full of Gov't scandals.
Everyone we have talked to have given us advise on where to visit so that has been a big help since we left our " Lonely Planet " book at home. The people are extremely friendly. However, we have noticed that the "Blacks' " only answer the question you ask and do not offer addition information. As an example, I ask which way to the pools and they said turn right at the tee junction but the fact that i can not get our MH in the lot never occurred to him. Also, I paid for our camping with a R120 but cost was R115 and the reception did not have the R5 change because the " Finance " people had gone for lunch. I said, they don't even trust with change for R100. Tomorrow we will head south towards Durban.
15 Nov Tuesday.Our last search for the Leopard
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.
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.
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 .
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