Hi again, I really though I had it , but no, it ceased and so I start again.
We had 3 days on th.e Chobe river, cruising along at a very sedate pace, it was quite fascinating seeing the animals from the river side. T
Monday, April 22, 2013
Africa 3
Part 3 cont.
The disaster, was my new camera failed!!!!! I couldn't buy a new card to keep going, at the game lodge, or from anyone present. so I charged up the mobile and this tablet and proceeded for the rest of the safari lodge trip using them. I am waiting to find out if I can retreieve my photos as it appears to have gotten corrupted. Kep your fingers crossed folks.
That afternoon during my "rest" at our chalet, a small group of vervet monkeys arrived to .play around the doors and windows, sitting up on the window sill and peering in , we had had a broken pane of glass in our door, it was caused by the baboons tipping over the outdoor setting and smashing the pane. We have to keep the door locked at all times as the baboons have learnt how toopen them. A bit later I had a visit from a Nyala, a type of antelope, hecame out of the bush by our room and wandered along eating the grass, just by our window. At night we have to have lodge staff escort us to and from ourrooms, it is an unfenced wild animal area!! Next game drive we saw more male lions, out in the grass,We watched them from quite close up, luckily their stomachs looked pretty full, then an amazing sighting of a python killing a small duiker antelope, by strangling it, but it is amazing that the guides can find these happenings, there are hundreds of square kilometres of land and it is like finding a needle in a haystack. Apparentlytheyheard the little animal squealing as the python caught it. Another African fascinating experience.Later we arrived at the same leopard ess site, , it was getting on dusk, but they spotlit her as she grabbed the kill, ( a coupleof daysold now) and dragged it up a tree, about 10 foot or so the cub leapt up also and grabbed a bit of meat, but as the leopard was getting the kill up higher in the tree, she dropped. The look on her face was priceless. Another great african evevning meal in the "boma", very tasty offerings, and then we were called out of the meal to see a hippo on the lawn grazing. They come out of the water in the night to eat grass. That was the end of dinner.
Another early morning start, straight to 3 male lions, using phone and tablet, so am hoping to put some photos into blog, but don't hold your breath! Long drive to the next animal sighting, a small herd of Zebra, more timid than the first days sighting and a lot ofwaterbuck, The male had good sized antlers, and it is the season, he was trying to mate with various ladies in his harem, but he never managed it! Saw lots more elephants, they are so structive, tearing down the branches of the trees and finally pushing them over to get to the last good bits. , at the end of this morning Carol and Rob nad 4 others from iur jeep, took a guided walk back to thelodge, while I drove back. They were toldthe basic safety instructions, George was carrying the elephant gun, but it was if he said run, you ran, or if hesaid climb a tree you climbed! I would have died! so just as well I drove back. He talked about tracking etc, and they didn't come across anything threatening, but still, it must have been a bit nerve wracking.
After doing most of our packing, we had an even earlier than usual start to leave in the morning, we went on our final game drive. George and Solly took us bush bashing, trying to find some more lions, but we neever found them, Then more elephants, and our final sundowner drinks on a small waterhole where there were hippos and crocodile? (not sure about that , the waterholes begin to blur!)
Up at 4am, for our departure through the Newington Gate, and driven to Kruger airport, we rode the 13 kms in an open jeep and it was bitterly cold! From the gate we went in a toyota pajero or something of that size , the other 4 west australians, were in a different vehicle, all leaving on the same flight, but they had a flat tyre and only just made it in time A quick flight to Jo berg and then a 3 hour flight to Kasane in Botswana, to join our river cruise. Pride of the Zambezi" of course I thought that with that name it must be on the Zambezi river but no, we were on the Chobe river.
The disaster, was my new camera failed!!!!! I couldn't buy a new card to keep going, at the game lodge, or from anyone present. so I charged up the mobile and this tablet and proceeded for the rest of the safari lodge trip using them. I am waiting to find out if I can retreieve my photos as it appears to have gotten corrupted. Kep your fingers crossed folks.
That afternoon during my "rest" at our chalet, a small group of vervet monkeys arrived to .play around the doors and windows, sitting up on the window sill and peering in , we had had a broken pane of glass in our door, it was caused by the baboons tipping over the outdoor setting and smashing the pane. We have to keep the door locked at all times as the baboons have learnt how toopen them. A bit later I had a visit from a Nyala, a type of antelope, hecame out of the bush by our room and wandered along eating the grass, just by our window. At night we have to have lodge staff escort us to and from ourrooms, it is an unfenced wild animal area!! Next game drive we saw more male lions, out in the grass,We watched them from quite close up, luckily their stomachs looked pretty full, then an amazing sighting of a python killing a small duiker antelope, by strangling it, but it is amazing that the guides can find these happenings, there are hundreds of square kilometres of land and it is like finding a needle in a haystack. Apparentlytheyheard the little animal squealing as the python caught it. Another African fascinating experience.Later we arrived at the same leopard ess site, , it was getting on dusk, but they spotlit her as she grabbed the kill, ( a coupleof daysold now) and dragged it up a tree, about 10 foot or so the cub leapt up also and grabbed a bit of meat, but as the leopard was getting the kill up higher in the tree, she dropped. The look on her face was priceless. Another great african evevning meal in the "boma", very tasty offerings, and then we were called out of the meal to see a hippo on the lawn grazing. They come out of the water in the night to eat grass. That was the end of dinner.
Another early morning start, straight to 3 male lions, using phone and tablet, so am hoping to put some photos into blog, but don't hold your breath! Long drive to the next animal sighting, a small herd of Zebra, more timid than the first days sighting and a lot ofwaterbuck, The male had good sized antlers, and it is the season, he was trying to mate with various ladies in his harem, but he never managed it! Saw lots more elephants, they are so structive, tearing down the branches of the trees and finally pushing them over to get to the last good bits. , at the end of this morning Carol and Rob nad 4 others from iur jeep, took a guided walk back to thelodge, while I drove back. They were toldthe basic safety instructions, George was carrying the elephant gun, but it was if he said run, you ran, or if hesaid climb a tree you climbed! I would have died! so just as well I drove back. He talked about tracking etc, and they didn't come across anything threatening, but still, it must have been a bit nerve wracking.
After doing most of our packing, we had an even earlier than usual start to leave in the morning, we went on our final game drive. George and Solly took us bush bashing, trying to find some more lions, but we neever found them, Then more elephants, and our final sundowner drinks on a small waterhole where there were hippos and crocodile? (not sure about that , the waterholes begin to blur!)
Up at 4am, for our departure through the Newington Gate, and driven to Kruger airport, we rode the 13 kms in an open jeep and it was bitterly cold! From the gate we went in a toyota pajero or something of that size , the other 4 west australians, were in a different vehicle, all leaving on the same flight, but they had a flat tyre and only just made it in time A quick flight to Jo berg and then a 3 hour flight to Kasane in Botswana, to join our river cruise. Pride of the Zambezi" of course I thought that with that name it must be on the Zambezi river but no, we were on the Chobe river.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Africa 2
Next morning it is freezing cold, misty but there ahead of us were 3 giraffem and then another, more elephants with their very cute babies and youngsters, evidently elephant young stick with the mother for many years. Then ome real excitement we were voyeurs at a leopard mating. ind you it was so quick you didn't think anything was achieved, but, according to George our guide they mate every 10 minutes or so for about 4 days, gettng longer as the tim goes along. I can't repeat here what Geoe told us about the mechanics, it could be read by underagers! But we were in fits of laughter.We followed them through the bush, to watch about 4 matings. it is the season as there were also waterbuck trying it on, too. The male leopard had beautiful markings on him. We moved on to a waterhole where a herd of Cape Buffalo came through wallowing and drinking they are very heavy animals and their horns are so huge they seemed weighed down by them they don't often lift their heads high. About a 100 or so animals, big bulls, females and lots of calves and a it older youngsters. They pass by really close within 6 feet of the vehicle sometimes. Saw somw more giraffe and then over the two way comes a sighting of male lions, so off we went "bush bashing' through the scrub to find four male lions. they also had recently killed, 3 were around in front of us but the other was out of sight, then as we were manouevering to let another jeep in to get close, we almost ran into one down in the grass!! The grass is really long at the moment so their camouflage is very good we rmained parked about the length of the ln away.Thank heavens they had full stomachs! Then disaster!! My amer
Africa
Hi, we had a good three days in Capetown, we took the hopon hopoff bus, two day ticket, and went up Table mountan, with beautiful weather, clear skies, not much wind, in other words perfect conditions for the Gondola. We queued for ages, along with half the QM 2 crowd! Who we kept seeing all over the place. not surprising as about 1500 aussies got of in Cape Town! It was very convenient our accommodation as we were walking distance to the Va wateront. i was determined to find a clothing shop that I spent up in 3 years ago, and after much diligence i found it, VA has grown since I was there so I felt quite pleased with myself. Unfortunately they didn't really have anything very different om what I already had so I left it. but it was a good shop as all the clothes are made in south Africa.
Then it was an early mornung pick up to get to the air port for the next adventure. A quick flight to Nelspruit, and the kruger Airport, and a pick up by a chatty driver, an ex Kruger park gui, now freelancing. It was good having him cause he told us lots of little details about what to expect and why things were done just so.
So we arrived abiut 3pm , were shown to our chalet/ room. Thatched, big beds, mossie nets, huge bathroom, and large (uncomfortable) chairs. A quick freshen up, even quicker unpack and then afternoon tea and off n the jeeps for our first game drive! WOW!!! 3 lionesses and 7 cubs with a Kudu (antelope) killed very recently hours earlier! We parked about 10 feet away!!! OMG!!! They were tearing into it and totally oblivious to us, all frantically taking photos as fast as we could. Evebtually we dragged ourselves away and went searching out more game. Elephant 1, lots of Impala these are the carnivores food! Wildebeast, Kudu, this time alive. Our driver heard about a leopard but we couldn't find it. That was the end of Day 1.
Day 2 began with a wakeup call on our door at 5 am, brekky by 5.30 and of in the jeep by 6 ish. Ve chilly and of course open vehicles, so the wind whistled through you as we drove.First up we found the leopardes up a tree with her cb strolling around on the ground with her kill, an Impala, just near by. We parkd almost nder h! It was gobsmackingly amazing, words can't describe it. We all took a million photos, there were 6 of us in the jeep at this drive, could seat 9/10. Next a herd of zebra, very close, elephants (plural) with babies, they were so cute, Hippos in the water, rocodile. e drove quite a long way, and passed by Richard Branson's place, which is nex door to Inyati, where we were. i think at this stage I have died and gone to heaven! Just fabulous, our driver and tracker were very good, once you start with a driver you stay with him for the length of your stay. Ours had been together for about 15 years and could almost ad each others minds. They discussed sightings etc in their native (?) Language, but we always found something. People left and more arrived, so your companions on the drives were frequently changing, evidently the average say is 3 days but we were there 4 and I would have enjoyed longer by at least another day. 4 West australians arrived and joined "our " jeep. One was an ex MP for applecross and lived a coupe of blocks om Rob and Carol, they were a group of two friends and a couple. Afternoon drive we saw more Elephants, up ally close with babies, very protective, One gave a mock charge, and then baby did the same it was so funny, A it nerve wracking when you are the one sitting on the outsi edge and are about 6 feet away. Thoe tusks look mighty big! Next off to a sandy river bed and there were our lionesses with their cubs all sprawled out in the hade with the cubs having a great time. Next 3 white rhinos, in a group near an airstrip, as we photographed them we heard a plane engine, and over he rise came a cessna, taxiing, needless to say, it turned and began its takeoff a goodway down the strip, luckily it was a down hill take off! A herd of Cape Buffalo, was the finale of another perfect day.
We had very strict instructions re the vehicle, we couldn't stand up or hang out the sides, we were costantly dodging thorny bushes as we drove, mobile phones coujld be used for photography, but had to be turned off for calls/texts etc. The animals a now used to the presence of the jeeps, have learnt that they are no thrat to them and know their "profile" this is why we coldn't stand up as it could alert the animal that it was somethhing different. Evintly when a new park is commenced it takes quite a long time for the animals to get used to the jeeps and of course they run away, but after a bit, they become used to the presence. Still it is pretty dangerous and you sign your life away with waivers etc!
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Queen Mary
Hi to you all,
I have realized another tick off my "bucket list". I have long wanted to travel on the Queens with Cunard, and have achieved that now. I had high expectations as Cunard was supposedly up there with the best in my expectations, unfortunately it didn't quite make it. Don,t get me wrong it was a marvellous experience, but I thought it would be better. I had looked forward to the "gentlemen hosts - dancers" however they left a lot to be desired as they seemed to dance only with the same 15 or so women . I attended bsp;the ballroom dance classes, hoping that that would bring one to their attention, however although they danced with one during the classes, come the real thing and tada, only the same women got asked. Eventually when I was about to explo, I got invited up on the floor a couple of times. Otherwise dancing was a complete washout. I must be getting too old. One of the highlights was afternoon tea in the Queens Ballroom, complete with white gloved waiters, silver service sandwiches, cucumber salmon etc. And the most beautiful little cakes and gorgeous scones and strawberry jam and clotted cream,,,!!! VERY DECADENT. We only had 4 fromal nights in the 15 night cruise. Poor Rob hated getting trussed up in his suit and bow tie, of course Carol and I loved the dress up. In some respects there was not as serious formal wear as on Aurora, but I might be prejuidiced. On board it was hard to find places to sit and read (or sew) as in my case, most of the public rooms were bars, rather than lounges, and it was hard to get a seat. I only got to Trivia once and that used to be my love, but you couldn't get a seat. i joined the choir again, and we did a great performance in the main theatre, very nice too!, I also found a lovely bunch of ladies who met for "unhosted" craft gettogether, mainly knitters and crocheters, but I got 10 blocks of my "farmers wife" quilt done out of the 15 I took with me. 3 blocks I was missing bits from or cut out the pieces back to front! I indulged my self a little in the shops as usual, got a nice watch, and a new ring. (I had to buy it, it fitted me!) The layout of the ship was quite confusing, there were several half decks that meant you were going up a deck and walking along a bit and then going down in the next lift some parts I never got to find properly. One of the best bits was, I won the easter egg raffle! The casino sold tickets and I bought 3, as you do, and one time I was in the lift with a couple who were carrying this monster egg, and they said they had won, I said thats nice, and they said there were 3 prizes, and so off I went. the next night at 10 pm, the phone rings in the cabin, I am in bed in the top bunk, and Rob answers and they ask for Mees veeki, any way long story short. i won the main egg. It was huge about 2 kgs of gorgeous dark chocolate, beautifully decorated. And they delivered it that night. I don't have any face on, in my nightie and they want photos!!! I took it to dinner the next night for our table companions to help us eat it, we were on a table for 10 (actually the captains table, but he used it at late dinner and we were early!) I also gave a big chunk of it to our table stewards and the cabin girl, but still we are eating it here in Capetown,,,. So it was a great experience, but I probably won't be busting myself to sail with her again, I prefer P and O or other lines. A lot of emphasis is put on the "upper echelon" people, it might be a classless ship, but if you pay so much for your cabin you are entitled to different restaurants, and lounges, and if you are a "round the worlder" well!!! One of the comediens, a guy called Mike Doyle just was fantastic, he took the mickey out of the ship through his whole show. The upper echelons are called the Princess Grill or Queens Grill passengers, those are the restaurants they use, and he was calling them the mixed grills" I will never be able to see a mixed grill in the same light again. Any way all good things come to an end, and we disembarked at Capetown, South Africa on Wednesday, and we are in a most luxurious apartment with 2 bedrooms and bathrooms etc, very posh, right near the VA waterfront. So I will leave with something to tell you in a weks time as we go safariing during the next week. god bless all those who need it Love to you all Vicki
I have realized another tick off my "bucket list". I have long wanted to travel on the Queens with Cunard, and have achieved that now. I had high expectations as Cunard was supposedly up there with the best in my expectations, unfortunately it didn't quite make it. Don,t get me wrong it was a marvellous experience, but I thought it would be better. I had looked forward to the "gentlemen hosts - dancers" however they left a lot to be desired as they seemed to dance only with the same 15 or so women . I attended bsp;the ballroom dance classes, hoping that that would bring one to their attention, however although they danced with one during the classes, come the real thing and tada, only the same women got asked. Eventually when I was about to explo, I got invited up on the floor a couple of times. Otherwise dancing was a complete washout. I must be getting too old. One of the highlights was afternoon tea in the Queens Ballroom, complete with white gloved waiters, silver service sandwiches, cucumber salmon etc. And the most beautiful little cakes and gorgeous scones and strawberry jam and clotted cream,,,!!! VERY DECADENT. We only had 4 fromal nights in the 15 night cruise. Poor Rob hated getting trussed up in his suit and bow tie, of course Carol and I loved the dress up. In some respects there was not as serious formal wear as on Aurora, but I might be prejuidiced. On board it was hard to find places to sit and read (or sew) as in my case, most of the public rooms were bars, rather than lounges, and it was hard to get a seat. I only got to Trivia once and that used to be my love, but you couldn't get a seat. i joined the choir again, and we did a great performance in the main theatre, very nice too!, I also found a lovely bunch of ladies who met for "unhosted" craft gettogether, mainly knitters and crocheters, but I got 10 blocks of my "farmers wife" quilt done out of the 15 I took with me. 3 blocks I was missing bits from or cut out the pieces back to front! I indulged my self a little in the shops as usual, got a nice watch, and a new ring. (I had to buy it, it fitted me!) The layout of the ship was quite confusing, there were several half decks that meant you were going up a deck and walking along a bit and then going down in the next lift some parts I never got to find properly. One of the best bits was, I won the easter egg raffle! The casino sold tickets and I bought 3, as you do, and one time I was in the lift with a couple who were carrying this monster egg, and they said they had won, I said thats nice, and they said there were 3 prizes, and so off I went. the next night at 10 pm, the phone rings in the cabin, I am in bed in the top bunk, and Rob answers and they ask for Mees veeki, any way long story short. i won the main egg. It was huge about 2 kgs of gorgeous dark chocolate, beautifully decorated. And they delivered it that night. I don't have any face on, in my nightie and they want photos!!! I took it to dinner the next night for our table companions to help us eat it, we were on a table for 10 (actually the captains table, but he used it at late dinner and we were early!) I also gave a big chunk of it to our table stewards and the cabin girl, but still we are eating it here in Capetown,,,. So it was a great experience, but I probably won't be busting myself to sail with her again, I prefer P and O or other lines. A lot of emphasis is put on the "upper echelon" people, it might be a classless ship, but if you pay so much for your cabin you are entitled to different restaurants, and lounges, and if you are a "round the worlder" well!!! One of the comediens, a guy called Mike Doyle just was fantastic, he took the mickey out of the ship through his whole show. The upper echelons are called the Princess Grill or Queens Grill passengers, those are the restaurants they use, and he was calling them the mixed grills" I will never be able to see a mixed grill in the same light again. Any way all good things come to an end, and we disembarked at Capetown, South Africa on Wednesday, and we are in a most luxurious apartment with 2 bedrooms and bathrooms etc, very posh, right near the VA waterfront. So I will leave with something to tell you in a weks time as we go safariing during the next week. god bless all those who need it Love to you all Vicki
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