16 Aug Tying up loose ends after a week at home

The first 10 days of the trip were spent in Cape Town on my own. Van tours and the city sightseeing bus made getting around easy. These are a few extra pictures I wanted to include, but due to technical difficulties at the time, was unable to show until now. A few shots may be included already, but these are highlights and deserve duplication!

Brenwin House B&B Pool

Cape Town from Blouberg Beach

View of Cape Town
from Table Mountain

Yours truly on the Cape Penisula Tour

Marima Band at
V & A Waterfront
Cape Town

Lorraine & Jannie's home
Nelspruit  (NE corner of SA)

Lorraine and granddaughter Nina

My newest grandson Nicolas
holding his sister Nina

Cedar (L's daughter)
and her daughter Nina

Jannie and Nicolas

Nina helps Penelope
with domestic chores

These flowers bloom so prettily
because Lorraine and Jannie
talk nicely to them daily.

We had an unscheduled hike thru this boulder field to an amazing view of the valley below us. Then we treated ourselves to  banana-&-cream filled pancakes.  Three days later, I had an all day tour of the Panorama Route. There are lots of pix on the blog from that day, but this was such a highlight of my trip that it deserved to be mentioned again!

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK-2 overnights with 10 yr old spotters!


Nicolas and his friend, Waldo, proved to be our best spotters as Lorraine piloted the big Land Rover along the paved and dirt roads of Kruger. We did not see any leopards or cheetahs, but we saw plenty of other animals singly or in large groups. The elephants definitely have the right-of-
                                          way when crossing the highway!
                                          

I was most excited about seeing giraffes and zebras, and we saw plenty of them. It is amazing to see how well the striping of zebras camouflages them in "the bush". The camp we stayed in had simple rooms with twin beds, a fridge, and a small table with 2 chairs. Cooking was done in a separate circular building with 3 sets of double hotplates and a couple sinks. Boiling water for tea was provided by boiler above one sink. We took much more food than we needed, of course, but you can never tell what boys will eat. We did a lot of snacking in the car!

I made lots of pix of zebras and tried to take several close-ups of faces and was somewhat successful. Mostly, I settled for group shots.

Our room at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was large and lovely with a deck over-
looking the watering hole where large herds of elephants, impalas, water buffaloes
gather in the evenings. The maid comes
to the room each evening to lower the
mosquito netting around the beds, and
they spray each room but still the pesky
bugs try their best to say "Gotcha"!  Above right pic is a group of men that sang in the dining room each evening-- beautiful a cappella harmony!
          
To me, the highlight of the Vic Falls trip was sharing a full day of new experiences with my "sister", beginning with our helicopter ride above the Falls (first copter ride for both of us), which was followed by a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pet and walk with lions!  As if that were not enough activity for the day, we also took the sunset cruise along the Zambezi River where we saw hippos and other wildlife along the shore. And how about that sunset!! Couldn't have been prettier!!!!         

The last activity of the day was an African dinner experience at a nearby restaurant-- this was included in our package. The food on the serving buffets included some unusual items, to say the least. But I did try Crocodile tail (tasty) and Lorraine tried to teach me how to eat lamb spareribs. There was also a musical program with drums, singing, and dancing, but I enjoyed it less than the a cappella group at our hotel.

Getting to walk along the edge of the mighty falls was a thrilling experience--and a damp one in spots, where the mist rose. But the most satisfying and thrilling part of my entire trip was the chance to reconnect with my friend. Spending time with her and being welcomed by her family was a dream come true for me. My only regret was that I was not able to meet Lorraine & Jannie's son, Morne, and his fiancee, Carien, and his 11 year old son, Bernard. They had flown to Laos the week before I arrived and will spend 3 years there. There was also no chance to meet Lorraine's mother, sister, one brother, and Bernard's Mom. I would like to have had time for everything, but I think we packed a lot into the 20 days we had together. 

THE HARDEST DAY OF THE TRIP

We spent one night in Joburg after the falls so that I could repack everything, and we could spend a little more time together before we both had to "return to grim reality". Saying GoodBye was extremely difficult and teary, but we rejoiced in the time we had spent becoming "sisters" again. 

We created enough memories to last a lifetime.

Thanks to those of you who shared in my adventure by reading my blog. This will be my final entry.

OOPS and Fantastic beyond words

First I must apologize for yesterday's blog. The darned thing published for no reason before I had finished, so just look at the top and ignore when it begins repeating. Today we finally walked as far as possible along the edge of the falls with frequent overlooks. This is Lorraine at the first view at the far west end of the falls.

This end is narrow but was very full. Continuing east along the path brought us to our first view of the largest section of the falls (pictured below left). We were very fortunate to have come at this time year as there was plenty of water but not so much that the falls become invisible. The local name for it is "the smoke that thunders" (Mosi Oa Tunya)

At several places, I needed my umbrella to protect the camera from the mist rising from the chasm. At others, I needed it more to protect me from the brilliant sun.

There are actually many separate falls  broken up by islands and rocky outcrops. Many of these are named, and some totally dry up during the dry season. The Zambezi River was so calm on the sunset cruise last night, it is hard to believe the force and thunder of this same water.

Here you can see several separate streams; this is roughly in the center of this mile-long Wonder of the Natural World. What a privilege it was to experience this magical place with my friend!

This shot clearly shows the individual falls. We were on the Zimbabwe side (where our lodge is). The green you see in this picture is Zambia. The 3 pix below were taken straight down into the chasm where all of the water flows out through the Z-shaped gorges as the river flows south.     

As we relaxed in the covered eating area near the NP entry & shop, there were many Vervet monkeys like this one who created havoc by jumping on the tables and stealing food. One stole a bright green lighter, but soon realized he couldn't eat it.

As I am putting this blog together, I am able to watch the animals come to the waterhole for their evening drink. Those are impala gathered around a salt lick that was put out for them today.

THIS MAY BE ANOTHER OOPS as it published before I was finished. If so, just disregard the repeats and I will get help from my computer guru when I get home (on the 10th). This will be my last post until after I get home. Thanks for sharing my trip with me.

Fantabulous day !!!! Hope this works

Our first brief view of Victoria Falls as we crossed the bridge into Zimbabwe from Zambia on Monday (at left). This morning. we took a ride in this helicopter directly over the falls. I was so high with excitement that I might not have need the copter!!! The pilot made sure each side got a good view of the falls. Of course, this is one of MANY pix I made during the flight

The weather could not have been better and visibility was unlimited. This shot shows the west end but does not quite go far enough to see the eastern end.
Tomorrow (Wed) we will get "Up Close and Personal" with the falls by walking along the path that follows the edge--maybe even walk over the small pedestrian bridge near the east end. I think both of us will opt out of the Bungee Jump!!!

The 2 pix at left are the watering hole on the grounds of our hotel. We can see this from our balcony and watch the elephants, water buffalo, antelopes, and birds as they gather around. This is one of the good reasons for being here in the dryer season. During the summer, there is more water all over, so you are less likely to see large groups of animals in one area.

 After the copter flight, Lorraine and I were taken to a Lion Rescue Center, where small lions are taught skills for getting along in the wild. We were able to pet two 15 month old siblings, and were able to walk with them to the river. What a thrill!!!!

 Our next activity today was a sunset cruise on the
very wide Zambezi River--fortunately a safe distance from the falls. Drinks and snacks were provided as
we scanned the shores for animals. We saw several
elephants, antelopes and hippos. I think I took 30
pictures of hippos before I was lucky enough to get this guy (gal?) yawning. Below right is what looked like a rock, but after rounding a bend, we could see that it was a crocodile taking a break!
This last shot gave proof to the claim that this was indeed a sunset cruise.  What a perfect day!!