May 4th - Second and third Safari Drives.

May 4th - Second and third Safari Drives.

5:30am... beautiful misty morning

Not sure .... small Tawny Eagle???

One of Janice's Favourite photo's

So peaceful

Bunch of vultures in a row.. jungle book??

                       It seems strange that we are woken at 5am, but to see the African bush resplendent with big game, one is obliged to rise with the sounds of the female lions roaring in the valley below the camp.  They make quite a racket. We had a quick cuppa, seeing a Cape buffalo wandering past the lodge as we sipped. Heading out on our game drive, there were only 4 of us, and our guide Don and tracker, Judas. Sunrise was spectacular at around 6:30 am... lots of Wildebeest and Impala out this morning, followed by sightings of Kudu (we never really did get the difference between Kudu and Inyala)... Then we came across a bunch of Rhinos grazing very close to the vehicle... the birds (oxpeckers) that are riding on them (actually help them, as they eat the parasitic insects that are sucking the blood from the rhinos, which could eventually kill them!! It was fascinating watching the birds peck away at termites

Untouched... morning sunrise

Male Impala

Female Impalas

The colours are stunning in the morning

Another of Janice's Favourites -untouched no effects

Another of Janice's favourites... a Wildebeest

Another wild beast!!

right inside the rhinos' ears... charming!!!   The rhinos wandered so close to us we could have touched them... Janice held her breath for quite a while!! After the rhinos... we came across a small herd of Zebra... will the wonders of this amazing place ever cease??? Our tracker proved to be a dab-hand with a machete, when the vegetation impeded our progress!!! We both thought Braden would have been in his element!!!! Stopping for a snack and a coffee... we were delighted to be treated to 'ranger coffee' ... Amarula instead of milk... (akin to Baileys.... South African Style). After our snack we headed off again and Janice spotted (first I might add) a huge elephant in the distance ... further up we saw a small group of female elephants. Don reversed back to see that the huge elephant was a bull elephant in 'must'... ie: he was the male elephant version of a dog in heat. Apparently they can be in must for many months, constantly dripping from it's penis, giving him a wet back leg, losing hundreds of litres each day, a big headache and pretty aggressive. He lumbered toward us and we got some great photos. It was a little scary, but we were also in awe as this massive animal came so close and then crossed the track in front of our vehicle... a moment we will never forget. Still reeling from the sights we had seen, we happened on a large family (11 in total) of Giraffe, after taking tons of photos we headed back to camp and spotted a number of baboons en route.... WHAT an amazing drive.

Wildebeest

 Nose in the mud... beauty treatment no doubt

Breakfast followed ... fresh fruits etc and a lovely omelet. We lounged around and generally enjoyed our surroundings and catching up on the blog sitting by our plunge pool on the deck... when suddenly a huge baboon (3-4ft tall) leapt up onto our deck and stared at us... we both jumped out of our skin... Janice ran into the room and closed the door, while Derek chased him away up over the roof. We just settled down again when thump... there he was again... another dive inside and Derek chased him along the deck and round the back of our unit.... whew!!! Don had mentioned on the drive that the baboons can be pretty aggressive! No match for Derek though who was impressively brave!! 

Oxpecker birds eat parasites.. save animals lives

"I SAID...........!!!!!!!"

CHARGE!!!!  ... Not really

They got much closer... sniffed the Land-rover

Munch munch... ignore them they'll go away!!!

Wildebeest right by the rhinos!!

After a delicious lunch on the main deck, we met once again for our afternoon game drive and Don was intent on finding a Leopard, which would complete our 'big five' ... We did see some Rhino and elephant, but didn't stop long as we had to go quite a distance to where Don had heard there may be a leopard out hunting. After dark we got lucky and spotted a leopard, assisted to the location over the radio by another ranger. We then picked up another guest who the lodge had driven out to the area we were in (Geoffrey) and went back to track the leopard, which we did for about 30 minutes as he stalked a small herd of Impala. I couldn't get any really good photos as the leopard was moving and we were seeing hiom through the headlights and a spotlamp. We didn't see him attack, but it was still a very exciting and unique experience. We were very haoppy to have seen all of the big five... the rest is a bonus. The great thing about being outside of the government controlled area of Kruger Park, is that the land-rovers are free to drive off the dirt tracks, into the bush and get up close and personal to the animals. Even the Lions see the vehicles as no threat, so they continue to graze, keeping a watchful eye on us... for some reason they do not associate the land-rovers with 'food'... thank goodness. If only they knew how easy it would be to pluck any one of us out of our open, roofless, windowless vehicle!!!!! On the way back to camp we spotted a crocodile, mouth wide open trying to catch food in the running water... very interesting! Back at camp after a shower and change we headed to the Boma again for dinner (Boma stands for British Officers Mess Area)... the officers had a fire to keep them safe from the animals during the first war. We were treated to some traditional South African tribal dancers and once again had a gourmet meal under the brilliant stars of the African sky. Another fabulous day. 
     

On your marks, get set.....!!!

I am not sure leaning back will help D.

Ignore 'em billy!!! (Oxpeckers)

Not great camouflage

They are quite stunning in the wild

Him again

Judas having fun getting through the bush!

 Old termite hill with a hyena den in it

Majestic tawny  eagle

Ranger coffee - in the morning break!

David, Anna, Don, Judas,  Derek Taking a break

Don, Judas and Janice

The elephant Janice spotted ... big guy in 'must'

We had this photo put on canvas!- Love it!

I'm watching you!!!!!

Our shadow as he approached!

He crossed behind us!

Wooly necked stork

Meanwhile the Giraffes ......!!

They look weirdly pre-historic

Baboon late for lunch!!

Breakfast after the drive... fabulous

SO GOOD!!!

Bath time!!

Our deck and plunge pool!

Female Nyala

More rhino...Getting old hat now!!!

He's coming!!!

Impala

Another glorious African sunset

Time to go back to camp

There is a Leopard in there... so Judas says

And then he moved

He took off like a bullet.. after some game!

Stalking again!

Sleep well!

Crocodile hiding in the river

Dinner and dancing in the Boma

Another great night in the African bush!

Sat May 3rd - Birthday and Safari

Sat May 3rd - Birthday and Safari

Happy Birthday Girl

Janice was woken to a quick off-key round of 'happy birthday' from her sweetie... followed by a total surprise champagne breakfast in the gardens by the pool in the sunshine. much more 'in tune'!!!! What a way to start what would become the most magical day anyone could imagine.

Breakfast with a flair

Londolozi here we come

Our Chariot to Sabi Sands awaits

At Nelspruit airport

The bumpy LONG road to Londolozi

After breakfast we packed quickly and were whisked by the Africa Sky driver to the airport... he helped check us in and after a very short time we were boarding our small Jet for the 50 minute total flight to Nelspruit Airport. We were met by a rep from GAP tours and off we went for the 2 hour drive to Sabi Sands Game reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park. While the first 1 1/2 hours was smooth and interesting as we passed villages and markets ... taking note of the large number of roadside vendors selling oranges, avocados and macadamias, the last half hour was something I will always remember as a moving mechanical massage!!! a dirt road stretching about 27 km ... and I mean a  bumpy, rocky road to paradise. We arrived at the Londolzi Lodge Varty camp... let the adventure begin!!!! Neither words nor photos can adequately describe this place in the middle of the African wilderness. Thatch-roofed accommodations, a massive deck for lounging or sharing a drink, a quiet pool and outdoor dining area. Sounds of lions, and other animals in the air. Our host, Will showed us around and introduced us to the staff and our ranger Don, over a glass of champagne to celebrate my birthday (I could get used to this!!) Will showed us to our room and we were once again blown away. Exquisite room with a huge deck.. a bath with a window looking over the deck and wilderness beyond. The deck has two sitting areas and plunge pool. Sitting on the bed was a wrapped birthday gift from the lodge... a beautiful wrap/scarf.

Almost there!

The Main deck at the lodge

Welcome to Londolozi - champagne

Cheeky monkeys by our room

Happy B'day Janice - at the gate!!

We were instructed to keep a high latch on our doors as the local monkeys knew how to open the sliding doors and take off with clothes, snacks, bedding etc etc... After Will left we walked onto the deck to see a whole bunch of grey monkeys approaching... one making a leap onto the railing ... I ran to close the sliding door and the monkey ran off... whew!!! We cleaned up and headed for 2:30pm lunch and 3:30 Safari drive. I had asked Don during orientation if we might see an elephant. As we walked toward our Landrover... there was Don grinning and pointing toward the road, where a whole family of elephants were feeding and crossing the road in front  of us. I was so taken aback... he just said... Happy Birthday Janice!! There were five of us for this drive ... Dave (New York) and his Mum, Anna (LA) and Marie (Paris)... with our guide, Don and tracker Judas... off we went into the bush... hopes high. We were not disappointed. Our 2-3 hour drive, broken up with a cocktail and appetizers by a watering hole, was more than we could ever imagine. Starting with the elephants we managed to track down more elephants, wildebeest, nyala, kudu, hippos and crocodile, impala, steenbok and a pride of 6 lions... not to shabby for a first day on Safari. Sunset was incredible and the clarity of the moon and stars at night is such that one could imagine Vincent Van Gogh in his element!!!

Don and elephant poo!!

Elated and totally in awe, we headed back to camp, seeing a hippo out of the water crossing the road in front of our Land rover. We freshened up and joined our guide and other Safari guests at the Boma area for a dinner, surrounded by fires and candles and the sounds of birdcalls and and animals from the surrounding wilderness.
How can I possibly do justice to this day's experience with words?... Truly magical and awe inspiring.  

Cracking open the poo!

Wildebeest

Ranger Don and tracker Judas

Young Male Lion resting with a pride

Young female Lion

When they nap.... they nap!!! BOO!!!

Get down!!! they can see us!!! Happy hippos

Dusk approaches

Getting better

AWESOME!!!!!!!

Hippo out for night feeding. in Headlights

Dinner in the BOMA

One of Janice's favourite photos

And Another - by the lodge

Wed Apr 30-Fri May 2 2014-Africa here we come

Wed-Fri Apr 30-May 2 - Niagara Falls - Johannesburg South Africa

Outside our room. Africa Sky Guest House

I am writing this 4 days later and there is so much to tell, but I must try to recapture the excitement we both felt, and indeed a certain trepidation about the extent of our next adventure. Only a few months since we decided to fulfill a long held dream of seeing Africa, the day arrived for us to start our journey. We packed up the 'condo' and put it in storage in Grimsby, then dropped off the truck at a friends and got a limo to the airport. An overnight flight to London and a 12 hour stopover, which we spent in a room at the Sofitel, right in the terminal.... expensive but with two overnight flights, we were SO glad we forked out for this one. We slept quite well and woke up in time to go back through security to catch our 10 hr 30 min over-night flight to Johannesburg . We arrived in Jo'Burg and were met by a driver from the Africa Sky Guest House. 10 minute drive and a world away from the hustle and bustle of the airport. It is a haven of tranquility and friendliness. Our room was beautiful. After a light salad for lunch we had a nap, then sorted out our luggage for our Safari... leaving our main luggage at the guest house until we return on Tuesday.

Our beef filet dinner was exquisite.... After dinner we enjoyed the rest of our wonderful Alto Cab Sauv sitting by the roaring fire, called a 'boma', in the pool area. We finally put our heads down for a well needed night of slumber, getting very excited about starting our Safari tomorrow. Highly recommend the Africa Sky to anyone needing a retreat near Jo'burg airport. We have been taking Malaria pills for 3 days and no major side effects. 

Wed April 9 - Thur April 10 - recouperating

Wed April 9 - Thur April 10 - recuperation
In the cold light of day we are quite disappointed in the RV Park we have chosen for our 3 week stay here in Niagara Falls. It is a bit run down and not ready for the season. No washrooms or showers or laundry open yet and the section we are in is only partially open. The people running the place appeared friendly enough on check-in however, and the internet is okay (though it may not be so good if and when more people are using it... time will tell). The park is broken into a couple of sections. One section appears to be year-round trailer living area. Well we will make the best of things and look for somewhere else for when we return to the area in June. 
Janice spent the two days resting, recuperating and trying to find the right pharmaceutical mix to ease her symptoms, while Derek set up, shopped and took care of Janice!! Looking forward to spending some time with Braden and Grant soon.

Sat April 5 - Tues April 8 - The Long Drive Home

Saturday April 5 – Tuesday April 8^th – Texas to Ontario

A last goodbye, and we were on the road by 8:30am… see you again y’all.

Leaving La Hacienda RV Resort, Texas

Janice not feeling too swift this morning, a bit wheezy and nauseous. Not a good sign.

A quick summary of the long drive. The trip was supposed to take 4/5 nights (5/6 days drive) to cover the 2800 KM trip towing the rig. But as the first day progressed Janice got worse. She did her share of the driving the first two days but by the third day of no food or sleep, she was toast, so Derek had to get us the rest of the way with Janice trying to keep it together in the passenger’s seat. We were lucky to have decent driving conditions (except one awful day of rain), and we did enjoy seeing the landscape as our journey took us through:

• Texas
• Oklahoma  (Okalahoma city  (Twin fountains RV park)
• Missouri
• Illinois (Camp Lakewood RV park, Effingham)
• Indianna
• Ohio  (Town and Country RV Resort, West Salem)
• Pennsylvania
• New York
• Ontario



Oklahoma -Another State on the list

Overnight in Oklahoma City area

Adding States to our list!

Worlds Largest Cross. 198ft. Effingham, Illinois

Ever Mailed a hog before???

And another State

This was on the radio (see title) - Giggle!!

Feeling like we are getting close

Arrived in Niagara Falls

Not many neighbours in Niagara Campark!!

Twin Fountains Rv resort was excellent... Camp Lakewood was not bad. Lovely people running the place, but the spots were very narrow and tight. Town and Country RV Resort was not great either, but we didn't really see much of it. Spots were wide, but uneven and muddy.  We did some long days driving so we could get home as soon as possible and made it in just three nights (4 days) drive, arriving mid afternoon On Tuesday April 8^th at Campark RV Resort in Niagara Falls. Janice immediately lay down.  Ontario has had some major rain and the resort is pretty soggy, but we are happy to be parked and set up for the next 3 weeks. Hopefully Janice will improve soon and we can get lots done before our safari/cruise at the end of the month. Lots to do and many people to see.

Thurs/Fri April 3/4 2014 - Shopping, Rough Hollow Grill and goodbyes

Thursday April 3^rd

We were going to finish packing but ended up going to a Mall Lisa has been telling me about… oh how I wish had gone earlier … it is not just a Mall, it is incredible … huge Macy’s, Dillard’s, JC Penney and hundreds of other stores.  We wandered around and picked up another couple of bits and then headed back did do some preparation for leaving.

Mike and Lisa picked us up in the evening (with Brody) and off we went for a wonderful meal and evening at Rough Hollow Grill.

Derek carrying Brody.... awwww!!!

Great Friends, great times

One pooped puppy

Derek shines in this one!!

Another place we should have found earlier.  Pecan encrusted catfish….YUMMMM!!!  Mike drove us around the exclusive neighbourhood where the restaurant is located … some gorgeous properties (one area even has it’s own landing strip and the homes have hangers for their planes!!!) We had a great time and are so lucky to have made such wonderful friends here in Texas. Brody was a little sweetheart., how I adore that baby… thoughts of taking him back to Canada with us…. ONLY JOKING LISA!! Lisa and Mike bought us a metal ‘Longhorns’ decal for our truck, which is proudly displayed on the tailgate… we love it.

Tonight we realized that our stay here is, sadly, just about over. We have got some great plans in the future, but we will treasure the time we have spent in Texas, and the memories we have made. The people we have met, and friends we have made, are special in so many ways.

This State has its controversies and reputations, but we have come to appreciate it for the great people, beautiful landscapes and colourful diversity we have found at all levels.

Friday April 4^th

PACK! PACK! PACK!…  and batten down the hatches for take off!! Said many goodbyes around the resort.

Derek and I had a special evening meal of Texas Lamb sirloin steaks… if you get the chance one day, get some from a farmers market … SO good!

Hitched up ready for the morning.