Baboons

We saw baboons almost everywhere in Zimbabwe. In fact, it was the very first animal we saw. A giant one was crossing the road just after we left the airport. They all looked similar, though I don't know if they were, in fact, the same species. Despite more aggressive counterparts you see quite often in nature shows and on the interwebs, these baboons seemed quite gentle and playful. At no time did I detect any poo throwing ...

24

The last 24 hours have been incredible. The cheetahs we saw Monday night had a successful hunt early Tuesday morning. We came across them with their wildabeast meal while looking for lions. The sights (and sounds) were intense yet even with blood dripping down their jaw, those cats were incredibly beautiful. 

Later on, we drove through the park and saw elephants absolutely everywhere we went. We checked back on the wildabeast, and all that was left was skin and bones. Vultures and jackels were all around. Raymond, our guide, said hyenas would come by at night and eat the bones. 

We started to head back to camp and were surprised by a dinner out on the veld. Fires were dotted around to keep curious animals at bay. We can hear elephants playing in the water at a near by watering whole. The meal, like everything we've had here, was delicious. We enjoyed a large bonfire, drinks, food, and the company of the wonderful staff at Camelthorn. 

Our plan today, Wednesday, is for an all day drive to get deeper into the park. Raymond wakes us early. Change of plans he says. He's heard the lions calling and wants to do a quick drive before breakfast to see if we can spot them. It's amazing to watch Raymond track as we drive. Zimbabwe guides have intense training that goes on for years. They pick up on the smallest signs. It seemed we may not find them again, but Raymond spots movement off in the distance. We've found them!

A pride of five is drinking from a watering hole early. It's still quite cold. They are so majestic. The older female is very intense looking. I expect she is an excellent hunter. We can't stay long, but we enjoy them for a bit, take some pictures and we are on our way. I can't imagine what the rest of the day will bring. 

The Blind

In Hwange, there is a watering hole called The Blind. It's a shipping container, mostly buried in the ground, camouflaged on top, with a hatch, and viewing slates that are 20 ft away from a watering whole. Enjoy.

Camelthorn Lodge

We arrived at Camelthorn last night. Spent most of the day traveling but a lot of it was through parks so lots of great scenery. The drive into Camelthorn at Hwange was pretty bumpy. We were flying, assuming so that the driver could get back to the main road, which just about rattled our teeth out of our heads. 

This location is very beautiful, but in a much different way than Zambizi Sans. You are really out there. As you walk the path to our cabin you look out and there is the park. As you might have guessed from the elephant post this morning. Ther are guards to keep us safe though, so no worries. 

Today had been spectacular. Some large herds this morning. Cape buffalo and wildabeast. Some elephant and zebra as well. A secretary bird too. Really neat looking. Finally got a great shot of some Kudu too. They are so jumpy. I've been wanting a pic since my last visit. 

Wake Up Call

Woke up to two elephants just outside our door!! Needless to say we were a little late to breakfast. 

Hungry Hungry a Hippo

Have been feeling under the weather today. My travel companions believe it's hydration, so I've been knocking back waters, getting rest, and patching myself up for the rest of the trip. 

The upside is I've been able to spend more time at this incredible lodge. I can't get over how beautiful it is. Right on the river. So quiet and peaceful. Will be difficult to leave for the next spot, which I believe is Hwage National Park. 

Dispite feeling rough today, I did make it out on the river for some fishing with Jamey. Jamey caught a Tiger Fish. We also saw a large number of Hippos on the banks. Usually they would go back into the water for safety, but they stayed out so we got a great look at them. 

Zambezi Sands

At Zambizi National Park, with an incredible first day out seeing animals and the landscape. At this time of year the leaves have fallen from most trees, but that makes it easier to see animals. Birds especially. Today we saw impala, baboon, giraffe, warthog, ginifoul, red horned hornbill and many other birds that I can't recall the names of. Elephants at a distance. And tonight we saw as many as ten hippo crossing the Zambizi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe. As amazing as it has been just in the first day, it seems like we've only scratched the surface.

Travel Day

Flight one of three is complete. Awaiting our longest flight (15 hours) from JFK to Johannesburg, South Africa. Can't believe that when we step off the plane it will be a day later and we'll be one more short hop away from our first location.  

I'm going BACK!

In August 2015, I'll be headed back to Africa. Not South Africa this time but Southern Africa so I'm not going to bother to change the name of the blog. Looking back at my old posts from the last trip is getting me even more excited about going. We'll be traveling to Zimbabwe and Botswana this time. I wont' have to do any of the driving, which is actually a little sad - I loved driving on the "wrong" side of the road - but that means more pictures.

I don't have a lot of links or information yet, but I'll be sure to make updates once I can plot out a map and maybe provide some links to where we are staying.

Back in Maine

After two days of travel I'm back in Maine. I walked in African soil the entire way back, as we visited the beach before we left for the airport on Thursday, and I left the sand on my feet. Kinda cheesy, I know, but it was nice to take that little bit along back with me. It made for a great last day too, as we had some wonderful weather and plenty of time to take nice relaxing walks in the sand ... enjoying the blue skies once again.

I updated the last few posts with pictures, as I was unable to do that from the Internet Cafe in Cape Town. I think I started with Stellenbosch and worked forward, so take a look. I have a lot of pictures to process from the nicer camera Ryan let me take, so check back in a week or so. I'll probably post a bunch of pictures to Flickr, but I will put the link here so it's easy to find. Thanks for reading a long and leaving messages, this was a lot of fun for me :o)

Lion's Head

I went for a hike in the clouds today, litterally. Lion's Head over looks Cape Town and the surrounding area, and usually provides a great 360 degree view. Today however it was covered in clouds, and visibility was about 20-30 ft, but we hiked it anyway! At one point there was a shortcut where you have to hold on to chains to get up. The top was pretty crazy, this one flat area and when you looked out all you could see was white. We actually did get a chance at a great view on the way down, of Camps Bay and some beaches, as well as the other side of Table Mountain. I have some pictures that I'll be able to share later.

This evening we went out for dinner at a place called Momma Africa, which I think I mentioned earlier. It was great. There was an African music band there (I'll have to work on a better descripter after I talk to Harlan), they were playing marimbas, sax, and congo drums. We all had really good meals. It was a fun and exciting way to spend our last evening here in Cape Town. We'll have a little time around town tomorrow before catching our plane, but this is pretty much it! Can't wait to see you all when I get back to the States. I'll be posting some more pictures once I get home as well, so check back in over the next week or so.

Cape Town

So this is our second day in Cape Town. I've really just walked around a bit and done some shopping, both last night and early this morning. There are all kinds of vendors that you can bargan with on prices for things. I decided to take a low key day, but many of my other companions are out doing tours of the area, Kate and Anne even decided to leave early this morning for a shark dive! They put a cage in the water a the surface, so you can go down in the water or get out whenever you want, but it's great white season just off the coast, so I'm excited to hear how it went for them. Tomorrow we are either going to hike Table Mountain or Lion's Head. Both I can see from windows of our lodge, and both look like they will give great views of the entire area. There are several beaches, points, and bays in and around Cape Town. Don't think it's going to be warm enough for the beach, but the hike tomorrow and then dinner at Momma Africa should be great. I think I'm going to try a Kudu steak! If I can get some good pictures tomorrow I'll see what I can do about posting them. We have tomorrow here and then part of Thursday as well, as our flight doesn't leave until the evening. Can't believe it's almost time to come home!

Stellenbosch

Not a whole lot to report from wine country. Stellenbosch is a neat college town, but pretty quiet on a Sunday. It was nice to walk around, and there were a few shops open. A few of us wandered down this morning before heading out, and it was much more lively. Since the vinards were closed when we arrived Sunday night, we visited one this morning. It was established in 1696. They gave us a brief tour and then we were able to taste some wines. Apparently this winery was the first to create the Pinotage grape, which is a hybrid grape, not a blend. Their's was good, but I think I liked the R24 bottle I bought in the grocery store better :o) That's a whole $4 for those of you keeping track. Much more impressive than the wine was the rest of the grounds, which comprised of an extensive hotel and spa. Probably more expensive than anything I could ever afford, but it sure was nice looking around. I have a few pictures but the computer here doesn't seem to like my USB stick, so I'll have to add them to the post later. Might not be until I get back.

After the winery, we made for Cape Town, which is where I'm writing from tonight. No more driving for Allison! Yeah. I figured I'd wait, for sake of my father's blood pressure, to mention that I've actually driven across Africa. There was another traveller listed to drive my car, but he got wigged out and left after two days. So I've been doing all the driving for the second car. Hahah. Other side of the road, other side of the car. Was pretty easy though. Glad to be done with it though.

That's all my internet time for tonight. Bye!

Ostrich

We visited an ostrich farm today. The farm was kinda interesting, although a bit more toursity than ones Harlan has seen in the past. We got a bit of history of the place, went into a pen with some ostriches, saw some babies, and a random emu. We then had a chance to ride an ostrich. Those of you that are Swiss Family Robinson fans know that I couldn't pass that up. The second picture below is blurry but it does show me riding the ostrich. The other one was where we could sit on one that couldn't move much. His neck was very very soft and he seemed to like it when people pet him.

Of course after riding an ostrich we had to eat one, which is what I just finished doing. Really really good. Not white meat, which is what one would expect from a bird, but deep purply meat. Definitely would be a tough contender against tenderloin back home. Oh, and a yummy drink I've discovered is Amarula, which is made from a local fruit, Marula. I've been told it can be found back in the States, although I might just bring some back with me. To me it tastes like strawberries and cream, but other people say it tastes a lot like Kahlua. Off to wine country tomorrow, so more yummy beverages are yet to come!

Plettenburg Bay

Today we hiked out on Cape Seal, which is the peninsula that completes Plettenburg Bay. All sides of the hike were very unique. The North shore had high cliffs and views of the bay. The East end was very rocky, almost like the coast of Maine, with seals playing in the high surf. The South shore are where the pictures are from. The first one shows a beach area, where Harlan and I took a swim in the Indian Ocean. The second picture looks back at that beach (far) and another beach (near), which was a view we had near the end of our hike. It still wasn't super warm, about 65 today, and breezy, but it was decent weather for the hike, just a little chilly for a swim :o)

Spider

A few little things I forgot to post that I thought I'd add before going to bed (and yes I'm a computer junkie and very ashamed).

So I got my first and only creature scare so far from a very large spider on our wall at Mount Morrosi. There was no electricity there, so we came in to the hut in the dark and Hazel's headlamp trained right on the spider. I had a mild meltdown and didn't sleep much that night. Spiders live in the thatch and I was scare of more coming. I managed to do better the next night though.

I saw that Ryan mentioned that Melealea was at 6000 ft, well Mount Morrosi is around 7000 and there are crazy mountain ranges all around. Looks just like the string of beacons on Lord of the Rings. Got some pictures at the top of a hike. Hope they come out.

Tomato chips are my new favorites, especially the ones at Melealea. They taste like ketchup, which sounds super weird but trust me, very addictive.

The South African Rand has some very neat looking money. Much better than our boring green stuff Ryan :o)

That's all for now. Think I'm caught up for the most part. I'll check in with more in a day or so. Bye for now!

Look kids, Big Ben!

It's been over a week since I've been in London, but I've been wanting to write that :o)

Thanks for all the comments people are leaving. I'm having fun reading them. This is only the second chance I've had to get on a computer, but I hear that from here on out most of the Backpackers will have internet available at them.

For anyone tracking the trip, we had to take a slight detour a few days ago. It's been abnormally cold for this type of year, and a few days ago certain areas of South Africa experienced the worst snow they've had in 40 years. That might not be much by our standards, but it was enough to snow in and close the roads to Hogsback. So instead we had to detour and stay in Cradock instead, which worked out nicely as it gave us more time at the Addo elephant park. We saw kudo, zebra, elephants, jackel, and ostridge. Sorry Kathrine, no lions, and I haven't run across any giraffe Kylie, but I'm on the look out.

There should be two pictures below. One is from Melealea and the other is today, from Plettenburg Bay on the Indian Ocean. If you click for the larger version you should be able to see the warm(ish) sandy beaches, crazy surf, and snow in the mountains. All my good creature pictures are on the bigger camera, so I'll share those when I get home!

Lumela

Lumela (pronounced Dumela) is hello in the native language of Lesotho. Sorry it's been so long until my first post. We traveled for a about three days (spent tuesday in London) and then were in the mountains for awhile. We are passing through Mafatang today on our way to a second lodge in Lesotho. We'll be there for a few days and then we make our way into South Africa, where I should be able to make posts more often. We've seen quite a few neat things so far. The mountainous country is very beautiful and the people are welcoming. We've taken many hikes, visited a school and a clinic, and met many travelers. Everyone is healthy, safe, and happy, including me :o) I hope to post some pictures of my travels in my next post. Love to you all!

First Post!

While I'm setting up this trip blog I decided I needed a test posting to start out with. Martha, one of our trip leaders, sent us some great pictures awhile back. Here are a few to check out, and hopefully some sights I'll be seeing very soon. Click on the picture for a bigger image.