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Daily Gallery
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February 20-22--Flight from Austin to Heathrow left late at 8:30 pm due to late arrival from Heathrow due to high gusty winds in London. We arrived in London at 10:35 am the next morning. Because we had a little over 8 hours layover, we were provided with a "day room" in a hotel right at the airport. Then left Heathrow at 6:35 pm for the flight to Cape Town arriving here at 7:45 am Tuesday -- an eleven hour + flight.
We were met at the airport by Jeremy, our tour guide. After all tour members from our flight were out of customs, we were bought to our hotel, The Mount Nelson Hotel right in downtown Cape Town. Once in our room, we cleaned up--was good to get out of clothes we'd had on for 36+ hours. Mike and I and Debbie and Larry went for a walk to sights near the hotel, then found a place to get a small lunch. Our eating cycles and sleep cycles are all messed up, but we are trying to stay awake and go to bed at a normal time tonight to get back on a schedule. We have a welcome reception at 6:30 pm to meet all the other tour members.
Lynne standing in front of our bus as we headed out today
In Hout Bay, one of the seals was on land and posing for pictures!
lone penguin
Lynne standing in front of our bus as we headed out today
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February 23--After a huge buffet breakfast at the hotel, we left on the bus to drive south to the Cape of Good Hope. Actually at the very tip of the peninsula are two Capes--Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope. We stopped first in Hout Bay at the marina to stretch our legs a little. There were seals in the water right by the yachts and other boats. Then we drove onto the Capes. Much of the area we drove thru was national park area. They have many species of flora there and also antelopes, ostriches, baboons and occasionally zebras. We saw some antelopes (though not close enough for a picture) and emus, but no baboons. You are warned about baboons as they will come toward you if they think you have any kind of food.
We drove back north on the east side of the peninsula and stopped in Simon's Town for a seafood lunch. We then walked to the area where there is a colony of South African penguins. From there we drove back to the hotel. At 6 pm we had a local talk to us about the South African history and culture which was very interesting. We of course knew of Nelson Mandela but never really knew all the history of apartheid and the strife it had caused. After the talk, we went to a local nearby restaurant and had interesting meals. Debbie and Larry had ostrich steak, Lynne had Springbuck hamburger (antelope), and Mike had a salad.
The ferry we took to Robben Island
Part of our group seated in the ferry boat.
From the top looking down across the bay to Robben Island which is 4 miles out from the mainland. If a prisoner could escape, they couldn't swim as the water is very cold and it would be a long swim.
The ferry we took to Robben Island
February 24 -- We went on a ferry to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years as a political prisoner. We of course had heard about Mandela and that he had been imprisoned, but how bad the actual conditions for the prisoners we didn't realize. Also as Americans half way around the world, we weren't that aware of what apartheid was and how it unfairly it worked. Very enlightening!
Back at the harbor, we ate lunch, but Mike's stomach was bothering him. When we left the city center to head to the Table Mountain we passed by the hotel. By that time he was really feeling bad, so we let him off at the hotel.
We went on to ride the gondola to top of Table Mountain. When we returned to hotel, he was in bed with a fever and stomach issues. Since he had fever, we decided he should see a doctor. Our tour guide called and we had a doctor at the hotel in about 30 minutes to see him in our room. He gave him some nausea medicine and said to give him some antibiotics that we had gotten from doctor before we left and Tylenol. He also sent Rx to local drug store for more nausea meds and some electrolyte pills. A hotel staff member picked up the Rx and both the doctor visit and the meds was put on our hotel bill. We were amazed that we had a "house call" there in the hotel and how quickly and efficiently it was all handled. As we were leaving Cape Town in the morning, Lynne had to get all our bags packed and ready to be put outside our door at 5:30 am.
February 25 -- Mike was feeling better but not 100%, but good enough to leave on the next leg of the trip. Several others had also had stomach issues and one couple had to stay behind (wife was put in hospital as she had blood pressure issues). Anyway--we went to airport and flew to Victoria Falls airport (about 3 hour flight). We checked into Victoria Falls Hotel and had the afternoon free. Our tour guide, Jeremy, had mentioned you could take a helicopter ride to see Victoria Falls from the air. Mike signed us up and we had a 25 minute ride. They weighed us so as to distribute the weight so Lynne rode in the front seat. It was an awesome experience! After dinner we went to the room and Mike passed out in bed.
When we arrived at Victoria Falls airport, these dancers were greeting us. They pulled a member of our group to dance with them
This is the helicopter that we took a ride in over the falls in the afternoon
Mike, Larry and Debbie at the dinner table on the patio of the hotel
When we arrived at Victoria Falls airport, these dancers were greeting us. They pulled a member of our group to dance with them
Feb 26 — After breakfast, we boarded a bus and headed to Botswana. At the border we first had to get off bus and show passport, negative Covid test and give them a form we’d had to fill out. Then we drove about 400m and get out of bus again to show them the same and give them their form. We have filled out more forms on this trip than we’ve ever had to fill out on any other trip! Once in Botswana we went to the Chobe Marina Lodge. There we first boarded a boat for a cruise up the Zambezi river and part of the Chobe river. This was very exciting as we saw many animals: hippos especially a mama hippo with her baby (both mostly submerged in the water); many many elephants; impalas; Cape buffalo; crocodiles; giraffes; many different birds. Back at the lodge, we had lunch and then boarded jeeps to go by land for a game drive. Here we saw elephants; Kudus; baboons; impalas. Once we headed back to Zimbabwe on the bus we had to go thru the whole customs/forms dance! That evening we had a very nice dinner at the Victoria Falls Hotel provided by the AHI tour company.
From the cruise boat, the first thing we saw was a crocodile. They open their mouth wide to cool off. It was a pretty warm day.
We next saw a herd of impalas and continues to see them the rest of the day from the river and on the game drive
That night we had a nice dinner provided by AHI--our tour company. It was very nice
From the cruise boat, the first thing we saw was a crocodile. They open their mouth wide to cool off. It was a pretty warm day.
This sign was at entrance of Victoria Falls path--local language for "Storm that Thunders" is written in local language
Short way into the park was a statue of David Livingston--first European to see Victoria Falls and named it after Queen Victoria
This sign was at entrance of Victoria Falls path--local language for "Storm that Thunders" is written in local language
Feb 27 — We got to sleep a little later this morning, had breakfast, then had to check out of our rooms by 9:30. By 10, we were off to see Victoria Falls up close. The bus company gave us each a poncho to keep dry. There is a path to walk that has about 18 viewpoints but our guide said we would only view from 1 to 12. This was because the mist from the Falls was so heavy that morning that we would be drenched! The falls were very impressive from land as they had been from the helicopter! Back at the hotel, we had lunch and waited to board the Rovos Rail train. The first Pullman room we were taken to was VERY tiny but for a price we were able to upgrade. Still not big but at least we can maneuver. We dressed (fancy)for dinner and turned in for the evening.
Video of falls -- mainly to hear the sound of the falls. Not sure even the video does the audio justice!
The first morning on the train, the train stopped and we disembarked. We got on several jeeps and were taken out into Hwange Park to see the animals
We saw many animals including wildebeasts, lions, jackals, baboons, giraffes and zebras
Debbie and Lynne climbing back on the train
The first morning on the train, the train stopped and we disembarked. We got on several jeeps and were taken out into Hwange Park to see the animals
Feb 28 — We had a wake up call at 5 am so that by 6 pm we were dressed and had breakfast. We debarked the train and got on several jeeps for a game drive in the Hwange National Park. We were lucky to see today the following: giraffes, lions, zebras, wildebeests, jackals, impalas, many beautiful birds and a leopard turtle. By late morning we were back to the train to continue our journey. After lunch, the afternoon was at our leisure so we played Spinner dominoes with Debbie and Larry and then readied ourselves for dinner.
Mar 1 -- This was a free day as we were on the train the whole day. So we slept late, had a leisurely breakfast. We played Spinner (dominoes) several times during the day as well as sitting in the lounge where Mike could plug in his computer and we could attempt to get words and pictures ready to upload to the blog. We couldn't upload as there was no wi-fi available on the train. Sleeping at night was a challenge as the train made a lot of noise and lurched from time to time.
Many of us sat in the lounge to read or visit. Mike was at a small table on his computer
Debbie and Larry sat in the open air area of the observation deck at the back of the train
Many of us sat in the lounge to read or visit. Mike was at a small table on his computer
Little huts we saw from train--these were small villages of farmers. Some also raised cattle
Our last lunch on the tain
Our tour guide for Soweto (in the yellow shirt) . We were boarding the bus to go on to the hotel in J'burg (Johannesburg)
Little huts we saw from train--these were small villages of farmers. Some also raised cattle
Mar 2 -- After a quick breakfast we had to pack our suitcases and have them ready to be put outside our rooms on the train. We had had a few delays on the train ride, so Jeremy (our tour director) had arranged for us to get off at a little town before Johannesburg and had a bus meet us so that we would still have time to do a shortened version tour of Soweto and J'burg (what locals call Johannesburg). The railroad staff carried our bags to the bus and we had to disembark from the train and cross over about 5 railroad tracks to get to our bus. Right as we were doing this it started to rain, so we all ran as quick as we could. Our tour guide showed us all over Soweto--where Nelson Mandela was born and grew up; where Winnie Mandela lived while he was in prison; and the general conditions of the people living there today (very low poverty level) He also showed us a community of shacks where he had grown up and told about the foundation he has started to help his community. We were supposed to go in, but as the tour had to be shortened, he only told us about it. At the end we went to Chez Alina restaurant--a woman run restaurant for dinner. Leaving there we went to our hotel in J'burg--54 on Bath--a very nice hotel.
Mike took a quick photo of our hotel in J'burg--54 on Bath
Our Airlink plane for the 45 minute hop to Hoedspruit
A male impala
Mike took a quick photo of our hotel in J'burg--54 on Bath
Mar 3-- We rose early, had a quick breakfast in order to leave for the J'burg airport to fly to Hoedspruit. From the airport we were transported about 45-60 minute drive to the Thorny Bush Lodge. We were welcomed with a nice lunch and then shown to our individual lodges. Ours was one of the further away one. Inside they are very luxurious with big picture windows. At 4 pm we met at the main lodge to go on our first safari on the Thorny Bush reserve. We saw many animals that we had seen before, but also saw a rhinocerous and her baby. Once we returned to the lodge at 7:30 pm, we had another big dinner at the main lodge (all open air.
We had to be at main lodge at 5:30 am--the sun was just rising
As we drove by the airstrip, a hyena was sleeping on the pavement. Even though all 3 jeeps were pulled up by him, he didn't flinch at all
We saw many birds they call "banana birds" because of a long toucan like beak. But they always landed in trees where a picture wasn't possible. So took a picture of a painting at the lodge.
We had to be at main lodge at 5:30 am--the sun was just rising
Mar 4 -- We had a 5 am wake-up call this morning. Had to be down at the main lodge by 5:30 to leave on the morning game drive. The lodge has an airstrip and right as we pulled out by the strip was a hyena sleeping on the pavement. We were looking for lions this morning and our tracker and guide kept seeing paw prints on the dirt roads, but it kept eluding us. In between, we saw kudus, zebras, giraffes, and more hyenas. Finally, they found two young male lions and as we drove up to where they were, they jumped back into the tall grass, so we didn't get a good picture. About that time we got a call from another jeep of a leopard sighting, so we traversed to that spot as quickly as the dirt roads allowed. We found the young male sitting on a limb of a fallen tree. He finally got up and sauntered off. Our guide said he was nervous because a female leopard and her cubs were nearly and the mama will aggressively fight to protect her babies. Our guide said young male leopards will kill the cubs if they can get to them--thus the reason she is so protective. Leaving there we came back to the main lodge. At 11 we had a talk on the Kruger National Park and on the efforts to protect the rhinos from poachers. We had lunch at 1 pm and High Tea at 3:30 pm. We went out again at 4 pm for another game drive. We saw the leopard again and more impalas, giraffes, zebras, elephants, a gnu, and a herd of Cape buffalo. We returned to the lodge just in time of dinner which was an outdoor barbeque-type buffet. Each group sat with their ranger so we got to know our ranger, Greg. Greg and his wife are also the managers of Thornybush.
Mar 5 -- Again this morning we met at 5:30. However, our group with Greg set out for the first hour on a walking tour. We learned a lot about identifying the different animal scat (poop), footprints of different animals, and termite hills. When we got back in the jeep, the other guides let him know they had found the one and only black rhino on the preserve. (The rhinos we had seen previously were white rhinos). We drove to that location and found the black rhino. We stopped for a short coffee break by a pond then headed back to the Lodge as we had to get our PCR tests for flying home tomorrow. As we got to the airstrip, we saw a nyala which is in the kudu family. Our afternoon game drive was most amazing. We finally found a female lion who had just killed a baby warthog. Another female wandered over (she has a hip problem and is an outcast)--probably hoped she'd get part of the kill. Then all of a sudden a male showed up. They sat together for a while and then the first female went back to her kill and ate it. We then drove on and came across a whole pride with several females and about 4 cubs at a pond drinking.
Walking in a straight line behind our guide--had to be quiet as we walked.
Greg is carrying a rifle as a precaution were an animal decide to come toward us. He has only one time had to actually use it. Here he is telling us about the termite hills which are all over the bush area.They serve a purpose as they arre natures clean up crew
Walking in a straight line behind our guide--had to be quiet as we walked.
First thing as we left the lodge, we saw this animal. It is a member of the antelope family--usique in the white "target" he has on his rump!
As we were driving to find the lion, we drove in the riverbed for a way--it is deep sand, so was slow going
First thing as we left the lodge, we saw this animal. It is a member of the antelope family--usique in the white "target" he has on his rump!
March 6-7 —Even though we were to leave for the trip home, we had one more morning of getting up at 5 for our last game drive. It was at first an elusive hunt for a lion that managed to keep out of sight for all the jeeps. We did have three elephant experiences. The first while driving by a pond, 13 elephants wiith 3 of those babies, came walking across the road and went down to the pond to drink—an awesome sight! Second, we saw several elephants with two babies--the babies were playing together--so cute! Last we came upon two elephants—one was probably about 50 years old—male—huge! He came right by the jeep—not concerned about us being there at all. It was amazing. Once back at the lodge we had about an hour to eat breakfast and get ourselves cleaned up and totally packed. Then we were driven to Hoedspruit for the short hop to Jo’burg. We had a wait of about 7 hours and then we flew to Heathrow airport (London) arriving there at 7ish (11-hour flight) on the 7th. Our flight home was to leave at 12:15 and we were all loaded on the plane, but there were some baggage issues and we finally took off at 1:30. So we will arrive in Austin later than expected. This particular return trip was much more northern than previous trips. We passed over Greenland and Hudson Bay and entered the US at the Minnesota border. Mike strongly suspects this route was taken to avoid high headwinds over the normal routing.
The trip was truly a trip of a lifetime! We would probably not make that trek again as it takes 2 days to get there and 2 more to get back. Not to mention, it was probably one of our most expensive trips. But the experience and the camaraderie with the other Flying Longhorns was great!