Mo's African Adventure

Tuesday, January 3, marks our last full day at Gecko Creek. Tomorrow we will head to Cape Town for our last week of holidays. I cannot believe how incredibly hard it will be for me to leave this special place and these special people.

The people ….

The gentleness and kindness of the people who live at this place is profound.

Veronica and Adrian who work at the lodge have gone out of their way to welcome us and help us and I am truly thankful.

Ingrid, my gentle, German friend whose kindness knows no limits and whose friendship will be a lasting treasure even though we will be miles apart. How do you thank someone who has touched your soul and left you a better person for it? I will carry her with me in my heart as I leave this place.

Although Linton and Lisa will be travelling with us to Cape Town tomorrow, I have to talk about them here as they are an intrinsic part of the Gecko Creek experience. What amazing hosts. They welcome you, share their space with you, yet give you the space and freedom to enjoy your surroundings without feeling you are intruding. What generous spirits they have to share such a wonderful experience with us.

The place …

Words seem inadequate to capture the peace and tranquility of this mountain hideaway. Nestled in a valley up in the Cederberg Mountains, a stillness falls here that is so restful to the soul it leaves ones emotions bared raw. Each morning I rise early before the sunrise and walk into the mountains to witness the breaking of the day. As the sun backlights Spirit Mountain, Baboon Ridge, Leopard Rock and so many other places I don’t even know the name of, it throws hews of yellow and red across the morning sky and floods the hills and valleys with glorious sunshine. It is nothing for me to walk for three hours every morning here, exploring the landscape, enjoying the sunshine, and soaking in the tranquility that is both profound and comforting. This place brings out all that is best in me and it is as close to paradise as I have ever known. Although I will leave tomorrow, I know I will leave a part of myself here.

The opportunity to fly in the Fokker again was just too inviting to pass up. Beautiful day … blue sky …. a mix of cirrus and cumulus clouds … 12,000 feet up with the canopy open (and yes it’s cold up there) ….

There just are no words to explain.

p.s. Two barrel rolls today.

Sunday was again another beautiful day. Every single day here has been glorious sunshine with temperatures between 90 and 100. One day we did get over 100 degrees but always at night it cools down beautifully. There ... [Continue reading this entry]

After a lazy day exploring the rich surroundings of Gecko Creek Lodge and yet another wonderful meal prepared by Ingrid, all of the guests of the camp gathered in the Boma for our nightly campfire, drumming and story session. ... [Continue reading this entry]