safari sistas

Actually, a couple of days ago.  But after the 30 hour voyage, I needed some recovery time.  My giraffe fortunately made it home unscathed and looked a lot better for the wear than myself by the time we reached Portland.  Long story short: 3 planes, 2 long lay-overs, 6 movies, 4 Bloody Marys, 3 security checks, 1 secondary inspection for the giraffe, a lot of strange looks (because of the giraffe), and a long drive with the worst migraine I’ve had in awhile (maybe a bad idea on the bloody marys), and I was home.

Nice to be home, but I miss Africa already!!  What a spectacular adventure! And I’m already planning the next one, just so I can keep blogging!

Oh yeah, and I did finally make it back to work!

Well, the adventure doesn’t stop.  We enjoyed the last morning in PE, having a relaxed breakfast on the veranda overlooking the ocean, then headed on our way.  Leg 1 of the trip was easy and we successfully found Jill at Joberg airport.  The wait was eaten up by logistical activities and – of course – last minute shopping. The Africans in tow (okay, I guess I can finally let on that the Zimbabwean is a 1m Giraffe and Kami is Jill’s 1.5m Giraffe), we toured the shops and then bid our farewells at Jill’s gate.  Kevin and I were so sad to say goodbye to our adventure companion!  We then boarded our plane – totally full so I didn’t get much sleep (Kevin again taking over my seat to lay down). We wuffered a delay and then a 20 minute wait in Paris for a parking space (for crying out loud!).  Missed the connecting flight and had to wait again – turning the total trip into about 28 hours of travel. I am feeling really bad for Jill right about now, who is probably still on the road.  Also the security in Paris is ridiculous and made us check our Zimbabwe friend (as we’re boarding the flight, we get sent away to run back upstairs to check in and try to make it back in time to get on the plane – now why couldn’t they have let us know at an earlier point in the 4 hours we sat around?).  So Lucy – as Kevin has now insisted she be called – has ended up with a broken horn, compliments of security / baggage handlers. 🙁

but: we are home, the adventures were great (mostly), and I will now start working through photos and getting some posted soon! Thanks all for joining in the fun.

Le Bonheur, cabernet-sauvignon ****  smooth, full bodied, plum and earthy tastes - well worth the price paid! Hill & Dale, Dry Merlot Rose ** a dry rose, faky aromatic experience of strawberries and cassis, well-appreciated by non-rose drinkers (Jill) Savannah, shiraz *  drinkable, ... [Continue reading this entry]

Alas, it is the last night of our adventure!!  And we are many days behind on our blogging as we have been on safari in the bush.  But, we'll try to at least give an update to close out our ... [Continue reading this entry]

having finally found an internet connectin again, I can continue the story... I join Kevin in bouncing about (helps release some of the nervous energy) and we hover as close to the retrieval site ... [Continue reading this entry]

A breaktaking view of the lush canyon below and the surrounding tsitsikamma mountains. A few moments of silence as the air rushes past, a feeling of slow motion as utter peace descends...until you start ... [Continue reading this entry]

Actually, it was a bird.  A parrot, to be a bit more exact, and he was bound and determined to ride along on Jill's shoulder while eating her clothes away; the Birds of Eden aviary has never been so exciting. ... [Continue reading this entry]

Today's start saw us flying between trees, up to 30m off the ground.  We practiced monkey noises (and bird calls), took lessons in the flora & fauna of the indigenous forest, and had screaming competitions as we raced down cables ... [Continue reading this entry]

First of all, my apologies for those of you who got stuck in my waiting for moderation file. I did not realize...  David, read on...

Truckful of Africans Impala Herd Giraffe Warthog & Piglets Waterbuck Leopard Tortoise Cheetah African Penguins? (We've been told these are not on the mainland, but faith is an amazing thing) Buffalo Wildebeest (Blue) Nyala Spiders of Unusual Size (Rain Spiders) Frogs Small, Squiggly Snake (brown in color, really no bigger than a very ... [Continue reading this entry]