safari sistas

Back on our porch… with our wine…, this time at Armagh Country Lodge in the Tsitsikamma. Tonight we have bathrobes and face masks on, so we are glad there is no one to witness except a fat ugly spider (at least he is outside), some frogs, and Thandie, our resident dog.

Our day started bak at Kragga Kamma when we woke up on our hard beds, glanced around for spiders, and then enjoyed breakfast on our porch. We then packed up, drove through the reserve back to Bush Cafe and had our first close up cheetah encounter. For only a few rand, the 3 of us got to meet Dhuma face to face – a retired celebrity cheetah – who is living out his days at the game park.

On our way out, we also encountered a warthog family, a mother and 4 piglets. I was very excited to add to my warthog portfolio, but I think Jaimi felt otherwise, for as I climbed into the car she remarked, “Great! We took all of 3 photos of us with the cheetah, but we have 80 of the warthogs.”

Once I was finally able to pull myself away from the warthogs (oh by the way, I will be bringing home a piglet) we began our roadtrip to the Tsitsikamma, a national park region a couple hundred km west of PE. Tsitsikamma means “land of many waters” and the lush vegetation is evidence of it! The freeway proved to be a breeze: well maintained, uncrowded, and considerate drivers. However a slight over-abndance of traffic signs in my opinion. We had quite a time trying to decipher what “curve in road – tree – truck” meant, among other interesting pictorial signs. And I was amazed when Jaimi hit the brakes going down a hill due to a slow truck up ahead, just as I glanced over and saw a sign with a car hitting a truck going down a hill “how did they know?” But at least there was no chance of getting lost – there were 4 signs pointing out the turnoff into town; it was just a bit of a riddle determining exactly which sign was actually placed where the road was, so we would end up on it rather than turning into the bush! Overall the drive went by quickly and Kevin was very good in the backseat except for a brief period during which he took to poking me in the back of the neck with a stick.

Arriving at the Armagh, we had an entire list of potential things to do in mind: drive back 5 km to photograph the 2 cops in folding chairs with a multi-colored sun umbrella and radar gun, check out the Storms River bridge up close (is that the one we might bungy from?), but in the end the expansion of the campaign-against-white-legs won out: we hit the pool.

Later in the afternoon we trekked into the bustling metropolis of Storms’ River (4 dirt roads, 1 paved road, and miscellaneous footpaths) where we arranged our activities for tomorrow morning – but no hints, you’ll hear about it if we survive! Jill was impressed by Bacchus Cafe, and upon mentioning it, we both went into latte withdrawal symptoms. So we went there, and found that cafe does not necessary mean cafe; we were greeted with a full menu and a choice of filtered coffee – normal or decaf. Bummer! But Kevin got his daily portion of ice cream and shortly thereafter we found the one and only internet connection available in town. Guess we’ll be regulars there (well, here) for the next couple of days.

Thandie was happy to see us upon our return to the Lodge, and we were happy to get into the shower (I was a little less happy to have Kevin in playing in the sink during my shower – as if you anyway get constant water pressure and temperature in Africa!). Our evening was spent at an African dinner buffet at the B&B’s restaurant, before retiring onto our porch.

Oh yes!! And I do believe lent is over, so I have big plans to celebrate! Correct me if I have miscounted the 40 days… Actually, don’t!

P.S. We will have a Best Blogger award, so Tracy you are well in the lead!!!

Well, we survived the first night with the spiders. However, Jaimi woke up with a sore throat, so we assume the worst. 🙁 On a brighter note, we had perfect game drive weather and enjoyed many fantastic animal sightings. We were all thrilled, though it’s hard to tell if Kevin was more enchanted by the game or by the open Landrover. Or, it could have been the binoculars: even though he had no clue how to focus them, he wouldn’t surrender them for more than 5 seconds during the entire 2 hour drive!

Fitting that he had binoculars attached to his face, considering he volunteered himself as guide #2 – gamely telling Jill at full volume when she picked the wrong road, explaining to us that there is a girl and boy rhino out in the field, and if we tried to pipe in with some bit of animal information, shortly stating “I *know* that already.”

Our favorites were: cheetah, giraffe, warthogs (Jill anyway). We’ll add separately a viewing list so you can keep track with us – still no dik-diks, though (Marianne). And we’re still working on how to upload some photos. I have to say, at this rate it’s been hard enough just finding an internet connection (especially one that works). We are, after all, in Africa! 🙂

We concluded the day with our first foray into the world of braai – traditional African barbecue over a wood fire. Great fun – at least for Jill, who made the salad and laughed at Jaimi sputtering in the smoke during attempt 4 to keep the fire alive! Kevin was a great help, scouring the camp for sticks to use as kindling (with the one exception that we might have heard a black-backed Jackal nosing around, so maybe we shouldn’t have let him go under the barricade fence…). Fortunately, the meat was edible (come on Jill – it was GOOD!) And we had another good dinner and killed another bottle of wine.

The spider’s seemed to have made themselves scarce, so we got a better night’s rest, save the not entirely comfy cabin beds. (But I’ll take hard beds, no spiders any day!!) And…despite the afternoon scare of wild jungle fever on Jaimi’s part, that seems to be gone for good now, as well.

Wildlife: 0
Intrepid travellers: 1

So far, so good…

 Tonight we are settled into our log cabin atop a hill at Kragga Kamma Game Reserve. After a busy day of packing up at Africa Beach B&B, ... [Continue reading this entry]