Like Home B&B or Self Catering KwaZulu-Natal

... how big it was but I was told it was over 35 feet and when the thing is cruising straight at you I can guarantee it looks more like 350 feet. We then got back in the boat and got to do the same thing with dolphins which sounds cool but honestly the whale shark was waaaaaay better.

The actual dive was really nice and without boring you with every single fish I saw here are the highlights:

- Swam with two other Whale Sharks other than the first ...

... only a couple of pounds to get in. I have to say my hopes for seeing anything weren't high but it was great. We started seeing lots of antelope and deer type animals (I have to say my knowledge is limited and I am determined to find out which species I saw). Then we saw some warthogs and their babies, monkeys also with babies, zebra strolling across the road, more hippos and crocodiles and then the piece de resistence 2 big black rhinos only a few feet from our car! Absolutely ...

... had seen them hunting animals, I explainied that many of them live on reservations and are very modern. We made some comparions between Native Ameicans and the Native Bush people of South Africa. We concluded the day by singing two camp songs as loud as possible! After school we came home, loaded the car and set off for a weekend in the Drakensburg Mountains.

... a lovely gang -Mary, Drew, Rachel, Neasa and myself, which helps as you're in the middle of nowhere. We made our own fun. Word of warning though, the owner is a bit pervy and leery. Keep your distance there. Also everything here is run on tab so it is wise to keep a record of what you eat and drink yourself to be sure you're not overcharged - you loose track easily. Costs Per Person: Ampitheatre Lodge ~ 2 nights 25 euro Hike ~ 40 euro

Today we headed towards the Drakensberg mountains and a luxury tented lodge to be shared with a family of baboons. This was wild 'luxury' camping at its best!! The following two days were to comprise of team football, walking in the mountains and a trip to the ...

My Safara was absolutely amazing. We saw 4 of the Big 5, minus the leopard which I could care less about. I saw the elephants and so my life is complete. We have a photo of 3 of the 5 together by one brook. Our guide asked us to send it to him because that's never happend. It was an Elephant bull, 2 white Rhinos and a lioness. Amazing. I'm glad I didn't get malaria or sunburn so I'd say my trip was an absolute success!

... It wasn't cheaper than at home, but I figured I'd give it a go just for the "well, now I've done it" sake. In a nut shell, it was fun but not as exhilirating as bungee jumping over the Zambezi. Why? Well, I figure it's because being up at 9000 feet abstracts the concept of plumetting to one's death enough that you don't even think of it anymore. In contrast, when bungee jumping you're falling face first into something with which you'd probably rather not become ...

... taken him to the hospital when they did, he most likely would have died. So basically they gave him up out of love, knowing they could not care for him. It gave me chills just thinking about it. They have nothing material, but they had all the love in the world for him. I'll fill you guys in at home with more details, because I could write on and on. To make a long story short, it was very hard for all of us to say goodbye. The last few days have been al right for me, but ...

Thursday was another morning enveloped by early mist. Being situated at the bottom of a valley, Castleburn is often subjected to early morning mist. I decided to take the camera and get some shots in. Luckily as the morning warmed up the mist started rising to reveal a gloriously bright and clear day, but not before getting some lovely early morning shots in. Jared was ever so keen to go on a pony ride ...

... the local bar while Jared and I stayed in. It wasn't long after leaving that everybody returned, feeling rather dismayed that the bar had closed at about 20h15. It was rather a pity as the decor was stunning. Set under high wooden ceilings with thatch roofing, a central fireplace and sleeper wood furnishings, a commanding view of the lake made it the perfect place to relax with a night cap or two.