The Palace Sun City

... for a ride on the Lazy River whilst I stayed back with Samuel. It seems they didn't have that much of a lazy ride as my wife first struggled to find a comfortable position into the tube and had to be helped. Then they started to drift across the river instead of moving forward. Well, at least we made the ride not so boring for the others around! Then Lily and I took turns and tried the "adult" slides. I did the big dive one which was great and also two others called the "Scorpion ...

... on a bridge surroundered by elephant statues. And then...you pay again! But finally we're there: the Valley of Waves! It's almost unreal, sand and what looks like a beach here in the midst of the mountains! But before you can start enjoying it, you have to use your wallet a bit more: rent an umbrella, a tube, a life jacket for the kid, a locker, few drinks...on and on it goes! I know I'm being a bit cynical but yes indeed we're ...

... in the shallow end, we sat down and a wave came over and dragged me, Jax on my back across grit and took all my tan and some extra bits of flesh off my back and elbows. To which the lifeguard replied- "it happens to everyone", but there were no signs to say "don't sit in the shallow when the waves come or you will ruin the rest of your day at the beach". Anyway - luckily there was a lovely medic who fixed me up and put some "monkey-blood" (mecurichrome) on my back and ...

... baby male looked at us, stamped the ground, and shook his head ... but he remained with Mama this time. Eventually, the elephants did leave the road, so we started our engine and headed for home. It was dark when we arrived back at the lodge - and we were all quite chilled. No blankets this time. We rested for about an hour, then went to dinner. Had a nice pinotage. All exhausted - though we were the last ones there - so early to bed. Might dream of elephants tonight.

... lag before going on safari. We are greeted each morning by a family of baboons who wait outside the hotel doors to see if they can come in or nick some food from room service trays! The wave pool is awesome and Matt spends alot if time in there - also the water sildes. We visited the Entertainment centre to watch movies - fools gold and sidney white - and also eat. We have been introduced to a new fast food ...

... about how rowdy the previous SAS groups had been and how we didn't drink and we didn't party, blah blah blah basically calling us all pansies. All of the guides are between 21 and 27 years old and all look forward to when the 50 SAS college students come in because it lets them have a really good time with their guests. So Leon was talking and talking all day, and to say the least I am not one to back down from a challenge, and I said we were going to drink the guides under ...

... but once I regained control and put my arms and legs together like a lady should (as apposed to having them sticking up and spread like an eagle.) Nothing was crossed and by the time I got to the bottom and my swimmers were magic. In that they had disappeared up my bum. Justin and pretty much everyone else who was standing at the bottom were ******* themselves. Yeah okay I looked like a complete moron ...

... until suddely we happened upon 15 or so Zebra within in touching distance (only touch if you're tired of having hands). Great scott josh thought this will be a great day of animal sightings maybe we'll even see a lion (can't believe we messed upt the photos of the Rhinos thought lauren)! A giraffe, 5 impala, another giraffe and some hartebeest later we were glad to have seen such elegant animals, but were getting a little bored and ...

... she would even think about taking any compensation from us. More than just the sights, I have really enjoyed getting to know the generous people of South Africa. I hope to be able to post pictures as soon as I can get my internet sorted out with the University, until then just bear with me. Also, I tried to send out this link to everyone, but it did not seem to work, if whoever is reading this could pass it on to everyone else, I would really appreciate it.

... aerial aloft, listening for the tell-tale 'beep. beep. beep.' of the tracking device, I couldn't stop smiling. This was a dream come true. The chance to help out on such important and well constructed field work was something I had been striving for all my life, and something that I wouldn't swop for the world. It was good to know that we would be here for a few while. beep. beep. bEep. bEEp. bEEP. BEEP BEEP! BEEP!! BEEEPP!!!! The signal was getting stronger. We ...