Hartford House KwaZulu-Natal

... owner (in his dressing gown but that is beside the point) got the local garage to come and change the spare for us (not because I'm incapable of changing
a tyre before I get accused of being a useless girl - but because getting the hub cap off involved breaking it which we weren't really prepared to do) and repair the puncture tyre all for the princely sum of 3 pounds!

C.

... important part of their life up there. We unfortunately had to share the experience with a rather irritating American, I think ******** is an important part of his life too! The day after that I agreed to go horse riding in the mountains, which scared me more than cage diving with Great Whites. I am not a big horse fan, they scare me, they are big and have lots of teeth and it is a long way to fall off. However I have to say that I think my horse Ish Po (Horse Power!) and I ...

... 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.

... who whipped out a big loaf of bread, a knife and a bread board - talk about prepared! After the waterfall we started our decent down the mountain, which involved climbing down two sets of chain ladders. We were given no ropes, no safety equipment at all and it was quite windy that day. Very dangerous - but thrilling too if you're like me! We found out after the hike that a young guy of 19 had died on the mountain a few days ...

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!

... of the sea was very calming! Kirst has just woken up from her hours nap - how she could sleep with us laughing and giggling in the background I will never know, however, she managed it! Luckily for us, the sea is blocked off from it's recent disaster of a Tsunami (Yes, trust us to choose to live right by the sea after that type of disaster - running away when it happens ...

... though!! There is so much to see and do here i am really glad that i have two months to do it all. The house we are staying in is really nice although a bit secluded although i dont really mind that, i haven't had my turn to cook yet i think i will have to offer next week though so god help them!! Well anyone who knows me will be really impressed that i have been up at 7 every morning so far, not sure how long that will last mind!

... blocked by a large elephant who was eating in the middle of the road. He wasn't moving for anyone and after a few trys (including the old turn off the lights of the car so he won't know we're here trick) we were forced to turn around and take the long way back to the camp. The park here is really beautiful with rolling hills and from the Hilltop Camp you have a beautiful view and may see elephants grazing in the distance.

... to people just because I am so accustomed to it. For the past year and a half I have been conscious of my race. My colour skin has meant that I am an outsider and can't speak the language. I used to walk into any store and people will brace themselves prepared to attempt to speak to me in English. Most transactions I have made in the past year and half have revolved more around body language than verbal language. Now, here, my ...