Hannah Game Lodge Ohrigstad

... them which I'm glad we did as there was no way we were to know there was lights inside. Some areas we couldn't take photos as it would've startled the bats (yip they were there... shudder) but they were still really cool. Inside there were two seperate arena areas where apparently they have had shows inside the caves, we kept saying that would be such an awesome experience to see a show inside ...

... be a little unnerving for people who suffer from claustrophobia. Overall, if you're in the area and like caves, then it's probably worth a visit. One of the highlights is the array of large stalagmitic columns that were apparently used as a communications system when the caves were used as a refuge in times of war. Striking these formations with a stick results in a loud drum-like sound, with columns of different sizes making different sounds. Quite impressive in an ...

... Healdsburg. These things always seem to happen when traveling, the worst luck, but also the best luck, you just have to be fine with an ever changing plan and open to whatever happens. It doesn't matter how many times I go to South Africa, I'm always shocked by the remnants of apartheid there. Integrated South Africa, where races live side by side, but scratch the surface and it's so segregated that it's shocking. Between my lost luggage, having to buy clothes to wear, see the car ...

... better the hostels are here versus South America. Since I've never surfed before I wanted to take a lesson and give it a try. Dave and I both took a 3-hour lesson the day after we arrived and we had a great time. I'm proud to say that I actually rode a wave after 5 or 6 times of trying, but it's obvious I need a lot more work before ever attempting a real wave! We spent 2 days in Jeffrey's Bay ...

... left a few ran in the casino then. ;-) The last mention of this trip must go to a guy named adam i met ever so briefly yesterday. fresh in from oz on his way to tanzania, he left me inspired to come back to africa, as he is doing a community health elective of his medicine degree in remote parts of tanzania. freakin awesome, there is some cool people around and hopefully with more guys like that, the locals will stop believing that sweet potatoes are a cure for AIDS!!

... River between Sabie Park and Kruger Park which is why they seldom have the more dangerous animals such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, hippos, rhinos, etc do not often get over to the Sabie side. That evening the boys put on a braai for us and we had lamb, chicken, sausage, steak as well as maize, mushrooms, veggies and dip as well as salad. We ate like kings and queens. Early to bed again and a fine night's sleep.

... in" with the park and we spent a good while driving off the tourist track, including going into the bush by foot (with armed guide) to observe another researcher tracking.... a kill! We visited the two-week old remains of an adult giraffe which was taken down by lions, then happend upon a young giraffe kill which was only hours old. The true wild side, no animatronic animals here!

... up. She only cooks for herself and the children were so thankful for the soup. The older ones speak pretty good English. They don't have books and they don't write anything down but they were eager to learn and to remember what we taught them, which was basic vocabulary. Then we went outside (the school has two rooms and a blackboard and there was chalk and chairs and desks for everyone, but that was it) and sang 'head and shoulders', a song we would later integrate ...

... Park in South Africa trying to spot wildlife was a blast. I love seeing the little Dung beetles in the road as well as seeing elephants and giraffes walking just meters away from us. We were even visited by hyenas pacing the fence by our campsite in the park. While I recommend you go on Safari during a different part of the year, it was definitely a fun experience and I would do it again.

... weighed about the same as the rhino, and that, if it charged at us, it could probably do some damage. Once I had realised that, I started enjoying the proximity as bit less! Thankfully we left the rhinos to themselves but we soon came across a limping buffalo. Now we had just been told on our safari that the Big 5 (Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, Lion & Leopard) are called that because they are the most dangerous to hunt as they are more dangerous (than normal) when they are injured! Again ...