Another upgrade and great scenery

Trip Start Jul 26, 2008
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Trip End Nov 27, 2008


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Flag of Swaziland  ,
Saturday, September 6, 2008

It was a quick mini-bus ride from Mbabane to Malolotja National Park.  We got dropped off on the main road and had to walk about 2k to Hawane Resort.  We had Veki book us a reservation before we left.  she just volunteered to do it-she is good like that!  The man at the desk said the back backer dorms are full of "rowdy, loud biker guys" and he didn't feel comfortable having us stay there.  BUT. . . he could put us in a resort hut for the same price.  Hmmm, okay!  Another upgrade!

We stayed in this really nice rondavel, the only downfall being the guy staying across from us was obsessed with his short wave radio.  Apparently there are people who with short wave radios who want to say they talked to every country.  This guy and his wife are on vacation(!) for him to help other radio freaks to check off Swazi..  He never left the room or shut up.  He was Bravo 5-9 from Swaziland all day and night the upgrade to a rondavel
the upgrade to a rondavel
 .  He sounded like Jeff Bridges and we were convinced it was him until we talked to his wife.  We did have some fun imitating him and making up new police call letters using dirty words!  We got so sick of hearing it!

The resort had a well known restaurant (for Swaziland), called Taste of Africa.  It was good food.  Especially the Mozambique seafood soup!

There is not much to do in Malolotja NP-so we basically did a long run through the park everyday.  The scenery would be beautiful but we went there during dry season and they were doing prevention burnings.  So half of the park was torched.  One day we ran to the Main camp and we asked them if they had a restaurant. (the food at our place was good, but not cheap!).  While at the main camp this turkey decided it didn't like me and was chasing me around trying to peck me!  Even when Chris would stand between us the turkey would run around him and go after me!  I looked to stupid running from this turkey and trying to kick and shoo it away!  It took 2 guys that worked there to scare it away from me.  I don't know what I ever did to it!  Of course Chris was dying wishing he had the camera to take a video.  I was lucky we were just on a run so we didn't have it!

PS. there is nothing at the main camp that we could see.  No shop or restaurant or even lodging.  So we are not sure what it is for.  Maybe if you have a tent you can camp there.
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