Dear readers,
Let me begin once again by thanking all of you who have been writing me back. I haven't been able to check my e-mails for a while now but it is great to find a very full Inbox - great ego boost, let's be honest.
Secondly, I have to be uncharacteristically brief this time (was that a sigh of relief?!) because I can only use this youthhostel computer for another 15 minutes. So the lay-out will be a bit different, more to the point, less pseudo-philosophical meanderings, just the highlights!
-> Went on a 3 hour bushwalk through a southern portion of the Kruger Park, a rare event as 99% of tourists are not even allowed to get out of their cars. Our ranger/guide was a
true expert, knowing every bird, plant, tree and animal we came across and telling a story with each encounter. The day before we saw 4 of the Big 5 on a game drive - all except a rhino (yes even the leopard!!) - so we had told our guide to bring us to a rhino, but hardly expecting him to magically conjure such a beast. But! He did. A huge white rhino bull too. We got up to 20 meters of the 2 ton animal before we sought refuge behind a large tree...rhinos have very poor eyesight so once he could not see us anymore he slowly walked away.
-> Had a reptile handling course with Donald
Strydom from the Khamai Reptile Park in Hoedspruit (also known as "Dishy Don"). Looked down the throat of a puff adder. Very interesting (and necessary) information about snake-bite first aid. Donald showed off by taking close-up picture of a spitting cobra. Also handled scorpions and spiders. They're very cute and fuzzy. Honest.
-> Visited a primary school in one of the poor black communities neighbouring the Kruger Park. I will write more about this when I have more time because it was such a life-changing day. Definitely hope I will get a chance to
work/teach kids that visit my park. They're awsome (yes, awsome!).
-> At our last restcamp, me and my roommate Ben found two squirrels in our little house. Got bit by one when trying to capture it. Embarassing. Also found scorpion underneath Ben's bag. Captured that as well. Less embarassing. Didn't get bit that time.
-> Am currently in Jo'burg at a backpackers. Leaving tomorrow morning for Augrabies by bus. Will take about 9 hours. It's going to suck.
Take care all, and will report back soon!!!!
Let me begin once again by thanking all of you who have been writing me back. I haven't been able to check my e-mails for a while now but it is great to find a very full Inbox - great ego boost, let's be honest.
Secondly, I have to be uncharacteristically brief this time (was that a sigh of relief?!) because I can only use this youthhostel computer for another 15 minutes. So the lay-out will be a bit different, more to the point, less pseudo-philosophical meanderings, just the highlights!
-> Went on a 3 hour bushwalk through a southern portion of the Kruger Park, a rare event as 99% of tourists are not even allowed to get out of their cars. Our ranger/guide was a
true expert, knowing every bird, plant, tree and animal we came across and telling a story with each encounter. The day before we saw 4 of the Big 5 on a game drive - all except a rhino (yes even the leopard!!) - so we had told our guide to bring us to a rhino, but hardly expecting him to magically conjure such a beast. But! He did. A huge white rhino bull too. We got up to 20 meters of the 2 ton animal before we sought refuge behind a large tree...rhinos have very poor eyesight so once he could not see us anymore he slowly walked away.-> Had a reptile handling course with Donald
Strydom from the Khamai Reptile Park in Hoedspruit (also known as "Dishy Don"). Looked down the throat of a puff adder. Very interesting (and necessary) information about snake-bite first aid. Donald showed off by taking close-up picture of a spitting cobra. Also handled scorpions and spiders. They're very cute and fuzzy. Honest.-> Visited a primary school in one of the poor black communities neighbouring the Kruger Park. I will write more about this when I have more time because it was such a life-changing day. Definitely hope I will get a chance to
work/teach kids that visit my park. They're awsome (yes, awsome!). -> At our last restcamp, me and my roommate Ben found two squirrels in our little house. Got bit by one when trying to capture it. Embarassing. Also found scorpion underneath Ben's bag. Captured that as well. Less embarassing. Didn't get bit that time.
-> Am currently in Jo'burg at a backpackers. Leaving tomorrow morning for Augrabies by bus. Will take about 9 hours. It's going to suck.
Take care all, and will report back soon!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment