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| No one was handy to take a photo of the three of us. Linda and I had to suffice. The Buhari Lodge was located on the Crocodile River. |
Change in plans? Yep, we’ve been invited by Louise and Danie to stay at the African Reunion House for the weekend, which will leave us four remaining nights at the little house down the road.
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| My wonderful friends Linda and Kathy, (left to right) who live part-time in Marloth Park. |
Hoping to see more wildlife was temporarily pushed aside for our comfort for the upcoming long weekend we’ll remain here. We sleep better here with more powerful AC in the bedroom and a larger more comfortable bed. We can stay outdoors all day with fewer flies (the price of having many visitors pooping in the yard at the little house). And, dining outdoors, here is divine.
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| I’d never seen papaya trees growing in the orchard at Buhala Lodge in such numbers. The fruit was not quite ready for harvesting. |
Thank you once again, Louise and Danie. We’re very grateful for everything you’ve done for us.
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| Papayas grow in a massive orchard on the grounds of the lodge which is separated by an electrified fence in Kruger National Park. |
We can only hope that when we return on Monday, our visitors will hear us and return. You can be assured, I’ll be walking around the garden, dropping a trail of pellets while using my high pitched (embarrassing) voice, calling to them.
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| A sole hippo near the river’s edge. We weren’t able to determine what was in the rear of this photo. |
Within minutes of our arrival in Marloth Park on December 1, 2013, we had our first visitor and then they came in droves over the next several days and weeks. Hopefully, the same will occur during our remaining four days at the little house.
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| A Cape Buffalo munching on the vegetation along the shore of the river. |
Yesterday, the lunch with Kathy and Linda was exemplary. The location, an out of the way quaint resort, Buhala Lodge, a 35-minute drive. The quiet lodge was surrounded by a fruit farm creating some eye-catching scenery as shown in our photos today. The service and food were delightful.
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| As is typical in Africa, properties are adorned with local art. |
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The indoor lounge at the lodge that offers 10 guest rooms.
 The veranda, where at first we lounged on the sofa, provided an excellent view of the Crocodile River. Later we moved to the table at the far left.  A deck where guests watch the activity on the river, especially at sunset, an experience we’ve had many times at various locations over the past almost three months. |
I purchased dinner to bring home to Tom and the total bill for both meals with tip was only ZAR $205, US $18.33. In the US, I’d easily spend 20% more for only one lunch, beverage, and tip, let alone a second meal to go. The cost of living in South Africa is considerably less than anywhere we’ve lived.
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| Once we returned to Marloth Park, the wildlife prevailed. |
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| Mom and baby zebra, larger than the baby, we posted yesterday. |
Tonight, Kathy and Linda are coming for dinner, giving us the opportunity to enjoy their companionship one last time and finally reciprocate for inviting us to their homes. The two husbands are out of town at one of their other residences. Tonight, Tom will be surrounded by three lively, opinionated women, which no doubt he’ll thoroughly enjoy.
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| A curious baby wildebeest. Linda and Kathy explained that wildebeest seldom visit the homes in Marloth Park. No wonder we’ve only seen one prance through the yard in a hurry. |
As I look at him now, sitting at the table on the veranda at the African Reunion House on a gorgeous day, I can’t help but smile. His earpieces are in place to avoid disturbing me as I write, as he listens each day to the favorite radio show from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, entitled “Garage Logic.”
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| When riding in a car, it’s difficult to tie up traffic for too long while waiting for the various wildlife to pick up their heads for photos. |
Although listening to an online radio show for two hours, five days a week uses a ton of data (we budgeted for this) it brings him considerable pleasure, often resulting in fits of laughter, sharing a morsel with me that makes no sense out of context.
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| This was the largest male Wildebeest we’ve seen in the park. |
In this life, we each find pleasure and fulfillment in many ways. For me, taking photos and writing each and every day brings a sense of connectedness and joy that is difficult to describe.
But, more than the photos and the writing is “living” the experiences that provide the fodder for our stories that we can only hope will continue to pique our reader’s curiosity and interest as we move on to our next adventure.
Nine days and counting…
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| The colorful rocks of the mountains and hills in South Africa have been a sight to behold. |