A rewarding final game drive in Kruger National Park…Tomorrow, we’ll share the most romantic bush braai ever…Photos and more photos…

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Yesterday, while waiting outside the African Reunion House for our ride to the Crocodile Bridge Gate for the upcoming game drive and bush braai, we spotted this Golden Orb Spider and her web which is gold in the sunlight. The colors in the background are the designs painted on the outside of the house.  Moments after taking this photo, Tom accidentally walked into the web, taking over half of it down. I was sorry for the spider but couldn’t help but laugh as he was flailing his arms to get the web off of him. Today, she’s still hanging onto her web, although, it’s considerably smaller. 

Error correction from yesterday’s post:  With the assistance of local friends, the photo I referred to as a Duiker was actually a Bushbuck. In addition, we’ve added the names of all the bird photos in the post, three of which we didn’t know. Thanks to Lynne and Mick once again!  Please check yesterday’s post which has since been amended, by scrolling down on today’s post if you’re curious about the bird names.

Spotting wildlife, such as this wildebeest in Kruger National Park is different from the Masai Mara where we could literally drive across the bush to get up close and personal. Kruger is a combination of paved and dirt roads. Off-road driving is forbidden often preventing closeup photos unless the animals are close to or on the road. Many visitors to Kruger are able to see the Big Five close to the road at times. We did the best we could from afar. But, we were having so much fun, we weren’t disappointed. 

We’ve decided that “safari luck” presents itself in many ways. It no longer revolves around seeing the Big Five on a game drive. For us, it extends to many areas of our lives:  a good time, safe travels, avoiding snakes and other poisonous creatures, meeting new people negotiating a good price on a future vacation home, or simply having a fulfilling day.

These two hippos popped up their heads as we drove across the bridge.

It may sound as if I’m rationalizing the fact that we didn’t see any lions on last night’s game drive. Perhaps I am. But, we had a great time beginning with the moment the driver picked us up at 3:30 pm for the drive to Crocodile Gate, the entrance to Kruger National Park, when we rode along with a delightful couple from Australia, Tiffany, and John, with whom we spent most of the evening.
 

This baby impala was no more than a few weeks old. It was alone, lost from its mother. We watched for quite a while, hoping the mom would return, only to be saddened when she didn’t. Hopefully, another mom would adopt her which often occurs.
This baby impala, only a few weeks old, starting approaching our vehicle and Excellent shooed her off, to avoid her learning that the road was safe.

Returning home close to midnight, we were shocked at how late it was after never asking Tom the time, indicating a fabulous experience was in process. As they say, “time flies when you’re having fun.” And fun, we had. That was “safari luck.”

From a considerable distance, we spotted this Goliath Heron.

A total of eight guests loaded into the game vehicle once we arrived in the park, all the rest of whom were residents of Marloth Park who definitely know how to have a good time. 

This muddy cape buffalo watched us approach.

Annoyed by our presence, he and a few other Retired Generals moseyed on down the road, taking their time.

Endless comments and laughter ensued in the vehicle during the three and a half hours of the drive. Our guide and driver, Excellent (yep, that’s his name) was not only informative but very entertaining. At times, we were all singing “oldies.

This giraffe’s cheeks were filled with vegetation she’d gathered from the treetops. What appears to be horns at the top of a giraffe’s head is called ossicones which are hairy at the ends in the female and bald at the ends in the male. The males use the ossicones in fighting during the mating season, which wears off the hairs.

Nope, we didn’t see lions or leopards, two of the Big Five. But, we did see three of the Big 5: rhinos (at too far of a distance for photos), elephants, and cape buffaloes, as shown in the photos here today. We were content with that. 

 Often birds sit atop high bare branches on the lookout for food.
Later, we’ll post the names of these birds after doing some research. 
 Although we enjoy taking photos of birds, we seldom know what they are which is frustrating. Our guide Excellent, pointed out many varieties. We’ve found it difficult to remember the names of each of the birds to match with our photos. Many bird enthusiasts keep paper and pen handy.

At around 7:30, we drove into the bush braai area for the one-day-late-due-to-rain romantic Valentine’s Day Bush Braai, hosted by Louise and Danie, an event we’ll always remember. 

As the sun began to set, we spotted these elephants and a baby.
In many areas in Kruger National Park, many of the trees have been taken down by the elephants. However, they leave the Marula tree intact since it bears fruit that they eat. In South Africa, a popular after-dinner liqueur is Amarula (the letter a is added to the beginning of the word to connote the liqueur, not the fruit) which was served last after the romantic bush braai. Laden with sugar, once again, I had to pass on this drink. Tom thoroughly enjoyed both of ours.

Tomorrow, we’ll post photos of what we’d imagine being the most extraordinary bush braai ever held in South Africa; the food, the décor, the guests, and the experience of being surrounded by lions, hippos, elephants and more, while “‘Lucky,” a military guard with a rifle and spotlight, continually scanned the perimeter to ensure our safety.

The vultures, checking for dinner at the end of the day.

A safe evening in the dark with wild animals all around us in itself is “safari luck” which surely we experienced on this special day!

This was only the beginning as the sun began to set giving all of us the opportunity to take photos of the most amazing sunset that we’ve seen in our almost three months in South Africa, all of which we’ll share tomorrow along with photos of the romantic bush braai. Amazing!

Still here at the African Reunion House…New visitor photos…Off to Kruger National Park…Tomorrow photos from the game drive…

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This is a Golden Tail Woodpecker which we were thrilled to spot yesterday afternoon.

Thursday afternoon Louise sent me an email explaining that they had rented the house on short notice and if we went back to the little house for two days, we could return to the African Reunion House.

Yesterday, this adorable bushbuck hung around the yard for quite a while. Very skittish, we stayed still and quiet in our seats on the veranda, taking these photos from afar.

Immediately, I started running around picking up our stuff to begin packing. Staying in these two lovely homes, Khaya Umdani and African Reunion House required packing comparable to one going on what may be a two week trip. It was certainly more than an overnight bag.

The wide furry tail swishing wildly every few minutes to ward off the flies. This yard has tall grass, many trees, and lush vegetation that appeals to the herbivore wildlife.

We’d hauled along all of our groceries from the refrigerator, freezer, and cabinets. It was quite a load. Fortunately, the packing and unpacking only required an hour at the most, at each location. 

Bushbuck wander alone unless mating or with their young which makes us feel bad for them. But, they seem content munching away on the greenery.  Notice the open mouth, caught while he was grabbing leaves.

Spending a few hours packing and unpacking is insignificant compared to the pleasure we’ve had in these two gorgeous homes.  Besides, what else do we have to do other than write here, look for photo ops, buy groceries, cook dinner, and now the African Reunion House, do our own dishes five nights out of seven? (Zeff cleans two times a week at this location as opposed to every day at Khaya Umdani. And, with Jabula closed until the 18th, we’ve been cooking more frequently).

Finally, he’d had enough of the yard and wander off into new territory. The water in the foreground is the infinity edge of the pool.

After running around gathering our belongings for the next morning’s move, I took a break from the heat to sit at the table on the veranda to check my laptop. Alas, there was a message from Louise saying the guests had canceled after all. She insisted that we stay. We happily stayed, unpacking everything I’d already packed.

A family of Helmeted Guinea Fowls (Tom calls them guinea hens) is living in a group of scrubs a short distance from the veranda. Yesterday, an eagle swooped down and must have taken one of their eggs or new chicks which happened so quickly we had no time to grab the camera. Collectively, they made their “kek, kek, kek” sound for no less than 15 minutes.

In a funny way, we miss the little house, mostly due to the familiar wildlife that visited.  Here, at the African Reunion House, we’ve had to make new “friends” to warrant daily visits. Day by day, we’ve noticed the number of visits gradually increasing. Certainly, the animals have learned to visit homes where pellets may be offered.

This mom has three babies, as evidence by her three utilized nipples.  Each baby uses the same nipple each time it suckles. Later, when the mom with four babies arrived, she has four obvious nipples. Warthogs have a total of four nipples, rarely having more than four offspring accordingly.  If by a fluke she has a fifth piglet, one may die.

Each morning and late afternoon, we’ve had two Mrs. Warthogs, one with three piglets and another with four.  They stop by with the moms staring at me until I get the cup of pellets. Both moms already responded to my voice. When we see them at a distance, I call them and they come. We laugh every time.

It was difficult to get close enough to get a better shot of this Black Headed Oriole.

A few days ago, a giraffe stopped by to check us out and more days ago, a group of four giraffes made a visit on the road in front of the house. Yesterday, a sweet little duiker stopped over photos of which we’ve included today. 

Over and over I ask myself how I will stop looking for wildlife in the hustle and bustle city of Marrakesh, Morocco, known for its many cats that wander the narrow streets living off of the rodents and food from the vendors. We’ll travel to the desert where we’ll see Camels. Bird watching can be interesting in both the city and outlying areas.

The colorful birds are amazing in Africa, including this Red-Headed Weaver.

With the cancellation of the game drive and bush braai for Valentine’s Day due to rain which has been moved to tonight, last night we were content to dine in, rather than try to get a last-minute reservation in a restaurant. We watched a movie, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” while munching on nuts. It was a fine evening.

For dinner, we had one of our favorites, the Unwich (my version of a copycat from Jimmy John’s sandwich shop, the sandwich we make without the use of bread, wrapping it in lettuce and parchment paper).  Here’s the link with instructions and photos for making the breadless sandwich.  On a hot, humid evening such as it was, a cold meal was ideal.

Today at 3:45 pm, a game vehicle will pick us up to ride along with other guests to drop us off at the Crocodile Bridge entrance gate to Kruger National Park for a three to four-hour game drive, followed by a delicious and romantic meal thoughtfully hosted and prepared by Louise and Danie. 

Tomorrow, we’ll be back with photos of our safari experience, which will be our final into Kruger National Park.  As yet, we haven’t seen any lions in South Africa. But, after the daily sightings while on safari in the Maasai Mara last October and the glorious daily sightings of a wide variety of wildlife in Marloth Park, who’s to complain? Certainly, not us!

A repeated photo was taken in October 2013 in the Masai Mara. The fact that we were able to see many lions at that time has prevented any disappointment from not seeing any in Kruger National Park. Who knows?  Maybe “safari luck” will kick in later today!

Happy Valentine’s Day for those who celebrate…Bush braai changed to tomorrow due to rain…A card to my love..

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Honey, if I can’t make your favorite butterscotch pie for Valentine’s Day to celebrate.  Instead, I present you with this photo of one that I had made many moons ago in the days when we ate sugar and flour and ingredients were available.

Over the decades, Valentine’s Day became a “Hallmark moment” during which I’d become totally entrenched in the process; cards, gifts, a heart shaped pan in which to bake a cake (yes, I had one of those!) or a special pie as shown. I’d make a gourmet dinner with fancy place settings and flowers on the table.

Now, all of that seems so far removed from our reality.  In the places we have lived its been impossible to find the necessary ingredients to make the special meal befitting our way of eating, there isn’t a card shop within a two hour drive and we have no room for gifts in our luggage. 

The alternative to feeling disappointed in this life we’ve chosen is simple;  every day is a day of love.  So, today I give this online card to my husband, lover, friend and traveling companion.  I offer these words which is all that I can give, as we carry on our lives of travel.  For those of our readers that have followed along with us, this will all make sense.

How We Share Our Love

Romantic notions, views of oceans, is how we share our love
Birds singing, church bells ringing, is how we share our love
Ships that sail, a stormy gale, is how we share our love
Security checks, broken steps is how we share our love

Power’s out, endless doubt, is how we share our love
Centipedes, constant needs, is how we share our love
Guards with guns, your silly puns, is how we share our love
Gluten free, a sight to see, is how we share our love

A flight delay, a humid day, is how we share our love
A lion roaring, a movie boring, is how we share our love
Outdoor living, kindness giving, is how we share our love
Broken PC, doesn’t blame me, is how we share our love

WiFi trouble, fees are double, is how we share our love
Memory making, pleasure taking, is how we share our love
Our stuff is gone, we continue on, is how we share our love
We don’t know when, it will ever end, is how we share our love

Happy Valentine’s Day to my love, to all of our family, old and new friends and to all of you.

A tough night…A rainy day…It’s not always easy…Spider bites!…

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Tom, comfortably situated in the usual position reviewing his Ancestry.com files, a daily occurrence. Later in the day, he checks the stock market when it opens here at 4:30 pm.

On Tuesday night when I crawled into bed, a spider jumped into the air, landing on the back of my calf close to my ankle, biting me. Immediately, I washed the area and placed a plastic bag with ice on the spot.

The chicken wire fence is necessary to keep the Monkeys out of the house. If they enter, they are horribly destructive and poop everywhere, a veritable fiasco.

Although it stung like crazy, it didn’t seem to swell more than a mosquito bite so I didn’t give it much thought and went to sleep. Upon awakening, it was simply an annoying itch with a bit of a stinging sensation. More ice and I’d be done with it.

Tom’s view of the bush today in the rain from the upper-level veranda at the African Reunion House.

Last night when I went to bed, the itching and discomfort increased but still no major swelling. Tired, I went to sleep. Around 1:30 am I awoke to crazy itching in my left elbow and I mean crazy. I could have bit my arm off.  Jumping out of bed I looked for and found a first aid kit. But nothing inside the kit could alleviate that degree of itching. 

Louise and Danie brought us a power reel when we’d mentioned that we’d moved upstairs away from the rain to work on our laptops. As we’ve traveled, Tom has figured out the use of our various adapters, converters, and power strips, handling all the recharging duties each day.

Of course, at the same time, the back-of-the-ankle spider bite was also itching. like crazy. Apparently, in my sleep, another such or similar spider bit me on my elbow. It was definitely not a mosquito bite due to the pain and itching. Was I worried? Not at all. I just wanted to sleep.

The last of the four bedrooms we’ve shown at the African Reunion House. This particular room left us in a quandary as to what bedroom to chose when we moved in on Sunday.  We chose the bedroom shown previously, with its convenience on the main floor. Isn’t that what most seniors would do?

I took a bag of ice to bed, moving it back and forth between the two bites. After a few minutes of icing, it dawned on me to slug down a Tylenol PM which contains Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine that diminishes itching and causes drowsiness. Forty minutes later I was in a fitful state of sleep, dreaming of itching. Both bites are better today.

The bedroom, as in the case of the other three, is beautifully decorated with the finest furnishings and amenities. Note the double sinks and corner soaking tub.

We’re living in the bush. I accept this, reminding myself the entire time I was fussing. But no one no matter how long they’ve lived here is exempt from occasional annoyances such as this. In some cases, a sting or a bite is more severe and requires medical care. I’m grateful that was not the case for me.

These two lounging chairs provide a private seating area for guests sharing the house with others.

This morning, we’re situated on the second-floor veranda at the African Reunion House. It’s raining too hard to sit on the first-floor veranda with all of our power cords. Up here, it’s comfortable and dry. 

We’ve yet to use this upper-level living room. We’ve discovered that living rooms in general are not important to most African homeowners when they build a house. They prefer to spend most of their free time outdoors experiencing nature, rather than indoors watching TV or playing video games.

They’ll be no visitors today. They too, prefer to be sheltered from the rain. This is the one place we’ve visited in the world thus far that we welcome the rain which is vital to growing more abundant vegetation for the animals. Also, the clouds and rain create a welcomed coolness compared to the usual sunny and humid heat typical in Africa’s summer months. 

A renowned local artist painted this picture for Louise and Danie, specifically for this house.

All that I say here is moot, based on my aching heart, knowing that in 15 days we’ll be leaving. No, I won’t miss the snakes and poisonous insects. But, they are such a small part of life in Marloth Park. 

This was the second piece of art painted by the renowned local artist.
As we written over the past two and a half months, life here feels comparable to having an “E” ticket to Disneyland (for those of us who remember). The options for thrills and excitement are endless. One only needs to glance around to find an interesting “attraction” to fill the heart with joy, curiosity, and wonder.
This handcrafted art piece is more beautiful in person, in its many details.

Hunkered down for the day, we are hopeful that tomorrow will be dry by late afternoon for our upcoming final game drive and bush braai in Kruger National Park neither of which are fruitful in the pouring rain.

The male version of the above artwork, equally appealing to the eye.

May your day be filled with joy, curiosity, and wonder as you embrace your surroundings, however cold, hot, snowy, or rainy as we attempt to do the same in ours.

It pays to go outside early in the morning…

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This mom was looking out for her baby to the right as we watched from the road in front of African Reunion House early this morning.

It was 5:45 am and after our another great night’s sleep at African Reunion House, we were both awake and ready to get outdoors. The sun was up, the sounds of the birds wafted through the air, and nature was calling to us.

Shaded by dense vegetation and early morning sun hidden behind the trees, we weren’t able to get closer for better shots. Plus, giraffes are so tall, one can’t get too close in order to get a good photo.

I was in the other bedroom where I shower and dress to hear Tom yell out to me, “Giraffes! Hurry!”

This is the surprise room set among the treetops in African Reunion House, a fully screened Jacuzzi room on the second level. The temperature in this room is surprisingly about 20% less than the outdoor temperature. The surprise room is located off one of the two upstairs bedrooms, shown in the photos below.
One can imagine the charm of a glass of wine, the candles lit, surrounded by the sounds of nature while soaking in the relaxation of the whirling jets of warm water. Hum…seems like this may be a perfect end to Valentine’s night after the game drive and bush braai!

“Grab the camera!” I yelled back as I hurriedly threw on shorts and shoes, still in my sleep tee shirt. We were out the door in less than a minute.

One of the two upstairs bedrooms, this is the room off of which the surprise room is located which also includes an en suite bathroom with a double shower.

Tom was standing in the doorway between the house and the veranda checking out the status of the tree frog, still hanging out on a beam in the ceiling. He looked out toward the road to see a tail and tall legs.

This beautiful “nguni,” cow rug sets the theme of the room.

Running out the front door, we gasped when we saw them, four of them, nibbling on the treetops, on the road outside the house. We never cease to be amazed nor do the residents we’ve met in Marloth Park. No matter how long they’ve lived here they never stop feeling their hearts pound with excitement when they see the majestic giraffes, especially in their neighborhood.

Another view of that exquisite bedroom off of the surprise room upstairs.  The décor is lovely. Notice the matching vanity seat on the left under the built-in vanity table and the items on the bed.  An elegant African theme followed through the entire house.

And this morning we were given the treat to see them at African Reunion House reminding us when we first arrived at the little house that 12 giraffes came down the driveway to visit. Click here for the link. It was December 14th, two weeks after we’d arrived in Marloth Park, a day we’ll always remember. And four of them came another time. And one came alone racing through the yard on a mission.

Only Danie would think of placing a spigot inside of a tree.  Clever! Befitting!

This morning, although not as close as our past experiences, the excitement was palpable, our sensible caution, preventing us from getting too close, as we carefully approached the four giraffes this morning. Giraffes are gentle by nature but their sheer size can result in serious injury or in the case of a resident in Marloth park some time ago, death from an injury from getting too close.

The second late afternoon visit in a row, Mrs. Warthog was as happy to see us as we were her and her four babies.

They knew we were there as the mom kept a watchful eye on us as the baby stood nearby. After a few photos, they began to wander away, as did we. Our day was complete and it was only 6:30 am.  We’d seen giraffes.  What more could we want? 

With leftover cut-up fruit from yesterday’s breakfast with guests, the warthog family was thrilled to get fresh fruit which they eat off of the trees and bushes as they wander through Marloth Park. We’d removed all the pits from the apples, plums, nectarines, pears, and apricots.  The only fruit they didn’t eat was apricots which in the shrink-wrapped package I’d purchased at the grocery store, turned out not to be ripe. They’d take a bite only to spit it out.

We’ll take whatever comes our way, whether it be a tree frog as the same one from yesterday continues to observe us from the rafters, an unusual insect, a bird, a dung beetle, a warthog, or a zebra. We’ve loved them all!  Big and small.

See the slice of unripe apricot they refused to eat?  Mom and one baby were looking at us for more fruit that they would eat. We complied. How could we resist?

Tasks for today? A trip with Okee Dokee to pick up a few items at the little house and to the handy little nearby shopping center to buy beer for Tom. With Jabula closed while Dawn and Leon are on vacation in Cape Town, we’ve been making dinner. Once they return on the 18th, we’ll be anxious to return a few more times for the great food and festivities.

As for Valentine’s Day, around 4:00 pm, we plan to go on another four-hour guided game drive and nighttime bush braai in Kruger National Park all cooked and hosted by Louise and Danie. Dining amid the wildlife, once again, we’ll feel safe with armed guards (with rifles) ensuring our safety. The food, always delicious will include many items I can enjoy. What could be more romantic than being entrenched in nature with the person we love? Nothing. Absolutely nothing!

Guests for breakfast at African Reunion House…Visitors in the bush…What more could we want?.

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Yesterday, late afternoon, we had our first visitors to African Reunion House.  “They” say the number of visitors increases the longer humans stay at a house in Marloth Park. 

We sat at the end of the table and the seat to the left to allow our guests a great view of the pool and the bush.

Much to our delight, a warthog family of four stopped by, not a family that we recognized, although the little house is only a few short blocks away. It is easy to identify the moms and babies when they each have their own distinct features, as humans.

The bedroom we chose to use at African Reunion House on the main floor overlooking the veranda.

They visited only seconds after Okee Dokee stopped by to drop off a flash drive that she had purchased for me in the town of Malelane, for me to use to make Windows 8.1 reboot set for this new computer which I had yet to do. Not wanting to carry four discs with us as we travel, a flash drive was a more sensible option. 

The king-sized bed has provided a great night’s sleep for both of us. The comfortable mattress, bedding, size, and coolness of the room have been highly instrumental in uninterrupted sleep.

When she and I shopped yesterday morning in Komatipoort, we stopped in an office supply store to discover they didn’t carry anything over 8G. I’d decided we’d buy one to be included in our next supply order to be shipped to Morocco shortly after we arrive.

The addition of this zebra backside only adds to the gorgeous décor in not only this bedroom but is carried throughout the entire house.

Lo and behold, Okee Dokee, who originally was suggested to us by Louise and Danie, never ceases to amaze us, called me from a computer shop while out and about, asking if I wanted her to purchase it. Unreal. A few hours later she appeared at the door, 32G flash drive in hand.  Reimbursing her promptly, she stayed for a while for a much deserved cold drink. 

This soaking tub is located in the bedroom we chose.  It’s unlikely I will use it when there’s a special Jacuzzi room upstairs that is outrageously appealing.  Tomorrow, we’ll post photos of that special area.

We’re lucky to have met such wonderful people in Marloth Park. And, as we sit here now overlooking the lush greenery of the bush, our breakfast guests having left for Kruger National Park in the afternoon, we are once again reminded of how fortunate we have been to have the opportunity to enjoy new friends and, another luxury home.

I chose this bedroom for showering and dressing in the mornings to avoid waking Tom, who usually stays up an hour later than I and sleeps in a little longer in the mornings. This beautiful bedroom has an en suite bathroom with a double shower.

Entertaining guests in African Reunion House was seamless with all the amenities for setting a lovely table and cooking a great breakfast. 

The formal dining room off of the kitchen, seats eight.  Dining outdoors each night its doubtful we’ll dine at this table. Instead, we’ve used it for my now-defunct laptop as shown. 

Ken had recently gone gluten-free making it easy and familiar to make an entirely gluten-free meal consisting of GF Coconut Flour Pancakes (click for link to the recipe we posted some time ago), scrambled eggs with cheese and onions, bacon (referred to as “streaky bacon” in South Africa), orange juice and fresh fruit. 

This tree frog on the rafters on the veranda has been watching us all day, occasionally sticking out his tongue in a feeble attempt to grasp a flying insect.  We laughed at how he has his front legs tucked under himself.
 Of course, I don’t drink juice or eat fruit due to the low carb aspect of my way of eating. It had been a long time since we’d cooked breakfast which turned out to be a very pleasurable meal, added to the enjoyment of the companionship of our guests.
Local art is highlighted throughout African Reunion House.

Ah, the simple things in life hold so much more meaning to us now than they ever in the past. 

The work of a local artist is a fine addition to the dining area.

And even then, we found great pleasure in the gathering of family and friends. I suppose the difference now is based on how little we take for granted in this life; the kindness of a friend or a stranger, a thoughtful gesture, four linen napkins delivered by Louise, and the peaceful beauty of this new environment, now our third house in Marloth Park.

Danie handcrafted the bar and the bar stools. Both Louise and Danie are creative and artistic.
African Reunion House is difficult to compare to Khaya Umdani. They each possess their own unique features and appeal. Would we choose one over the other? As difficult it was for us to choose which bedroom we’d sleep in, it would be impossible to decide which of the two houses we’d select. As a tourist, the only necessary consideration would be sleeping capacity. 
The door free cabinets makes finding items in the kitchen easy.

While Khaya Umdani can sleep eight to ten guests, African Reunion House can accommodate eight guests, each with two guests per bedroom. For us, both houses have been perfect. We love the spacious feeling, although we tend to use only the bedrooms, kitchen, and verandas.

We feel as if we are on vacation/holiday until we return to the little house containing the rest of our belongings, and to begin packing to leave Marloth Park in a mere 17 days. How did three months pass so quickly?

As “they” say, “Time flies when you’re having fun!”

Tomorrow, we’ll be back with more photos including the “surprise room” upstairs and more wildlife photos as we begin to wind down our time in Marloth Park.

African Reunion…Our new home for now…A new “Vigil for Visitors”…A huge Spider, the Golden Orb…

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African Reunion House, named after the island off the coast, is considerably larger than it appears in this photo with four bedrooms, five bathrooms, two huge verandas, a Jacuzzi room, open kitchen with dining bar, over-sized dining room and inviting entertainment/TV/living room/lounge. 

Yesterday, our only challenge once we’d moved into the African Reunion House, was which bedroom we’d choose. After nearly a half hour of walking up and down the stairs to the second level and back and forth on the main floor, we looked at each other contemplating our dilemma.

Tom, doing his usual power lounging on the “new” veranda at African Reunion House, another temporary house we’re enjoying in Marloth Park.

“You know what, Honey?” I said, grinning from ear to ear.  “Look at us. Our biggest problem is which bedroom to choose.” We burst into laughter.

The stone braai area, conveniently located to the house and pool.

At that point, we quickly made a decision. We’d choose the two bedrooms on the main floor, the one overlooking the pool for me to use for showering and dressing for the day and the other for sleeping. 

The infinity-edge pool is cool, clean, and refreshing. We took our first dip today.

This way, I wouldn’t awaken Tom in the mornings when I usually get out of bed before him. We’ve made this type of arrangement in most of the houses in which we’ve lived in the past 16 months. This plan has served us well.

Today, we had a chance to soak up a little sun after the dip.  No wonder I’m behind on posting today.  I was goofing off!

Moving was relatively easy with Zeff and Okee Dokee helping on both ends. An hour after arriving at the African Reunion House, we were fully unpacked and organized, in awe of the ample supplies and storage areas at our disposal.

This wall of various size and shape twigs and branches provides a privacy wall at night simply by flipping a light switch that magically creates full blocking of the veranda.

Louise and Danie stopped by later in the day to check on us, although it was totally unnecessary. Their thoughtfulness and consideration for our well being are outrageous. 

The view from the main floor veranda provides an excellent sweep of the yard as one searches for visitors.

Louise, bless her heart, had brought along four beautiful white linen napkins knowing that we were entertaining Linda and Ken for breakfast on Tuesday morning. Apparently, she’d read our recent post about how in our old lives, I’d always used linen napkins when entertaining and for ourselves when dining alone. 

Danie handcrafted this wood door. Not only is he a highly talented designer and builder, but, he also excels in the fine art of woodworking. 

There are no words suitable to describe the quality of service and attention to detail that these two over-the-top hosts provide on all of their properties. One hardly needs to ask. They pick up tidbits in conversation and respond to them quickly with the utmost of consideration. We’ve never felt so pampered in our lives.

Yesterday afternoon, while riding with Okee Dokee and Zeff, both of whom helped us move from Khaya Umdani to African Reunion House, we spotted this giraffe along the road. We tried to entice her to stop munching and pick up her head for a good photo.

And, this same personal service they offer is evident in the meticulously stocked, designed, decorated, and maintained houses they own and manage. If one were expecting perfection, they’d be totally fulfilled. If one expects less than perfection, they’d be surprised and in awe, as we have been long before we arrived, by the prompt and complete answers they provided for all of my annoying and seemingly endless questions.

This was the best photo we could get from her.  That must have been one tasty tree.

African Reunion House, although different from Khaya Umdani, offers similar quality design, decor and construction. With four bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom as well as a fifth half bathroom on the main floor, two are located on the main floor, one of which is fully handicap assessable with a “roll in” shower and extra-wide doorways, the room we finally chose for sleeping. The bed, the pillows, and the covers were exquisitely comfortable. 

A few hours before leaving Khaya Umdani on Sunday, our friends Linda and Ken stopped for a visit. Earlier, I’d noticed this spider when I walked through its web. Ken captured this excellent photo, identifying it as the Golden Orb, which is non-poisonous.  As far as Spiders go, what a beauty!  As far as photos go, what a beauty!

One of the many enticing aspects to this home is the “outdoor” fully screened Jacuzzi tub off of one of the two bedrooms in the second-floor suite which also includes an inviting living/TV/entertainment room. 

Coincidentally, today, when OKee Dokee and I stopped at the little house for supplies she spotted this Golden Orb, hanging over the pool. My camera can’t do as good a job as Ken’s. But, I was thrilled to get this shot showing a smaller spider caught in the web.

There would be no disappointment by a group of four couples deciding on which of the four bedrooms to select. Each of the bedrooms and the other rooms in this fine home has its own special charm and amenities.

We’d planned to dine out last night, but decided to cook instead. The fully equipped kitchen was calling to me.  I couldn’t wait to chop and dice in the open space overlooking yet another tastefully decorated dining room with seating for eight. Also, eight can be served on the veranda at the comfortable handcrafted wood table and wicker chairs.

Last night, not only did we dine at that spacious table on the main floor veranda (there’s an additional veranda on the second level), but we stayed outdoors until after 11:00 PM, looking and listening to the nighttime sounds of Marloth Park, now so familiar and music to our ears.

After an excellent night’s sleep, we couldn’t wait to wander outdoors to begin the new “Vigil for Visitors” which without a doubt, will prove to be rewarding, as will be our stay for however long, in the enchanting African Reunion House.

Today, shopping was on the agenda resulting in another trip to Komatipoort for groceries, more data at the Vodacom store, the chemist to pick up Tom’s vitamin B6, which we’d ordered last week, a stop at Credence Clearwater for more bottled water, and a quick trip to the little house for more of our stuff. Leaving at 10:00 am with Okee Dokee, we didn’t return until after 12:00 pm which put me behind on posting today. 

For the early birds out there not seeing our post this morning, we apologize for the delay. Tomorrow, we’ll be back on track posting in the morning with lots more photos, South Africa time, of course.

Happy day to all.

An evening with friends in the bush…A dangerous Black Mamba story…Moving day today…Goodbye Khaya Umdani…An adorable video!

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Some years ago, in the evening Linda, alone while sitting on the veranda at their home in Marloth Park, heard what sounded like a scream. She immediately went inside the house, locking the door behind her. The next morning, she wandered through their property to find the remains of this impala, who’d been attacked by a leopard, as confirmed by the Park Rangers whom she called to assist. All that remained of the impala was this skull that they’ve displayed in their yard as a reminder that there are wild animals in this area and one must always exercise caution.

The commonality we share with people we’ve met in Marloth Park is the profound love of nature and wildlife, like none we’ve seen before and most likely, will ever experience again.

Ken lit the fire in the braaii, using a combination of charcoal and wood. After dinner, he added more wood to keep it up like a bonfire while we remained outdoors the entire evening.

Last night this was exemplified while dining at the lovely bush home of our new friends, Linda and Ken. As typical in South Africa, a braai was on the evening’s agenda, only delayed by the constant chatter among the four of us.

In the past year, Linda and Ken found this huge skin shed by the dreaded Black Mamba that was hanging from the thatched roof over a second-story veranda. Up close, we could see it’s head in detail. Yikes.

Ken, a phenomenal photographer made us drool over his plethora of wildlife photos, inspiring us to bite the bullet and purchase a more sophisticated SLR camera and spend the time necessary to learn to use it. 

Linda and Ken like to fill this standing trough with birdseed and pellets for visiting wildlife. Having only returned from their other home on Friday, they’d yet to see many visitors. They explained that once they’ve been back for three days or so, the wildlife comes to call.  As we sat outdoors the entire evening, there was an abundance of birds and toward the end of the evening, we saw a Genet, a cat-like animal we’d yet to see, which moved too quickly for a photo.

Alas, I tried holding up one of his two cameras last night, only to be disappointed, when my bad shoulder prevented me from holding it up for less than 30 seconds. As much as I love taking photos, this is my reality, which I accept, with the hope and expectation that as technology advances, a lightweight, quality camera will become available in a size and weight I can manage.  

Tom and Ken in my blurry photo as they cooked the steaks on the braai. Wish I’d held the camera steady for a better shot.
This morning Linda and Ken stopped by and we proudly showed off Khaya Umdani as we prepare to leave in a few hours. Once again, we instantly engaged in lively and animated conversation, especially when  Louise and Danie stopped by to see how we’re doing. 

That very commonality becomes so clear when residents of Marloth Park meet other residents immediately having this special interest that only this unique area can provide.

Another skull found in Linda and Ken’s garden from a duiker.

Where are we going? Not back to the little house. Our generous hosts, Louise and Danie have opened up yet another fine property for us to enjoy as our time in Marloth Park winds down. How did we get so lucky?

Although Tom isn’t thrilled about moving quite so often, once we’re unpacked and settled in, the sense of comfort and familiarity will appease him, as it always does, putting him at ease. For me, it’s all an adventure and I love every moment. I don’t even mind the packing and unpacking anymore when it creates a familiar sense of organization and order that I gave up so long ago.

Khaya Umdani was an ethereal dream, 10 full days of the ultimate in comfort and style enhanced by the endless sounds and sights of nature at our doorstep as shown in our photos. It couldn’t have been more perfect.  Absolutely nothing was out of order, annoying or difficult. 

At Khaya Umdani, we enjoyed no less than 10 various warthog families, all of which learned to come to the left side of the pool if they were to get any pellet treats. They learned quickly, making us laugh.

Every possible amenity was on hand; the finest of quality, offering the utmost of functionality and an abundance of eye appeal. From the dishes to the placemats to the bedding and towels, nothing was spared. From Zeff’s daily presence, quietly and unobtrusively in the background, every possible need was met with warmth and enthusiasm.

A few days ago we took this adorable video.  Please watch for a heartwarming chuckle!

In a way, it’s not easy to leave Khaya Umdani. But, we know, having previously seen the house we’re moving to, we’ll be equally at home once we settle in. For me, the bigger issue is the reality that we’re leaving Marloth Park in 19 days. Never in the past, when preparing to leave other countries have I felt such angst about leaving. 

The animals, the people, it will be hard to say goodbye. I can only hope that someday we can return to Africa, to Marloth Park, to visit Capetown, to finally see Victoria Falls, and to once again possess this powerful feeling of belonging to this land.

For now, we’re not done in Africa when soon we’ll head to Morocco, expanding our horizons, further building our experience and knowledge of this continent, so far removed from our past reality and today, so forefront in our hearts and minds.

Problem with the letter “i”…Why?…Upcoming social plans…Moving tomorrow morning…Hppo, I mean “Hippo” photos…

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On Thursday night when we went to Ngwenya for dinner, we perused the Crocodile River for wildlife. Until almost dark, we hadn’t seen a thing until finally, this hippo popped up in the shallow water with several bird friends nearby. In the impending dark, we weren’t able to determine what is located in front of her mouth other than a clump of dirt in the shallow water.

There’s a problem with the letter “i” on the keyboard of my new computer. It’s worrying me.I awoke during the night thinking about the “i” wondering what I will do about it.

I’ve tried everything on the “solutions” list and now am faced with calling HP on Skype which I dread. Having used a computer for most of my adult life, I know what they’ll say, “Send it in for repair under its warranty.”  That’s not possible! We’re leaving South Africa in 20 days. Shipping anything at this point is ridiculous. Oh, please.

Perhaps, it’s foolish of me to hope that over time I’ll get used to pressing the letter with vigor or that eventually, from use, it will resolve itself. Then again, we’ve proven that we have the ability to adapt in the most peculiar situations. 

There she goes to safety for the night. Observing activity on the Crocodile River many times over these past months has shown us how the wildlife returns to the cover of Kruger National Park as darkness falls. Fortunately, for the mature hippo, few predators will attempt to attack them, including the crocodiles as shown in the photo below from our safari in the Maasai Mara in October 2013.

It was only in the past few days that I described what an awful typist I am. Now with the difficultly of pressing a key, it’s more frustrating. Any suggestions out there? I’d love to hear from you! Please comment at the end of this post.

On a more cheerful note… During the holidays we had the pleasure of meeting four wonderful couples, all homeowners in Marloth Park, all of whom have homes in other areas. They spend as much time here as they can since not all of them are retired. 

After the holidays ended, they returned to their other homes. But, in each case, we’ve stayed in touch by email.  Linda and Ken arrived back in Marloth Park yesterday and called inviting us to their home for a braai. We couldn’t be more thrilled!

Here’s our previously shown photo from our safari in the Masai Mara in October 2013;  Hippos and crocs hanging out together. This was quite a surprise to us. Hippos can weigh from 3300 to 4000 pounds, 1500 to 1800 kg. 

Tom and I both are social butterflies, having always enjoyed entertaining in our old lives and getting together with friends at their homes. Although, we don’t pine over not socializing when it’s just the two of us, having social plans is a bonus we’ve thoroughly enjoyed.

Living in “other people’s houses” makes us uncertain about us entertaining. Also, with limited cooking supplies available for entertaining, we’ve hesitated.  Instead, we do what most South African people do: have a braai (barbecue) with guests bringing their own meat, a dish to share and their own alcoholic beverages. That works for us.

Only too well do we know how much work it is to have guests in one’s home; the shopping, the cleaning before and after, the table settings, the clearing of the clutter of papers, bills, personal items scattered about most of our homes at times. It’s a full day or more task for one dinner gathering. We appreciate the invitations more than our hosts can imagine.

OK.  After looking up our photos from the Maasai Mara I could resist posting a few more of our previously shown hippos photos. This was one of the first wildlife sightings we experienced only minutes after arriving at the Masai Mara airport. Love it!

Tomorrow, Sunday, at noon we’re moving out of Khaya Umdani to make way for other guests. We’d assumed we’d be moving back to the little house where the remainder of our “stuff” is still located. 

When we first arrived at Khaya Umdani nine days ago, we weren’t certain how long we’d stay with the prospect of a possible booking sending us on our way. We’d packed enough for a long weekend, since returning to the little house on three occasions to pick up food, supplies, prescriptions, etc.

How they love basking in the sun at the water’s edge on the Mara River. Safari luck, for sure!

Louise and Danie graciously suggested we stay for yet another undetermined period in another of their upscale properties. How could we refuse? In our old lives, the uncertainty of how long we’d stay would have made us crazy. Now, it doesn’t even phase us. How we’ve changed!

This morning, I’ve already packed the food we’d placed in the kitchen cabinets. Tomorrow morning, we’ll pack the food in the refrigerator and freezer, clothing, toiletries, and digital equipment. Okee Dokee will pick us up at noon to drive the short distance to the new house, which is conveniently walking distance from the little house, in case we need anything additional. Easy.

A hippo, taking a break from sunbathing to sniff the ground, or is it that hippos heads are so heavy that they can’t lift them to look around?

As our remaining time in Marloth Park wafts away, we are reminded of how the beauty of nature and wildlife continue to be the core of our travels. Hopefully, soon, throwing in a huge dose of culture may ultimately prove to add another element to our travels that we find enriching and fulfilling. We shall see.

Visitors to Khaya Umdani…They never disappoint…Never a dull moment…Hooked on a Feeling!

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There he was, looking at us through the glass and wood sliding door in the master bedroom at Khaya Umdani. What a sight! 

One might think that sitting on a veranda, most days in the heat and humidity would become dull and meaningless. Tom said that in a funny way it’s almost like fishing.  The constant anticipation is worth every quiet moment. The joy of discovery makes it all worth it.

He stepped back as we opened the door after the noise from the door opening.

After a week at Khaya Umdani, we made the foolish assessment that perhaps the only visitors here would be warthogs, an occasional impala from afar, an elusive duiker in the dense bush,, or Vervet Monkeys, none of which were ever a disappointment. 

He inched closer as Tom dashed to get the cup of pellets while I was taking the photos while practically squealing with delight.

Yesterday, Danie stopped by and straightened out our thinking, saying that patience prevails and “they” would come, “they” being the larger animals. Of course, Danie knows better than we do. So, we reframed our thinking and retained our hope.

Moments later, Tom returned with the pellets while Mr. Kudu patiently waited. When we realized the female kudus were in the garden, we quietly moved back outside to gasp at the amazing sight of an additional nine female kudus munching in the yard.

Alas, yesterday afternoon when we wandered indoors to shower and dress for dinner at Ngwenya, we were enthralled by the above sight of Mr. Kudu at the sliding door to the bedroom. From there it was an hour of pure pleasure as Tom scrambled to get the pellets and I snapped away. The shower would have to wait.

The female kudus were scattered about the yard with a few Warthog families hanging around as well, hoping a tasty morsel would come their way.

Last night out to dinner with Okee Dokee joining us as our guest (we adore her), we mutually agreed upon a fact that holds so much truth: Being in the presence of animals, wild and not so wild, makes one feel peaceful and happy, a feeling often lasting hours later.

Female kudus don’t have antlers.  Their big pink ears add to their beauty.

Take us, already happy travelers, and place wildlife in front of us and we become wildly happy with smiles on our faces that we can’t erase for hours. It’s no wonder that medical science has proven that animal interactions may be instrumental in helping patients heal from ill-health. Click here for one of many medical studies supporting this concept.

Ms. Kudu getting ready to munch on a tree. So pretty.

It wouldn’t be surprising if scientists studied residents of Marloth Park to discover that they lived longer and healthier lives with constant exposure to wildlife. It’s no wonder, I have angst about leaving, three weeks from today. I’m hooked on a feeling!

Graceful, gentle, and quiet.

What we felt when we saw this Mr. Kudu at the bedroom door and moments later his entourage of nine gorgeous females can only compare to the joy we felt when 12 giraffes stood in the driveway of the little house, almost two months ago. And then, more and more such sightings! The high continues on each day.

This baby kudu was still a little unsure on her feet. Most likely she was born in the past 60 days. Moms keep babes out of sight for several weeks after giving birth to protect them from potential predators.

Add the pleasure of our time at Khaya Umdani, the laughter from the warthog families that visit each day, and this, in itself has been a blissful experience. On Sunday morning, we’ll move out to make way for an upcoming prior reservation. 

The handsome male explored this side of the pool…

Do we go back to the little house or do Louise and Danie have something new up their sleeves planned for us?  Soon, we shall see.  And of course, we’ll promptly share the details with all of you.

Then, he wandered over to the opposite side of the pool, all the while making eye contact with us. He was the only male in the group, commanding reverence from the females and the Warthogs. Ha!

With newly made local friends returning to Marloth Park today and more a week later, we look forward to our social life firing up once again. 

Another baby caught our eye.  Mom was always nearby, keeping a watchful eye. It was time for us to go. It was hard to leave them, but they had begun to wander away for the next lush vegetation in the area. When we returned after dinner in the dark, we saw the herd in a nearby yard.

Plus, we want to say thank you to all of our readers for staying with us on our journey, soon to make a 180-degree switch from wildlife to culture. In a mere 21 days, we’ll be leaving South Africa to travel to Morocco, where we’ll live in the colorful hustle and bustle city of Marrakesh for 75 days, where we won’t be cooking any of our own meals. Wow! That should be interesting.