Next trip booked…But, no need to travel far for exciting and heartwarming experiences…

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As we drove along the river while in Marloth Park, we spotted these elephants. Finding a place to park on the road, we walked across the grass and vegetation for a better view.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

We couldn’t stop laughing. Little Wart Face was so warm during yesterday’s 34C (93F) he climbed into the cement pond to cool off! After he exited the pond, he found a shady spot for a nap.

When we realized the safest way to ensure we could stay in South Africa was to travel to Zambia every three months through the small Nelspruit/Mpumulanga airport and thus avoid going through immigration in Johannesburg where re-entry could be complicated, we knew a few more trips to Zambia was on the horizon.

This small “parade” of elephant drank and cooled off in the river for quite some time.

Sure, we’d love to have traveled to more African countries but the bottom line is that we will have visited many African countries by the time we leave after the upcoming Kenya adventure: 
1.  South Africa
2.  Botswana
3.  Zimbabwe
4.  Zambia
5.  Mozambique
6.  Swaziland (will visit soon)
7.  Kenya (re-visiting in February)
8.  Morocco (2014 – stayed for 2½ months)
9.  Egypt (2013)
10. Tanzania (2013)

It’s always a pleasure to see the babies when they manage to get out from under the safe confines of the adults.

Upcoming in the booked cruise embarking from Lisbon, Portugal on November 2020 (Wow, that’s only two year and five months from now) ending in Cape Town on December 2, 2020 (22 nights) will add the following countries to our African experience:
11.  Gambia
12.  Ivory Coast
13.  Ghana
14.  Angola
15.  Namibia

This sighting occurred at 4:15 while in Marloth Park looking toward Kruger National Park.  Visitors to Kruger would be unable to see this from the roads and are unable to get out of their vehicles. 

With 54 countries on the continent of Africa, we still have several we’d like to visit. We haven’t as yet been able to go to Uganda to see the gorilla but plan to do so next time we come to Africa in 2020. We never seem to run out of places we’d love to experience.

Realistically, we’ll never visit many African countries due to high risks of crime and terrorism. There’s no point in taking chances any more than we have. There certainly is plenty of crime here in South Africa, much of which is not too far away. We proceed with the utmost of caution in everything we do.

We also spotted these two hippos napping on the bank of the Crocodile River.

Here’s the link to a website that lists various cities in countries with the highest crime rates in Africa. South Africa is in the top four. As heavily guarded as Marloth Park is, as a  24-hour a day gated conservancy, there is a degree of crime, mainly as a result of burglaries. 

Our property like all others is secured by alarm systems directly linked to a major well-regarded armed security company based here in Marloth Park. We keep the emergency red button close at hand at all times. But, these risks are rampant, even in cities throughout the US. Nowhere on earth is entirely safe, especially in and near the big cities.

It’s always a great joy to be able to watch their interactions with one another.

As for our next upcoming trip back to Zambia on August 16th, we’ve made plans for the following during our one-week stay:

August 16- Fly to Livingstone, Zambia, staying at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Livingstone for a total of six nights except for August 20.
August 20 – Transfer from Livingstone by land and by boat across the Zambezi River to Botswana
August 20 – Spend an entire day in Chobe National Park on safari with a break midday for lunch.  Stay overnight at the Chobe Safari Lodge.
August 21 – Spend a second entire day on safari on the Chobe River.  Transport via land and boat back to Livingstone in the evening.
August 21 to 23 – Stay at Protea Hotel, until the flight back to Nelspruit/Mpumalanga on August 23rd.

This is the spot where we stood watching the elephants, which was at quite a distance.

We’re excited to return to Zambia where we’ll spend several days working on our posts with hopefully exciting new photos, dining at our now favorite Zambian restaurants (we love the Zambezi Café) and touring the city which we didn’t have time to do last time we were there.

It appeared this young male was getting a “lesson” in elephant behavior.

We contacted the same tour operator again, Chris Tours, who’d done an excellent job for us last time and yesterday completed all the details for this upcoming trip. We highly recommend their services should you decide to visit Zambia to see Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, Chobe River, Zambezi River and a wide array of high adventure experiences.

The cost of the one night at the Chobe Safari Lodge and the two full days of private safaris, both on land and the Chobe River is a total ZAR 12852 (US $939) which includes round-trip transport to the airport. This total doesn’t include air, the Protea Hotel, and meals (breakfasts are included). We’ll post all expenses on the last day of the trip, as usual.

Oops, gecko poop just landed on my hand, falling from the ceiling of the veranda. So it goes.

The scuffle continued for quite some time.

Today, we’re attending a new class with Marloth Park Honorary Rangers Uschie and Evan (who were here for dinner on Friday with HRs Sandra and Paul). We’ll report back on what we’ve learned tomorrow.

May your day be educational and interesting!             

Photo from one year ago today, June 20, 2017:

Greg, Camille, Miles, Madighan, and Maisie on the Jonathan Padelford on the Mississippi River on Father’s Day, one year ago. More family photos will follow. Click here for details.

Giraffe Day!!!…All seen in Marloth Park, not Kruger…Planning our next adventure…

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This lovely girl (determined by the hair on her ossicones) posed for a face shot.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

The adorable bushbabies move so quickly. It’s difficult getting photos in the dark. In this instance, we counted seven on the pedestal at once. Now we’ll try for eight.

No words can describe how exciting it is when we take our almost daily drives in Marloth Park, usually in the afternoon. “They,” say that we’re less likely to see much at that time of day, but we rarely go out without spotting some fascinating and magnificent wildlife during the two-hour drive.

The dirt roads are very bumpy, and at times, I hang on as we maneuver our way through deep potholes, crevices, and uneven roads. The tiny rental cars don’t handle these roads that well, and we certainly don’t want to damage the vehicle. Tom, the sound driver that he is, somehow manages to lessen the bumps along the way.
“Giraffe feet are the size of a dinner plate with a diameter of 30cm (almost 12 inches).”

As for the bouncing around, we’re both used to it, as are the residents of Marloth Park. Bumpy roads and wildlife are a way of life here, a small price to pay for what we’re all gifted to see every day.

Giraffes’ necks are surprisingly too short of reaching the ground. As a result, they must awkwardly spread their front legs to drink. Based on their vegetation diet, they derive most water from the leaves they eat and only need to drink every few days.

We don’t see giraffes each time we’re on the drive. Instead, we may spot them approximately 10% of the time. And, when we do, we can barely contain our enthusiasm. 

Unlike some wildlife, they don’t run off when they see humans and vehicles on the roads. Although one surely wouldn’t want to get too close since one swift kick can be fatal to humans and destructive to cars.  We always stay back a reasonable distance to respect their space and always give them the “right of way” when walking down or across the road.

This giraffe had five oxpeckers on its hide.

There’s so much to see right here in the park. We understand why some people we’ve met don’t necessarily go into Kruger often. For us, with our limited time remaining (eight months) in Marloth Park and the fact we purchased a one-year pass to enter Kruger (referred to as a “Wild Card”) as often as we’d like, we love seeing wildlife in both locations.

Driving around and finding giraffes in Marloth Park is indescribable.

On days we don’t go into Kruger, we take advantage of the opportunity to encounter so many marvelous creatures right here in our “garden.” When we were here four years ago, it was hard to get me out the door to go anywhere. 

Those three short months in 2013/2014 flew by quickly, and when we left, we knew it would never be enough. Now, over this extended period, we can freely come and go as we please, never worrying we’re missing out.  We have more stunning photos we took late yesterday that we’d never been able to see if we had been in Kruger. We’ll share those tomorrow.

She turned her head for an alternate view.

Today, we’re busy planning our tours and safaris for our next trip to Zambia and Botswana, for which we’re leaving on August 16th for one week. Due to visa restrictions, we have no choice to travel back to Zambia, as mentioned in earlier posts. 

This way, we can fly in and out of the small international airport in Nelspruit, where visa restrictions are easier than traveling through Johannesburg. Few visitors stay in South Africa for an extended period unless they apply for residency, which we didn’t want to do due to the complicated and time-consuming process that takes many months or even years to acquire.

 We were thrilled when we spotted this “tower” of five giraffes.

Once we firm up the details of these tours, we’ll post the information here. In the interim, we’re enjoying the planning. As for the distant future, we’ve had several inquiries about when we’ll be posting a new itinerary. 

“The giraffe is the tallest mammal in the world, standing at around 4-5m high (13-16 feet), and the tallest giraffes can be recorded up to 5.9m (19 feet). That’s over a meter higher than a double-decker bus.”

The last time we posted an itinerary was on January 7, 2018 (at this link).  But, since that date, we’ve made several changes that we’ll update in the next few months as we add more bookings and re-post an up-to-date and accurate itinerary. The itinerary you’ll see at the above link doesn’t include the Zambia and Botswana trips or the upcoming photo tour in Kenya next February.

“Despite being incredibly tall, giraffes still only have seven vertebrae in their neck – the same number as humans and most other mammals.”

That’s it for today, folks. We want to thank our readers for sticking with us during the somewhat repetitive experience. How many giraffes, warthogs, and kudus can you see? For us? There’s never enough. For many of you?  Not so much. 

Have a spectacular day!

Photo from one year ago today, June 19, 2017:

Wild turkeys are everywhere in the metro area in Minneapolis. Our friend Sue had shared this photo with us that she’d taken the morning before we got together in the evening. It was beautiful seeing our dear friend Sue and this turkey too! For more photos, please click here.

Things we can count on….

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“Zebras are very fast-moving animals and can reach speeds of up to 65 kmph (40 mph) when galloping across the plains. This is just fast enough to outpace predators such as lions. Foals can run with the herd within a few hours of birth.”

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

A sliver of the moon and the planet Jupiter as seen on Saturday night.

Last night, before sunset, while sitting at the big table on the veranda enjoying Father’s Day happy hour, we concluded…there are many scenarios in the bush that we can count on.

It isn’t a daily occurrence, but zebras stop by a few times a week.  It’s always fun to see them.

One by one, we reviewed these factors that are presented to us every day and night as we live in this lovely house, “Orange is More Just a Colour,” where we’ve settled into a comfortable and yet exciting routine.

Each zebra has its unique pattern of stripes. Also, a zebra’s stripy coat is thought to disperse more than 70 percent of incoming heat, preventing the animal from overheating in the African sun.

Whether it’s a social event, a game drive in Kruger, a trip away, or an evening on the veranda, just the two of us, enchanted by our surroundings, it all has become so familiar and meaningful, we keep asking ourselves how we got so lucky to be a part of this always interesting, always entertaining, life in South Africa.

We can always identify this zebra by this odd pattern on her right upper leg.

We giggled over the familiar events that occur each evening as we prepare the veranda for the evening’s activity which includes:
1.  Preparing a little cup of fruity yogurt for the bushbabies and placing it on their stand before 5:15.  They always arrive, jumping through the trees, no later than 5:30 pm.
2.  Plug in the light we purchased to illuminate the yard into the long electric cord reel.
3.  Ensure the fruit and vegetable container is filled to the brim with carrots and apples.
4.  Have the yellow container filled with pellets.
5.  Be dressed in warm clothing, so we don’t have to rush off to change and possibly miss something.

A pretty little sandbar on the Crocodile River.

6.  Prepare drinks, whether a glass of wine for me or a cocktail for Tom, or iced tea for both of us.
7.  Have everything chopped and diced for dinner, including salad and vegetables ready to be cooked and meat for the grill seasoned and marinating.
8.  Light the citronella candle along with using insect repellent on all exposed skin.
9.  Place a fresh battery in the camera after clearing all previously taken photos onto my laptop for future posts.
10.  Turn on a portion of the exterior lights prior and the balance after full darkness.
11.  Set the veranda table with placemats, napkins, plates and forks, and knives.
12.  Fill the birdseed with seed for “Frank and the Misses” should they stop by, which often occurs in the early evening.

Sunny midday view of the Crocodile River from the brick overlook.

Does it sound like a lot of work? For us, it isn’t. We both enjoy our roles in making all of the above transpire quickly and seamlessly. By 4:45 each evening, we both get into action, and by 5:00 pm, we can sit down and relax with our beverage of choice in hand and big smiles on our faces.

Here’s what transpires, every single evening that we can always count on, all of which makes us squeal with delight in its dependability as a nightly occurrence:
5:15 pm – Bushbabies fly through the trees toward the perch to the container of fruity yogurt.  For the few hours or so, the dozen or so that dwell in the trees go back and forth, taking little tastes while freely sharing.
5:30 pm – The Hadeda birds, a type of noisy ibis, flies overhead, making their loud ha-de-da sounds as they pass…not once in a while…but every night.
5:45 pm – Frank and the Misses made their loud squawking noises for about 30 seconds as darkness falls.
6:00 pm – Warthogs stop by for an evening snack, not necessarily the same warthogs each time, but warthogs, nonetheless.
7:00 pm – (Give or take a few minutes)…Duiker boy and duiker girl arrive, both very shy and interested in well-tossed pellets when they prefer not to come too close to the veranda.

The scenery on the river seems to change daily based on rain and the opening of the dam to increase water flow.

From there, the remainder of the evening is a mystery. No one may arrive, or dozens may come. It’s unpredictable. And, not unlike fishing, you toss in your line and patiently wait.

It’s during this waiting period that we cook our dinner on the grill, filling our plates with salad and cooked vegetables to be topped off by a great cut of beef, chicken, or pork. We’re never disappointed. Tom does an excellent job of grilling.

We rarely see waterbucks other than along the banks of rivers.

After dinner, we sit for a bit at the table or stay preoccupied with visitors and then quickly gather dishes to be placed in the separate kitchen where Tom will do the words, often to be finished after we come indoors for the remainder of the night. Here again, we don’t want to miss a thing.

Several waterbuck grazing on the fenced Marloth Park side of the river.

Usually, by 9:00 pm, we “call it a day,” pack everything up, finish the cleanup, and head indoors to watch one show on the TV screen using my laptop and our HDMI cord. 

A little tousling between the boys.

By 10:00 pm or so, I’m ready for bed, while Tom usually stays up until 11:00. We’re never bored. We never tire of this routine. And, we continue to find each of the predictable events exciting and exciting. Most weeks, we’re out for two nights for dinner or with friends. This break in our routine makes returning to it all the more enjoyable.

Although not necessarily similar to ours, I’m sure that most people’s routines are not too unlike ours in their familiarity and ability to incite a great degree of comfort and pleasure.

A youngster grazing with the adults.

May today’s and tonight’s routine bring you much joy, especially those “things you can count on.”

Photo from one year ago today, June 18, 2017:

Granddaughters Maisie and Madighan at the community center event while Greg went to find Miles after the parade ended. Other grandchildren photos are upcoming. For more photos from this date, please click here.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads throughout the world…Crossing the road in Kruger and more…

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Crocs aren’t necessarily pleasing to the eye, but they’re an essential player in the food chain.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Bushbaby heaven. Six on the pedestal with their nightly cup of fruity yogurt. Next, we’ll try for seven.
I often think of the two dads I lost many years ago; my biological father, who passed away when I was 12 years old from a horrifying accident at work, and my “second” dad, who passed from cancer in 1983. 

Both were remarkable men, husbands, and fathers whom I think of every year at this time and frequently throughout the year. When I realize it’s been 35 years since I’ve had a dad, it’s been a very long time.

One giraffe, crossing the road.

When thinking of dads in my life today, I think of my son Greg, stepson TJ, who are great dads, and of course, my dear husband, Tom. Often it’s assumed spouses don’t celebrate Mother and Father’s Day when they aren’t “their” parent, but somehow I’ve always attempted to make it a special day for Tom, as he’s done for me.

So, today, for all the fathers, grandfathers, and stepdads, we wish every one of you a wonderful day filled with love, and we hope your loved ones take a few minutes to make it memorable.

There’s something special about elephants crossing a road.

Tom reminded me this morning that the most amount of “collect” calls made in years past was on Father’s Day.  From this site:
“More collect telephone calls are made on Fathers Day than on any other day of the year. Fathers Day was the brainchild of Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. His father, Civil War veteran William Smart, was a single parent who raised six children after his wife died during childbirth. Listening to a passionate Mother’s Day sermon in 1909, Sonora felt that a day was needed to honor his father and other father’s like his. So, he settled on June 19th (his father’s birthday), and the world’s first official Fathers Day was celebrated on June 19th, 1910.”

Once he reached the other side (yes, please note, it is a “he”), he wasn’t pleased to see us. At an opportune moment, we zoomed past him.

A simple phone call, preferably not collect (and not necessary these days with free calling), is all a dad needs to feel loved, remembered, and appreciated.  

What am I doing to make this day memorable for my husband? We don’t have room in our luggage for gifts and besides, what would I buy for him?  He doesn’t need a power washer, tools, a GPS for his car, or a putter for his golf clubs.  

A parade of elephants grazing in a lush green area.

There was no point in finding him a shirt, swimwear, or pair of shorts here in Africa. Traveling the world as we do, now for almost six years, we have no home, no car, and no sports equipment in this lifestyle. We’re trying to make the clothing we have now last until our next trip to the USA, where we’ll replace many of the few items we possess at that time.

Hmmm…this sounds like a typical day! Instead, I’ll work extra hard to make this day special by fussing over him a little more than usual, making a special romantic dinner for tonight’s time on the veranda, and attending to his every whim. Then again, he does the same for me.

Fish eagles are often spotted in Kruger National Park.

Last night, around 5:00 pm, we had a two-hour power outage. Since we usually start preparing dinner around 6:30, part of which we often cook on the braai (grill), we got out the candles and did as much as we could before dark around 5:45.

We haven’t seen Scar-Face in weeks and look forward to his return. Now, we have a particular affinity for Tusker, who’s very shy but practically swoons when I talk to him in a goofy high pitched voice, you know, the voice some of us use when talking to pets and babies.

Earlier in the day, I’d chopped and diced everything we needed for the meal, which proved to have been a good decision. By 6:00 pm, in the dark, we scrambled around in the dark kitchen with one candle burning, quickly pulling out everything from the refrigerator that we’d need for the meal.

Luckily, we had salad left from the previous night’s dinner party and vegetables, which we wrapped in tinfoil to make “vegetable packs” for the grill. Tom grilled his steak in the dark while I cooked fish on the gas stove.

A few bites of vegetation on a sunny morning in Kruger.

By 6:45, we were situated at the big table on the veranda, enjoying our meal and, of course, wondering if we’d be without power all night. Without light, we couldn’t see the considerable activity in the yard.

Rhinos aren’t the cutest animals globally, but it sure is fun to see them in the wild.

We heard a lot of snorting, rustling around in the dirt and the bush, and a wide array of sounds we didn’t recognize. We laughed out loud.  Here we were in Africa, outside in the dark with wild animals all around us, unable to see a thing yet having the time of our lives. Much to our delight and surprise, a few hours later, the power returned.

That’s life in Africa!

Happy Father’s Day to all!

Photo from one year ago today, June 17, 2017:

Granddaughter Maisie and Tom in front of Cost Cutters in Minnetonka, Minnesota. We arrived at 10:30 am but had to wait for the late-arriving employee. For more photos, please click here.

A fantastic evening with friends…Rhino Day!…

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 This short video illustrates females rhinos “thinking” about their next move.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Tusker stopped by for a bit of a nap.

It’s Saturday morning, but somehow it feels like Sunday, most likely because we had a dinner party last night.  Everything is all cleaned up.  Last night, after our guests left, Tom washed tons of dishes, and this morning we put them all away. 

We had an exceptional evening filled with lively chatter sharing our mutual love of travel, wildlife, and nature, which seems to be the focus of most conversations between residents of Marloth Park.

Our delightful guests are all Marloth Park Honorary Rangers which added another layer of conversation we found particularly interesting and appealing.  Their dedication to protecting the health and well-being of wildlife, nature, and people is unstoppable.

This morning, I laundered all the placemats and napkins while Tom scraped the wax off the veranda floor that had spilled from a repellent candle when I accidentally bumped it while serving dinner.  All is well. 

Two female rhinos on the trail of a nearby male.

We never leave tasks such as these for Marta, instead of leaving the bed-making, floor-washing, and dusting. With the kicking up dust by wildlife in the “dirt garden,” there’s new dust on all surfaces every day. 

I’ve noticed lately when speaking to South African friends that they refer to their “yard” (an American expression) as a “garden.” However, there may not be anything growing of significance other than trees and the low-lying bush.

Some homeowners in Marloth Park have planted various plants, but if they want them to survive, they must enclose them, or the wildlife will eat them or trample on them.  Instead, many have chosen to go with the “dirt garden” like ours.  It’s more practical in this environment and requires less upkeep and maintenance.

Today, we’re sharing photos and another new video from our recent visits to Kruger National Park.  At this point, we’re both looking forward to our next outing to Kruger, after all the success (safari luck) we’ve had lately, especially in sighting the rhinos in today’s post.

And, here are the girls!  Not much is “girlish” about female rhinos!

Here are some fun facts about rhinos from this site:

“Did you know that the word rhinoceros is a combination of two Greek words: “rhino” meaning nose and “ceros” meaning horn? Various other animals have the word rhinoceros as part of their names because they all have horn-like appendages. For example, the rhinoceros fish or the rhinoceros chameleon!

1. Rhino horns are not bone but made of keratin – this is the same material found in hair and fingernails. The rhino’s horn is a compacted mass of hair that continues to grow throughout the rhino’s lifetime, just the way our hair and fingernails grow. The black rhino has two horns – the foremost is more prominent than the other – while the white rhino has more of a stump for a second horn.

2. Rhinos have thick, sensitive skin that can react to sunburns and insect bites – hence they love the mud as it acts as a sunblock and protects them from insects.

3. Tapirs, horses, and zebras are the closest relatives to the rhinoceros. These animals are the odd-toed ungulates – the rhinoceros has three toes on each foot, and their tracks resemble the Ace of Clubs!

4. The collective word for a group of rhinos is a “crash” of rhinos.”

5. Their horns are not used for defense purposes. They’d instead use their teeth to keep their opponents at bay. Black and white rhinos do not have incisors but rather have three premolars and three molars on each side of their upper and lower jaws.

6. With the consumption of large amounts of plants for nutrition, the rhino has got to get rid of the food somehow – this would be in the form of 23 kilograms of dung in a day! Did you know that each rhino’s smell is unique and can identify its owner? For example, a young rhino’s dung smells different from that of an adult, and a male’s poop smells different from a female’s. Rhinos communicate by using these piles of dung to leave “messages” for other rhinos. This is one way of marking their territory.

Two female rhinos were crossing the road.

7. The difference between the white rhino and the black rhino does not emerge from their color. The white rhino came from the word “weed” in Afrikaans, which means “wide” and describes its mouth. The English settlers in South Africa misinterpreted wyd for the word white and hence the white rhino. The black rhino got its name from the dark wet mud in its wallows that made it look black. But both the black and the white rhinoceros are grey.

8. The black rhino is a browser and gets sustenance from eating trees and bushes. With its wider mouth, the white rhino has a long flat upper lip that is designed to graze grass and prefers to walk with its enormous head and squared lips lowered to the ground.

9. Rhinos have a symbiotic relationship with oxpeckers – in Swahili, they are the “askari wa kifaru” – which means the rhino’s guard. The “askari” eats ticks and other insects that it finds on the rhino and creates a commotion when it feels any danger, alerting the rhino.

10. Most wild rhino calves will never meet their fathers – after mating, the male and female rhinoceros typically separate and move on. Once the calf is born, it will spend a few years with its mother but never meet its father.

11. Females will reproduce every two and a half to five years and remain with the calf for about three years.

12. Black rhinos prefer to eat at night or during dawn or dusk. When it is too hot, they take cover under the shade.”

This was the first time we observed rhinos crossing the road.

Each time we see rhinos in the wild, we are enthralled.  They aren’t always the easiest of wildlife to observe when they may be tucked away in dense bush areas.

While in the Masai Mara in Kenya in 2013 (returning in eight months), we couldn’t get as close to rhinos as we have in Kruger National Park on several occasions since our arrival in South Africa in February.  We feel very fortunate to have been “up close and personal” on several occasions and look forward to many more opportunities.

As for today, we’ll be heading out this afternoon for one of our frequent drives in Marloth Park to see what wonders await us during our usual two-hour drive.
We feel great and, we feel grateful. 

Have a great and grateful day!

Photo from one year ago today, June 16, 2017:

View of a bay of Lake Minnetonka from friends Connie and Jeff veranda when we were invited for a fabulous dinner. Connie’s a professional chef, and we enjoyed every morsel. For more, please click here.

Preparing for dinner guests…Finally…Cats!!!…Something very creepy came to call…More Kruger wonders!…

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At quite a distance, a cheetah cub.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

This creepy fuzzy thing is actually an African Silk Worm that contains an entire group of individual caterpillars. They cause horrible irritation if they come in contact with skin. We saw this on the wall of the veranda this morning and moved them to another spot. But, they returned to make the “train” shown below.
      This is a collective of the African Silk Worm, which returned to our veranda after moving them away.
These African Silk Worms reappeared on the veranda wall into a clump, including many of these odd caterpillars.

Preparing for a dinner party is never easy, and as much as I can enjoy cooking at times, it’s all the little details that are time-consuming and require attention to detail.

Oh, don’t get me wrong, we love having the opportunity to reciprocate for the many dinner invitations we’ve received in these past four months.  But, regardless of the menu, simple or elegant, planning and prepping requires lots of attention to detail, cleaning up while cooking, and ensuring the dinner party area, the house. The guest bathroom is clean and ready for guests.

I’d forgotten to change the camera back to daylight photos after taking photos the prior night.  Nonetheless, we were happy to see some cats in Kruger finally.

One might think it’s easy with us having Marta living on the premises and cleaning the house as needed, and also Josiah, who cleans the veranda, the gas grill, the pool, and the yard Monday through Friday, makes the process easy.

Even with the help (usually done by noon), we’ve still been busy getting ready for tonight’s dinner party for six. Deciding what to prepare always seems to be the most difficult. I always try to plan items that don’t require a lot of last-minute prep.

Skinny cheetah crossing the road.

Between yesterday afternoon, after our shopping trip to Komatipoort and again this morning beginning at 6:30 am, I’ve got a good handle on the starters, salad, main courses, and dessert. Thus, the late post today. Sorry about that.

Actually, I’d hoped to keep the post uncomplicated in its content and photos based on the fact I still have more to accomplish yet this afternoon. The party begins at 5:00 pm, in time for the arrival of the dozen or so bushbabies and, of course, the sunset, which is tough to see through the bush where we’re located.

Another cheetah meandering down Kruger’s tar road, hoping to see a possible meal for her and her cubs.

In these past few days, our minds keep wandering back to the successful time we had on Wednesday in Kruger with friends and wildlife. Seeing our friends and posting yesterday’s video was the highlight for both of us. 

A few hours after uploading the elephant video, shown here in this post, we were contacted again by Kruger National Park (SANParks), asking if we’d allow them to post yet another of our videos on their site. We’re flattered by their interest but have reached a point where we have to decide…do we want to monetize our videos?

This elephant wasn’t thrilled to see us coming and began flapping his ears and roaring. We waited until it was safe and drove past him.

We have mixed feelings about this. All along, we mentioned how we’d worked hard to avoid making this site about money. That way, it doesn’t feel like “work.” It’s done for pure love and joy.

Note the vegetation-filled cheeks on this giraffe. Often they collect massive amounts of greenery in their mouths and gradually swallow it down.

In the past few weeks, we’ve had several media outlets contact us interested in monetizing our videos; we’re at a loss if we’re interested in doing so. Providing them to Kruger is for “free,” but in doing so, we forfeit the right to ever “sell them” down the road.

We love Kruger and appreciate their intent to place ads on videos to offset conservation costs. We understand and respect this and appreciate the opportunity to participate in this mission.

Elephants grazing in the bush in Kruger.

We’ve treasured the fact that we haven’t monetized our videos. But, as costs increase over these years of world travel and with a tight fixed income with no increases for inflation, we wonder if we can supplement a small portion of the costs of managing our site through alternative methods, such as monetizing our videos. 

We’d love to hear your opinions on this topic. Please write to us and let us know what you think. What would YOU do in this situation?

An Egyptian goose.

On Wednesday, in Kruger, visiting with friends and spotting lots of stunning wildlife, we had many excellent photos ops which we’ll continue to share over the next few days. 

We were especially excited to have finally seen “cats” in Kruger for the first time since our arrival, as shown in today’s above photos. For some odd reason, lions and leopards have alluded to us while in South Africa. Although we saw the Big 5 in the first 10 hours in Kenya, we’ve yet to do so here.

Large crocodile sunning on the bank of the Sabie River.

Of course, everyone wants to see lions and leopards as two of the Big 5. For us, cats of any breed are exciting and rewarding to spot, although we’re not fixated on the Big 5. I suppose for most safari fans, the desire for lions and leopards is fueled by their elusive nature and infrequent sightings. 

A “bloat” (appropriately named) of hippos in the Sabie River.

Now, at 12:30 pm Friday, we’re situated on the veranda on yet another gorgeous and sunny day. The temp is 27C (80.6F), and although it will cool down considerably when darkness falls, we have no doubt we’ll all be comfortable on the veranda for our dinner party as more nature comes to call in the evening.

Have a fabulous day and upcoming weekend. We’ll be back tomorrow with more!

Photo from one year ago today, June 15, 2017:

Tom and son TJ selfie while at a ballgame. For more Minnesota photos, please click here.

A must-see video!!!…An outstanding day with intelligent wildlife…And…an outstanding day with human friends…

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 This video will remain as one of our favorites in years to come, clearly illustrating the intelligence of elephants during a human intervention in “their world.” Watch, and you’ll see why. 

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

It was pretty impressive seeing this giraffe family on the shore of the Sabie River in Kruger National Park.

I don’t know where to begin. The fabulous get-together with friends Cathi and Rick and their two Kauai friends, Debra and Charlie (whose spouses didn’t attend the lunch) who are traveling with them, or the absolutely unbelievable sightings we had on the way to and from lunch at the Mug & Bean in Lower Sabie.

This is the scene that inspired Tom to turn around and go back to the spot of the road this elephant scenario rolled out, which he’d seen in his rearview mirror.

Every moment of the six hours we were gone from Marloth was a fun-filled adventure with lively conversation with our friends along with breathtaking experiences on the road in both directions. 

We kindly ask you to please watch the above video. You will experience, along with us, the heart-stopping sighting we feel far exceeded our usual “safari luck.” Indeed, it was a matter of “being in the right place at the right time,” and as heard on the video, me literally “pushing” Tom to “stay put” and let the scenario roll out.

As we were driving down the tar road in Kruger, Tom spotted this elephant in his rearview mirror, prompting him to turn around to see if more would follow.

Sorry, Honey, for being so pushy and expressing it live on the video when somehow I knew we had to stay in place and continue taking the above video until the scenario was fully unveiled before our eyes and the eyes of the other lucky park visitors that happened to be in the same proximity.

A critic/hater on our recent cape buffalo video, which Kruger National Park (Sanpark) had asked to post on their site, commented that animals aren’t that smart to break up the two entangled buffalos (and who was I to say so?) who’s horns became entangled during an alternation. We couldn’t believe what transpired and have watched the video several times, each time more in awe than the last. You may observe that video here and read the comments.

She stood on the road and wouldn’t move while cars lined up in both directions, unable to move in either direction. We were at a good vantage point, but it required me to twist around in an uncomfortable position to take the above video. PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO!!!

Oh, yes, they are that smart!!! How are we such superior beings to assume that animals don’t have intellect and forethought? Do you have a dog, cat, or other pet that you’ve been able to observe and, without a doubt, followed intelligent behavior? 

Why would wild animals have any less intellect than a dog or cat? If you’re curious about the top ten most intelligent animals on the planet, please click here. The elephant is ranked #3 on the list often, and the pigs are #9. 

Regardless of how the vehicles attempted to maneuver around her, she wasn’t about to budge. The above video will illustrate an outrageous situation that got her to leave the road after her entire “parade” had safely crossed. This scenario is unlike any we’ve seen in the past.

Soon, we’ll be making a video of how smart warthogs are that will astound you. Would you believe if I say I’m in the process of teaching them a few words to which they’re responding? Is it any different than teaching your dog to respond to a wide array of commands? Not at all.

Anyway, forgive my over-the-top enthusiasm. After all, it’s why we’re here. But then again, we don’t forget for a moment the other kinds of interactions we’re experiencing while in Africa, the humankind.

Crocodile at the Vurhami Dam in Kruger.

And, yesterday, when we promptly spotted our friends at the Mug & Bean in Lower Sabie, we couldn’t have hugged harder and been more enthused to see one another after three years since we left Kauai in May 2015 a four-month stay in Princeville where Cathi and Rick live. We’d put the former misstep behind us when we missed each other on Sunday.

Of course, the conversation revolved around our mutual love of wildlife (that’s why they’re here in Africa for 23 days) and generally catching up as to what’s transpired in our lives and theirs over these past three years. 

The Mug & Bean is situated on the Sabie River with stunning views from its wrap-around veranda.

After the delightful two-hour lunch, it was hard to say goodbye. After loving Kauai as much as we did, we wouldn’t be surprised if we ended back there for another short stay in years to come. Indeed, sometime down the road, we’ll see each other again. One never knows.

Thank you, Cathi and Rick, and friends, for taking the time to meet up with us and for hosting a delightful lunch. We met at 11:00 am, and by 1:00 pm, we were back on the road to the Crocodile Gate. Had we not left at precisely that time, we would have missed the above sighting and more, which we’ll be sharing over the next several days.

From left to right, our friends from Kauai: Charlie, us, Cathi, Rick, and Debra.  It was beautiful to see them!

Soon, we’re off to Komatipoort to shop for groceries and pellets. While I shop at Spar, Tom will head to Lembobo for carrots and apples and then Obaro for shells, finding me in the market when he’s done.  

Tomorrow evening we’re entertaining guests for dinner, Sandra and Paul, and Uschie and Evan (all close friends), all of whom are Marloth Park Honorary Rangers who’ve been highly instrumental in inspiring us to present stories and photos of wildlife and nature concerns in this special place. 

Tom splurged at lunch with a giant burger topped with onion rings and a side of chips.

Tonight, we’ll be outdoors, as usual, relishing in the wonders surrounding us, never stopping for a moment as we observe and embrace every aspect of “living life in the bush” in South Africa.

We’re more grateful than words can describe. Cats. We saw cats. Tomorrow…

Photo from one year ago today, June 14, 2017:

Minnesota is a beautiful state with over 14,000 lakes, streams, rivers, abundant greenery, and tall trees. For more photos, please click here.

Suddenly well again…Two and a half years of a miserable condition now resolved…

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Wildebeests, zebras, and impala in Kruger National Park.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Check out the wear and tear on this old elephant’s right ear.

Early posting today.  We’re off to Kruger again to see our friends with a more pinned-down plan for where to meet in Lower Sabie.  We’ll be back tomorrow with more new and hopefully exciting photos.

You’ve read repeatedly regarding my awful gastrointestinal issues, which began in Fiji in 2015 after eating octopus at the five-star resort on Christmas Day, the only scenario to which we could attribute the illness that has lingered over the past two and a half years.

Oh no, it didn’t keep us from continuing in our world travels and in enjoying doing so, as illustrated in the past hundreds of posts we’ve uploaded since the onset. 

Wildebeest and zebras.

I’d decided at the time that as long as I could function in our day-to-day lives, nothing was going to “keep me down.” Never once did we cancel or change any travel or social plans we’d made during this extended period. Never once did I have a single day free of pain or discomfort in these past two and a half years.

While living in Tasmania, a year after the symptoms began, I visited three doctors based on areas we were living during our three months on the island. Only one doctor did a blood test, after which I was diagnosed with Helicobactor Pylori and prescribed two rounds of two potent antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

Elephant on the side of the tar road.

Once the infection was resolved, as was typical, I developed ulcers and suffered from severe gastritis, which continued on and on. To make a “long story short,” only months ago, the ulcers seemed to be gone, and I stopped all medications only to begin going through a form of withdrawal from PPIs, which reduces acid in the stomach. It wasn’t easy stopping the PPIs due to an “acid-rebound effect,” which lasted for three weeks, after which I felt a little better.

This elephant was nestled in the dry bush.

Now and then, I’ve mentioned my condition here in our continued desire to be transparent in the realities of world travel, living without a base, without a home, condo, or apartment (or storage) anywhere in the world and, without a doctor with whom we’d established a history of care and treatment.

Of course, some days were worse than others, as is often the case with a chronic condition. I’d come to a place where I resigned myself to accepting this would be my lot in life…constant distress, inability to eat normal portions of food, feeling hungry, and needing to eat something every few hours, which only exacerbated the symptoms. 

Sitting down for a break.

Not used to eating so often, I gained 7.7kg (17 pounds) over these past few years.  My clothing was no longer fitting comfortably, a disaster based on our limited wardrobes.  It wasn’t as simple as going to a shopping mall and replacing all of my clothing.  I was hoping something would change.

Based on my way of eating, I found myself frequently snacking on cheese several times a day and just not getting any better. A few months ago, I stopped eating salads. They seemed to make it worse. A year ago, I gave up coffee and cream.

Two elephants grazing.

Why wasn’t I getting better?  I was determined not to have to go through a battery of invasive medical tests, only to be told what I already knew. Sure, at times, I worried I had a life-threatening issue and would end up in an emergency room somewhere in the world. This was a frightening thought that I tried to dismiss when it cluttered my mind at the worst of times, on the worst of days.

Visitors to the park must remain diligent, staying far back to avoid a confrontation.

Two and a half weeks ago, everything changed in one day. I decided to avoid eating cheese when the hunger pangs came instead of eating boiled eggs and cooked vegetables. I didn’t have a salad that night with dinner. Instead, I had steak on the grill and cooked green beans. 

The next morning upon awakening, something was different. I couldn’t pinpoint it until a few hours later when I realized. IT WAS DAIRY! I hadn’t eaten anything with dairy in 24 hours, and I felt so much better. 

We noticed a patch of hide missing from the neck of this giraffe.  See the close-up below of this injury.

Since that time, I haven’t had one iota of lactose (dairy products). It wasn’t the salad that bothered me. It was the dairy in the homemade salad dressing. It was the cheese I continued to eat daily in an attempt to ease the gnawing discomfort, which only made it worse. 

It was the cream in my coffee I’d given up so long ago, not the coffee. And, it goes on and on.  I ate a lot of dairy to compensate for the lack of sugar and starch in my diet. Before I realized this, I decided to see if eating unsweetened Greek yogurt would help, but I was only worse the next day. Now I get it.

This injury could result from a confrontation with another giraffe during this mating season when they may engage in “necking,” a fight for dominance using their weighty and dangerous necks.

I’m a new person. For over two weeks, I haven’t consumed one morsel of dairy, and I’m feeling better than I’ve felt in years. As more time marches on, I’ll continue to heal the damage done to my gut by entirely avoiding all dairy products.

Yes, my diet is now limited to animal products (no chemicals) and non-starchy vegetables. I don’t care. I’ve lost 2.7 kg (6 pounds) in the past two weeks and surely will lose the remaining weight easily in the next few months. 

Elephant family crossing the road.  Note that tusk of the largest (which could be the matriarch) on the baby’s back to keep it safe and on track.

Mainly, I’m eating chicken breasts and frozen wild-caught fish (no fresh fish is available nearby), a wide array of cooked vegetables as often as I’m hungry. I’ve been able to enjoy a few glasses of red wine as a special treat when we’re socializing and dining out. 

Perhaps in time, I’ll get more creative. But, for now, I want to feel well and fit back into my clothes. The bloating and pain I suffered day after day is gone, gone, gone.

Tom, of course, isn’t eating the same foods I’m eating. As a result, I’m making two separate meals each evening. But, I don’t mind at all. He’s not big on plates of roasted vegetables with a chicken breast or piece of fish, nor do I expect him to eat like me.

This family wanders off into the bush while other family members after a short distance behind them.

I’m so happy to be better. I don’t care about food. Once I return to my former weight, I’ll up the amounts of chicken, fish (occasionally pork and beef), and veggies I consume to maintain my weight and stay healthy. It’s a no-brainer for me. 

Thanks to all of our readers who’ve gone through this with me.  I’ve always felt badly mentioning health issues.  We all want to “appear” strong, healthy, and fit. But, as we age, the reality is, we may no longer be able to “pretend” all is well with our health. 

If anything, perhaps dealing with this issue here has helped or will help even one reader who’s attempting to figure out solutions for their health. 

Note: The information provided here today is not intended as medical advice nor do we profess to have any medical knowledge or expertise.  Please see your medical professionals for assistance.

Photo from one year ago today, June 13, 2017:

My chopped salad with a side of Mexican season shredded beef. In Minnesota, in 10 months, we can still go to this favorite restaurant, but I’ll leave off the sour cream and cheese and have lettuce, meat, salsa, and guacamole.  Sounds acceptable to me. For more photos, please click here.

Unusual sighting in Kruger shown in our video…Do all body parts have a purpose?…Tom and friends…

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Please note the first few seconds of this video illustrating what transpired below.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

After returning from Kruger on Sunday, we headed to Amazing River View, Serene Oasis, to watch the sunset and wildlife on the Crocodile River. This waterbuck was busily grazing on the vegetation as we captured his reflection in the river.

On Sunday afternoon, upon returning home after our failed attempt to find our friends at Lower Sabie in Kruger National Park, we decided to head out for dinner once we knew they were alright.

This elephant with only one tusk was standing at the Verhami Dam in Kruger leisurely tossing dirt over herself. 

Having been to Jabula Lodge & Restaurant on Friday night with Kathy and Don and few restaurants in Marloth Park, we decided we’d stop for a sundowner at Serene Oasis and then drive the few kilometers to Phumula Lodge & Restaurant for dinner. 

The food is good, not great, but the outdoor dining area is charming, and for that reason, along with good service, we enjoy dining there. While at Serene Oasis, we spotted few animals, but the sun quickly went down, and we left for dinner.

It was fascinating watching her from our close vantage point.

The above photo, “Sighting of the Day in the Bush,” made the river view stop worthwhile but, we’ve found the menu at Serene Oasis difficult to accommodate my way of eating. Also, their prices are considerably higher than other restaurants in Marloth Park, and as we book more and more into the future, we continue to manage our budget diligently.

As mentioned above and in more detail in yesterday’s post, found here, we were unable to find our friends who’d planned to meet us at the Mug & Bean Restaurant at Lower Sabie in Kruger at 11:00. We’re planning to repeat the same scenario tomorrow at 11:00 am at the same location, hoping we’ll find each other this time.

She grasped some vegetation while we waited patiently for her next move.

With our successful drive in Kruger National Park, spotting four rhinos shortly after entering, we felt the drive through the park and back was a success, as shown by photos we’ll continue to share over the next few days.

As shown in the above video, this particular elephant sighting was exciting. We’d never witnessed firsthand the degree of adeptness elephants possess with the end of the trunks.

Suddenly, she lifted the end of her trunk and scratched her right eye.

Here are a few facts about elephant’s trunks from this site:

“Did you know these three things about the elephant trunk?1. The human tongue is similar to an elephant’s trunk. The tongue and the trunk are muscular hydrostats – body parts composed almost exclusively of muscle tissue that utilizes water pressure to move. The muscles provide volume constancy and reversible torsional force.

2. The trunk of an elephant is highly dynamic, able to move in various directions with immense strength and precision, though there is no skeletal structure in the trunk.

3. The elephant’s trunk is made up of an incompressible ‘fluid’ (i.e., tightly packed muscle fibers) that maintains its volume to remain constant through various movements. These muscles are arranged in three patterns (perpendicular to the long axis of the organ, parallel to the long axis, or wrapped helically, or obliquely, around the long axis) and provide versatility to the movement of the trunk.”

Over a period of several minutes, she reached up, scratching her eye again.
It’s so easy to take the physical features of wildlife for granted. As we’ve observed nature non-stop over the past four months in Marloth Park, Kruger National Park, and Chobe National Park (Botswana), we’ve concluded, supported by science, that every part of an animal is an animal’s anatomy has a distinct purpose.
Whether it’s the curled tusks of the warthog, utilized for digging up roots and defense, to the huge antlers of the male kudu, to protect his “harem” and maneuver through dense bush, to the massive size, mouth, and teeth of the dangerous hippo, it all has a purpose.
Further down the road, we spotted this wildebeest’s youngster suckling.
Tom and I have discussed these facts repeatedly, often referencing scientific information to confirm our suspicions and satisfy our curiosity. Wildlife isn’t too different from us humans in this regard. Our anatomical features all provide a purpose in our day-to-day lives.

We laughed when simultaneously we mentioned the purported uselessness of the human appendix, which has long been thought to be a worthless remnant in the human body.

Tom’s favorite, Ms. Bushbuck, and her friend were to his right, while my favorite, Ms. Kudu was standing to his left.

In conducting further research, we discovered the following from this site:

“The body’s appendix has long been thought of as nothing more than a worthless evolutionary artifact, good for nothing save a potentially lethal case of inflammation.Now researchers suggest that the appendix is a lot more than a useless remnant. Not only was it recently proposed to actually possess a critical function, but scientists now find it appears in nature a lot more often than before thought. And it’s possible some of this organ’s ancient uses could be recruited by physicians to help the human body fight disease more effectively.

In a way, the idea that the appendix is an organ whose time has passed has itself become a concept whose time is over.

“Maybe it’s time to correct the textbooks,” said researcher William Parker, an immunologist at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. “Many biology texts today still refer to the appendix as a ‘vestigial organ.”

Parker recently suggested that the appendix still served as a vital safehouse where good bacteria could lie in wait until they were needed to repopulate the gut after a nasty case of diarrhea. Past studies had also found the appendix can help make, direct and train white blood cells.“

To see the elephant at the Verhami Dam so adeptly scratching his eye reminded us of how magically and mysteriously each creature on the magnificent Earth possessing skills, features, and structures vital to their existence in everyday life.

The wildlife in Marloth Park is “wild” but has become used to being near humans.
It’s not as if we’re only sitting back fussing over the wildlife that comes to call each day or those we find in national parks. It’s the opportunity to question, investigate and learn more and more each day, not only about the stunning wildlife surrounding us but also in learning more and more about ourselves, our planet, and our purpose on this Earth.
For all of this, we are eternally grateful. And, we’re grateful to be able to share it all with YOU!

Photo from one year ago today, June 12, 2018:

Across the Bay in Vancouver, we could see the Olympic Mountains.  At first, we thought this was a view of clouds, not mountains.  For more photos, please click here.

Rhino day!…A comedy of errors, well, sort of…Stuff happens…

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Due to other vehicles in the way, we couldn’t get a photo with all four of them together. But, we were thrilled to get these. 

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Large insect in the plunge pool. We lifted her out with the net and sent her on her way.

Yesterday at 9:00 am, we left the house to head to Kruger National Park to meet up with friends Cathi and Rick, with whom we became friends in Kauai, Hawaii, in 2015. We’ve been so excited to see them again here in South Africa.

Only on one other occasion had we been this close to rhinos in Kruger National Park.

Having visited Africa in the past, their enthusiasm for wildlife and nature provided the four of us with a commonality of interests that we share with many of our friends here in Marloth Park. We were excited to see them and looked forward to the day.

With a plan to meet at the Mug & Bean Restaurant located in Kruger National Park in the Lower Sabie area at 11:00 am, we felt confident that leaving by 9:00 would get us to the location without a problem, leaving us plenty of time to stop for photos of any possible sightings. Visitors must drive slowly based on 50 km per hour speed limits (31 mph) and frequent wildlife crossings.

There were four rhinos by the tar road.

By 9:30, we were inside the Crocodile Bridge Gate and ready to travel the hour-long drive to Lower Sabie, a popular spot where visitors to the park can take a break from game driving, have a meal, buy souvenirs and relax, entranced by wildlife on the Sabie River. (Over the next few days, we’ll share many photos from this spectacular location).

Such peculiar-looking beasts, aren’t they?

With breathtaking sightings along the way, including the “crash” (yep, that’s right, a “crash” of rhinos) of four rhinos grazing and lingering on the side of the Gomondwane Road, the tar road that runs through the park, we had plenty of time to stop for photos and still arrive at the Mug & Bean at 10:50.

We had an excellent start to the day. We encountered three of the Big Five in the first 10 km (6.2 miles). Oddly, even with great “safari luck,” we’ve yet to spot a lion or leopard in Kruger during these past four months of many visits to Kruger.  (We arrived in Marloth Park precisely four months ago today, on February 11th). 

From this site: “Members of the rhinoceros family are some of the largest remaining megafaunas, with all species able to reach or exceed one tonne in weight. Their skin looks a little too large for their bodies. They have a herbivorous diet, small brains (400–600 g) for mammals of their size, one or two horns, and thick (1.5–5 cm) protective skin formed from layers of collagen positioned in a lattice structure.”

Surely, in time we will see lions and leopards.  In the interim, we’re not obsessed with the fact we haven’t seen them yet.  It’s more of a fluke than anything. And, due to the fact we jump for joy at the sighting of any wildlife, including those in our yard daily, we’re pretty content.

We made our way to the Mug & Bean, one of few “trendy” type restaurants we’ve seen since back in the US a year ago at this time. The photo-laden menu was a wealth of delicious-looking options, many of which I can’t eat, but there were several possibilities with a few modifications.

From this site:  “They generally eat leafy material, although their ability to ferment food in their hindgut allows them to exist on more fibrous plant matter when necessary. Unlike other perissodactyls, the two African species of rhinoceros lack teeth at the front of their mouths, relying instead on their lips to pluck food.”

No Cathi and Rick and the four friends that had joined them on this African adventure. We were situated at a good table with a bird’s eye view of the entrance to the restaurant and waited and waited and waited. I ordered an iced tea.  Tom didn’t call a thing. We both wanted to stay and dine with our friends once they arrived.

Several times, one of us got up from our table and searched the area, thinking we may have somehow missed them. It made no sense at all. Two hours passed, and we finally gave up. There was no WiFi available, and the hotspot we’d borrowed from Louise for our time in South Africa couldn’t get a signal. There was no way to call or communicate.
Grazing togetherness.

At first, we shrugged our shoulders, thinking somehow our wires had crossed. But then, we became worried something dreadful may have happened to them.
As a result, the return drive through the park, even with many more sightings, left us feeling a bit disjointed. What had happened? They wouldn’t intentionally “stand us up.”

Once back home, around 4:00 pm, I received a peculiar message from Cathi using a park employee’s email, wondering what had happened to us. In the interim, we’d called their hotel, leaving a message. They urgently contact us to let us know they were OK.

In 2017, 1028 rhinos were poached in South Africa, most in Kruger National Park. For more information on rhino poaching, please click here.

What if they were kidnapped, car-jacked, or had an accident on the road? We had no way of knowing. They weren’t at their hotel. Once we received the message from a stranger’s email, we felt somewhat better.

This morning, there was a lengthy text from Cathi to which I responded with neither of us understanding how and why we never saw one another at the location. It will remain a mystery forever.

From this site:  “Rhinoceros are killed by some humans for their horns, which are bought and sold on the black market, and used by some cultures for ornaments or traditional medicine. East Asia, specifically Vietnam, is the largest market for rhino horns. By weight, rhino horns cost as much as gold on the black market. People grind up the horns and consume them, believing the dust has therapeutic properties.”

After speaking on the phone this morning, we redefined a new plan for this Wednesday at 11:00 am, when we’ll return to Kruger, and this time, without a doubt, we’ll find each other. Go figure. Stuff happens. Again, in the realm of things, we’re all safe and healthy. Besides, we all had a great time on our game drives through the park. That’s one drive that’s not hard to take.

Baby and mom walking off together.

After a fitful night’s sleep (or lack thereof) for both of us, we’ll lie low today, perhaps considering a 20-minute nap at some point. It’s not quite as cool as it had been, but we’re comfortable on the veranda awaiting the return of the wildlife who seem to disappear each weekend and magically return by Monday or Tuesday.

Oops!  Gotta go!  Ms. Bushbuck (Tom’s Girl), her baby, and auntie just arrived, and she’s peeking over the edge of the veranda, batting her lovely long lashes, with a look that says,,, “What have you got for us today? Pellets, carrots, apples?”  

Tom ran for the pellet container while I grabbed the produce bowl I prepare each morning from the refrigerator, and in a matter of seconds, they were gracefully nibbling on the treats. They are so dainty when they eat.

Have a great beginning of another week in June with summer rapidly approaching for some, and for all of us in this part of the world, winter is on the horizon. 

Photo from one year ago today, June 11, 2017:

Metal sea sculptures for sale at the gift shop in Butchart Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. (To respect the privacy of our family members while visiting Minnesota, we continued to post photos from our last port of call. Soon, Minnesota “year ago” photos will commence). For more photos, please click here.