Busy morning…Off to a brunch at Frikkie’s Dam, in Lionspruit in the African bush…

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Although they all had their backs to us, we were thrilled to see these elephants through the fence between Marloth Park and Kruger National Park.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

“Have you got one more bite for me?” asks Mr. Kudu as he began to walk away.

It’s 9:50 am Sunday, and in 70 minutes, we have to be out the door to head to Frikkie’s Dam in Lionspruit for brunch in the bush with Louise, Danie, and a group of their friends, most of whom we’ve yet to meet.

I prepared a brunch egg casserole (low carb, of course) which goes into the oven in 10 minutes and will bake for about an hour. When done, we’ll tightly wrap in foil and bath towels to keep warm until we arrive at the destination.

Several were off to the side on their own, which may have been part of the herd.

It’s a rare occasion I have only 70 minutes to prepare a post, but not knowing what time we’d return, I was determined to get it done before leaving at 11:00 am.

There’s never a time we’re not excited to see elephants.

There could have been more time to get things done this morning if I’d dragged myself out of bed a little earlier than 7:30, but after a fitful night, I struggled to get up, showered, and dressed for the day.

By the time I entered the kitchen at 8:00, I had got busy preparing the dish, chopping and dicing onions, garlic, and mushrooms to saute in a buttered skillet. 

There were about a dozen elephants at the Crocodile River from our vantage point.

You know how mornings may go…one getting distracted by a variety of tasks around the house; I washed a small load of laundry, set out dishes and flatware for tonight’s dinner, and put away dishes Tom had washed that I’d used in the food prep.

We waited quite a while for this hippo to turn around for a better photo, but they were busy munching on the grass.

Then, I packed a bag with forks, spatula, paper plates, paper towels, bottled water, etc., that we needed to bring along to serve our solitary dish at the outdoor brunch in Lionspruit, the wildlife conservancy located within the borders of Marloth Park. 

Indeed Louise and Danie have been preparing food for hours, and yet they just stopped by to drop off a pass for us to use to get into Lionspruit. They’re always thinking of us. They didn’t want us to cook anything saying they’d have plenty for us. But, good grief, I had to contribute something!

The elephant on the left appeared much larger than the other.  She must have been the matriarch.

Then, of course, we had two female kudus stop by distracting me for another 20 minutes or more. Yesterday, I’d cut up tons of veggies for them and wouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to provide them with a nutritious breakfast. They hung around for another half hour, looking wondering if we’d come up with more.

But, I wanted to save some of the veggies for later when we return for the evening while waiting for Scar-Face to show up. We haven’t seen him in two days and we became a little concerned. 

Their peaceful grazing and the way they honor one another is a sight to behold.

Last night at dinner at Jabula with Kathy and Don and their friends Jill and Beau, we all discussed the fact that we’d only seen wildlife yesterday morning but none in the afternoon. 

That seems the case most weekends when there are more visitors in the park, more traffic, and more noise, keeping some of the wildlife undercover in the bush. Maybe we don’t need to worry about Scar Face.

After the drive along the river, we decided to stop by and see the house on Hornbill that we rented four years ago. 

We had an excellent evening at Jabula. Dawn and Leon, owners and friends of the best restaurant around, always fuss over all of us, making the extra evening special. Of course, the food is consistently exceptional. Tom had the ribs and chips (fries), and I had grilled chicken breast with creamed spinach (no flour added). We brought home the bones for Scar Face in a doggie bag. 

Last night, dear friend Don told us his story of spotting a leopard in Marloth Park on his daily walk. I must admit we were jealous. That would be quite a sighting!  Perhaps, one day soon, we’ll spot it too.

It brought back a lot of beautiful memories of our first time living in the bush. Now, here at the “Orange…More than Just a Colour” we’re building new memories.

We apologize for today’s less-than-perfect photos and short story. The images were taken at a distance our camera cannot easily handle, nor can I, without the tripod with me. Let us start taking it with us when we go for our almost daily drives in the park.

We’ll be back tomorrow to review the news regarding the earthquakes and erupting Mount Kilauea on the Big Island in Hawaii. We were there in 2014/2015 when we had the unbelievable opportunity to see lava flowing when our family visited for Christmas. The lava was flowing toward the town of Pahoa where our holiday rentals were located on the sea.  More on that tomorrow with links and photos from our original story.

Have a peaceful and fulfilling day, dear readers!

Photo from one year ago today, May 6, 2018:

One year ago today, we arrived back in the USA via the Big Island, Hawaii, as we continued on the cruise.  For more details, please click here.

A memorable evening…The finest food and conversation!…How did we get so lucky?…

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This gorgeous feta, onion, and lettuce salad served by Louise and Danie were enhanced with edible flowers, indicative of the attention to detail and creativity these two fine hosts possess.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

A wildebeest mom and baby resting in the bush.

When Louise sent a text on Thursday, inquiring if we could come to dinner on Friday night at their exceptional holiday home, Khaya Umdani, where we stayed for a few weeks four years ago, we couldn’t say “yes” quickly enough.

A snook (fish) salad as a starter that was fabulous.  Even Tom, not so fond of fish, loved this.

With social plans in place for tonight, Saturday night, the timing worked perfectly. This will have been one busy social week with four social events with wonderful friends, old and new, delicious food, and lively conversation.

Food for our meal was cooking over the open fire, a traditional South African braai.

Never for a moment do we take the friends we’ve made in Marloth Park for granted. Each time we’re included in dinner, a party, or any gathering, we feel so fortunate, often asking ourselves, “How did we get so lucky?”

Stunning African-themed place settings.

Last night, among the others this past week, was exceptional.  When Louise mentioned there would be no fussing about our invitation, we assumed they’d throw some chicken on the braai with a salad on the side. Ha! No fussing? Hardly!

The smells coming from the fire set our taste buds into a frenzy.

We knew they’ve been ultra busy these past weeks with many holidays and an endless stream of holidaymakers, each with their own particular needs and expectations. And, do these two deliver!  Never have we known any two people so dedicated to providing an over-the-top experience at every event they provide for their clientele and then, again, last night for us.

Danie was busy setting up the rack for the ostrich steaks.

No fuss, she’d said!  Are you kidding me? We know how much effort and time went into preparing that gourmet and unique meal. It was truly over the top. The only disappointment we felt was that we ran out of room in our tummies to have seconds of any of the many mind-boggling items on the menu.

He placed ostrich steaks over the hot coals, a mixture of wood and charcoal.

From the edible flowers in the feta lettuce salad to the snook starter salad to the grilled ostrich steak, the heavenly eggplant dish, to the stuffed cabbage rolls, our taste buds were truly overwhelmed with deliciousness. There wasn’t one item Tom didn’t like, which surprised him and me as well!

It took our breath away to see Louise and Danie place all of the beautifully prepared foods in front of us.

For me, knowing I could eat everything served (except Tom’s potatoes) was purely delightful. Although, all of our Marloth Park friends have made delicious meals suitable for my way of eating, for which I’m very grateful. We haven’t appreciated such attention to detail for my diet, even in the finest of restaurants worldwide.

Another salad was available, a crispy and delicious coleslaw.

The evening went far beyond the great food and ambiance. Being at Khaya Umdani, where we stayed for 10 nights beginning on January 30, 2014, brought back memories we’ll always treasure. Seeing the stunning house so well maintained with no signs of wear and tear after all these years warmed our hearts. 

These mince-stuffed cabbage rolls were heavenly.

Of course, that’s what Louise and Danie do…perfection with ease, grace, and enthusiasm. What more could anyone ask for?

The finished, tender, and delicious ostrich steaks. By the way, ostrich meat is farmed, not taken from Marloth or Kruger National Parks.

Then add in the candid conversations, with no stones unturned, the laughter, and the endless storytelling. We couldn’t have had a better time. By 10:30 pm, we were back “home,” stuffed, satisfied, and reeling from another great night with friends. 

Tom, who usually turns up his nose at aubergine (eggplant), loved this fabulous item.

We fell into bed hoping to watch a one-hour series we’d downloaded but, alas, contrary to the usual; Tom nodded off after about 15 minutes into the show. I put my computer away for the night, knowing we’d watch the balance of the show another night, and was fast asleep by 11:00 pm.

Not only are Louise and Danie expert chefs, but they are also thoughtful in making Tom potatoes when everything else we ate was low carb and suitable for my way of eating. They, too, follow a low-carb diet referred to as the Banting Diet here in South Africa.

Awakening at 5:00, I couldn’t wait to get outdoors to see if we had any visitors. Other than Frank and The Misses and a few guinea fowl, no one had yet stopped by. As the day has progressed, we’ve had 11 kudus stop by.

With a little of everything, our plates were filled and ready for us to dig in. Amazing food and equally amazing hostess and host.

Frank sings a little tune while pecking at the seeds that always makes us laugh. It’s got to be a “happiness” song. If I were a francolin, I’d have been singing that tune last night! I tossed some birdseed on the ground, and they scampered to get their fair share.

At first, when Louise asked if we noticed anything unusual in this mask, we couldn’t see a thing in the dim light. Once I took this photo, we could see the frog in its mouth.

Tonight we’re off for yet another social event, which we’ll share tomorrow, and on Sunday morning, a brunch-type braai in Lionspruit at Frikkie’s Dam, which Louise and Danie kindly invited us to attend to meet many more of their friends.

This tree frog sits in the mouth of a decorative mask on the wall of the veranda.

How did we get so lucky? We’ll never know the answer. However, we’re content to accept the good fortune in the same category as “safari luck” and continue appreciating and cherishing every moment.

May you cherish something wonderful in your life today and always.

Photo from one year ago today, May 5, 2017:

Rows upon rows of pine trees line the beach near the coral reef on Mystery Island in the South Pacific. For more photos, please click here.

Sugar cane burning in South Africa…Is it necessary?…How does it affect the area?…

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It’s no wonder we have so much soot on our veranda.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

These three beautiful bushbucks come to visit almost every day. Most likely, the lighter-colored second female is an aunt, cousin, or sibling from another season. Both adults watch over the baby with loving concern.

Early yesterday afternoon, we took off for Komatipoort for our 2:30 pm back-to-back dental cleaning appointments at the same dental office where I had a filling repaired last week. 

Yesterday, as we drove toward Komatipoort for our dentist appointment, we saw the billowing smoke from sugar cane burning.

We’re pleased with the dentist, and a teeth cleaning was overdue for both of us. I should say the last cleaning we had in Costa Rica last August just wasn’t as good as we’d hoped, which requires another cleaning now.

As it turned out, after that last cleaning, a crown had fallen off of one of my molars, requiring I see yet another dentist in Atenas a short time later. I can’t say for sure if it was caused by the rough cleaning, but it seemed to be a coincidence. 

Tom made a u-turn for a better view.

Also, the necessity of last week’s dental appointment was due to a temporary filling I had in Curribatat that also fell out recently, causing a toothache that had to be dealt with. We’re thrilled with the dentist here, Dr. Luzaan, and feel confident all will work out well with the quality dental care in South Africa.  Right now, neither of us needs any major work.

Once we arrived in Komatipoort, we headed directly to the pharmacy to purchase malaria pills and a few toiletries for our upcoming trip to Zambia next Friday. We’ll begin taking the pills the day before we leave, during the seven-night trip, and for one week afterward.

We wondered as to how much pollution this process causes.

After the pharmacy, while still a little early for our 2:30 appointment, we headed to the biltong store to purchase our usual half bag of moist biltong. There are two types of beef biltong (jerky), moist and dry, with various options with flavorings. We prefer the plain moist biltong since it’s easier to chew and…won’t break a tooth!

By 2:25, we arrived at the dental office, only to discover, our appointment wasn’t on the books for some odd reason. The dentist was out of town. We’d left the appointment card at home, but once we returned, we checked it, thinking maybe we’d made an error. The card read as shown below, although the handwriting appears to say 16:30 when it fact upon careful inspection, it reads 14:30n (2:30 pm).

Our dental appointment card stated 14:30 (2:30 pm) as the correct time for our teeth cleaning. (It appears to say 16:30, but it is actually 14:30).

We weren’t angry or upset. That’s not us. Nor did we hold it against the dental staff or the dentist. We’ve made our fair share of mixed-up dates and times, here and there. Besides, we needed to purchase a few items at Spar and the Butchery making the trip to Komatipoort necessary anyway.

We rescheduled for Monday when we’ll return for our cleanings at 15:00 (3:00 pm). No worries. No big deal. Off we went for our shopping, and by the time we began the drive back to Marloth around 3:30 pm, we decided to take more photos of the sugar cane burning as shown here today.

The fires can burn all day.

Back at home, we put everything away, made a few preparations for dinner, and searched online for details regarding the burning of sugar cane in South Africa. There was little information available, as is often the case when we look up specific information on various topics in this world.

Thus, today we share a little on the burning of sugar cane from this site which, although not the same location we’re in, suffices to get the information across. The burning of sugar cane may not be of interest to most of our readers but, while living here in Marloth Park, it’s a big issue to many of the occupants of homes in this area. 

Of course, the amount of soot is dependent upon which way the wind is blowing.

The soot from the fires is unhealthy, filthy, and requires a tremendous amount of sweeping and cleaning. As we’ve mentioned lately, the bottoms of our feet are disgusting by the end of the day from the soot we encounter on the veranda day and night.

Here are some excerpts about sugar cane burning from this article:

“Residents have complained about the burning of sugar cane for several reasons, chiefly among them the depositing of smut onto the nearby residential property as well as environmental concerns.

Lately, the wind has been blowing right toward Marloth Park.

Cutting sugar cane without burning it is notoriously difficult and time-consuming. This practice is known as ‘green cane harvesting’ or ‘trashing’ and requires workers to cut the stalk in specific places and manually remove the leaves. The advantages of burning are numerous. 

Besides making the sugar cane easier to harvest, the flames also drive away cane rats and snakes that threaten workers. Burning reduces the weight of the harvested crop, which means transport costs are lower, and it improves the sucrose quality within the sugar cane stalk.

According to the South African Sugar Association’s (SASA) natural resource manager Dr. Marilyn Govender, the industry has researched and developed specific measures to address the implications of burning. These measures are implemented through the Codes of Burning Practices and form part of an initiative to promote Better Management Practices (BMP’s) in the industry.

The codes differ between regions in practice but focus on minimizing atmospheric pollution, preventing runaway fires and ensuring that farmers are well equipped in the event of such, minimizing smut deposits from cane fires in residential or otherwise sensitive areas, and preventing heat and smoke from being blown across public roads or affecting power lines.”

More information may be found by clicking on the above link.

The sugar cane harvesting season will end soon, making all the residents of Marloth Park pleased.  We all have to sweep several times a day.

We could wear shoes, but neither of us has worn shoes in a house for so long, it would be a tough habit to break. Plus, we’d still carry the soot into the house from the bottom of our shoes.

In the realm of things, soot is no big deal. At some point, the sugar cane harvesting season will end, and no longer will this be of concern for the residents of Marloth Park.

This sweet little mom bushbuck is warm and friendly, having won the hearts of many residents in the park.

We’re just so grateful to be here. We can live with the soot, the insects, the power outages, the heat and humidity (also to wane soon as winter approaches), and whatever other inconveniences locals whinge about.  I guess it’s human nature to whine a little, and we aren’t exempt from falling into that trap from time to time.

Today, we’ll stay put enjoying whatever visitors come our way.  Tonight, we’ve been invited to dinner by Louise and Danie at one of their gorgeous holiday homes (we stayed at that property for a period of time four years ago) only a few blocks from here. No doubt, it will be another wonderful evening with friends.  We’ll post photos tomorrow.

May your Friday (or Saturday for our Australian friends) be as special as you are. Be well. 

Photo from one year ago today, May 4, 2017:

The equator crossing celebration aboard the ship on this date one year ago. Please click here for details.

A day in the life…Easy, breezy, as pleasant as it can be…

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We couldn’t believe we spotted this croc from so far away, lounging on a sandbar on the rover.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Zebra nursing in our yard.

Life in this house, “Orange…More Than Just a Colour,” is relatively easy. There are fewer insects, bats, snakes, and rodents than we encountered in the Hornbill house four years ago, perhaps because this house doesn’t have a thatched roof or that the veranda and entrance into the house are several feet above ground level.

Another photo of this croc was taken from a long distance while sunning on the river’s edge.

Most houses in Marloth Park have thatched roofs which look great, but we wonder if they may contribute to more insects and critters in the home since the grass can attract all kinds of animals.

This croc on the bank of the Crocodile River appeared quite long.

The mozzies aren’t bad either, although we continue to use repellent day and night, reapplying every four to six hours while using various outdoor repellents outdoors at night such as coils, candles, and scented oils. 

As winter approaches, we’ll see fewer and fewer mosquitoes, although we’ll continue to use repellent throughout the year. Today, when we head to Komatipoort to have our teeth cleaned, we’ll visit the pharmacy to purchase Malarone (atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride). These anti-malarial pills don’t need a prescription here. Dr. Theo suggested we take these when visiting other African countries. 

This baby bushbuck is growing up fast and is now able to eat pellets.

The Wi-Fi works perfectly and only doesn’t function during a power outage which seems to occur once or twice a month. In most cases, power is restored within 12 hours.

We don’t have any cable or TV service since we told Louise and Danie not to pay for it when the contract ran out. We don’t watch TV anymore. Instead, we spend all of our time outdoors on the veranda, watching nature unfold before our eyes…much more fun than watching TV. We can easily check online news, which we both do daily. We need to know what’s going on in the world, which impacts our future travels.

We hadn’t seen this warthog mom with five babies in about six weeks. Warthogs have only four teats, so this litter of five must have been a challenge which may explain why one of them is a “runt.”

Marta lives in a bit of house on the property and will follow our lead to any cleaning and laundry we’d like her to do. Most household staff do dishes from the previous night’s meal, but we prefer to wash them ourselves after eating to avoid cockroaches and other insects seeking scraps of food on unwashed plates and dinnerware.

This mom with the five babies has enormous tusks.

So far, so good. We’ve only experienced a few occurrences when we first arrived, but none since then. We’re meticulous in keeping kitchen countertops and work surfaces cleaned and washed, as we’re always preparing food and refuse to be instrumental in getting ants which can be a real nuisance. Hot soapy water seems to be the best deterrent.

The biggest cleaning issue right now is the soot we get on the veranda almost every day due to sugarcane burning in nearby fields.  Josiah comes to wash the veranda, tend to the yard and clean the pool five days a week. Right now, no more than an hour after he’s done, the white-tiled veranda is covered with nasty black soot. 

Yesterday afternoon, we spotted elephants near the river.

We sweep several times a day when we don’t want to carry the soot inside the house on the bottom of our feet, which are filthy by the end of each day. No big deal. A quick wash in the shower remedies this issue before we hop into bed.

 My mornings consist of showering, getting dressed for the day, putting away the dishes Tom had washed the previous night, and leaving to dry. Also, I cut up carrots and apples for the wildlife, prepare a cup of birdseed for the guinea fowls, Frank and The Misses.

We waited for her to turn around, but she was busy eating the tall grasses.

Since I can no longer drink coffee, tea, or iced tea and am waiting to order our shipment, which will include herbal tea for me (I can’t find it at any of the local shops), I drink a glass of room temperature purified water in the morning and throughout the day. No longer does ice agree with me, so I avoid that too.

Some mornings I make us a breakfast of eggs and bacon when we know we won’t be eating until late, such as last night when we went to Kathy and Don’s home for dinner. 

Another elephant was grazing nearby.

We had a spectacular evening starting with appetizers on their second-floor veranda. Later, we moved to the ground level “boma” area to gather around an open fire for more lively chatter and their other two guests, Jane and Andrew. The food, the ambiance, and the conversation couldn’t have been more perfect.

Today, a simple day; the trip to the pharmacy, appointment to get out teeth cleaned, a stop at the meat market for biltong and some meat, a run through the supermarket for a few odds and ends.

Today’s early morning visitors.

We’ll be back “home” no later than 5:00 pm to make another great meal and spend the evening outdoors on the veranda, waiting to see Scar Face, Wart Face, Little Wart Face, Big Daddy, Tom’s Girl (the sweet bushbuck who adores him) and many more we’ve come to know and love.

It’s a good life.  We couldn’t be more content.

May your day bring you much contentment!

Photo from one year ago today, May 3, 2017:

Queensland Gut Healing Tour. 2018
One of Dr. Peter Dingle’s newest books. Click here for details.

Part 2, Happy May Day to all!…Milestone dates in May in our world travels…Crazy!…

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We fell in love with a Northern Cardinal in Kauai, Hawaii, posting this video
in May 2015.  Click here for the link from that day.
“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”
This morning’s photo of Scar Face clearly illustrates his improvement.  We’re so excited to see his continuing recovery from this horrific injury. Now that the holidaymakers are mostly gone, he is stopping by several times a day.

Today we continue with Part 2 of specials days in May in our past travels. Yesterday, we left off in May 2014, and today we begin with May 2015. When reviewing posts from over the years, it’s always meaningful for us when one might perceive that the days and nights blur into one long period of worldwide experiences.

By looking back at old posts, we’re reminded how rich these past years have been, filled with such unusual and exciting (to us) places we’ve been and adventures we’ve had. Now, with only nine days until we depart for Livingstone, Zambia, we’re quickly reminded of the excitement and diversity of our travels.

No doubt, there are long stretches where we relax, stay at “home,” living a life not too dissimilar from yours. We find ways to entertain ourselves, cook, clean, do laundry, and socialize, which results in a very average and “normal” (if there is such a thing) lifestyle. 

Then again, our daily lives in Marloth Park are only expected for those who live here among us…a life far removed from our day-to-day in many other countries. However, as we look back at prior posts, like those listed below, we’re awestruck by other events we’ve been blessed to experience throughout the world. The month of May for 2015, 2016, and 2017 left us reeling with a sense of wonder and enrichment, as described below.

May 2015:  This particular May was bittersweet. We didn’t want to leave Kauai, one of our favorite islands in the world, especially with the reality of going two unique bird species to whom we’d become instead attached.   

One extraordinary adventure in Kauai was witnessing the Laysan Albatross pairs that nested in the neighborhood of many of our friends, allowing us to observe the miracle of life from the hatching of a single egg to the fledging of the chicks who had grown to 16 kg, (35 pounds) to begin their five-year journey out to sea.  Someday they’ll return to that same site with a lifelong mate to bring their little fledgling to life in this exact location.

 (Note:  We send our love and prayers for all of the citizens of Kauai, Hawaii. They’ve suffered an outrageous flood that has devastated the island. The fantastic people of Kauai have gathered together to provide relief for those in need).

A newly hatched albatross chick nestled under a parent from this post in May 2015.

Seeing these lives evolve over the four months we spent living nearby was a gift. It was filled with the purest of pleasure and desire for knowledge of these magical bird’s lives. 

Astounding! It was hard to leave only one week before they’d all begin to fledge off the high cliffs in the area. Fortunately, our friends living in the neighborhood sent us videos of these astounding birds as they walked in their wobbly manner to the cliffs, spread their wings, and embarked on the journey of their lives.

Secondly, during these four months, we fell in love with a Northern Cardinal who visited us several times a day, often with his mate, singing a beautiful multi-layered song we’d never heard and may never hear again. Each day, I cut up bits of macadamia nuts and almonds, handing them over to him after he sang the song. It was a win-win for both of us. He sang. We rendered the nuts. You can hear his song on the video posted as the primary photo today.

This partnership we watched daily between Birdie and Ms. Birdie reminded us of the partnership we share, always looking out for one another. This was a favorite photo from our time in Kauai, ending on May 24th, 2015.

May 2016: This was a highly cultural and exciting time, the total of four months we spent in an exquisite home in Sumbersari Bali. It didn’t only consist of exceptional lounging days by the infinity pool overlooking the ocean but was rich in a wide array of cultural experiences we’ll never forget.

Here’s a photo we took on May 1, 2016, upon our arrival at the exquisite villa and the link with more photos from that day:

We spent many days and nights outdoors at this fine property and many enriching Balinese experiences.  Click here for this May 1st link.

Living in a remote area of Bali allowed us to see how people live away from the big cities, a life rich in simplicity, religion, love, and appreciation of the world around them. Here is a shrine we visited in this photo below:

On our walk down the narrow road to visit Gede’s family home, he pointed out this temple where his family worships.  For the link from this date in May, please click here.

May 2017:  Hoping to arrive in Minnesota by Memorial Day weekend, we took a side trip after the cruise from Sydney ended in Seattle, Washington, and embarked on a nine-night cruise to Alaska from Vancouver, British Columbia. It was the perfect segue back to North America to visit family, and we were grateful for the experience.

The cruise included many educational lectures and seminars about Alaska and numerous ports of call, all unique and exciting. We got off the ship at every port and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the culture of the small towns in this unusual part of the world. See the photo below of Hubbard Glacier, a highlight of the cruise:

We were in Alaska at the Hubbard Glacier on May 22, 2017, a stunning experience on which we embarked before heading to Minnesota to spend six weeks with family. For the link from this photo, please click here.

As we delved further into May 2017, we finally settled into our hotel for six weeks and spent precious time with our family members. In about 11 months, we’ll be back in Minnesota to see everyone once again.

Not only were the months of May spectacular in our lives of world travel, but so were the Januarys, the Februarys, the Marches, and on and on…Every day, week, month, and year hold a special significance in this remarkable life on the move.

It was a warm sunny day in Ketchikan, Alaska.  See this link for more photos.

We have no regrets. We’ve done exactly what we wanted to do and how we wanted to do it. We’ve felt no pressure or stress to accomplish any specific goals. We don’t particularly have a “bucket list,” nor are we attempting to visit a certain number of countries in any given time frame. 

And now, it’s May 2018, day two. So far this morning, we’ve had seven wildlife species come to visit, now that the bulk of the tourists have left. That’s a great start to May! By the end of the day, no doubt it will be more.

Tonight, we off to dinner at friends Kathy and Don’s home along the Crocodile River. Humans, animals…we love them all.

May your month of May be filled with rich experiences!

Photo from one year ago today, May 2, 2017:

A path to the aqua blue bay on an island port of call. For more details, please click here.

Part 1, Happy May Day to all!…Milestone dates in May in our world travels…Crazy!…

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We encountered this flock of ostriches on a recent drive in Marloth Park.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Check out the massive size of an ostrich’s feet.

As our readership has grown over the years, we realize many of our newer readers may have missed earlier posts. With so much of our story contained in earlier posts, we decided to make this a special May Day for our readers by posting photos and links from past months of May beginning in 2012.  We’ll share these posts, photos, and stories over two days, today and tomorrow.

Please feel free to click each of the links provided, with no particular theme, only with the intent of sharing the diversity of our lives over these past six years since we began posting (on March 15, 2012).

As a result, today’s photos are those we chose randomly to share on May Day, 2018.  Some may be favorite days in May over these past six years (not including May 2018, of course), and others may be photos we thought you might find interesting. 

May 2012:  This was an exciting May for us. We were already entrenched in preparing to see all of our personal belongings and selling everything we owned. The goad was to avoid having to use a storage facility which ultimately, we accomplished. At this point, we were five months away from the departure from Minnesota date of October 31, 2012.

How we’ve changed. Here’s a favorite May photo/entry from May 25, 2012. We chose this particular entry since it depicted who we were at the time and who-we-are-not-now, hOn this date, we posted a unique (per occasion) printed menu we always prepared when company was coming for dinner. Upon arrival we presented each guest with the menu in the event they preferred any variations due to dietary or taste restrictions. 

Here’s the menu we posted on that date (click here for the link) which we had used for one of many holiday dinner parties:

First Course – Appetizer
Brie Cheese with Apricot in Puff Pastry
Homemade Pickled Herring Salad 
with Sesame Honey Crisps

Second Course
Shrimp Cocktail with Tangy Cocktail Sauce 
& Lemon Wedge

Third Course
Two Soups Served, Swirled in a Single Bowl Topped 
with Buttery 
Sautéed Morel Mushrooms
Creamy Lobster Bisque
Vichyssoise, served warm

Fourth Course
Salad with Belgian Endive, Radicchio & Hearts 
of Palm 
with Gorgonzola, Walnuts
& Lightly Sprinkled with a Delicate 
Raspberry Vinaigrette
Fifth Course
Filet Mignon with Portabella Burgundy Sauce
Steam Kings Crab Legs with Clarified Butter
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
French Green Beans, Drizzled 
with Lemon Tarragon Butter
Sixth Course – Dessert
Classic Homemade Vanilla Crème Brule
Goldschlager, Cinnamon Flavored Liqueur 
with Flecks of Gold
Cappuccino with Chocolate Curls

Please see the post here for details and more photos. 

Who were these people preparing this elaborate meal for guests? It was us. It seems so long ago. I can’t imagine doing all this work now. I recall at the time it was enjoyable regardless of how much work was required to pull this off for upwards of 12 guests. But, our lives are so much simpler now and we find we can still make a lovely meal for guests without this massive amount of work and preparation.

May 2013:  This was a May that totally changed our lives. At this point, we’d been gone from Minnesota almost seven months and from the US, four months. By the end of May, we’d already sailed on seven cruises, which provided us with some of our most stunning adventures.

We are thankful to refer to our past posts allowing us to recall every step along the way, including, as illustrated below, on May 16, 2013, when we visited fascinating Petra in Jordan in the Middle East.  It was an exciting and life-changing day for both of us. Please click here for that day’s link and more photos.

The walk to The Treasury in Petra was hot and long and downhill on the way up and torturously uphill on the way back. Once we reached this scene, we were grateful we come to see this historic site.  Please see the post here.
May 2014:  This was an exceptional May for us. We spent the first half of the month finishing our final 2½ months in Marrakech, Morocco, and the second half, off the coast of Africa in Madeira, Portugal.

Madeira was unlike any island we visited. The language spoken is Portuguese which wasn’t easy for us to learn. Somehow we managed.  What intrigued us the most about this spectacular island of winding hills and mountains was the friendly people and the quaintness and culture at this breathtaking location.

One of many highlights was purchasing produce, fish, and chicken from trucks that regularly drove through the neighborhood, each playing its identifiable Portuguese song. On each occasion when they passed by our gorgeous holiday home, we ran up the hills to catch them, yelling out for them to stop.  It was hilarious and so much fun!

Please click here for the post from which we shared this photo.

When we heard a unique song playing from a passing truck, we raced up the steep hill to follow it, wondering what they were selling. When we discovered this fresh tuna for sale, we were excited to purchase an entire yellow-fin tuna from the vendor’s truck which he cut into single serving pieces.  Read the post here for the unbelievable price.

Tomorrow, we’ll be back sharing May stories from May 2015, 2016 and 2017. Please check back then for more. 

As for today, the official May Day holiday in South Africa, we’ll stay up once again. Last night, Okey Dokey, husband Danie, and adorable baby Danie stopped by for a few hours to say goodbye. We couldn’t have enjoyed seeing them more! We’re hoping to get together again during the remainder of our time in South Africa.

As for today, with many tourists exiting the park as their holiday time ends, once again, we’ll stay put. We’ll cook some chops on the braai, saving the bones for Scar Face who still continues to heal. Soon, I get to work on veggies and salad and whatever else I concoct which will go well with the chops. 

The sun is shining. The temperature is mild. It will be a good day, especially as our wildlife friends return from their hidden places in the park during this busy holiday weekend. 

May your day be sunny as well.

Photo from one year ago today, May 1, 2017:

Cute, but after a little research, we found this “cooking pot” to stir up dreadful thoughts of life for many in decades past on many islands in the South Pacific. For more photos, please click here.

A reunion with an old friend with a new family…Issues revealed in getting into Kruger Park during holiday…

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Adorable baby Danie with his loving and attentive mom, Okey Dokey. He never stopped smiling and laughing the entire time they were visiting.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Kudus are spectacular animals.  They are gentle and never hesitate to make eye contact. But, those huge antlers can be dangerous for both humans and other wildlife. We stay back when offering food and taking photos.

There are so many people in Marloth Park right now; we’re having trouble with the Internet. I tried downloading today’s photos but wasn’t able to do so for several hours. Now at almost 11:00 am, I’m still busy getting the post ready to upload.

The larger male of the Vervet monkeys troop sits in the tree next to the veranda where the bush baby house is located.

There are 12 national holidays in South Africa, resulting in Mondays as the official “off work” day. As for this current holiday, Tuesday is the official May Day holiday since it’s May 1st. This link will provide you with a list of the South African holidays.

 We’ve heard that people are being turned away to enter Kruger National Park during this busy period. Only 600 people are allowed into each of the eleven entrance gates throughout the massive wildlife area. 

He sat there for quite a while, watching us. 

According to our visiting friends Okey Dokey and family, yesterday, people were being turned away without a pre-paid reservation. And even many of those visitors with “reservations” were left waiting for up to two hours to enter the gate. The extra cost for booking a reservation, over and above the usual entrance fees (prices vary), is ZAR 38 (US $3.07) per person.

Once inside, every sighting is observed by dozens of vehicles. Oh, good grief. This enormous natural environment is taken over by commercialism during the holiday, returning to its quiet and enriching status that usually takes one’s breath away.

Soon, he was distracted by the noise his troop-mates were making as they flew through the trees.

Of course, we aren’t going to the park again until well after the holiday when most tourists have left the area. That’s not to say there aren’t others like us who are renting holiday homes during the quieter seasons who will still be here. Hopefully, they, too, like us, attempt to blend in and become a part of this magical place. 

As we enter the cooler winter season, beginning on June 21st, tourism in the area will taper off due to lower temperatures. This morning, both of us were outside on the veranda by 6:30 am bundled up to stay warm. Now, four hours later, we’re back to shorts and tee shirts.

We tried for a better photo of this male bushbuck which is the darkest we’ve seen, but I was distracted with our company and never took the time for a good picture as darkest fell.

The cooler weather will not deter us from spending our days and nights outdoors.  We’ll add more layers of clothing to stay warm. It doesn’t get much below 10C (50F) during most winter months. But, after all of these years of warm weather (except for Antarctica), these temps might feel cold to us.

Before dusk, our dear friend, Okey Dokey, our driver here in Marloth Park four years ago, who remained a great friend these past years, visited us with her husband and baby, both named Dani, for snacks, wine, and beer. We’d never met the two Danis and adored them both.

His coloring was much darker, and he was considerably larger than other male bushbucks we’ve seen so far.

n. It was delightful to meet her two loved ones. It was as if we’d never missed a beat. How fortunate we are to have made such fine friends along the w A third Danie, of Louise and Danie, also joined us since they were also good friends with this extraordinary young woman.

We were sad to see them go. But, adorable little Danie, now almost eight months old, was ready for sleep after they spent a very long day in Kruger, as they explained above, regarding gaining entrance into the park.

I wish I’d taken better photos of our visitors, but sometimes, I’m just more interested in the people than the photos.  Louise is next to Okey Dokey, and Okey Dokey’s husband Danie is seated to Tom’s right.  Louise’s Danie and I were at the far end of the table.

Who knows how long it will be until we see them again? They’ve invited us to visit them at the “farm,” a five-hour drive from here. Perhaps, at some point during our remaining months in South Africa (immigration permitting), we’ll visit them.

Soon we’re off to the little market at Marlothi Centre for a few items for tonight’s dinner and more carrots and apples for our wildlife friends. It will be a quiet few days for us with no plans to travel any further than the little market,  as the holiday season continues through Tuesday.

We hope you have a quiet and pleasant day wherever you may be! 

Photo from one year ago today, April 30, 2017:

Image result for international date line map
Map of the world illustrating how the International Date Line affects each side of the line. One year ago, we crossed, and we had two May firsts. Please click here for details.

Holiday traffic in the park…Changes everything…

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This is a common sight in Marloth Park this weekend.  It’s packed with tourists sitting in the back of a “bakkie” which is Afrikaans for “pick up truck.”

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Little Wart Face stopped by for a nap. 

Last night, our friends Kathy and Don, joined us for dinner at our bush home. We prepared an excellent meal without too much fuss so we could enjoy sitting on the veranda on a perfect evening, enjoying our lively conversation and the sounds of night in the bush.

On Thursday, tourists began arriving in Marloth, with many staying through Tuesday, the end of the five-day holiday weekend. The traffic has been outrageous for this conservancy. The otherwise quiet dirt road we live in is experiencing a steady stream of cars, day and night.

Midday on Friday, this was Olifant Road, the paved main road in Marloth Park. We couldn’t believe how many cars and people had entered the park for the holiday weekend.

Kathy and Don, who live along the Crocodile River, said they’ve also seen a steady flow of traffic on their usually quiet dirt road as well. We’ll all be glad when the holiday ends.

When we took off for a drive in the park on Friday, we didn’t expect to see much and then these beautiful elephants!

No offense intended for tourists. But, the calm and quiet residents hold in high regard is often disturbed during the busy holiday season. When Louise and Danie stopped by for a visit yesterday, they mentioned it felt like more tourists here now than there were at Easter or this past Christmas season.

A male impala in the bush.

This is a dilemma for people who own homes here. The community needs the revenue generated by tourists staying in holiday homes and spending money in restaurants and shops. The majority of the tourists are thoughtful of the “rules of the park.” still, they can’t help but feel frustrated by a handful of tourists who play loud music, talk loudly, and are inconsiderate of the wildlife and trash disposal.

Last night, after we cleaned up (Tom did the many dishes), we wandered back outside to the veranda to see if any visitors would stop by.  During the busy holiday seasons, few animals visit their usual haunts. 

Several youngsters with two moms, cooling off and drinking in the Crocodile River.

We haven’t seen Scar Face, Wart Face, or Frank since Friday, and only a few bushbucks, kudus, and the usual zillions of guinea fowl have made an appearance. This is typical when there are lots of people are in the park. Hopefully, they’ll return to their usual routine by Tuesday or Wednesday, and so will we.

One elephant was off at a distance. Could this be a male who soon will be banished from the family unit?

In the interim, we’re staying put. Early this morning, we did a load of laundry and hung it on the clothesline. Now, as the sky has turned dark and cloudy, we may have to bring it inside before it rains. Few people have clothes dryers in South Africa, or for that matter, in many parts of the world.

Included in our rent is our fantastic Marta, who gladly will do all of our laundry. She washes and hangs up the sheets each week. In the interim, Tom and I don’t mind washing our clothes and hanging them to dry. 

We will never tire of seeing elephants. They are such majestic and mysterious animals.

Since we have so few items and only so much underwear, we do laundry more often than some. By doing it ourselves, we don’t have to wait a day or two until the next laundry day, especially for items we wear frequently. 

He doesn’t like words on his clothing. I sleep in a Celebrity Cruise Line tee shirt that Tom didn’t want when it had words on it. It’s currently the only warm-weather sleepwear I own. 

From this site:  “Elephants may spend 12-18 hours a day feeding. Adult elephants can eat between 200-600 pounds of food a day. As herbivores, elephants consume grasses, tree foliage, bark, twigs, and other vegetation daily. Elephants can also drink up to 50 gallons of water a day about as much as a standard bathtub holds.”

I had a wide variety of attractive sleepwear in varying colors and styles suitable for all weather conditions in our old lives. Not the case now. I wash the one tee shirt in the hopes it will dry by bedtime. If it’s too humid for it to dry (often the case), I’ll “borrow” a different tee shirt from Tom for the one night. He doesn’t mind a bit.

There’s one item of clothing I miss… a long fluffy bathrobe. A few holiday homes have had robes, but they’re often intended for much shorter people than the two of us. Wearing a robe that barely covers one’s backside is uncomfortable. We have no room in our luggage for robes, never have, never will.

Guinea fowl and zebras were snacking on pellets in the yard.

It’s a small and insignificant sacrifice. After all these years, we give little thought to the “stuff” we had in our old lives. Sure, at times, I think that a food processor would be handy. I’m constantly chopping and dicing for our meals, and it would be so much easier with this handy kitchen appliance. In the realm of things, I guess it just isn’t that important.

With two more days until the crowd thins out and our wildlife friends return, we’ll busy ourselves with “human” friends such as Okey Dokey and her family coming for happy hour today. Louise and Danie will join us.  I’d better get back in the kitchen and finish some chopping and dicing for some snacks for this afternoon when our guests arrive.

And, I see at the moment a few raindrops are falling. We’d better take the clothes off the line!

Happy day!

Photo from one year ago today, April 29, 2017:

A fancy outhouse on a tropical island. For more photos, please click here.

What happened to Scar Face?…The progression of his injury…If only love can help…

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Scar Face’s right eye is above the injury but may have been affected.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Last night’s partial moon.

We have no delusions about life and death in the wild. It’s all a part of nature. Wild animals kill for food, and seeing this occur while on safari the first few times is a heart-wrenching experience for many. We were no exception.
.
In time we came to accept the “pecking order,” realizing that if one cares to embrace the bush, revel in the wild, and participate in photo safaris, seeing these events is inevitable at one point or another.  

In actuality, although harsh, witnessing such an event can be a life-changing experience as we mature and grow in our vast appreciation of the animal kingdom worldwide.

He stops by several times each day, and we always feed him generously.  He needs food to help him heal.

In Marloth Park, few predators hunt and kill the wildlife located within the park. On occasion, there’s a sighting of a lion, a cheetah, wild dogs, or hyenas. It’s not unheard of for residents to occasionally spot a carcass in the park, left behind for the vulture’s next meal.

In the day-to-day existence of living in the park, primarily it’s a happy place, filled with loving kudus, skittish duikers, gentle bushbucks, and determined zebras, trudging through the bush with heavy hooves, quickly alerting us to their arrival.

At the beginning of his injury, each day, it looked worse than the previous day. We were distraught. He was so busy eating; we had a hard time taking photos.

Of course, there are dozens of other species we see weekly, including the “small and smaller things” such as insects, lizards, mongoose, rodents, birds, rats, snakes, and many more.  

As a result, we seldom have seen injuries and the death of wild animals in Marloth Park. Like I said, “it’s a happy place” for both grownups and children who can learn so much in this magical environment.

We were fearful of reporting his injury to the rangers. See the reasons in the text.

But, when several weeks ago, a special warthog stopped by to see us, we were shocked by what we saw, the right side of his face had been severely stabbed by either the antler of a large antelope such as a male kudu or wildebeest, during an altercation with another warthog or as he ran into a protruding branch of a tree when he was on the run.

We’ve seen how fast warthogs can run, upwards of 48 kilometers (30 miles) per hour. We’ve also seen them dash through the yard at such high speeds when they become frightened, making it entirely possible for Scar-Face to have run into a protruding branch.

At times, he was covered in mud. Was that his way of attempting to heal the injury?

We’ll never know what happened to him to cause this horrific injury. All we know is we didn’t want to report his injury to the Rangers, who, when they’d see such a devastating injury, may have decided euthanasia was the way to go. We had hope. We didn’t report it.

At times, his good friend Mutton Chops comes to visit with Scar-Face. They get along well when sharing the pellets. (Previously posted photo).

If at any time, we’d seen him failing, unable to eat, lying in the yard, and in great distress, of course, we’d have had no choice but to report it. When he’s showed up in our yard several times a day looking for some quick and easy nourishment, we anticipated we’d made the right decision to “wait and watch.”  

Certain animals in Marloth Park, when injured or ill, will be treated by volunteer medical professionals, after which they’ll be returned to the wild. Recently, a bushbuck’s leg was caught in a scare and had become infected. The injured bushbuck was darted, treated, and released.  

Was it improving a little, we wondered?

Unfortunately, warthogs, who multiple prolifically and are pretty sturdy, don’t fall into a category of a species that the Rangers and medical professionals feel are “worthy” of being treated. Many warthogs are culled each year. Many are left to fend for themselves when illness or injury strikes or are euthanized if they can be found.

As the days passed, Scar Face began to look better and better. Some days, his face was covered in thick mud, which he must have been using to heal the severe wound. Animals are unique, and many are intelligent enough to care for themselves and one another using available resources in the wild.

It has been heartbreaking thinking he’s been in pain.

He’s come to visit every single day, eating a massive number of pellets, apples, and other vegetables, and frequently drank from the cement pond in the yard. He’d scratch his face on a tree. There’s no doubt that as the wound began to heal, it became itchy.  

Danie told us that warthogs like to eat bones. We cooked meats and saved all the bones for him. He especially loves the bones, quickly chewing them. Warthogs are omnivores and not only graze on grasses, roots, and tubers but will eat dead animals encountered in the wild, although they won’t hunt for meat.

Now, the injury appears to be drying up, and he seems more animated but extremely cautious around animals other than a few friendly warthogs, like Mutton Chops and Little Wart Face (as opposed to big Wart Face, who’s very grumpy).

Each time he stands in the dirt near the veranda staring at us, asking, “What’s to eat today?’  We can’t help it as we both jump to our feet, scurry around gathering food for him. We stand on the edge of the veranda tossing food to him, which he enthusiastically devours.

Now, as we see him looking so much better, we can only hope he’ll remain on the road to recovery.  No doubt, he’ll continue to return as we carefully and hopefully watch his recovery progress. We’re thrilled.

Then suddenly, two days ago, he started looking better with minor oozing.

Tonight, friends Kathy and Don are coming for dinner. With all the socializing we’d done with them four years ago, and since our return to the park, this will be the first time it will be just the four of us. We plan on an enjoyable evening.  

Tomorrow, at 4:00 pm, Okey Dokey, our dear friend and former driver in Marloth Park in 2013/2014, is coming with her husband and baby, whom we’ve yet to meet, for happy hour along with Louise and Danie. We’ve stayed in touch all these years and are excited to see her and her family. It will be a great weekend, for sure.

May your “May Day” weekend be busy with those whose company you especially enjoy!

Photo from one year ago today, April 29, 2017:

A tiny rowboat at the ready in the Isle of Pines in the South Pacific. For more photos, please click here.

Bumpy roads, baboons, and broken baked clay…

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We shot this photo of the Crocodile River while standing at the brick overlook. With the five-day May Day holiday and many tourists in the park, we won’t be returning for several days. 

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Happy caterpillar dancing across the floor!

The five-day holiday observation includes today’s Freedom Day (Freedom Day is a public holiday in South Africa celebrated on April 27th each year. It celebrates freedom and commemorates the first post-apartheid elections held in 1994), then the May Day celebrations begin. See this link for details.

Once again, Marloth Park is packed. All of Louise and Danie’s holiday rentals are booked (not unusual for their exceptional properties. There’s an endless stream of vehicles along our ordinarily quiet dirt road, and the shops and restaurants will be packed over the weekend until Tuesday when the festivities come to an end.

Yesterday, we didn’t see any wildlife along the Crocodile River, although the scenery is always stunning.

With company coming for dinner tomorrow evening (friends Kathy and Don), we plan to stay put over the next several days. We have plenty of food, drinks, and supplies on hand and a plan to make a great dinner not only tomorrow but for the remaining evenings as well.

With the post done and uploaded yesterday around noon, we decided to take one more bumpy drive on the dirt roads in Marloth Park to see if we’d discover any unique sightings.  Whether it’s a turtle or a lizard on the road, a parade of elephants along the river, or a bloat of hippos lounging in a pool of water, it all matters to us.

We didn’t see much wildlife on yesterday’s drive in the park.  This ostrich made the day!

As we drove over one outrageously bumpy road after another, seeing very little, which can be attributed to the increased traffic in the park, we decided to call it a day and head to Daisy’s Den for more birdseed and a few items we needed for the weekend.

Male ostriches typically have black feathers, while females and youngsters are a greyish brown color.

It’s such fun going to any one of the three small shopping centers here in Marloth Park. Talk about a small-town feel! These are oozing with charm and quaintness, leaving both of us enjoying any necessary shopping runs we may make throughout the week to fill in on any items needed.

The pickings are slim in either of the two little grocery stores carrying just the basics. At times, we’re surprised by the excellent produce and odds and ends we may find that prevent us from the necessity of the long drive to Komatipoort for only an item or two. 

A male kudu resting in the bush from the hot midday sun was looking our way as we shot this photo.

The drive to the Marloth Park shops is three minutes. The purpose to Komatipoort is 20 to 25 minutes, depending on what big trucks we’re stuck behind on the two-lane road. 

Back at home by 2:00 pm, the moment we stepped out of the little blue car we realized we had visitors…unwanted visitors…a troop of baboons. Luckily, there isn’t much they can destroy on the veranda at this house. Sure, they could ruin the cushions on the outdoor chairs, but the potted plants are simply too heavy to tip over.

At a distance, we could see these two young baboons playing in the yard.

There are some decorator items on the stucco walls and both a gas grill and wood-burning braai (grill), neither of which seem to appeal to baboons on one of their destructive rants.  Weeks ago, we knew they’d been here when we found poop, baboon poop, all over the veranda and cushions from a few chairs tossed about.  We cleaned up the stinky mess and put everything back in order.

As we kept a watchful eye on yesterday baboon invasion after closing the doors to the house, we heard several loud crashes coming from next door. Maybe they were heading our way next! Tom grabbed his big stick designated for precisely this type of situation, which if he holds over his head cause the baboons tend to freak out and run away. It worked perfectly. 

We immediately shut the doors to the house.  Once baboons enter, they can tear a home apart.

After we were assured they were gone from the general area, Tom walked next door to check out the damage, taking these photos we’ve shown.  If they’d turned over a trash bin, he could set it upright to avoid more baboons and Vervet monkeys coming to eat from the garbage which often occurs. That’s why homeowners have wired or steel cages to hold their trash until pickup arrives.

It didn’t take long to see we were surrounded by destructive animals.

Luckily, they never returned the remainder of the day. We spent the evening as usual, on the veranda enjoying our dinner and watching a variety of “friends” come and go.

We heard several loud crashes from the house next door, where no one is living right now. Rina and Cees had left to return to The Netherlands. The baboons broke many clay pots, as shown in these photos.

Tomorrow, we’ll share the heartfelt story of an injured animal we’ve come to know and love and how we’ve attempted to help him a little as he hopefully recovers soon. 

We’ll be sharing some hard-to-look-at photos of his awful injury and why some animals in the park are treated by volunteer vets and others are not or in some cases euthanized by shooting. Please stop back for this story.

What a shame. I suppose this lighter-weight pottery makes no sense in the bush.

Have a lovely day and evening!

Photo from one year ago today, April 27, 2017:

Clouds above the pretty beach in the Isle of Pines, a port of call on last year’s cruise. For more photos, please click here.