Fun afternoon with friends coming to call…

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Our dear friends Chere and Gary stopped by yesterday for a visit, bearing gifts. It was wonderful to see them both.

When our friends Chere and Gary contacted us yesterday to get together, we were surprised that we were feeling well enough to socialize after only one intermittent night’s sleep. Although we don’t seem to have jet lag, it takes a few days and a few good nights’ sleep to get back to our usual energetic selves.

To make it easy, they decided to come here to our hotel, where we could get together in the dining room. They don’t serve food in this restaurant during the day or evening, except for complimentary breakfasts in the morning from 6:30 to 9:30 am, and from 7:00 to 10:00 am on weekends. We each had our water and iced tea in to-go cups and sat at a comfy table for four.

Recently, Gary had a series of strokes, and we were anxious to see how he is doing. He has been through so much, but was looking great.  Today, he has more tests that will provide them with added information for going forward.

It was terrific to chat with them as the time flew by. By the time they left, after arriving at 1:30 pm, it was already 4:00 pm. At this point, I was starving after fasting all day, and we ate an early dinner, savoring two extra Jimmy John’s unwich (bread-free) sandwiches we’d purchased the previous day when we checked in to the hotel.

We’re back to normal after another good night’s sleep. Although we each only slept around six hours while adjusting to the time difference between South Africa and the US, we’re surprisingly well again today.

Oh, oh! Look what Chere and Gary brought for Tom…those fattening/sugary jelly candies that Tom loves from Fleet Farm. After he lost so much weight, he needs to savor these slowly. I will be the Food Police! Of course, I loved my flowers! Zoom in to see what Chere put on the card!

We felt so well yesterday that we managed to conduct more research, make a decision, and book a six-week stay in Barcelona, starting on September 15, which is only 111 days from today. In tomorrow’s post, we’ll share the cost and the photos.

We are relieved to have this booking handled, which means we now have almost everything we needed to book for the next year, except for the two months we’ll spend in New Zealand in December. We’re waiting to speak to the owners of the alpaca farm in New Plymouth, as they requested, to see if the farmhouse will be available. If not, we’ll find another holiday home for that period.

There won’t be a lot of availability due to the holiday season, but it’s worth it for us to wait to see if we can rent that fabulous property that we loved so much.

Soon, we’re heading to Costco so Tom can buy more cleaning supplies for his hearing aids, and we can use some of the credits we’ve accumulated over the past year, when we spent a lot of time in the US and shopped at Costco from time to time.

That’s it for today, folks! Have a great day!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 27, 2015:

Tom, at the bar on the ship, was enjoying a few cocktails using his unlimited drink package. We’ve since discovered that having such a package isn’t worth the cost. We don’t drink enough to make it cost-effective! For more photos, please click here.

Clarification…No ETA required to transit through the UK. We finally made it…No jet lag…Memorial Day in the US today…

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Mr. or Ms. Hornbill enjoying seeds from the hanging bird feeder at our holiday home in Marloth Park.

Tom was concerned we’d need an ETA to transit through London for our five-hour layover at Heathrow Airport. After checking online many times to ensure we wouldn’t have an issue, we decided not to bother. Here’s the information we found on this topic:

As of May 2025, whether you need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to transit through London Heathrow Airport depends on the nature of your transit:

No ETA Required — Airside Transit

If you’re transiting airside—meaning you remain within the airport’s international transit area and do not pass through UK border control, you do not need an ETA. This exemption applies to Heathrow and Manchester airports and was implemented in January 2025 to facilitate smoother international connections.

ETA Required — Landside Transit

If your transit involves passing through UK border control—for example, to collect and recheck luggage, switch terminals without a secure connection, or stay overnight—you are considered a landside transit passenger. You must obtain an ETA, unless you already hold a valid UK visa or are otherwise exempt.

 Key Considerations

  • Check with your airline to determine if your connection requires passing through border control.

  • If you have two separate tickets or need to collect and recheck your luggage, you will likely need to go landside, requiring an ETA.

  • If your layover is under 24 hours and your baggage is checked through to your final destination, you may be able to stay airside.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult the UK government’s official guidance on transit visas and ETA.

On another note, after the fiasco in Nelspruit on the way to the airport, as described in yesterday’s post here, the remainder of the travel time was incident-free. We didn’t sleep much on either of the two long flights.

Overall, I watched four or five movies. We both had trouble with the sound in our monitors, making movie-watching less enjoyable. We didn’t experience any significant turbulence or delays. The first flight was with Virgin Atlantic, and the second was with Delta.

The food on both flights was awful. They both served a choice of chicken rice curry, laden with flour, and a vegetable pasta dish, neither of which I could eat, nor did Tom care for either option. Then again, we don’t fly for the food. Sure, it may be better on Business or First Class, but we’re not willing to pay six or seven times the fare we pay for Coach tickets. We nibbled on some peanuts, and Tom ate the bread, crackers, and desserts served with each meal.

To our surprise, we neither felt bad after staying awake, missing an entire night’s sleep. At the airport in Minneapolis, we picked up the rental at Sixt, the best price we could find for a nice Subaru SUV. By the time we were on the road for the 20-minute drive to the hotel, we realized we needed to eat and stopped at a Jimmy John’s to buy bread-free unwiches (sandwiches using lettuce instead of bread), knowing that once we arrived at the hotel, we’d be ready to eat.

On our way, son Greg called and said he wanted to see us immediately, and he met us at the restaurant. I can’t describe how meaningful those big hugs from Greg were. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. We both looked and felt tired, but we didn’t care.

We checked into the hotel in no time at all. But before we ate those delicious unwiches, we both got busy unpacking. We got everything put away so we could sit down, relax, and watch a show, after loading our various streaming services to the big TV monitor.

We decided we’d have to stay awake until 10:00 pm to ensure we’d adapt to Minnesota time as quickly as possible. We nodded off a few times but woke each other up to avoid taking a nap and upsetting the intended schedule. Last night, we both slept about six hours. My Fitbit indicated I’d slept about six hours, which made me feel good today. Neither of us has jet lag, this time around.

Today is Memorial Day in the US, when we honor veterans who lost their lives but we have no plans. All the activities with family and friends will begin in a few days and continue through the three weeks we are here in Minnesota.

We’ll make every effort to post daily while we’re here. Thanks for all the love and support from our readers!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 26, 2015:

Tom’s miniature lemon meringue pie for dessert on a cruise. For more photos, please click here.

Wait until you read this story!…

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The sunset after leaving Mpumalanga/Kruger/Nelspruit Airport yesterday afternoon.

Note: We are at Heathrow Airport in London as we put together today’s post. We wrote the content yesterday after the event occurred.

I don’t know where to begin.

We’d decided to leave early for the airport in case of issues on the N4. I’d downloaded an app on my phone that provides up-to-the-minute notifications if there are problems along the highway on our route.

Everything was going smoothly until about 20 minutes before we arrived at the Mpumalanga/Kruger/Nelspruit Airport. We stopped, as usual, at the same petrol station we’ve used dozens of times to refuel the rental car at this last petrol station on the way to the airport.

Tom had the fuel topped off. As we were leaving the station, an employee, one of many employees who were wearing high-visibility vests with “security” emblazoned on the front and back, approached us and said the following:

“There’s been a bad accident on the road to the airport, and the road is closed. But they are letting people heading to the airport get through using a token. You must return to the petrol station to buy the token.”

Patrons stood in line at a bank of four ATMs while these “supposed” employees assisted them in getting the token using a credit or debit card.

Tom didn’t know our South African SIM phone number, and the two cards he tried didn’t work. At this point, he became very suspicious.

Suspecting it was a scam, he left the station to find me waiting in the car, as worried as I could be, for at least 30 minutes. I was so relieved when I finally saw him walking toward the car.

He explained what happened and said, ” It was a scam. Let’s head to the airport. There won’t be an accident or a road closure. ”

He was right. We breezed down the road for the final 20 minutes to the airport, but he kept saying we needed to call those two credit card companies and cancel the cards.

When we checked in for the flight, we finally had time to call both credit card companies. One of the cards was charged over US $2745, ZAR 48985, to an investment company. However, the credit card company suspected it was a fraudulent charge, and they put a hold on it, waiting for Tom to call to see if we’d approve of the charge.

Fortunately, Tom called both cards in time to cancel them. The two new cards will arrive in the mail in the US while we are there.

This post is a warning to all travelers on their way to or from the Nelspruit Airport. But this type of scam could happen anywhere in the world.

Tom is not naive and is a very savvy traveler. But as tourists, we aren’t always aware of how things are done under certain circumstances in a foreign country. At first, it was easy to think that such a token was a normal process on a busy highway.

We’ll be back at our next opportunity.

We board the next flight from Heathrow to Minneapolis for another nine-hour flight. The flight to London was over 11 hours. We didn’t sleep more than a few hours off and on. Now we are waiting with a five-hour layover, with only two more hours to go. We both feel surprisingly well.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 25, 2015:

Balcony view of our cabin on a Royal Caribbean ship heading from Honolulu to Sydney. For more photos, please click here.

We’re off to the US!…

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Right up to the last minute before our departure, our little mongoose friends came to call. There are about 75 of them in this band.

We are packed and ready to go. I am dressed in all black, which is easy to wear for a long trip to avoid showing any potential spots or stains.

My compression socks are in a ziplock bag in my handbag, along with a long cord for recharging my phone, the cord to charge my Fitbit, and two sets of earbuds, one for watching movies on the screen at my seat and another for my phone. I’ll share the long cord with Tom when he needs to charge his phone.

We’ll be seated across the aisle from one another, allowing us each to have easy access for getting out of our seats and only sharing one armrest with another passenger.

The short flight on Airlink from Nelspruit to Johannesburg is very short, taking about 30 minutes. Once we’re in Joburg, we’ll have dinner during the 2½ hour layover, if time allows. If not, we’ll have no choice but to eat the less-than-healthy meals served on the 11-hour flight to London.

I no longer fuss about what I am served. I pick at the food I can eat and leave the rest. Tom shares anything that works for me, and I share the bread, starches, and dessert with him. Going a day or two with little food is no big deal. Besides, sitting in the narrow, cramped seat without a full belly feels much better.

We rarely drink alcoholic beverages on these long flights, even though they are complimentary on Virgin Atlantic while seated in coach. It seems we can rest easier without having had a beer or wine. If we can somehow manage to get three hours of sleep, we’ll feel fine. But that’s highly unlikely since I can’t sleep sitting up. But, here again, missing one night’s sleep is no big deal in the realm of things.

We arrive in Minneapolis, Minnesota, around 3:00 pm, Sunday. When we collect our bags and get the rental car, it will be 4:00 am, Monday to us. With traffic on a Sunday of Memorial weekend, arriving at the hotel may take about 40 minutes. We’ll probably order GrubHub for dinner after we get unpacked and settled.

Then, the challenge will be to stay awake until 10:00 pm. At that point, it will be 5:00 am to us, approximately 39 hours after we left. But after missing an entire night’s sleep, staying awake is tough. It’s essential to immediately get into the schedule of where we are, instead of where we were.

We aren’t certain at this point about posting each day over the next several days. A short post may be possible during tomorrow’s almost six-hour layover in London. Please keep an eye out.

Thanks for all the well wishes and support from our readers/friends/family.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 24, 2015:

We spotted a banyan tree in Waikiki as we rode the bus to the mall. For more photos, please click here.

Making lists…How much did we lose so far?…One day and counting…

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This is a Blue Waxbill, a common bird in this area.  

Today is packing day. Since we’re leaving for only three weeks, packing is relatively easy, as I’ve run around the house collecting items we will need for this short period.

When the mongoose appeared for their usual morning meal, I used the last piece of paloney. They’ll likely visit again tomorrow morning, but I’ll dice bite-sized pieces of cheddar cheese and beat the remaining two eggs after I make breakfast for Tom. As carnivores, they can also eat dairy products.

To make grocery shopping easy when we return, while still experiencing a bit of jet lag, I have already made a grocery list on the app on my phone since my memory may not be sharp until we recover for a few days.

When we arrived here from Mumbai, India, during COVID, after traveling for 59 hours, I easily recall how impossible grocery shopping was when we went to Komati the next day. I told Tom we’d have to return another day when my thought process was more focused. Not sleeping for three days made it impossible to focus on shopping.

When we return in three weeks, we’ll have traveled for over 36 – 40 hours, and again, shopping must be put off for a few days.

However, with the new market here in Marloth Park at the Marlothi Centre, we can pick up a few items to get us through the first few days, entirely avoiding a big shopping trip to Komatipoort as soon as we arrive.

Also, I made a short grocery list in the Cub Foods online app for some basic items we’ll want to have on hand in the Minnesota hotel room, including a kitchen. We won’t be cooking dinners in the hotel room. Instead, we’ll dine out for dinner, or on those few nights without plans, with family or friends, we’ll order GrubHub delivery using our delivery-free membership with Amazon Prime.

Tom decided he’d rather eat two plain old-fashioned donuts from Cub than the complimentary breakfast at the hotel. The hotel’s scrambled eggs are processed with unhealthy ingredients, and their bacon is deep-fried in awful oils. I offered to make him bacon and eggs daily, but he chose to have two donuts with his coffee rather than eat the homemade breakfast.

He can’t get plain old-fashioned donuts here or in many countries, so he loves to have them while we are in the US. I guess the donuts are the lesser of two evils, says the Food Poice. I’ll be happy if he doesn’t buy ten pounds of those awful jelly candies, shown below, that he loves from Fleet Farm. He’ll go through ten pounds in a week. See the story about this at this post:

Tom ate all of these candies in one week and gained ten pounds.

Since we arrived in Marloth Park at the beginning of March, he has lost 15 pounds, 6.8 kg. It would be a shame if he gained it all back while we were in the US. If he eats the two donuts and a reasonably healthy dinner, he should be able to maintain what he’s lost and then begin the low-carb lifestyle again when we return.

We’ll see how it goes for him. I’ve lost 23 pounds, 10.4 kg, and need to lose another 7 pounds, 3.2 kg, to fit into those jeans I have been carrying for the past few years. I was taking heart medication that causes weight gain and other horrible side effects, which I no longer take it as instructed by the doctors at the Cleveland Clinic.

I’d gained 30 pounds, 13.6 kg, from that drug, hoping that when I stopped taking the medication, I’d automatically begin to lose weight, but that didn’t happen. When we arrived in Marloth Park, we both began cutting back on how much we ate and how often we ate… and just like that, we lost weight.

I lost more than Tom because I didn’t eat unhealthy food when dining out and stuck to a strict keto diet, eating less food, less often. It worked.

Now, I will pack, and I should be done in no time at all. Tonight, we’re off to Jabula for dinner.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 23, 2015:

Our final video of the Laysan Albatross as we prepared to leave Kauai after our four-month stay. For more photos, please click here.

Long-legged beauties come to call…See Tom’s video, taken this morning…Two days and counting…

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Note: In the above video, Tom said it was June 22, when in fact it was May 22, 2025.

Last evening, while we were lounging on the veranda enjoying our sundowners, six giraffes stopped by for a visit, and we got a few of today’s photos. However, before I was outdoors early this morning, Tom made the above video when they stopped by in their long-legged beauty.

Last evening, this was our first view of the giraffes.

We don’t feed giraffes since they don’t bend to eat, only to drink. Instead, they savor the leaves on the treetops, especially when they are more plentiful than the low-lying bushes, and they don’t have to share them with other animals, who obviously can’t reach that high.

Three giraffes meandered into our garden while we attempted to capture some photos.

For the past few days, we have had WiFi problems. They have been reported to Tech Connect, the service provider. However, I managed to upload the above video to YouTube, which Tom made this morning while I was still in bed. He always gets up a few hours before I do since I tend to be awake for a few hours in the middle of the night, but I can sleep in the wee hours of the morning. I am usually up, showered, dressed, and outdoors by 8:00 am.

Getting decent head shots is always challenging with their heads buried in the treetops.

Undoubtedly, I suffer from FOMO (fear of missing out) and long to be outside on the veranda as early as possible, fearful I will miss something in the garden. Tom always awakens me when Norman stops by. I wouldn’t want to miss seeing him for anything. He visited twice yesterday, each time staring deep into my eyes.

Check out her tongue. It’s a lot longer than it appears here.

I’d like to think that Norman looks at me like that out of love, but he most likely knows how to get me to cut up carrots and apples for him. It works every time. Sometimes, Toms looks at me like that, but I don’t think he’s longing for carrots and apples. Nonetheless, whether it’s a look from Norman or even Tom, I detect a strong sense of love that makes my heart sing joyfully.

Life is good. I don’t have a complaint in the world. In two days, we’ll begin the long trip to the US and look forward to getting past the lack of sleep for two days, the seven-hour time difference, and the physiological disruptions that come with long-distance travel.

Our busy schedule will commence once we have recovered for a few days. Something is planned almost every day until we leave on June 15. Tom and I will attend most events together, but we will have a few family get-togethers on our own to maximize our time in Minnesota.

Side by side, these three held their heads down checking something out.

Soon, Tom will drop me off at Inbewe Spa in Marloth Park for a pedicure. Yesterday, he had a haircut with his usual stylist at the Bush Centre hair salon. Yesterday, I assembled various items for our upcoming trip into ziplock bags. Now, all I have to do is pack a small amount of clothes, but not a lot, since we’re buying some items while we’re in the US.

This time, we’ll be packing our two large checked duffle bags. Based on how much we purchase, we’ll purchase a new large suitcase to replace one of our large bags with a broken wheel while in the US.

Finally, a decent full-on pose.

It’s time for me to get ready to leave for my pedicure appointment. If we still have WFi issues when I return, I will contact Tech Connect to see how they can resolve them.

That’s it for today, folks.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 22, 2015:

We seldom can get a photo of us together without imposing it on others. On occasion, when appropriate, we’ll offer to take a photo of a couple or a family, hoping they’ll also take ours. For more photos, please click here.

Culling wildlife in Marloth Park…a hot topic…Three days and counting…

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A young male kudu, years before he grows his full rack. Impalas and a bushbuck are also in the photos.

Culling will begin in Marloth Park in the next few days. Over 200 impalas, numerous warthogs, and old and sick animals will be culled, with some other species being moved to different locations. Sadly, this is a necessary evil that must be done to restore the habitat for future generations. Many oppose this process, and others accept it with resignation, as we do, knowing that ultimately, it’s for the best.

Culling Wildlife in Marloth Park, South Africa (2025)

Marloth Park, a unique wildlife conservancy and residential area bordering the Kruger National Park in South Africa, is again facing a complex and divisive issue in 2025: the culling of wild animals. This ongoing practice, though controversial, is driven by complex ecological, ethical, and logistical considerations that continue to stir strong emotions among residents, conservationists, and visitors alike.

Marloth Park was initially conceived as a sanctuary where wildlife could roam freely among human dwellings. The blend of nature and habitation created a rare and enchanting environment, attracting permanent residents and tourists seeking a close connection with Africa’s iconic wildlife. However, as the years have passed, the balance between human development and the ecosystem’s ability to support large numbers of animals has tipped precariously.

The root cause of culling in Marloth Park is overpopulation. Species such as impala, zebra, kudu, and warthogs—some of the most commonly sighted animals in the park—have thrived without natural predators. Lions, leopards, and hyenas are rarely found in Marloth Park due to the proximity of human homes, and this absence has allowed herbivore populations to increase unchecked. As their numbers swell, so does the pressure on the park’s limited vegetation.

Overgrazing has become a serious issue. Indigenous plant species are being destroyed faster than they can regenerate, leading to soil erosion, habitat loss, and decreased biodiversity. Smaller animals and birds that depend on the bush for shelter and food are being pushed out, and the long-term health of the park’s ecosystem is under threat. Culling, supporters argue, is a necessary but painful measure to restore ecological balance.

In 2025, the decision to cull approximately 200 animals, primarily impala and zebra, sparked renewed debate. The process, coordinated by conservation authorities in consultation with ecologists and wildlife veterinarians, was designed to be as humane and targeted as possible. The meat from culled animals is often donated to local communities, adding a social benefit to the environmental management strategy.

Still, the emotional cost is high for many residents and animal lovers. Marloth Park is not just a place—it’s a community where people form real, emotional connections with the animals who wander through their yards and drink from bird baths. Seeing familiar herds disappear overnight is heartbreaking for those who view these creatures as neighbors and companions.

Critics of culling argue that more sustainable, long-term solutions should be prioritized. Some advocate for fertility control methods, such as immunocontraception, which can reduce population growth over time without the trauma of killing. Others push for better development and fencing management or the controlled reintroduction of natural predators. However, these approaches are costly, complex, and slower to yield results—luxuries that may not align with the urgency of the current ecological crisis.

Ultimately, the culling of animals in Marloth Park reflects the broader challenges faced when humans and wildlife share the same space. It underscores the delicate balance between conservation and compassion, science and sentiment. In an ideal world, nature would regulate itself without intervention. But in a semi-wild, semi-urban setting like Marloth Park, human hands are sometimes forced to act—even when the choices are difficult.

As 2025 unfolds, the hope is that greater dialogue, transparency, and innovation will lead to more compassionate and effective wildlife management strategies. The goal is not just to protect the landscape, but to honor the deep connection people feel to the animals that make Marloth Park such a rare and special place.

We may not notice the difference in the park since we only interact with one impala, Mac, who lives in our garden and chases away any other intruding impalas. Hopefully, he’ll still be here when we return.

Neither of us gets caught up in the controversy on this topic. We aren’t property owners and need to keep our opinions to ourselves. Instead, we choose to listen and learn what is most beneficial to the wildlife and the restoration of the veld. (Veld is a term used to describe an open, rural landscape in Southern Africa, particularly in areas like South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. It refers to a region characterized by grassy plains or areas with sparse trees, often used for grazing and farming. The word “veld” is derived from Afrikaans and Dutch, meaning “field”.)

That’s it for today, dear readers. We’re starting to think about packing, but neither of us will tackle it until Friday, when on Saturday we’re leaving for the airport to begin the long journey.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 21, 2015:

The view from our lanai in Kauai as we prepared to leave. For more photos, please click here.

Part 5…Outstanding day in Kruger National Park…4 days and counting…A heartbreaking loss to the ecosystem…

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Beautiful scene of the Sabie River.

News posted last night on Facebook regarding Lionspruit, the conservancy within Mrloth Park, where a devastating ecological wildlife loss has occurred in recent days:

Our photo from a previous visit to Kruger. Classic scene of three vultures on a limb. We were thrilled to get this shot from quite a distance. Vultures are, however, great ecologists who have a high sense of personal hygiene and are a manifestation of the adage of patience as a virtue. They clean the veld of carrion, thereby minimizing the impact of animal disease, and they bathe regularly in rivers after gorging themselves at a kill.”

“𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑵𝑬𝑾𝑺: 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘦: Another 100 critically endangered vultures dead, poisoned in Mpumalanga

Vulpro, one of Africa’s few vulture-focused conservation organisations, and Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Mpumalanga, has confirmed a significant poisoning incident in the Lionspruit Game Reserve near Marloth Park, Mpumalanga. Over 100 vultures have died, including 92 White-backed vultures of which 90% were breeding adults, 9 Hooded vultures, and one male adult White-headed vulture.
Hippos on the shore of Sunset Dam.
The scene was located through real-time GPS tracking of several vultures previously rehabilitated and released by Vulpro and Wild and Free. Upon detecting abnormal movement, Vulpro notified Wild and Free, who contacted the Nkomazi municipal field rangers. Together, the team responded immediately to find a catastrophic scene with multiple carcasses lying around a warthog carcass. There are no survivors, and no body parts were taken. Two more carcasses were discovered by air, thanks to SANParks, who joined in on the search.
This deliberate act has caused irreparable damage to already declining vulture populations and underscores the growing and devastating impact of poisoning on South Africa’s critically endangered vulture populations.
A bird and a croc at Sunset Dam.
Together with expert toxicologist and director of the Griffon Poison Information Centre, Dr. Gerhard Verdoorn and Dr. Peet Venter, samples have been collected and will be submitted for toxicological testing to identify the poison used and support possible legal action. These incidents wipe out critical scavengers, disrupt ecosystems, remove vital biodiversity, and undermine decades of conservation efforts. They also highlight the need for urgent collaboration.
“The scale of this poisoning is devastating and appears to be part of a much bigger, targeted operation. With multiple incidents taking place in various regions across the Lowveld recently, we suspect they are aimed at distracting us from a bigger and even more devastating event in the near future. We are calling on the government and the national vulture poisoning working group to address the crisis before it is too late,” said Kerri Wolter, CEO of Vulpro. “To lose this number of vultures, let alone breeding birds during breeding season, is an ecological crisis. We are genuinely terrified of what is going to occur next.” With no body parts taken, Wolter confirms this latest slaughter does not look as if it is related to muthi.
The hadada ibis or hadeda is an ibis native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It is named for its loud three to four-note calls in flight, especially in the mornings and evenings when they fly out or return to their roost trees. We often hear these at dusk.
In response to this incident and the growing frequency of poisoning cases, Vulpro is appealing to all rehabilitation centres to stop releasing vultures in the area until such threats are thoroughly investigated and mitigated.
This mass poisoning highlights the urgent need for coordinated conservation action, as it is impossible to be everywhere, all the time. Vulpro formalised a long-standing partnership with Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, based in Hectorspruit, just days ago. Together, the two organisations have established a vulture emergency response unit in Mpumalanga, delivering:
• Rapid on-site field response to poisoning and injury cases
• Expert veterinary care at Wild and Free’s on-site clinic
• Long-term rehabilitation and monitored releases through Vulpro’s national programme with support from conservation groups, @wewildafrica, and @overandaboveafrica, this initiative links veterinary expertise, field operations, and conservation strategy across provincial boundaries, unified in the mission to stop vulture extinction.
A lone wildebeest.
“This is not just about one event. It is a systemic threat to our natural balance,” Wolter said. “We are fighting for every egg, every nest, and every vulture’s future. We will hold the line through science, integrity, and collaboration.”
Investigations remain ongoing.
We want to thank the team on the ground for their tireless and emotional work decontaminating the scene and preventing secondary poisoning of other wildlife.
The general public often thinks little of vultures and their ugly appearance, but as the above article explains, vultures are an integral part of the ecosystem and the preservation of wildlife. Why thugs would perpetrate such a heinous event is beyond comprehension. We can only hope and pray that these criminals can be caught and punished.
On Saturday, we’re heading to the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to begin our two-day journey to the US. We are not looking forward to the travel days; instead, we are looking forward to getting there and seeing family and friends.
Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 20, 2015:

The pounding high tide surf over a rock formation jutting from the cliffs in Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii. For more photos, please click here.

Part 4…Outstanding day in Kruger National Park…A bloat of hippos and babies…Unusual facts about hippos…

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Hippos and crocodiles seem to get along well. Notice the croc near the adult hippo.

Unusual Facts About Hippos: Nature’s Unexpected Oddballs

With barrel-shaped bodies and seemingly sluggish demeanor, hippopotamuses might appear like oversized river cows, lazily basking in the water. But don’t let their sleepy expressions fool you. These massive mammals are full of surprises—some amusing, others downright bizarre. From their physiology to their social lives, hippos are anything but ordinary. Here are some of the most unusual facts about hippos that might change the way you see them.

Mom and two babies were lounging on Sunset Dam’s shore.

1. They Produce Their Natural Sunscreen

One of the strangest things about hippos is their ability to secrete a reddish, oily substance often called “blood sweat.” Despite the name, it’s neither blood nor sweat. This secretion acts as sunscreen and an antibiotic, protecting their sensitive skin from the harsh African sun and infections. The reddish hue may also help camouflage them in muddy water, though the science on that is still speculative.

One adult hippo appears to maintain “watch” while the others rest.

2. They Can’t Swim

Yes, they spend most of their lives in the water, but here’s the catch: hippos can’t swim in the traditional sense. Instead of paddling like other aquatic animals, they move by bouncing off the riverbed. They sink because of their dense bodies and move gracefully underwater by pushing themselves off the bottom in a sort of moonwalk motion. It’s like underwater parkour (Parkour (French: [paʁkuʁ]) is an athletic training discipline or sport in which practitioners attempt to get from one point to another in the fastest and most efficient way possible, without assisting equipment), hippo-style.

3. Hippos Are Surprisingly Fast—And Dangerous

Despite their enormous size (up to 3,500 pounds for males), hippos can run at speeds of up to 30 km/h (about 19 mph) on land for short distances. That’s faster than most humans can sprint. And in the water, they can outmaneuver boats. Combine that speed with aggression, and you get one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Hippos are responsible for more human deaths in Africa annually than lions, elephants, or crocodiles.

Often, various birds hang around with hippos.

4. They Mark Territory With a Unique “Tail-Spin” Technique

Hippos are quite literal when it comes to marking their territory. They defecate while spinning their tails rapidly, spraying feces in a wide radius to mark boundaries or communicate with others. It’s messy and bizarre, but it’s also a very effective signaling method in the dense vegetation of riverbanks.

5. They Communicate Above and Below Water—At the Same Time

Hippos are incredibly vocal and communicate using grunts, bellows, and wheezes. But what’s mind-blowing is that they can make sounds that travel simultaneously through air and water. This means one hippo can “talk” to another, both above and below the water’s surface simultaneously, an incredibly rare ability in the animal kingdom.

It’s a rare treat to see hippos out of the water.

6. They’re More Closely Related to Whales Than You Might Think

Though they look like pigs or cows, hippos are actually the closest living relatives to whales and dolphins. They share a common ancestor from about 55 million years ago. This evolutionary link is supported by similarities in skull structure, social behavior, and even the composition of the blood sweat mentioned earlier.

One mom was taking a break from the bloat.

7. They Nurse Underwater

Baby hippos are born underwater and can nurse while submerged. Calves instinctively close their ears and nostrils and latch onto their mothers while floating or resting on the river bottom. It’s an adaptation that allows them to stay safe and hidden in their aquatic environment while still getting the nutrition they need.

They are sniffing for possible food finds.

From underwater moonwalking to crimson sunblock and high-speed chases, hippos are an amazing mix of mystery, muscle, and mischief. Often underestimated and misunderstood, they’re one of nature’s most unusual creatures—living proof that you can’t judge a book (or a hippo) by its cover.

Let the hippo remind us that even the slowest-looking animals might be hiding some seriously wild secrets just beneath the surface.

Two moms and babies

Most often, when on game drives (safaris), we only see hippos in the water. Having the opportunity to spend time watching them on land is entertaining and enriching, and we are grateful for the experience.

It seems the bloat has increased in size.

Seeing these hippos reminded us both of the first time we saw hippos in the wild when we first arrived in the Maasai Mara, in Kenya, in October 2013. We couldn’t resist sharing these hippo photos we took in the first hour we were in the Mara. See below:

Anderson, our safari guide, took us on an unplanned 90-minute safari rather than wait at the airstrip for another couple to arrive on a later flight. This was one of the first photos we took along the Mara River. Our tent is on the river’s banks where the hippos will awaken us with their hysterical morning calls. We couldn’t believe our eyes or our ears. See the post here.
We could sit for hours and watch the hippos’ antics. Their lethargic movements and playful personalities are a pleasure to behold. See the post here.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 19, 2015:

On our final days in Kauai, we spotted almost neon-colored flowers on a walk. For more photos, please click here.

Part 3…Outstanding day in Kruger National Park…Tower of power…

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Just like that, a tower of giraffes appeared on the road, leaving us exhilarated and enthused to witness these majestic animals again in the wild. To avoid scaring them off, we had to maintain our position on the road and film most of today’s shots through the windshield.

A grouping of giraffes is called a “tower,” which is the reason for today’s heading. Although we spotted seven giraffes in this tower, we could only photograph three or four simultaneously, as they wandered off and onto the road.

Giraffes may seem gentle and graceful with their long necks and slow strides, but don’t be fooled. These towering herbivores are surprisingly strong and powerful animals. Beneath their elegant appearance lies a combination of muscular strength, defensive power, and anatomical efficiency that allows them to survive and thrive in the wilds of Africa.

She was either cleaning herself or getting rid of an annoying insect.

Let’s start with one of the most striking features of the giraffe: its neck. The average adult giraffe’s neck is around six feet long and can weigh up to 600 pounds. Despite its length, a giraffe’s neck has the same number of vertebrae as most mammals—seven—but each vertebra is significantly elongated and supported by powerful muscles and ligaments. These muscles aren’t just for holding the neck upright; they play a key role in one of the giraffe’s primary forms of defense and dominance: necking.

Still can’t get rid of that annoying insect!

Necking is a form of combat between male giraffes where they swing their necks like sledgehammers, using their heavy skulls to strike their opponent. These blows can be powerful enough to knock down or even seriously injure a rival. Observers of giraffe fights often describe the sound of impact as loud and startling, a testament to the force these animals can generate. The winner of such contests earns mating rights with nearby females, so strength really does equal survival in this case.

They often show affection for one another.

Beyond their necks, giraffes possess powerful legs, especially their hind legs, capable of delivering a deadly kick. A single well-placed giraffe kick can crush a predator’s skull like a lion’s. Giraffes are known to kill lions with these kicks, and this natural defense mechanism makes adult giraffes a risky target for even the most formidable predators. Their legs are weapons and tools for speed: giraffes can run up to 35 miles per hour over short distances. However, they generally prefer a slower, energy-efficient pace to conserve stamina.

Standing on the road, always on guard for potential predators.

Regarding raw physicality, giraffes must be strong to support their size. Adult males can grow to nearly 18 feet tall and weigh up to 3,000 pounds. A giraffe has an exceptionally strong heart to pump blood from the heart to the brain, over six feet upward. It weighs up to 25 pounds and can pump blood at twice the pressure of a human heart. This high blood pressure is necessary to maintain brain function, especially when the giraffe suddenly raises or lowers its head.

The giraffe’s strength is not just muscular or mechanical—it’s also evolutionary. Their height and strength allow them to reach food that other herbivores can’t, reducing competition and allowing them access to leaves high in the treetops. Their long tongues—up to 18 inches—are tough and prehensile, capable of wrapping around and stripping leaves from thorny branches, like those of the acacia tree.

We weren’t in a hurry to leave. As we always acknowledge, “This is their house, not ours, and we are merely curious visitors.”

So, how strong are giraffes? They’re strong enough to defend themselves against lions, strong enough to fight each other in brutal battles for dominance, strong enough to run quickly despite their size, and strong enough to circulate blood to their heads without fainting. Their strength isn’t loud or flashy—it’s quiet, efficient, and built into every part of their being.

In the animal kingdom, strength doesn’t always look like a roaring lion or a charging rhino. Sometimes, it seems like a calm, towering creature grazing peacefully—until it’s time to show how powerful it is.

Side by side…

Spotting these giraffes on the road was a delightful experience as we continued our day trip through Kruger National Park. We encountered one treasured sighting after another, leaving us with memories of a well-spent day.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, May 18, 2015:

The expansive lawn of a cottage located on Hanalei Bay was used to make the movie, The Descendants. For more photos, please click here.