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| This is the “warning triangle” found inside the case, as shown below that, without it, can get a lot of South African drivers in trouble. |
“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”
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| This is the tiniest warthog we’ve seen since returning to Marloth Park. Two females and this piglet stopped by last night. The baby had already figured out to eat on her knees at such a young age. |
Yesterday at noon, our next-door neighbors, Rina and Cees, picked us up in their bigger-than-ours rental car to drive to the far end of Komatipoort to a resort restaurant for lunch, the Border Country Inn.
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| This is the case that contains the “warning triangle.” |
Rina and I each ordered the chef salad, which was good but not exceptional. Again Tom ordered the T-bone steak, ordering it rare this time for a medium finish. Cees ordered a burger. The prices are outrageously low as were our expectations, but the service was good.
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| Another Fish Eagle shot in Kruger. |
Doing so keeps residents of the park socially active, going back and forth to one another’s homes for happy hour and/or meals or in dining out for those who prefer not to entertain in their homes. In this quiet and peaceful environment, this type of socialization adds a great deal to the pleasure of living in the park.
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| Muddy wildebeest tucked into the vegetation in Kruger. |
After lunch on the return drive to Marloth Park, we encountered several police officers manning some type of a checkpoint. When asked, Cees promptly handed over his driver’s license.
We all sat still in silent suspense, wondering why we’d been stopped. Tom reached for his wallet to produce our driver’s licenses, but the three of us weren’t asked to produce ID.
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| The Crocodile River provides a wide array of marshes, swamps, and waterways suitable for wildlife. |
None of us had our passports with us. We’re seldom asked to present our passports in South Africa, except most recently when I had blood tests, purchased SIM or data cards, or picked something up from the post office or other government facilities. Fortunately, none of us, including Cees, was asked to produce a passport.
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| Elephant munching on a spikey shrub. |
The officer looked something up in his car and returned to our vehicle, asking, “Where is your “warning triangle?”
We all had a hard time figuring out what he meant…what the heck is a warning triangle? The officer spoke to Cees in a very strong hard-to-understand dialect, further confusing all of us. Finally, Cees was able to figure out what he meant.
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| Several elephants grazing possibly after a dip in the water hole. |
The officer was referring to a reflective warning triangle as shown in today’s photos, supposedly to be used in the event a vehicle was stopped for an emergency on the highway such as a tire change, accident, vehicle breakdown, or other such incidents.
Cees and the officer went through the rental car’s trunk, searching for the triangle. Alas, it was found much to all of our relief. Failure to have such a device in a vehicle results in a fine of ZAR 500 (US $41.72), as described in this post.
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| Mom and baby elephant behind a bush. |
Finally, after about 10 minutes, we were back on our way. Luckily, Cees was driving within the speed limits, and there were no other issues. Off we went, anxious to get back to the peace and comfort of Marloth Park.
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| We stopped to allow a few giraffes to cross the paved road in Kruger. This is a common occurrence in Marloth Park when they cross Oliphant (the main paved road).
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At home, by 3:00 pm, we got back to work on a new heart-pounding booking we can hardly wait to share with all of you. It is one of the most exciting events we’ve booked over the years. It is comparable in excitement to Antarctica and fulfilling in content even far beyond our safari in the Maasai Mara.
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| An elephant using a tree to scratch his backside. |
We’re gathering all the information now, and the post, with numerous photos, will be presented on Saturday, a mere three days from today. Yep, I love leaving our readers in suspense, and, yep, this could be a lot more exciting to us than to some of you.
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| Giraffes and a youngster grazing on a tree. |
We think most of our readers will be interested in this multi-faceted trip we’re planning commencing in February 2019, a mere 10 months from now.
Tonight, our new friends Gail and Mark Fox are coming for dinner, whose fascinating story we shared last month, found at this link. If you haven’t had an opportunity, check out this heart-wrenching and heartwarming story.
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| Kruger National Park is rife with sources of water accessible to a variety of wildlife. |
Please check back daily to see what’s new as we continue to search for the unique and enticing.
Have a very special day!
Photo from one year ago today, April 18, 2017:
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| Prices in Manly, Australia, were high at the fishmonger’s. For example, the fish Tom caught in the ocean while fishing in the Huon Valley, Flathead Fillets, sells for AU $46.90, US $35.44 for one kilo (2.2 pounds). We prefer not to eat farmed fish, avoiding this pricey farmed salmon for AU $39.90, US $30.16 per one kilo. For more details, please click here. |
I still hear him say:
Sur, du yu hav a wurnin' trangle?
Now we know what he ment… ��
Rina & Cees
Rina & Cees,
One more interesting tidbit when spending time in SA! We're happy we shared this with you both!
Hope you're enjoying you last week in Marloth.
Warmest regards,
Jess & Tom