Hippo Day!…First time sighting since our arrival…Exceptional dinner party…

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At first, with the naked eye, we thought this was a rhino from way across the river. Tom looked through the binoculars while I zoomed in for a photo to delightfully discover it was a hippo, the first we’d seen since our arrival. That’s a cattle egret near their head.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Gecko on the orange wall at night.  Check out the “red-eye.” Where’s the tail?

With company coming for dinner and with most of the food prepped, we decided to take a drive to the Crocodile River since, after the rains, we’d hoped to see more wildlife.

 In my old life, I’d never have taken the time on a day company was coming for dinner when I’d be too busy to take a few hours for frivolities. This life is different, allowing me time and motivation to do exactly whatever strikes me at the moment.

We took off in the little blue car after stopping at the petrol station to add air to a low tire (which seems to be holding up OK), and off we went on the outrageously bumpy dirt roads that take us to the river.

Since hippos stay close to the water and the river so low recently, we hadn’t expected to see any hippos, not from Marloth Park or Kruger National Park.

It was hot, humid and the air felt thick.  Bugs congregated around us each time we stopped and got out of the car to scan the riverbanks for possible sightings. We stopped at the usual brick overlook structure but didn’t see a thing. 

A group of tourists relaxed on the tiered seating having lunch and drinks. It’s always busier on these roads and overlooks on the weekends when many South Africans from other areas flock to Marloth Park for a few days of “holiday fun” among the precious wildlife, often retreating from the “extra” humans in the park.

 We’ve noticed that generally, we have fewer visitors to our house on weekends. The only thing we can attribute this to is the added cars and people visiting. Could the wildlife prefer to stay “undercover” when there are so many humans milling about?

The hippo is responsible for more human fatalities in Africa than any other large animal from this site. The hippo is considered the most dangerous mammal in Africa. Male hippos actively defend their territories which run along the banks of rivers and lakes. Females have also been known to get extremely aggressive if they sense anyone coming in between their babies, who stay in the water while she feeds on the shore. Hippos can run at speeds of over 20 miles an hour, and they have enormous jaws which host up to 20-inch canines.”
I suppose the longer we’re here; we’ve become protective of this unique location, preferring it to stay natural and unencumbered with the likes of too many tourists coming and going, often staying for only two or three days.
Then again, the revenue generated by tourists is vital for many of the shops, lodges, and homeowners renting their properties to incoming tourists.

Sadly, some tourists ruin it for everyone, disturbing the quiet and easy flow of life in this veritable paradise for animal lovers and those seeking the serenity of this magical world, so far removed from everyday life.

We watched for some time, attempting to get a better photo of this hippo with a few oxpeckers on them, clearing off the insects.

As we drove along the river, eyes searching to the distant shore, we spotted something dark and mysterious across the river. Keeping in mind, we could be talking about a distance of up to one kilometer (.62 miles) from our vantage point, making photo taking with our less fancy camera a bit tricky to get a clear shot.

Tom maneuvered the car into a perfect place to park while we got out and walked through brush and grass to get as close as possible. Getting closer by 15 meters (50 feet) is nothing compared to the distance from the sighting, but we forged along anyway.

It was challenging to get a more explicit photo at such a distance, but we were nonetheless thrilled to get these photos.

The perception that moving even such a short distance closer would enhance the quality of our photos, spurred us on. Batting off flies and other insects, we steadied ourselves as much as possible to take today’s hippo photos.

We’d love to have seen more hippos like we had while in the Masai Mara, Kenya, in 2013. But, with the inaccessibility of the Crocodile River, we happily take what we can get, always thrilled in the process.  Here’s a photo of hippos we’d taken while on safari in Kenya:

We captured this “bloat” of hippos along the Mara River during our first hour on safari in Kenya in 2013.  Here’s the link from that date.

The above photo doesn’t in any manner make us feel, “Oh, that was then.  This is now.” Instead, we think in terms of our collective worldwide experiences. Africa presented these experiences to us. When?…is irrelevant, so it’s easy for us to revel in one hippo knowing we had the above opportunity long ago and perhaps will have more in the future.

Here’s another photo we posted on Tom’s birthday, December 23, 2013, of this glorious hippo at sunset as we crossed the Crocodile River:

As the sun went down, the reflection on this hippo in the Crocodile River on Tom’s birthday in 2013 was unique.  For the link from that date, please click here.
Yesterday, as we continued, we were breathless over other encounters on the road back to our property, photos which we’ll share in the next few days.  Each time we embark on a drive, we have few expectations, and, in one way or another, we’re always pleasantly surprised. This upcoming week, we’ll head back to Kruger, this time staying on the paved roads.

 As for last night’s dinner party of six, it was delightful.  Our friends Lynne and Mick and Janet and Steve were here for what proved to be a near-perfect evening. As always, the conversation flowed with ease, and the pace was low-key and stress-free. 
Each time we go to the river, the first animal we long to see is an elephant.  We’re seldom disappointed.

We were pleased they enjoyed our meal of mozzarella stuffed meatballs, topped with homemade marinara and two kinds of cheese along with a side of bacony green beans and salad. For dessert, we served ice cream bars and coffee with cream. After they left, at almost 11:00 pm, Tom had a lot of dishes to wash, but together we cleaned up and awoke to only a few things left to do this morning.

In yesterday’s post, I mistakenly mentioned Janet and Steve would be away for some time. As it turns out, they’ll be back in Marloth in no time at all, and we look forward to seeing them again soon. 

This big guy took water into his trunk and sprayed it on his back to cool off on a scorching day.

Lynne and Mick return to their home in Jersey (UK) for many months in a few days. We won’t see them again until November other than to run over to their home this afternoon to say goodbye and see their newly thatched roof (almost done). Later we’ll return “home” to some mighty fine leftovers.

Last night’s sunset, after our guests arrived, was hard to see through the trees.

That’s it for today, folks. Of course, we’ll always be on the lookout for more to share with each of you every single day! Have a great day!

Photo from one year ago today, March 25, 2017:

Volleyball competitors are warming up for tournaments in Manly, Australia. For more photos, please click here.

Halfway through our Marloth Park rental….Another dinner party for six…Back to my old ways?…

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From this site:  “Flapping the ears can express excitement and joy. This sound causes other elephants to prick up their ears and contact the first elephant. In turn, the beating of the ears on the skin can be heard. In hot weather, elephants use their ears primarily to cool down.”  We suspect it was cooling down with temps well into 40C (90F) when we took this photo.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

This female kudu was comfortable eating carrots out of my hand.

This evening we’re having dinner guests only a few days before the two couples, Janet and Steve and Lynne and Mick, each takes off for their respective homes in the UK, staying for several months. We’ll look forward to their return!

In the interim, Kathy and Don are returning to Marloth Park in a week, and we’ll certainly enjoy spending time with them while they’re staying at their lovely home in Marloth Park. Linda and Ken will return in June or thereabouts, and we look forward to seeing them soon.

This is how it goes for many homeowners in Marloth Park, primarily based in other parts of the world, returning for one, two, or three-month stints a few times a year.

The first thing we look for when driving along the river is elephants.

Many South Africans have homes in other parts of the country, returning to Marloth as their part-time holiday home. Few rent homes, like us. Most own two or more homes, traveling back and forth between their various properties.

That life never appealed to us. We’ve wanted to be free to travel to wherever we may choose, at any given time. Did we contemplate having a home here, considering how much we love it? Perhaps for one second. 

But then, the thought wafted away when we realize we’re most fulfilled continuing on this path of life-on-the-move, one that works magically for who we are and who’ve we’ve become over these past years. Why change what’s working so well and for which we’re ultimately fulfilled and happy?

We spotted this elephant from the overlook shelter along the river a few days ago.

In the interim, Louise informed us, if we’d like, we can stay in this same house, named “Orange…More than Just a Colour” for our entire remaining year until we board a ship one year from today, March 24, 2019, leaving for the US for another family visit. 

We had a choice to stay in this house or move to another home. But, we like the house enough to stay another year, if Louise and the owners will have us.  We’ve offered to move out for specific periods if they find other renters willing to pay more. We can move on a dime! Louise assures us that’s unlikely.

How do we feel about staying in one property for such an extended period?  Surprisingly, quite good. Many animals have already come to know us and will continue to do so as time marches on. The house is comfortable (we only use the main floor) and has everything we can need.

Could this be a courting male and female?

Then, as we plan visits to other countries in Africa over this upcoming year, we’ll have a place to leave our stuff, packing only what we’ll need for the specific trip. This gives us peace of mind and makes these side-trips considerably easier.

This morning, up and at ’em early, I started chopping and dicing for tonight’s dinner party. Yesterday afternoon, I also did a little prep, making the remainder of today low-key and easy. 

Entertaining in this lifestyle is very different from our former lives. I put so much pressure on myself, planning elaborate meals and setting an elaborate table, often for many guests.

We often wonder about a lone elephant.  Is it a male that has been ejected from the family who now has to make his way in life, finding a mate, to later be off on his own once again?

I plan easy homemade meals that don’t require endless hours of standing in the kitchen in this life. There’s no need to make vast numbers of appetizers, side dishes, and desserts. No one here seems interested in desserts, so I don’t bake as I would have years ago.

The best part is I don’t feel bad about cooking less elaborate meals. I’ve changed so much over these past years, no longer striving to be the consummate hostess, finding simple, delicious meals is ideal in the bush, whether made in a pot or on the braai (barbecue).

The only thing I miss is linen napkins. The paper napkins sold in the area are small and flimsy. Nothing is more admirable than a cloth napkin for guests. I guess I have to let that go. 

Waterbucks at the Crocodile River. 

Soon, we’ll jump in the new little blue car and head to the local market to buy more paper napkins, bringing the camera with us as always, perhaps seeing “someone” special along the way.

It’s a good life here. There’s absolutely nothing that has disappointed us during these past six weeks since our arrival. Often, when people “return,” their expectations are so high they cannot be fulfilled. For us, Marloth Park is more exciting than it was four years ago.

Maybe we’re wiser, more tolerant, and with fewer expectations after what we’ve learned during these past years. We don’t fuss over the heat, the bugs, and the days when few visitors stop by. It’s all a part of living in the bush in this extraordinary place, unlike any other, anywhere in the world. We’re grateful.

May your day find you feeling grateful and fulfilled.

Photo from one year ago today, March 24, 2017:

It was four years ago today, on March 2, 2014, that we began posting this feature, “Photo from one year ago today.” a rare moment of a blue sky with rainy, cloudy skies day after day since we’d arrived in Fairlight almost two weeks earlier. For more Australian photos, please click here.  

A determined, compassionate and fearless woman…A lonely, abused and orphaned chimp…A story of love…

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Gail and Missy are in Liberia by the pool.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

While at the “lookout” a few days ago, we spotted these four waterbucks on the Crocodile River, one male and three females.  Such beautiful creatures!

It’s not unusual for those of us who revere wildlife and conservation to have dreams of somehow “making a difference.” With the best of intentions, we may encounter opportunities to do so in small ways should we be in the right place at the right time and circumstances prevail.

Few are fortunate enough to have the passion and dedication to make such a dream become a reality. It requires a degree of willingness to “step outside the box” of our everyday lives, faced against the tremendous odds of bureaucratic interference, prejudice, and apathy, to make something magical happen.

Gail and Missy.

Gail Gillespie-Fox is just that person…in her boundless and fearless compassion and determination to have rescued bound-for-a-sorrowful-life-or-death chimpanzee in Liberia in 2013. No, we don’t mean rescuing in the sense of taking in orphaned Missy as a “pet,” as many supposed rescuers wrongfully assume what one must do.

Gail’s only objective, unselfishly in her love and many months of care for Missy, eagerly and relentlessly searched for a safe and loving means for Missy to live out her life in an environment of her kind. 

This is the first day Gail and Mark met Missy.

In Gail’s heart and mind, only a sanctuary where Missy could thrive, not as a spectacle of curiosity and revenue generation but as a member of a safe and natural habitat providing the utmost in care and love among other chimps would suffice.

The obstacles Gail faced in accomplishing this lofty goal were insurmountable.  Living in Liberia, the poor, war-ravaged country with then-fiance, Mark (now her husband), who was there on a work project, was an adventure Gail never anticipated in her otherwise traditional life as a citizen of South Africa.

Missy is in a makeshift backpack holding onto Gail.

Mark never faltered in his dedication to support for

Gail in saving Missy from a life of hunger, mistreatment, and possible death.  Together they created an impenetrable bond that beautifully remains today, now as residents of Marloth Park with their continuing compassion for wildlife.

Liberia has a plethora of problems after years of rebel warfare and political unrest. In 2003, a ceasefire was declared, but Liberia remains, even today, decades behind many African nations in its development and infrastructure, which only added to the challenges Gail and Missy faced daily.

Missy is learning to be a chimpanzee.

In 2014, during the time of the Ebola outbreak, a scenario of terrified and often unwarranted mistrust and fear of chimpanzees and apes was rampant.  They were wrongfully considered carriers of the deadly disease when it was the slaughter and unsafe handling of bushmeat that ultimately spread the disease.

Getting Missy out of Liberia became seemingly impossible when news of Ebola spread throughout the world and with it, the rumors of what and who was responsible for spreading the disease. 

Missy is in the car with Gail and Mark.

Through lack of factual data in the news (not uncommon, as we all so well know), the world too believed chimpanzees and other species in the ape family of animals were carriers and original perpetrators of the spread of the disease. 

Missy was frail and recovering after Gail and Mark returned to Liberia after a short visit to South Africa. They had no choice but to leave her in the care of others until their return to find her in this heartbreaking state. In no time at all, she was thriving with Gail and Mark’s loving attention and care.

This resulted in insurmountable obstacles in getting Missy out of Liberia to the safe habitat awaiting her in:  “Guinea, West Africa, within the Haut Niger National Park, the Chimpanzee Conservation Center (CCC) is a sanctuary established in 1997 to address increasing declines in chimpanzee populations due to the pet trade.”

There’s so much more than we can write about this special story of Missy.  Rather than providing spoilers for the heartwarming, educational and inspiring story Gail wrote in her book about this stunning struggle and profound outcome, “Her Name is Missy” is available for purchase here. 

Missy with Mogli, her stuffed toy chimpanzee.

As our readers are well aware, we don’t promote products for purchase within the framework of our daily posts. Today is the exception. We encourage our readers to purchase this easy-to-read, can’t-put-down book, beautifully described and written experience few of us can imagine. (We earn no portion of proceeds from the sale of the book).

This adorable photo of Missy makes one wonder what chimps are thinking?

When visiting Gail and Mark last Sunday at their lovely bush home and lodge, it was easy to see the joy in her eyes that will always be a part of the loving and compassionate person she is and will remain forever. 

Thank you, Gail, for sharing your story with our readers and us. It’s ironic that in this life we live of world travel, we are gifted with endless opportunities to meet those whose inspiring lives contribute to our experiences that we’ll carry with us forever.
A last-minute farewell gathering for Missy.

However infinitesimal or profound, finding a purpose is an essence of who we become, who we are today, and who we’ll be in the future. May we all find such a purpose.

Photo from one year ago today, March 23, 2017:

Walk along the esplanade near the Sydney Opera House. For more photos, please click here.

The miracle of life in the bush…What a wonder!…

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And, there she was, Ms. Bushbuck, on the bottom step of our veranda with her precious newborn, proudly showing her off.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

This newspaper article appeared in yesterday’s local paper, definitely befitting a “Sighting of the Day in the Bush!

It’s 4:30 pm, and we just returned from Kruger National Park after an exciting and harrowing day which we’ll share in tomorrow’s post. WoW! All I can say is…

We recognized this mom based on her “dots” formation and how readily she approached us. She’s been visiting us every day over the past several weeks.
As for today’s story, I wished I’d have prepared and posted it before leaving for Kruger since now, as the evening wafts in, I’m a little bit off-kilter by writing this late in the day. 
We opted for the latter when Tom and I discussed whether we’d go to Jabula for dinner tonight or stay in, get the post done, and cook something easy for dinner. After sitting in the car for hours, the thought of getting ready to go out after I finish here isn’t particularly appealing.
The baby wasn’t quite sure what to do when she had never seen a pellet before.   She didn’t partake, only watching her mom take them from my hand.
As we’re sitting on the veranda, lightning, and thunder filling the skies above us, after it finally cooled after days of excessive heat, we’re content, especially after we came “home” to nine kudus, four warthogs, and one male bushbuck all waiting for us. 
Now, for today’s little story…a story of love and a wonderment…a story of nature at its finest for us humble animal lovers who can’t miss an opportunity to share a tender story of a birth, a life, and devotion.
She was curious as to what was transpiring and showed no fear.
It all began about three weeks ago (we’ve been here almost five weeks) when the most beautiful and friendly female bushbuck came into the yard to introduce herself. Keeping in mind, most of the animals in Marloth Park of a species are hard to differentiate when they often have almost identical markings and features.
But, this lovely young lady has some specific “polka dots” on her body that has made it easy for us to know it was her each time she’s come to visit over these many weeks.
Another special aspect to “Ms. Bushbuck” has been her willingness and eagerness to eat the pellets from my hand even more readily than taking those we’ve tossed onto the ground, as we do for most species. She lifts her head and makes eye contact with me as if asking, “Will you feed me?” How can I possibly turn her down?
When we fed mom the pellets, the baby hung around but soon lost interest and wandered a few meters away.
Unlike some female animals, she welcomes Tom equally and doesn’t skitter away when he comes close. She relates to him feeding her pellets as well but not quite as up close and personal as I do. 
Several times each day, she’s stopped by, and each time, we’ve both smiles at one another, happy to see her return. About a week ago, we noticed she’s stopped by around the same time each early evening while we sit on the veranda winding down for the day with a glass of iced tea, wine, or beer (for Tom).
Mom stopped eating to check on the whereabouts of her infant.
I fed her a few pellets, which she accepted gingerly, but without the usual enthusiasm she exhibits during daylight hours. After a few handfuls, she moseys off to the same spot in the bush in our yard where she settles in for the night, nestling into what appears to be the same spot each night, almost as if she’s built a comfy spot to sleep.
Once darkness falls, we could no longer see her there, but we’ve sensed she still is. We haven’t wanted to startle her by taking a light out there to check. In the morning, when we’re finally outdoors by 6:00 and 6:30 am, she’s been standing near the veranda waiting for us to come out.
By 9:00 or 10:00 am, she returns to see us, enthused for more pellets and a sip of water from the cement pond in the yard, not far from where she nestles at night.
We were thrilled and surprised to see Ms. Bushbuck returned with her tiny newborn.
One morning, while I was getting ready for the day, Tom was outside with her, feeding her pellets.  The warthogs tried to drive her away. She nestled in, close to Tom’s legs while he sat on the edge of the veranda, looking for protection from the aggressiveness of the warthogs. He didn’t hesitate to make her feel safe.
Often, she returns a few more times during the day, only to repeat this same pattern in the evening over the past week. We assumed she’s become comfortable with us and sleeps nearby, most likely up and about in the mornings long before us.
We never saw her return for the night on Wednesday night but assumed we’d see her again soon. Last night, after a 24-hour absence, she returned, but this time…she wasn’t alone…our hearts melted…at her side was the tiniest and I mean tiniest…little bushbuck we’ve ever seen.
At first, as they approached, the baby was a little hesitant.  But, mom, knowing she needed to nurse, wanted all the sustenance she could get.  She ate her fair share of pellets.
Sure, we can make all the assumptions we’d like about wildlife and their patterns and behavior.  And most times, we’d be wrong. But, somehow, this time, we feel confident we are right. Ms. Bushbuck returned to show us her precious tiny newborn.
Of course, we oohed and aahed over her shy baby, which undoubtedly she’d given birth to in that 24-hour time span we hadn’t seen her and her response was to enthusiastically accept countless handfuls of pellets from me, all the while keeping a watchful eye on her little bundle of joy.
Periodically, the baby would wander a few meters away, but mom never failed to take note and gather her baby back into the fold. Together, they stayed with us for hours, mom nibbling, baby suckling, and us smiling from ear to ear.
She’s a proud and happy mom, very young herself.
Tonight, it’s blissfully raining in buckets, and we don’t expect to see them in this downpour. But I assure you, we have no doubt they’ll return while we have the joyous opportunity to watch this little one grow and this loving mom nurture her along the way. 

Safari luck? Perhaps. Or, maybe we happen to be in the right place at the right time. However, in our heart of hearts, we’d like to believe that somehow, just somehow, our love of nature has put us in these divine situations because we belong here.

Thank you, dear readers, for sharing this magical place with us. We couldn’t be more appreciative and humbled.

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

The Esplanade, a walkway along the shore in Circular Quay in Sydney, Australia. For more photos, please click here.

A special day…It was 6 years ago today we wrote our first post…

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Baby bushbuck is no more than a month old.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Bushbuck mom drank from our pond after eating the dry pellets.

When we recall posting our first story on March 14, 2012, which was 7½ months before our leaving Minnesota on October 31, 2012, it seems much longer ago. Tom was still working on the railroad until the day we departed while I was entrenched in getting everything sold and making plans for our future lives of world travel.

At that point, we were totally committed and never faltered in that commitment, even when we encountered one obstacle after another. Leaving one’s home country for years to come proved to be a much more daunting task than we ever imagined when we conceived of the idea in January 2012.

Mrs. Warthog lays down to feed her two fast-growing piglets, most likely three or four months old.

My return to good health in November 2011, after a massive change of diet the prior August, prompted our decision a mere two months later. Traveling had never been a priority in our lives with my poor health and our stringent work schedules.

Oddly, neither of us had dreamed about traveling and rarely discussed anywhere we’d like to go if we did. Oh, we took a few trips, mostly shorter flights when I couldn’t sit for more than a few hours on a plane, but we were always anxious to get back home to family, pets, and friends. How did this happen? 

Big Daddy Kudu visits almost daily. Last night he stopped by while we were dining outdoors. We no longer have dinner indoors when dining outside is heavenly.

How were we able to leave everything and everyone we loved behind to embark on this peculiar and yet enchanting lifestyle? Besides the health aspect, I think both of us had a lot of responsibility at a very young age. 

Tom’s first child, Tammy, was born when he was 17, and my first son, Richard, was born when I had just turned 19 (his 51st birthday is this week). By the time we were each in our early 20’s, we had owned houses, worked long hours, and had responsibilities many don’t experience well into their 30’s in today’s world.

As the sun began to set, mom and baby bushbuck stopped by for a visit.

Our 20’s and our 30’s flew by in a blur. When Tom and I met, he was 38, and I was 43.  Like most parents, we were overworked and, at times, totally engrossed in our responsibilities. We made mistakes as parents, as spouses to others, and in life in general. 

Together, we formed a strong unit in continuing our sense of responsibility in helping in the care of aging parents and others. We never allowed ourselves to think of or conceive of an alternate plan for the remaining years of our lives.

And then, with my returning health, we both ironically and simultaneously had a powerful and unstoppable desire to “step outside the box” of our predictable lives. Of course, most of our family members weren’t thrilled we were leaving with no particular end in sight. We understood that then and fully understand that now.

Their eyes leaned into a sound they heard in the bush. Even the baby’s instinct to watch for predators has kicked in at an early age.  Fortunately, there are few predators in Marloth Park, except for a few lions roaming around.

But, as time has passed, we’ve become even happier and more fulfilled (if that’s at all possible) in this nomadic life;  free, unencumbered, and dedicated to embracing the world around us.

No, it’s not always easy. Today, the temperature will reach 98F (37C), and we’ll spend no less than 15 hours outdoors in the heat. With a bit of a hot breeze, the dry dirt roads scatter dust and dirt around us, making us sneeze and have itchy eyes. 

The mozzies bite day and night, and yet…reading our posts. You can easily see how happy we are, we have been, here in Marloth Park and many other countries throughout the world.

They both came right up to the edge of the veranda, looking for pellets.  Of course, we complied.

We’re living a dream, a dream neither of us ever had in our old lives, a dream one can barely imagine as becoming real, manageable, and fulfilling. So today, six years later, we thank every one of our loyal readers for sharing this dream with us.

Today is post #2052. That’s right. In these past six years, we’ve written 2,052 stories.  It wasn’t until 2013 that we began posting daily and more photos as time moved along. Documenting this journey has added more to our experiences than we ever dreamed possible.  

If seven years ago, someone told me I’d have to write a story every day of my life, I’d have said it was an impossible task. Now, if someone said I couldn’t write a story every day of my life, I’d say it was impossible not to.

A mongoose dosing on the bottom step after another wild frenzy over the sour cream in the cup.

As laborious or tedious as it may seem at times, particularly with such stories as the past several days, it’s always done with love.  When one is motivated to perform a task out of love, it’s much easier to do. Should the time ever come that we can no longer write here, it would be the time to stop traveling.

If anything, we almost feel as if we’ve just begun. Our enthusiasm, commitment, and desire to share our story are only enhanced as each day passes. Please share our story with others who may glean a morsel of pleasure from it, and please, dear readers, continue with us…there’s so much on the horizon.

Please click here for our original post on March 14, 2012.

May you find your joy and fulfillment.

Photo from one year ago today, March 14, 2017:
We “borrowed” this photo from Bob, our landlord in Fairlight/Manly. The previous night, while dark and cloudy, we spotted two cruise ships leaving Sydney Harbour heading out to sea. For more photos, please click here.

Part 2…It’s a flexible life…

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I squealed with delight when we got this photo.  Love that face!

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

It was dark when we took this photo of a bushbuck mom, dad, and baby. The calf couldn’t have been born more than a week or two ago.

The flexibility continued last night after we’d decided to have dinner at Jabula, our favorite restaurant in Marloth Park, or even in Komatipoort, which is a 25-minute drive.

We can count on the food and the service and, since we’d yet to go out to celebrate our 23rd anniversary on March 7th, Friday night at Jabula sounded incredibly appealing.

Female waterbuck are scrounging for food in the dry riverbed.

We love the casual bar where one can be a true bar-fly or not, where conversation flows easily between customers and staff. The bush location with outdoor dining is a treasured experience for most who stop by, including us.

Our plans to head to Ingwenya had passed with two power outages, a massive downpour, and cloudy nights which would make river and sunset viewing more appropriate for another evening.

Two waterbucks with large antlers on the Crocodile River bed, parts of which have no water, creating a hardship for wildlife.

We’ve been preparing many delicious meals at “home,” but getting out once or twice a week is appealing, not only for a change of pace but also for the social interaction and the festive bar environment.

Last night, we weren’t disappointed. We got exactly what we anticipated; the excellent food and service and, of course, the playful atmosphere and friendly chatter one can expect on a Friday night at the popular lodge, restaurant, and pub.

A waterbuck were resting on a sandbar in the river.

Knowing we had to be out the door early this morning for our “mysterious-yet-to-be-revealed all-day event, which we’ll share in 48 hours with scream-worthy photos, prompted us to dine by 7:00 pm and be on our way “home” by 9:00 pm, hoping to get a good night’s sleep.

Yesterday, the morning was delightfully cool and dry, and we couldn’t have been more thrilled after several days of scorching heat. It’s still summer here in this part of the world, and the heat and humidity can be relentless. 

We stopped at a covered brick structure overlooking the Crocodile River with bleacher-type tiered seating, perfect for viewing wildlife.

We’re looking forward to the cooler fall and winter, soon on the horizon and hopefully with cooler temperatures. But, with that reality comes the dreadful fact that the wildlife suffers dearly during the winter months when leaves have fallen off the trees, and most vegetation has turned from bright green to stark brown, leaving little to nothing for the constantly grazing wildlife.

It is during this time, more than ever, that we’ll see even more wildlife, in part from the wide-open bushland without the greenery and also them visiting in hopes of food. Many residents of Marloth Park make every effort to help provide some sustenance for the wildlife, but many won’t make it through the barren season. 

Due to recent rains, some areas of the river contained shallow water.

This is a heartbreaking reality and the first experience for us.  We were here from December 1st to February 28th, four years ago, still during the rainy season. The river ran deep from the summer rains, and trees and shrubs were abundant in lush greenery. 

As I’m writing here now, Louise has sent me a text (on FB) that there’s been another sighting of “lion on the loose” in Marloth Park. No walking in the early morning or after dark. We certainly will stay diligent. We’ve heard the lion’s roar a few times but haven’t seen it. 

While driving down a road we’d never seen, we spotted this sole giraffe nibbling on treetops.

We don’t expect “safari luck” to prevail on our almost daily car trips enabling us to see and take a photo of the lion. But one never knows. Of course, safety supersedes one’s photo-taking obsession above all else.

Anyway, back to the culling of wildlife in Marloth Park…I found this article that explains it further. There’s no doubt it’s heartbreaking to know that the beloved nature of Marloth Park must be culled. My heart wrenches, thinking of what may transpire again while we’re here. We’ll keep our readers informed as time passes.

On the return drive to our holiday home, we spotted this woman carrying perfectly
balanced laundry on her head. Little did we know, until we got closer, it was Martha (pronounced Mar-ta), our housekeeper, returning with laundry from another holiday home where she works in the neighborhood for Louise and Danie. We offered her a ride back, and she was thrilled to be able to return to the property in a vehicle on a scorching day.

Tomorrow, we’ll be back with one of two wild stories we’re sharing over two days. Please check back for some serious storytelling with photos you may not believe.

Have a safe and peaceful day!

Photo from one year ago today, March 10, 2017:

There was nothing, in this case, I wouldn’t have loved in my old life. Now, they’re only for viewing and drooling.  For more photos, please click here.

Part 1… It’s a flexible life…

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Whoa!  Dad has quite an adorable head, doesn’t he? Can you tell from this photo what type of bird this is?

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

This is one of our frequent visitors, Ms. Bushbuck, who stops by several times a day, never failing to let us know a few pellets would be in order.

With our interview scheduled for yesterday at 9:00 am, we awoke and were situated on the veranda a little earlier than usual to have the post uploaded before our guest arrived with Danie.

Mom and baby were staying close to one another.

Both Louise and Danie had warned us that a 9:00 am scheduled meeting doesn’t necessarily mean a 9:00 am meeting in these parts of the world. In our usual easy-going manner, we weren’t concerned a bit when they hadn’t arrived by 10:30.

Mom and Baby, both with their mouths agape, a reaction that may indicate protectiveness.  We were pretty far away, but they have good vision with the most enormous eyes of any land animal on the planet.

Louise sent a text alerting us that it may be closer to 2:00 pm, which was fine. We had no specific plans for the day other than leaving for sunset views, river views, and dinner at Ngwenya around 5:00 pm.

Baby hiding behind mom’s fluffiness.

With the post uploaded earlier and after the notification from Louise, by 10:30 am, we decided to take off in the little car to drive around Marloth Park and see what we could find. The temperature was in the 100F’s (38C) with excessive humidity. 

Ostriches are the largest and tallest bird on the planet.  Due to their size:  females weigh up to 232 pounds (110 kg) and males up to 287 pounds (130 kg). They don’t fly due to their massive size.  Females’ height may be up to 6’2″ (1.9 meters) while males can reach 6’9″ (2.7 meters).

As mentioned in a prior post, the little car’s AC system is somewhat primitive based on the car’s small engine and operating system. But, that fact wasn’t about to keep us from heading out to see what we could find.

Mom and the baby tend to hide behind her feathers.

Besides, while we’re “searching,” we often have the car’s windows wide open to avoid taking photos through the glass.  We’re usually so preoccupied with the scenes before our eyes. We pay little attention to the heat and the insects that have managed to fly into the car. This car, not unlike others we’ve rented in many countries, doesn’t have power windows. (Nor does it have power locks)

Dad stood off to the side, guarding against any possible predators.

With few expectations, as usual, we drove around for hours, ending up enthralled by the sights we discovered along the way.  Who knew that on this hot and humid day, we’d stumble across the variety of wildlife we were fortunate enough to encounter?

The baby appears bowlegged at this point but won’t after the feathers fill in as they mature.

We keep a map of Marloth Park in the glove box that we frequently refer to. Our goal is to scour as many roads as possible in the park to become as familiar with our surroundings as possible. 

Dad kept a keen eye on the road. We were in a secluded area near the Crocodile River with few cars passing while parked in front of this house.

This doesn’t provide any assurances we’ll spot wildlife, but it’s interesting to get to know this unique area inside and out.  We’re continually surprised by what we find.

By 1:00 pm, we were back at the house, and by 2:15, Danie and our guest Jonas (pronounced Yan-us) arrived, with whom we spent a few valuable hours, hearing an unbelievable story we’ll be sharing (with photos) in two days. Please check back for that astounding story!

They moved a bit, enabling us to get a few photos of the three of them together.

Today and tomorrow, we’ll be sharing all new photos of what we discovered on Thursday’s local road trip.  Today, we’ll be preparing tomorrow’s post in advance since we’ll be gone all day tomorrow, experiencing an event we never expected we’d ever considered, way outside of our “comfort zone.” But, we’re on an “adventure” and “adventuresome” we will be! We’ll post that incredible (hopefully) story with photos in three days on Monday.

Shortly after our guests left, the power went out for the second evening in a row. We decided to change our plans once again and stay in when most likely, the power would be out at local restaurants. In a short time, the power outage was resolved, and we proceeded to prepare a great dinner, again dining outdoors on the veranda.

The final photo of the family of three as we drove away.

Many visitors came to call during the early evening and after the short downpour. We even had an opportunity to see the tiniest bushbuck baby (with mom and dad) we’ve seen to date. Photos will follow soon.

May you have an incredible day!

Photo from one year ago today, March 9, 2017:

Freighter beyond a peninsula while docked in Lautoka, Fiji, one year ago today. For more details, please click here.

Change in plans…Social calendar filling up!…Power outage on 100F, 38C day!…Hot, hot, hot!

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Vervet monkeys aren’t as destructive as baboons, which we’ll send on their way
while Tom stands tall while holding up a big stick. 

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

This handsome male bushbuck rested in the yard for quite a while as the sun was setting.  He was still there after dark, as far as we could tell.

Last night, we changed our plans for our anniversary night.  We intended to go to Ngwenya overlooking the Crocodile River for Kruger Park and sunset views. 

As it turned out, a few times during the day, Danie stopped by, once bringing us a bottle of wine. I couldn’t wait to try last night and loved it, and another time, he suggested we go to Ngwenya tonight instead of last night. 

Thursdays at Ngwenya are weighed-by-the-plate buffet, which is a great deal and offers a wide variety of options suitable for my way of eating. Both Louise and Danie eat like we do and have done so for many years.

In the yard, there’s a fenced-in garden intended to protect the vegetation.  Ha!  the monkeys have no trouble crawling inside and making a mess. These vervet monkeys are fun to watch with their playful antics.

Since it was so hot at 100F (38C), it made sense not to have to put on nicer clothes than my braless tank top and baggy Capri jeans, so we decided to dine at “home” rather than head out on a sweltering evening.

Even the little rental car’s AC can’t keep up with its miniature engine and low AC output. Staying in, cooking on the grill, and eating outdoors made a lot of sense to us. Plus, I could sample that bottle of wine Tom chilled in the freezer long before “happy hour.” 

We cooked the two pork chops for Tom with a lamb chop for me, along with a side of mushroom casserole, fresh green beans, and a crispy chilled salad, perfect for the hot and humid evening.

Little did we expect the power would go out just before we sat down to eat at 6:30. Of course, it would. With power limitations in Marloth Park and with many tourists here for spring break (started in some parts of the world), everyone runs their AC on the ultra-hot day.

There was a troop of about 20 vervet monkeys in our yard.

We only use AC when we go to bed. With no screens on the windows, it gets scorching indoors. We don’t use the AC in the central part of the house when it can’t cool enough with the two-story-high ceilings. Plus, we’re in Africa. What did we expect? Cool comfort and ease of living?  Hardly.

After a rash of visitors early in the day, we were content to sit back and relax for dinner. I needed to get an early start on today’s post since we have company this morning, initiated by Danie, bringing us a heart-stopping story we can’t wait to share tomorrow.

Wow!  Will the action-packed adventures and stories ever settle down?  We don’t think so…not in Marloth Park. Our Cozi calendar is smoking with scary and exciting daytime plans on Saturday (you won’t believe what we’re doing!!!) and many upcoming social events.

They move so quickly, and it’s tricky getting good photos.

Also, we have fun social plans for Sunday night with lovely couple Janet and Steve, whom we met at Kathy and Don’s party a few weeks ago and enjoyed great conversation. It is thoughtful of them to invite us!

Also invited to dinner on Sunday are friends Lynne and Mick, who came for dinner last Saturday night at our “house.”  (Kathy and Don are at their other house near Pretoria right now, returning around April 1st with more social events on the horizon). 

This valuable time in Marloth Park is an easy reminder of why we longed to return to this magical place. Sure, it’s hot, sticky, and uncomfortable at times. The mozzies and insects can be downright annoying at times. 

Seldom do they stop playing long enough for a photo.

The dusty unpaved roads bring up allergy symptoms from watery eyes, itching, and runny noses. After all, this is Africa, not Scottsdale, Arizona, or Boca Raton, Florida. 

We can’t jump in the car and head to a modern mall to replace all the swimsuits we accidentally left on one of our last cruises. At the moment, I don’t own a single swimsuit. Tom has one.

There’s a plunge pool here, but we don’t use it. It’s too risky to go without with no swimsuit and too many support staff stopping by each day. After the magnificent pool in Atenas, Costa Rica, we’re kind of spoiled anyway. How could anything compare to that pool? 

These two vervet monkeys were playing in the sideyard.

Living in the dense bush doesn’t allow for most pools to be in the sunlight. Neither of us cares to swim or lounge in an undercover or indoor pool. So no swimming here, but swimming isn’t why we’re here. 

It’s the wildlife, the ambiance of this tucked-away place, and it’s the people who add so much to the charm and magic of this unusual wildlife-rich location.

We dined outdoors by candlelight during the power outage, and when the bugs got too pesky, we wandered into the bedroom with a candle and watched a few shows on my laptop to keep us entertained. By around 11:00 pm, the power came back on, and we were able to get a good night’s sleep. Today’s temps will be comparable to yesterday.

Please watch today’s video to see their playfulness and how easily they fly from tree to tree. 

What can I say? We couldn’t be happier and more fulfilled. Regardless of any minor inconveniences, we couldn’t be enjoying ourselves more. Our daily lives are rich, with each day manifesting into another special day, entrenched in beautiful memories we’ll carry with us forever.

Thank you, dear readers, for sharing it all with us.

Photo from one year ago today, March 8, 2017:

Each night on most cruises, my meals consist of salmon or chicken breast with prawns and a side of spinach and mashed cauliflower. For more cruise food photos, please click here.

Early morning visitors come by to celebrate our anniversary…Not the humankind…

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This enormous male kudu visited last night.  Check out this 
video to appreciate his size.
“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”
This morning’s first-time visitor to the yard, a wildebeest. Never once did he look at us or pick up his head for a face photo. But, we were happy to see him anyway!
No more than minutes after we awoke this morning, we had visitors galore on this day of our 23rd wedding anniversary. First, we had a herd of kudu consisting of two males and six females.  Then, shortly afterward, we had another herd stop by consisting of one male and six females.

A short time later, the solitary wildebeest  appeared as shown above in the “Sighting of the Day in the Bush.” Unfortunately, he never looked up at us, keeping his head down during his entire visit of about 10 minutes. He ate a few pellets and was on his way.

Yesterday, we had no less than a total of five species of visitors in the yard, one batch after another. Every time we sat down at the table, someone was there, and we jumped up again with camera and pellets in hand. 
There are two types of kudus, the “Lesser” with 4 to 12 white stripes running down its the torso and the “Greater” with 10 stripes running down its torso. This massive kudu appears to be a “Greater.” Otherwise, it’s difficult to tell the difference.
The various species included mongoose, vervet monkey, kudu, warthogs, bushbuck. It was quite a busy day. Midday, we headed to Komatipoort for a few items, including purchasing another massive bag of pellets, 40kg (88 pounds), at a farm store. The cost of the huge bag is ZAR 188 (US $15.90), which will last about two to three weeks.

We try not to be gone long when we shop in town, fearful we’ll miss something back at the house. But, it’s good to be out and about in the town steeping in culture and diversity. As much as we’d like to take photos of the people, we hesitate to avoid making anyone feel uncomfortable.

Here we are, white people in a primarily black town, shopping in many markets and shops they frequent. How intrusive it would be for us to be taking photos of its citizens. 
Got milk?  The intense look from a kudu appears to come from interest and curiosity and less from fear or intimidation.
Instead, we comfortably blend in, as we have all over the world instead, focusing on our tasks at hand. Yesterday’s outing included a trip to the Spar Supermarket for a few items, the pharmacy for repellent and saline, the liquor store for Castle beer, a can “huggie” for Tom, along with a few bottles of wine for me.
Then, we headed to the Butchery for chicken breasts and Boerwars; sausages described as follows from this site:
“Boerewors ([ˈbuːrəvors]), a type of sausage which originated in South Africa, is an important part of South African cuisine and is popular across Southern Africa. The name is derived from the Afrikaans words boer (“farmer”) and wors (“sausage”).
Boerewors must contain at least 90 percent meat and always include beef and lamb, pork, or a mixture of lamb and pork. Not more than 30% of the meat content may be fat. The other 10% is made up of spices and other ingredients. Boerewors may not contain any “mechanically recovered” meat (meat derived through a process where meat and bone are mechanically separated).”
He meandered through the yard, interested in the pellets but seemed more interested in strutting his big “rack” and stature.

As for the beer and wine, some evenings around 5:00 pm, we have “happy hour.” I usually have a maximum of two small glasses of dry white or red wine, and Tom will have a few beers.

By the time we have dinner around 6:30, we no longer imbibe, instead of loading our insulated mugs with iced tea for the remainder of the evening. This ritual is new for us since I hadn’t consumed any alcohol for over 20 years.

As mentioned before, I’ve found that I can consume a small amount of wine with no ill effects. Lately, we’re thoroughly enjoying hanging out on the veranda, without our laptops or phones nearby, chatting and watching nature unfold before our eyes.

To avoid mosquito bites and the fact that we aren’t taking malaria pills this time, we’ve dined indoors in the past weeks. But now, after dining outdoors (a tradition most locals prefer), when company came for dinner, we’ve found the local repellent good enough to keep from getting bit, and we’ve had our dinner outdoors even after dark, loving every moment.

As he walked to the side yard, where he stayed for some time, he seemed relaxed and at ease.

We’ve found we’re more easily adapting this time around than four years ago.  Today, the temperature is expected to be around 100F (38C), and still, we’ll be outdoors all day.  There’s no point in running AC when we prefer to be outside anyway.

Also, we’ve both become even more tolerant of insects and give little thought to them, other than avoiding bees and wasps, which we’re both allergic to. Last night, during night, I awoke to a bug in the bed. Yep, I turned on the light, waking Tom so I can shoo it away. 

There’s no degree of adaptation that would make a person comfortable with a bug in the bed. But, I suppose it’s how one reacts to the inconvenience which determines their degree of adaptability.

Four years ago, we’d seen a larger kudu than this, but so far this time, he’s the biggest we’ve spotted.

Tonight, on our 23rd wedding anniversary (we’ve been together almost 27 years), we plan to dine at Ngwenya, a restaurant located about 10 minutes from here situated on the Crocodile River with opportunities to see stunning wildlife sunsets.

After sunset, we’ll dine, surely reveling in how fortunate we’ve been to not only experience the joys of being together all of these years but also these past almost five and a half years of living this dream lifestyle.
We’ll be back with photos from tonight’s visit to Ngwenya, hopefully with many more photos.
Have a blissful day!  
Photo from one year ago today, March 7, 2017:
During the “silent disco” aboard the ship, we both had messy hair from taking the headsets on and off throughout the night. Tom was incredibly confused from sweating. His shirt was soaked by the end of the evening.  We had a blast.  For more photos, please click here.

Perseverance and passion determine good photo ops…We’ve got plenty of both!…

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This was a “tower” or “journey” of the eight giraffes who made their way to the only paved road in Marloth. Note the eighth giraffe is to the far right in this photo.
“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”
This little mongoose was the lucky one of many and got to eat the raw eggs. Notice egg dripping off their mouth. 

Based on the number of new photos we post each day, it may appear all we have to do is sit back and wait for wildlife to come to us. Sometimes, it’s that easy for many of us in Marloth Park and visiting wildlife-rich national parks.

This was the scene that frightened Ms. Kudu while standing in our yard, causing her to thunder off.

However, photos such as those we’ve recently posted from Kruger National Park and through the electrified fence between Marloth Park and Kruger required an eagle’s eye and the patience to wait for the exact right moment. It’s not as if the wildlife is waiting there for our arrival. 

They make their way through a path they’d used in the past. There are countless such paths in the bush that many animals use.

Most animals are continually on the move, foraging and hunting for their next meal. They rarely remain in one location for any time as the resources become scarce after a while.  Hunger (and thirst) is a huge motivator for them to move along.

They moved so rapidly we’d never been able to keep up on foot.

Speaking of thirst, we’ve discovered many animals only need water from time to time while others must find water almost daily. Those that consume a considerable portion of their diet from consuming leaves on trees and plants generally receive a good portion of their water needs from that vegetation.

This fact is not unlike humans. We’ve been “told” by the media that we must drink eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated. But, this doesn’t consider the water we derive from eating vegetables, fruits, and other sources in our diet. The same is true for most wildlife.

With a person walking along the road, this giraffe ran for the safety of the tower and the trees.

Thus, as we sit here each day, waiting for visitors, part of the process is beyond our control…if they come, they come. But, the other part is enticing them to visit by dropping pellets in the yard and, most of all, continually scanning the bush every hour of the day to see if any animals are nearby.

Some will come near with the most gentle of sounds from our voices, while others prefer we stand perfectly still and quiet, allowing them to decide their next move. That move is to walk away at times, and no voice or pellet offering will draw them near.

These two stopped for a few minutes to nibble on the treetops.

As for Kruger and the fence, there’s no enticing we can do.  It’s all a matter of luck (safari luck in our case) that allows the diligent scanning of our eyes, that we see a tail, hear a sound or spot a massive creature at rest.

Last week when we spotted the rhinos sleeping under trees, they easily appeared to be large dark rocks. But, we’ll chase down a rock if there’s even a remote possibility it might be something more interesting, and that’s exactly what we did a week ago when we captured the rhino photos.

A few of the eight giraffes were stragglers, but eventually, all caught up.

As for elephants, they move more quickly than one perceives, as shown here from this site:

LENGTH WEIGHT TOP SPEED (RUNNING) FEELS LIKE
6.9m 8t 40km/h 10.4km/h
Elephants swim well but cannot trot, jump, or gallop. They do have two gaits: a walk; and a faster gait that is similar to running. In walking, the legs act as pendulums, with the hips and shoulders rising and falling while the foot is planted on the ground. With no “aerial phase,” the faster gait does not meet all the running criteria, as elephants always have at least one foot on the ground.
However, an elephant moving fast uses its legs much like a running animal, with the hips and shoulders falling and then rising while the feet are on the ground. In this gait, an elephant will have three feet off the ground at one time. As both of the hind feet and both of the front feet are off the ground simultaneously, this gait has been likened to the hind legs and the front legs taking turns running. Although they start this “run” at only 8 km/h, elephants can reach speeds up to 40 km/h (25 mph), all the while using the same gait. Most other four-legged creatures are well into a gallop at this speed, even accounting for leg length. Spring-like kinetics could explain the difference between the motion of elephants and other animals.”
It’s astounding how these stunning animals came to be with their usual features. The soft tissue horns on the top of their heads are ossicones.

As a result, spotting elephants is one thing…being able to get close enough for decent photos is another. Oh, don’t get me wrong. As I’ve mentioned many times, I am just a mediocre amateur photographer who gets lucky from time to time to capture a near-perfect shot.

In our perseverance and sheer determination, we continually scan our environment, looking for movement in the bush, an unusual shape at a distance, or tails swishing amongst the trees and bush. 

Whenever we take photos of larger wildlife, there’s always a warthog in the photo, as was the case yesterday as we followed the giraffes.
Yesterday, we had the most unusual opportunity for a sighting than we’ve ever had in the past, not in these past 23 days since our arrival, nor in the three months we spent here in 2013/2014.

It was around 11:00 am. As usual, we were seated at the big wooden table on the veranda, fan whirring in the background. It was a very cloudy, hot, and humid day. Tom was researching Ancestry.com while I was busy preparing the day’s post.
They were on the dirt road near our house.
A lovely female kudu, a regular as shown below, had stopped by for her usual visit, often eating out of my hand and staring at us when we stopped offering the pellets. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed her almost daily visits, especially when she’ll hang around for an hour or more, often foraging on nearby vegetation.
Ms. Kudu stops by almost every day.  It was her that alerted us to the nearby giraffes. We’d have missed it without her warning.

Yesterday, after nibbling on the pellets, she sharply turned her attention to the left side of the house, where there are more open spaces that giraffes prefer as opposed to the dense bush. The look in our visiting kudu’s eyes was one of sheer terror. 

In a flash, she took off in the opposite direction at a pace we’d yet to see a kudu run, who can run at 70 km (43 miles) per hour, the sound of her thundering hoofs practically shaking the ground.

This road is very near our house.
Immediately, we both jumped up and headed on foot to that side of the yard to see, at a distance, the long legs of many giraffes.  We had to make a quick decision. Do we run on foot with the camera in hand, hoping to catch up with them or, do we jump in the car and follow them?
They were dashing through the trees to make their way to the open road.
Giraffes can run at 60 km (37 miles) per hour. And, although it was possible they were coming our way, we didn’t want to take a chance. We jumped in the car, knowing we’d never be able to keep up on foot. It proved to be a wise decision.
Once they reached Olifant, the paved road, they stayed together while a few others caught up with the tower.
Over the next 30 minutes, we followed them. They seem oblivious to our presence since we kept our distance and stayed in the car. Once they reached Olifant, the only paved road in Marloth Park, we weren’t the only ones watching them, but none stayed as long as us.

We did our best to get photos, and with considerable enthusiasm, we share them with our readers today. If we hadn’t picked our heads up at the exact moment Ms. Kudu reacted, we’d have never seen them.
Traffic jam on Olifant Road.

Serendipity?  Perhaps. May it also come your way! Toss in a bit of perseverance, patience, and passion, and as always, “safari luck” prevails.

Photo from one year ago, March 6, 2017:

Do you see the rainbow in the background in this shot of New Caledonia? Our ship had spent the day in this port, but we had to tender to the shore.  For more photos, please click here.