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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: