Preparing for dinner guests…Finally…Cats!!!…Something very creepy came to call…More Kruger wonders!…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
At quite a distance, a cheetah cub.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

This creepy fuzzy thing is actually an African Silk Worm that contains an entire group of individual caterpillars. They cause horrible irritation if they come in contact with skin. We saw this on the wall of the veranda this morning and moved them to another spot. But, they returned to make the “train” shown below.
      This is a collective of the African Silk Worm, which returned to our veranda after moving them away.
These African Silk Worms reappeared on the veranda wall into a clump, including many of these odd caterpillars.

Preparing for a dinner party is never easy, and as much as I can enjoy cooking at times, it’s all the little details that are time-consuming and require attention to detail.

Oh, don’t get me wrong, we love having the opportunity to reciprocate for the many dinner invitations we’ve received in these past four months.  But, regardless of the menu, simple or elegant, planning and prepping requires lots of attention to detail, cleaning up while cooking, and ensuring the dinner party area, the house. The guest bathroom is clean and ready for guests.

I’d forgotten to change the camera back to daylight photos after taking photos the prior night.  Nonetheless, we were happy to see some cats in Kruger finally.

One might think it’s easy with us having Marta living on the premises and cleaning the house as needed, and also Josiah, who cleans the veranda, the gas grill, the pool, and the yard Monday through Friday, makes the process easy.

Even with the help (usually done by noon), we’ve still been busy getting ready for tonight’s dinner party for six. Deciding what to prepare always seems to be the most difficult. I always try to plan items that don’t require a lot of last-minute prep.

Skinny cheetah crossing the road.

Between yesterday afternoon, after our shopping trip to Komatipoort and again this morning beginning at 6:30 am, I’ve got a good handle on the starters, salad, main courses, and dessert. Thus, the late post today. Sorry about that.

Actually, I’d hoped to keep the post uncomplicated in its content and photos based on the fact I still have more to accomplish yet this afternoon. The party begins at 5:00 pm, in time for the arrival of the dozen or so bushbabies and, of course, the sunset, which is tough to see through the bush where we’re located.

Another cheetah meandering down Kruger’s tar road, hoping to see a possible meal for her and her cubs.

In these past few days, our minds keep wandering back to the successful time we had on Wednesday in Kruger with friends and wildlife. Seeing our friends and posting yesterday’s video was the highlight for both of us. 

A few hours after uploading the elephant video, shown here in this post, we were contacted again by Kruger National Park (SANParks), asking if we’d allow them to post yet another of our videos on their site. We’re flattered by their interest but have reached a point where we have to decide…do we want to monetize our videos?

This elephant wasn’t thrilled to see us coming and began flapping his ears and roaring. We waited until it was safe and drove past him.

We have mixed feelings about this. All along, we mentioned how we’d worked hard to avoid making this site about money. That way, it doesn’t feel like “work.” It’s done for pure love and joy.

Note the vegetation-filled cheeks on this giraffe. Often they collect massive amounts of greenery in their mouths and gradually swallow it down.

In the past few weeks, we’ve had several media outlets contact us interested in monetizing our videos; we’re at a loss if we’re interested in doing so. Providing them to Kruger is for “free,” but in doing so, we forfeit the right to ever “sell them” down the road.

We love Kruger and appreciate their intent to place ads on videos to offset conservation costs. We understand and respect this and appreciate the opportunity to participate in this mission.

Elephants grazing in the bush in Kruger.

We’ve treasured the fact that we haven’t monetized our videos. But, as costs increase over these years of world travel and with a tight fixed income with no increases for inflation, we wonder if we can supplement a small portion of the costs of managing our site through alternative methods, such as monetizing our videos. 

We’d love to hear your opinions on this topic. Please write to us and let us know what you think. What would YOU do in this situation?

An Egyptian goose.

On Wednesday, in Kruger, visiting with friends and spotting lots of stunning wildlife, we had many excellent photos ops which we’ll continue to share over the next few days. 

We were especially excited to have finally seen “cats” in Kruger for the first time since our arrival, as shown in today’s above photos. For some odd reason, lions and leopards have alluded to us while in South Africa. Although we saw the Big 5 in the first 10 hours in Kenya, we’ve yet to do so here.

Large crocodile sunning on the bank of the Sabie River.

Of course, everyone wants to see lions and leopards as two of the Big 5. For us, cats of any breed are exciting and rewarding to spot, although we’re not fixated on the Big 5. I suppose for most safari fans, the desire for lions and leopards is fueled by their elusive nature and infrequent sightings. 

A “bloat” (appropriately named) of hippos in the Sabie River.

Now, at 12:30 pm Friday, we’re situated on the veranda on yet another gorgeous and sunny day. The temp is 27C (80.6F), and although it will cool down considerably when darkness falls, we have no doubt we’ll all be comfortable on the veranda for our dinner party as more nature comes to call in the evening.

Have a fabulous day and upcoming weekend. We’ll be back tomorrow with more!

Photo from one year ago today, June 15, 2017:

Tom and son TJ selfie while at a ballgame. For more Minnesota photos, please click here.

A must-see video!!!…An outstanding day with intelligent wildlife…And…an outstanding day with human friends…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
 
 This video will remain as one of our favorites in years to come, clearly illustrating the intelligence of elephants during a human intervention in “their world.” Watch, and you’ll see why. 

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

It was pretty impressive seeing this giraffe family on the shore of the Sabie River in Kruger National Park.

I don’t know where to begin. The fabulous get-together with friends Cathi and Rick and their two Kauai friends, Debra and Charlie (whose spouses didn’t attend the lunch) who are traveling with them, or the absolutely unbelievable sightings we had on the way to and from lunch at the Mug & Bean in Lower Sabie.

This is the scene that inspired Tom to turn around and go back to the spot of the road this elephant scenario rolled out, which he’d seen in his rearview mirror.

Every moment of the six hours we were gone from Marloth was a fun-filled adventure with lively conversation with our friends along with breathtaking experiences on the road in both directions. 

We kindly ask you to please watch the above video. You will experience, along with us, the heart-stopping sighting we feel far exceeded our usual “safari luck.” Indeed, it was a matter of “being in the right place at the right time,” and as heard on the video, me literally “pushing” Tom to “stay put” and let the scenario roll out.

As we were driving down the tar road in Kruger, Tom spotted this elephant in his rearview mirror, prompting him to turn around to see if more would follow.

Sorry, Honey, for being so pushy and expressing it live on the video when somehow I knew we had to stay in place and continue taking the above video until the scenario was fully unveiled before our eyes and the eyes of the other lucky park visitors that happened to be in the same proximity.

A critic/hater on our recent cape buffalo video, which Kruger National Park (Sanpark) had asked to post on their site, commented that animals aren’t that smart to break up the two entangled buffalos (and who was I to say so?) who’s horns became entangled during an alternation. We couldn’t believe what transpired and have watched the video several times, each time more in awe than the last. You may observe that video here and read the comments.

She stood on the road and wouldn’t move while cars lined up in both directions, unable to move in either direction. We were at a good vantage point, but it required me to twist around in an uncomfortable position to take the above video. PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO!!!

Oh, yes, they are that smart!!! How are we such superior beings to assume that animals don’t have intellect and forethought? Do you have a dog, cat, or other pet that you’ve been able to observe and, without a doubt, followed intelligent behavior? 

Why would wild animals have any less intellect than a dog or cat? If you’re curious about the top ten most intelligent animals on the planet, please click here. The elephant is ranked #3 on the list often, and the pigs are #9. 

Regardless of how the vehicles attempted to maneuver around her, she wasn’t about to budge. The above video will illustrate an outrageous situation that got her to leave the road after her entire “parade” had safely crossed. This scenario is unlike any we’ve seen in the past.

Soon, we’ll be making a video of how smart warthogs are that will astound you. Would you believe if I say I’m in the process of teaching them a few words to which they’re responding? Is it any different than teaching your dog to respond to a wide array of commands? Not at all.

Anyway, forgive my over-the-top enthusiasm. After all, it’s why we’re here. But then again, we don’t forget for a moment the other kinds of interactions we’re experiencing while in Africa, the humankind.

Crocodile at the Vurhami Dam in Kruger.

And, yesterday, when we promptly spotted our friends at the Mug & Bean in Lower Sabie, we couldn’t have hugged harder and been more enthused to see one another after three years since we left Kauai in May 2015 a four-month stay in Princeville where Cathi and Rick live. We’d put the former misstep behind us when we missed each other on Sunday.

Of course, the conversation revolved around our mutual love of wildlife (that’s why they’re here in Africa for 23 days) and generally catching up as to what’s transpired in our lives and theirs over these past three years. 

The Mug & Bean is situated on the Sabie River with stunning views from its wrap-around veranda.

After the delightful two-hour lunch, it was hard to say goodbye. After loving Kauai as much as we did, we wouldn’t be surprised if we ended back there for another short stay in years to come. Indeed, sometime down the road, we’ll see each other again. One never knows.

Thank you, Cathi and Rick, and friends, for taking the time to meet up with us and for hosting a delightful lunch. We met at 11:00 am, and by 1:00 pm, we were back on the road to the Crocodile Gate. Had we not left at precisely that time, we would have missed the above sighting and more, which we’ll be sharing over the next several days.

From left to right, our friends from Kauai: Charlie, us, Cathi, Rick, and Debra.  It was beautiful to see them!

Soon, we’re off to Komatipoort to shop for groceries and pellets. While I shop at Spar, Tom will head to Lembobo for carrots and apples and then Obaro for shells, finding me in the market when he’s done.  

Tomorrow evening we’re entertaining guests for dinner, Sandra and Paul, and Uschie and Evan (all close friends), all of whom are Marloth Park Honorary Rangers who’ve been highly instrumental in inspiring us to present stories and photos of wildlife and nature concerns in this special place. 

Tom splurged at lunch with a giant burger topped with onion rings and a side of chips.

Tonight, we’ll be outdoors, as usual, relishing in the wonders surrounding us, never stopping for a moment as we observe and embrace every aspect of “living life in the bush” in South Africa.

We’re more grateful than words can describe. Cats. We saw cats. Tomorrow…

Photo from one year ago today, June 14, 2017:

Minnesota is a beautiful state with over 14,000 lakes, streams, rivers, abundant greenery, and tall trees. For more photos, please click here.

Suddenly well again…Two and a half years of a miserable condition now resolved…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Wildebeests, zebras, and impala in Kruger National Park.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Check out the wear and tear on this old elephant’s right ear.

Early posting today.  We’re off to Kruger again to see our friends with a more pinned-down plan for where to meet in Lower Sabie.  We’ll be back tomorrow with more new and hopefully exciting photos.

You’ve read repeatedly regarding my awful gastrointestinal issues, which began in Fiji in 2015 after eating octopus at the five-star resort on Christmas Day, the only scenario to which we could attribute the illness that has lingered over the past two and a half years.

Oh no, it didn’t keep us from continuing in our world travels and in enjoying doing so, as illustrated in the past hundreds of posts we’ve uploaded since the onset. 

Wildebeest and zebras.

I’d decided at the time that as long as I could function in our day-to-day lives, nothing was going to “keep me down.” Never once did we cancel or change any travel or social plans we’d made during this extended period. Never once did I have a single day free of pain or discomfort in these past two and a half years.

While living in Tasmania, a year after the symptoms began, I visited three doctors based on areas we were living during our three months on the island. Only one doctor did a blood test, after which I was diagnosed with Helicobactor Pylori and prescribed two rounds of two potent antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

Elephant on the side of the tar road.

Once the infection was resolved, as was typical, I developed ulcers and suffered from severe gastritis, which continued on and on. To make a “long story short,” only months ago, the ulcers seemed to be gone, and I stopped all medications only to begin going through a form of withdrawal from PPIs, which reduces acid in the stomach. It wasn’t easy stopping the PPIs due to an “acid-rebound effect,” which lasted for three weeks, after which I felt a little better.

This elephant was nestled in the dry bush.

Now and then, I’ve mentioned my condition here in our continued desire to be transparent in the realities of world travel, living without a base, without a home, condo, or apartment (or storage) anywhere in the world and, without a doctor with whom we’d established a history of care and treatment.

Of course, some days were worse than others, as is often the case with a chronic condition. I’d come to a place where I resigned myself to accepting this would be my lot in life…constant distress, inability to eat normal portions of food, feeling hungry, and needing to eat something every few hours, which only exacerbated the symptoms. 

Sitting down for a break.

Not used to eating so often, I gained 7.7kg (17 pounds) over these past few years.  My clothing was no longer fitting comfortably, a disaster based on our limited wardrobes.  It wasn’t as simple as going to a shopping mall and replacing all of my clothing.  I was hoping something would change.

Based on my way of eating, I found myself frequently snacking on cheese several times a day and just not getting any better. A few months ago, I stopped eating salads. They seemed to make it worse. A year ago, I gave up coffee and cream.

Two elephants grazing.

Why wasn’t I getting better?  I was determined not to have to go through a battery of invasive medical tests, only to be told what I already knew. Sure, at times, I worried I had a life-threatening issue and would end up in an emergency room somewhere in the world. This was a frightening thought that I tried to dismiss when it cluttered my mind at the worst of times, on the worst of days.

Visitors to the park must remain diligent, staying far back to avoid a confrontation.

Two and a half weeks ago, everything changed in one day. I decided to avoid eating cheese when the hunger pangs came instead of eating boiled eggs and cooked vegetables. I didn’t have a salad that night with dinner. Instead, I had steak on the grill and cooked green beans. 

The next morning upon awakening, something was different. I couldn’t pinpoint it until a few hours later when I realized. IT WAS DAIRY! I hadn’t eaten anything with dairy in 24 hours, and I felt so much better. 

We noticed a patch of hide missing from the neck of this giraffe.  See the close-up below of this injury.

Since that time, I haven’t had one iota of lactose (dairy products). It wasn’t the salad that bothered me. It was the dairy in the homemade salad dressing. It was the cheese I continued to eat daily in an attempt to ease the gnawing discomfort, which only made it worse. 

It was the cream in my coffee I’d given up so long ago, not the coffee. And, it goes on and on.  I ate a lot of dairy to compensate for the lack of sugar and starch in my diet. Before I realized this, I decided to see if eating unsweetened Greek yogurt would help, but I was only worse the next day. Now I get it.

This injury could result from a confrontation with another giraffe during this mating season when they may engage in “necking,” a fight for dominance using their weighty and dangerous necks.

I’m a new person. For over two weeks, I haven’t consumed one morsel of dairy, and I’m feeling better than I’ve felt in years. As more time marches on, I’ll continue to heal the damage done to my gut by entirely avoiding all dairy products.

Yes, my diet is now limited to animal products (no chemicals) and non-starchy vegetables. I don’t care. I’ve lost 2.7 kg (6 pounds) in the past two weeks and surely will lose the remaining weight easily in the next few months. 

Elephant family crossing the road.  Note that tusk of the largest (which could be the matriarch) on the baby’s back to keep it safe and on track.

Mainly, I’m eating chicken breasts and frozen wild-caught fish (no fresh fish is available nearby), a wide array of cooked vegetables as often as I’m hungry. I’ve been able to enjoy a few glasses of red wine as a special treat when we’re socializing and dining out. 

Perhaps in time, I’ll get more creative. But, for now, I want to feel well and fit back into my clothes. The bloating and pain I suffered day after day is gone, gone, gone.

Tom, of course, isn’t eating the same foods I’m eating. As a result, I’m making two separate meals each evening. But, I don’t mind at all. He’s not big on plates of roasted vegetables with a chicken breast or piece of fish, nor do I expect him to eat like me.

This family wanders off into the bush while other family members after a short distance behind them.

I’m so happy to be better. I don’t care about food. Once I return to my former weight, I’ll up the amounts of chicken, fish (occasionally pork and beef), and veggies I consume to maintain my weight and stay healthy. It’s a no-brainer for me. 

Thanks to all of our readers who’ve gone through this with me.  I’ve always felt badly mentioning health issues.  We all want to “appear” strong, healthy, and fit. But, as we age, the reality is, we may no longer be able to “pretend” all is well with our health. 

If anything, perhaps dealing with this issue here has helped or will help even one reader who’s attempting to figure out solutions for their health. 

Note: The information provided here today is not intended as medical advice nor do we profess to have any medical knowledge or expertise.  Please see your medical professionals for assistance.

Photo from one year ago today, June 13, 2017:

My chopped salad with a side of Mexican season shredded beef. In Minnesota, in 10 months, we can still go to this favorite restaurant, but I’ll leave off the sour cream and cheese and have lettuce, meat, salsa, and guacamole.  Sounds acceptable to me. For more photos, please click here.

Unusual sighting in Kruger shown in our video…Do all body parts have a purpose?…Tom and friends…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Please note the first few seconds of this video illustrating what transpired below.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

After returning from Kruger on Sunday, we headed to Amazing River View, Serene Oasis, to watch the sunset and wildlife on the Crocodile River. This waterbuck was busily grazing on the vegetation as we captured his reflection in the river.

On Sunday afternoon, upon returning home after our failed attempt to find our friends at Lower Sabie in Kruger National Park, we decided to head out for dinner once we knew they were alright.

This elephant with only one tusk was standing at the Verhami Dam in Kruger leisurely tossing dirt over herself. 

Having been to Jabula Lodge & Restaurant on Friday night with Kathy and Don and few restaurants in Marloth Park, we decided we’d stop for a sundowner at Serene Oasis and then drive the few kilometers to Phumula Lodge & Restaurant for dinner. 

The food is good, not great, but the outdoor dining area is charming, and for that reason, along with good service, we enjoy dining there. While at Serene Oasis, we spotted few animals, but the sun quickly went down, and we left for dinner.

It was fascinating watching her from our close vantage point.

The above photo, “Sighting of the Day in the Bush,” made the river view stop worthwhile but, we’ve found the menu at Serene Oasis difficult to accommodate my way of eating. Also, their prices are considerably higher than other restaurants in Marloth Park, and as we book more and more into the future, we continue to manage our budget diligently.

As mentioned above and in more detail in yesterday’s post, found here, we were unable to find our friends who’d planned to meet us at the Mug & Bean Restaurant at Lower Sabie in Kruger at 11:00. We’re planning to repeat the same scenario tomorrow at 11:00 am at the same location, hoping we’ll find each other this time.

She grasped some vegetation while we waited patiently for her next move.

With our successful drive in Kruger National Park, spotting four rhinos shortly after entering, we felt the drive through the park and back was a success, as shown by photos we’ll continue to share over the next few days.

As shown in the above video, this particular elephant sighting was exciting. We’d never witnessed firsthand the degree of adeptness elephants possess with the end of the trunks.

Suddenly, she lifted the end of her trunk and scratched her right eye.

Here are a few facts about elephant’s trunks from this site:

“Did you know these three things about the elephant trunk?1. The human tongue is similar to an elephant’s trunk. The tongue and the trunk are muscular hydrostats – body parts composed almost exclusively of muscle tissue that utilizes water pressure to move. The muscles provide volume constancy and reversible torsional force.

2. The trunk of an elephant is highly dynamic, able to move in various directions with immense strength and precision, though there is no skeletal structure in the trunk.

3. The elephant’s trunk is made up of an incompressible ‘fluid’ (i.e., tightly packed muscle fibers) that maintains its volume to remain constant through various movements. These muscles are arranged in three patterns (perpendicular to the long axis of the organ, parallel to the long axis, or wrapped helically, or obliquely, around the long axis) and provide versatility to the movement of the trunk.”

Over a period of several minutes, she reached up, scratching her eye again.
It’s so easy to take the physical features of wildlife for granted. As we’ve observed nature non-stop over the past four months in Marloth Park, Kruger National Park, and Chobe National Park (Botswana), we’ve concluded, supported by science, that every part of an animal is an animal’s anatomy has a distinct purpose.
Whether it’s the curled tusks of the warthog, utilized for digging up roots and defense, to the huge antlers of the male kudu, to protect his “harem” and maneuver through dense bush, to the massive size, mouth, and teeth of the dangerous hippo, it all has a purpose.
Further down the road, we spotted this wildebeest’s youngster suckling.
Tom and I have discussed these facts repeatedly, often referencing scientific information to confirm our suspicions and satisfy our curiosity. Wildlife isn’t too different from us humans in this regard. Our anatomical features all provide a purpose in our day-to-day lives.

We laughed when simultaneously we mentioned the purported uselessness of the human appendix, which has long been thought to be a worthless remnant in the human body.

Tom’s favorite, Ms. Bushbuck, and her friend were to his right, while my favorite, Ms. Kudu was standing to his left.

In conducting further research, we discovered the following from this site:

“The body’s appendix has long been thought of as nothing more than a worthless evolutionary artifact, good for nothing save a potentially lethal case of inflammation.Now researchers suggest that the appendix is a lot more than a useless remnant. Not only was it recently proposed to actually possess a critical function, but scientists now find it appears in nature a lot more often than before thought. And it’s possible some of this organ’s ancient uses could be recruited by physicians to help the human body fight disease more effectively.

In a way, the idea that the appendix is an organ whose time has passed has itself become a concept whose time is over.

“Maybe it’s time to correct the textbooks,” said researcher William Parker, an immunologist at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. “Many biology texts today still refer to the appendix as a ‘vestigial organ.”

Parker recently suggested that the appendix still served as a vital safehouse where good bacteria could lie in wait until they were needed to repopulate the gut after a nasty case of diarrhea. Past studies had also found the appendix can help make, direct and train white blood cells.“

To see the elephant at the Verhami Dam so adeptly scratching his eye reminded us of how magically and mysteriously each creature on the magnificent Earth possessing skills, features, and structures vital to their existence in everyday life.

The wildlife in Marloth Park is “wild” but has become used to being near humans.
It’s not as if we’re only sitting back fussing over the wildlife that comes to call each day or those we find in national parks. It’s the opportunity to question, investigate and learn more and more each day, not only about the stunning wildlife surrounding us but also in learning more and more about ourselves, our planet, and our purpose on this Earth.
For all of this, we are eternally grateful. And, we’re grateful to be able to share it all with YOU!

Photo from one year ago today, June 12, 2018:

Across the Bay in Vancouver, we could see the Olympic Mountains.  At first, we thought this was a view of clouds, not mountains.  For more photos, please click here.

Next trip planned for visa 90-day visa stamp…Off to Kruger to see old friends…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Mongooses stay close to one another, often seen grooming and cuddling one another.

“Sighting of the Day in The Bush”

We love all the wildlife in Marloth and Kruger Parks, but baboons are our least favorite. They are intelligent and destructive, as are the Vervet monkeys mentioned in yesterday’s post that entered our house. Baboons are much more robust and larger than Vervet monkeys.

Today’s post will be done quickly! At 9:00 am, we’re taking off for Kruger National Park to meet up with friends Cathi and Rick from Kauai, Hawaii. This will be the first time we’ll see them since early 2015 when we spent four months on the island making new friends over the extended period, many of whom we’ve stayed in close touch with.

Waterbucks are often found along the Crocodile River, frequently accompanied by a cattle egret who feeds off their “leftovers.”

Our original plan was to meet Cathi and Rick in Lower Sabie at noon, but we received a message last night asking if we could make it by 11:00 am instead. As usual, getting up early, I felt determined to get today’s post done and uploaded before leaving at 9:00 am. 

As of this writing, I have about one hour to rush through and get it done. If you spot errors, please bear with us. We’ll correct them upon our return later in the day. 

One of our most frequent visitors is the bushbuck, more often females than males. The females, without antlers, are gentle and graceful. It has been reported that male bushbucks can attack hunters when provoked and cause severe injury or death.

One may ask, “Why not do the post when we return?” This makes sense, but we don’t expect to return until 4:00 pm or so, and at that point, we’ll have to make dinner and set up the veranda for  our usual “night-time watching.” 

Neither of us likes to rush. We’re always the early birds. Our friends Kathy and Don asked, “Why are you always the first ones to arrive?”

Male bushbucks are cautious around humans and seldom relax in our presence.  This particular male feels comfortable that we aren’t seen as a threat and often lounges in the yard.

The answer to this question easily falls into our continuing plan of avoiding stress in our lives of world travel. Rushing last minute creates stress. As a result, we make every effort, regardless of the circumstances, to either being right on time or a few minutes early, when possible.

Often, we arrive at airports a half-hour before necessary, which is an environment that can be wrought with stress and frustration. We’d rather quietly wait for an event to begin than be rushing, under stress, to get out the door. We’d instead grab a beverage at a Wi-Fi restaurant and relax waiting for our flight than staring at the clock, worrying we won’t be on time.

A wildebeest is a rare visitor to our yard. 

Speaking of airports, on Friday, we paid for and booked our next trip out of South Africa on August 16th, the last day of our 90-day visa, which we’ll need to renew to stay in South Africa.

As explained in prior posts, South Africa doesn’t allow foreigners to visit any surrounding countries to re-enter for a new visa stamp. It’s vague in the law if even leaving for a non-bordering country entitles a visitor to re-enter for a unique 90-day visa (for some passports, not all). 

The recent full moon.

A few weeks ago, we found we were able to re-enter immigration at the airport in Nelspruit for a new 90-day visa when we’d gone to Zambia for multiple tours (Victoria Falls, Chobe, Zambezi River) for a period of one week.

If we’d gone to another country requiring going through immigration in Johannesburg, we might not have been allowed to re-enter. Our best bet was the small airport in Nelspruit, which only has one direct international route to Zambia…was our best bet. 

Hornbills spend considerable time visiting especially when they love spending time feeding on our bird feeder. It appears she has a seed in her mouth.

Based on our particular circumstances, we decided we’d have no choice but to return to Zambia to fly out of and back into Nelspruit Mpumalanga Kruger Airport. We’ve accepted this reality along with the cost necessary for yet another similar trip.

We’re leaving on August 16th and returning on August 23rd. We got a  great deal on a package with Expedia on our site for a total cost of the roundtrip flight for both of us, including a week-long stay at the same hotel (which we found to be quite good) for a total of ZAR 21,946 (US $1680), less than we paid last time.

What will we do again in Zambia? More tours. When we only spent the morning in Chobe National Park, we were sorely disappointed when the safari ended. We longed to see more. This will be our opportunity to return to this special place which over 30,000 elephants make their home.

The mating season continues.  Warthogs hang around with females and their offspring with high hopes.  The males make a train-like sound when they feel particularly amorous.

We’ll have no shortage of ways to stay busy when four countries come together at the Zambezi River in Zambia. We’ll plan everything once we arrive.

For now, we can sit back and relax and continue to enjoy our next few months until we have to figure this out one more time in November. In February, after the next 90 days, we’ll be off to Kenya, not needing a visa extension again.

With time moving on here, I need to wrap this up. Hopefully, tomorrow, we’ll have plenty of great photos to share from today’s self-drive through Kruger. Once again, we feel the anticipation and excitement of going into Kruger, especially when we have the opportunity to see old friends.

Have a fantastic day! 

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

One year ago, tonight was Minnesota, “Meet & Greet,” where we had an opportunity to meet some of our Minnesota readers and other friends. It was a great night.  For that post: “Marie and Bill started following us at the beginning of our posts which started in March 2012. It was Marie who inspired the fabulous idea of the “Meet & Greet.” Thanks, Marie and Bill!  It was wonderful to meet you in person at long last and fun to meet another couple who are “glued at the hip” like us!” For more photos from the event, please click here.

Cool, cool, cool!!!…Tom’s new laptop…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
A leisurely drive in the park resulted in spotting these giraffes.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

We observed nature taking its course when we spotted this dead impala in the bush.

It was so cool we stayed inside the house this morning. At 7:00 am, the temperature on the outside thermometer showed 8C, 46.4F, a little too cool for us to be sitting outdoors. It’s warmed up wonderfully in the past few hours, but we’re just not used to these cold mornings.

“Big Daddy” nibbling on leaves.

Last night, we managed to dine outdoors, but we had no choice but to go inside as the evening wore on. On June 21st, winter will begin in this part of the world. 

When we were here four years ago, from December 1st to February 28th, it was in the heat of summer for most of our stay. Summer starts on December 21st, and it was hot, hot, hot during those three months. 

We recall sitting on the veranda all day wearing the least amount of clothing possible with all exposed skin covered in repellent protection from the mosquitoes. At night, we were forced indoors due to the mosquitos.

Pretty female kudu in the bush.

Of course, we’re a little tougher now, and when summer comes round again in December, we’ll be more prepared for the heat and equally more resilient with the mozzies and other insects that the summer months bring to this part of the world. 

In February, we’ll fly to Kenya for the exciting photography tour, after which we’ll be leaving Africa until we return by cruise 21 months later for a short three-month stay during which it will be spring and summer again. 

Elephant spotted from the Marloth Park side of the fence between the park and Kruger.

Yesterday, Tom dropped me off at the Spar Shopping Centre in Komatipoort at a local women’s clothing shop while he headed to Lebombo to buy the usual carrots and apples. I had one credit card with me. No problem. The shop accepted credit cards.

I found three warm tops to get me through the cold season, handed the salesperson my credit card with a plan to walk to the supermarket and begin shopping. When Tom returned, he’d find me partially done with the grocery shopping. 

Parade of elephants leaving the river to head back into the bush in Kruger.

Alas, the credit card processing device indicated the “system was down” on their end. I waited no less than 20 minutes while they attempted to get back online to no avail. This is Africa, after all.  These things happen.

I left without my items with a plan to return when after grocery shopping. Tom had all the cash in his wallet. We hooked up in the market, and while Tom loaded the groceries into the car, I walked back to the shop but this time with sufficient cash to make the purchase.

View of the Crocodile River.

Determined to get the three items, one soft jacket and two sweaters, priced at only ZAR 606 (US $45.67), I didn’t mind walking the distance back to the store. Their machine still wasn’t working, and thus, I paid with cash, reassuring the staff, “no worries” since they both seemed so concerned for any inconvenience this may have caused. 

In no time at all, we’d returned to Marloth, put everything away, and settled in for the remainder of the day and evening. Earlier in the day, we’d decided to have Tom start using the new laptop we’d purchased for me last November. 

Crocodile River has many sandbars and small islands, creating a haven for birds and other wildlife.

We’d had it shipped to us in Florida while we were awaiting a cruise, with the intent that once my over-three-year-old laptop died, I wouldn’t have to worry about getting a replacement in a rush.

Alas, this laptop keeps chugging along without any major issues, so I postponed loading it with my files. Instead, I’ve continually backed up all my data on a cloud and our portable two terabytes external hard drive, which we purchased in 2012.

Eight female kudus stop by in the early evening.

When Tom started having problems with his laptop’s monitor about a month ago and after a trip to the tech store, we discovered there wasn’t a practical fix for the issue. Tom found a temporary workaround that failed Wednesday night.

Subsequently, we fired up the new laptop for Tom, and all is working well. Thank goodness we had the extra unit. Next time we place an order to be shipped here (we’re waiting for a box to arrive in the next few days), we’ll include another laptop for me.

At many points in Marloth Park, we can walk toward the fence to see the river.

Constant travel and heavy usage are hard on laptops. We’ve replaced them several times in this past almost six years. But, like many other aspects of world travel, one must adapt to the expenses, inconveniences, and realities of living this type of life.

Whether it’s the weather, technology failing in stores, insufficient and unsuitable clothing, or the shorter life of digital equipment, it’s all a part of the experience that we’ve learned to take in our stride.

We often see giraffes in groups, called a “tower” or “journey’ of giraffes.

Tonight at sunset, we’re meeting Kathy and Don at Amazing River View for sundowners and watching wildlife on the river. Once the sun sets, we’re all off to Jabula for dinner.  

They are leaving Marloth in a few days and may not be returning for several months. We’ll miss them along with many other friends who have left for a period of time. But, we’re fortunate to have other friends living here permanently or staying through the winter season, like us. There will be no shortage of social interaction!

Have a warm and blissful day!

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

This scene from Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia, reminded us of Versailles in Paris. For more photos, please click here.

Returning our focus…Never forgetting what we’ve learned…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Stunning mountains and Crocodile River view from our visit to Wild & Free Rehabilitation in Hectorspruit.
“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”
Blue-tailed skink lizard, one of many that hang around a Crocodile River overlook.

After our focus on the two stories about our visit to Wild & Free Rehabilitation and the posts regarding Bovine Tuberculosis, we’re still reeling over the hard facts and reality for wildlife victims of this dreadful disease.

Three girls stopped by to check out the pellet situation.

It’s not easy rolling back into our usual mode of the joys of life living in the bush, embracing every visitor that comes our way, both human and animal. But, as we promised, we’ll continue on the path of past posts, although occasionally, we may address more issues as they become relevant in our remaining time in Africa and all over the world in years to come.

Did our stories affect any change? We’re hoping change may come based on the number of people who read the stories on our site and Facebook, including several Marloth Park pages. 

Lots of elephants on the hill by the Crocodile River in Kruger, as seen from Marloth Park.

During our short remaining eight months in Africa, we may never know. Change doesn’t come easily for many, regardless of the circumstances. When people realize that certain habits are destructive for their health, well-being, and longevity and don’t make the necessary changes, it’s unlikely that charges will be made for wildlife.

Another scene of the Crocodile River from our visit to Wild & Free Rehabilitation in Hectorspruit.

In a way, it’s a part of the human condition. Most of us are not amenable to change. We find comfort in the usual, the status quo, the expected, and the familiar. In many ways, we’re just like animals here in Marloth Park and throughout the world. 

They, too, find comfort in the familiar, treading on some of the same paths, visiting the same favorite spots, only wandering away when food supplies or mating opportunities are diminishing in familiar territory.

Baby and mom bushbuck often stop by for a visit and always stand at the bottom of the steps to the veranda.

Yesterday, we had our cement pond emptied, cleaned, and refilled with fresh water and will continue to have this done weekly. No, we won’t stop tossing handfuls of pellets, carrots, and apples to the visiting wildlife. Throwing the pellets, fruit, and vegetables is certainly less harmful than feeding wildlife in unwashed bowls and troughs. 

None of us are perfect. We do the best we can. Let’s face it, people come to Marloth Park for the wildlife, for interacting with the wildlife, unlike anywhere else in the world.

Yep, finally, we were able to get a photo of four bushbabies on the small stand.  Now, we’re trying for five.

Recently, we asked our readers to tell us of any other place in the world like Marloth Park. We didn’t receive a single reply.  Without the wildlife, Marloth Park would be another lovely bush suburb with friendly people, lots of birds, and its fair share of insects and mozzies in the summer months.

We can only hope that awareness will ultimately have an impact.  Isn’t that the case with everything?  When do we see videos of a dying beached whale who swallowed 80 plastic bags from the garbage in our oceans? Who’s listening?  Who willingly and conscientiously will make a change?

Mating season. This kudu couple stops by together every few days.

There are factions of our world population who don’t care. We’ve seen this in many countries in which we’ve lived over the years.  We had chosen not to eat the local fish in many locations when the oceans were filled with sewage and garbage, and the beaches were challenging to navigate due to all of the trash and toxicity.

Oh, I could go on and on about environmental and conservation issues but, I’ve said my piece, and now we’re back to sharing the intricacies of our daily lives while living in Africa.

Ostrich was walking down the road when we went out for “sundowners” (drinks while watching the sunset), a popular undertaking here in South Africa.

Today, we’re off to Komatipoort for shopping. I need to purchase a heavy sweater or sweatshirt if I can find such a thing. The temperature is very cool now, 15C (59F) in the mornings and even cooler at night. During the daylight hours, it warms up considerably, and it’s pretty comfortable. We don’t want to be indoors for fear we’ll miss something extraordinary.

Those are some mighty big warts on Wart Face. Those by his tusks are so big, they droop.

And wonderful it is, and excellent it will continue to be. We’re grateful, eternally grateful, and without a doubt, humbled by the world around us.

And then, the sun began its final descent.

Thank you for continuing to sharing it all with us!

Photo from one year ago today, June 7, 2017:

As a part of the landscape at Butchart Gardens, this opening provided an exciting view for visitors. For more photos, please click here.

OMG!…It doesn’t get any better than this!…Quite a “Sighting of the Day in the Bush!”…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
Soon, there were nine until the tenth arrived.  At this point, the three warthogs were on the scene, a mom, an auntie, and a tiny baby.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Today’s sighting of the day in the bush couldn’t be more befitting of what life is like in Marloth Park. Please check out this video when ten zebras, three warthogs, and two kudus came to call.

There are fewer visitors over the weekends when tourists flock to Marloth Park, staying in holiday homes or one of many lodges in the park. They too feed the wildlife that visits their surroundings, and often with the extra cars and added weekend noise, many of the nature take cover and don’t come around as much.

They don’t waste any time letting us know they’d like some pellets.

Usually, by Monday or Tuesday morning, we begin seeing them again. Besides humankind, on both Saturday and Sunday, that’s not to say we don’t have visitors over the weekend. Many animals visit us on weekends, just not as many as during the weekdays.

We tossed out a few handfuls, and they were all over it.

Based on the fact we spend 14 to 15 hours a day on the veranda, less our almost daily drives in the park, visits to Kruger (upcoming again this week), trips into town for shopping and appointments. Time spent socializing. The wildlife has come to realize. We’re an easy mark for pellets, apples, and carrots most of the time.

In a matter of moments, more zebras arrived in the yard.  Check out the young one in the back center of the photo.

On a day like today, we’ll be gone from 12:30 to 7:00 pm for two planned events, both of which we’ll share with photos in tomorrow’s post. Our dinners are already prepared, ready to be reheated, and by 7:15 this evening, we’ll be back on the veranda prepared to begin “watching and waiting” once again.

This zebra came up to the veranda, licked my bare toe to let me know she wanted more.  I complied, cutting up several apples for her and the others.

For us, avid wildlife observers and prominent commentators in one form or another, we never seem to become bored with this interminable hobby that is a way of life as we live in what we’ll always refer to as “this magical place.”

Their stiff upright manes are an indicator of good health.

We’d love to hear if any of our readers have been to or heard of such a place anywhere on this earth, where one could live for a few months at a time, socializing with beautiful people and embracing daily life surrounding by visiting wildlife.

There was plenty of kicking taking place as they competed for the pellets and apples.

If you know of such a place, please let us know. We’ll want to go there! But, as the well-traveled residents of Marloth Park always say, “There is no place on earth quite like this place.”

The three warthogs held their ground, refusing to let the feisty zebras intimidate them. Tom made sure to toss plenty of pellets toward them.

Sure, many locations throughout the world offer sightings of bears, moose, antelope, whales, endless varieties of birds, farm animals, and on and on. But, as we perused this world so far (not even the “tip of the iceberg” so far), we haven’t encountered anything comparable to Marloth Park.

The youngest of the dazzle of zebras (yep, dazzle) got in on the action without hesitation.

In a way, it reminds me of when I was a child, and we visited Disneyland, only about 35 minutes (much longer now with more traffic) from where I grew up in Long Beach, California. There was one exciting moment after another, and as a kid, it was easy to feel I’d never get enough.

The cement pond is a favorite spot from which to drink after eating the dry pellets.

And, although this place isn’t “manufactured or artificial” (except for the homes, lodges, and few shops), this wildlife environment was here long before the people. For me, it feels like Disneyland every day, one wonder after another.

The young zebra rarely moved from the others to allow for a good photo.

For Tom, who’s a little more reserved in his outward display of enthusiasm, he too is caught up in the wonder of it all, especially when a few days ago, he was responsible for discovering and booking the upcoming cruise back to Africa in November/December 2020. Click here for the details if you missed the post describing that cruise.

Tom mentioned these three had been by earlier in the morning while I was getting dressed. I was thrilled to see them return to check out the little one.

On February 11, 2018, coming back here this time was a gift from Tom for my 70th birthday on February 20th, knowing how anxious I was to return. But, now returning in 2020 is not only for me. He, too, is fully engaged and loving the life we live here.

Two female kudus came prancing into the yard to check out the activity. When the zebras wouldn’t allow them in on the pellets, they left.  No doubt, they’ll return later.

No, we won’t eventually move here as many have asked. We have no plans to permanently “live” anywhere. Nor will we stay so long next time. We’ll stay the 90 days allowed by a South African visa and be on our way. 

This time, we wanted to see Victoria Falls on both sides from Zambia and Zimbabwe, safari in Chobe National Park, the Chobe River and, cruise on the Zambezi River. Mission accomplished.  

When we book plans for our next 90-day required exit in August, we’ll share all the details at the time of booking and while we’re on that next adventure. However, we don’t need to travel from Marloth Park, South Africa, for an experience. 

The kudus left, deciding a few pellets weren’t worth a kick from a zebra.

We need only open the giant wooden doors to our lovely holiday bush home on a morning like this to behold a scene such as this morning’s and, the adventure has just begun.

Thank you to all of our readers for sharing this particular time with us. All of you have given us such purpose as we document all of these magical moments. Without YOU, we may have smiled, laughed, and taken a few photos along the way. 

With YOU, it’s immemorial, as we feel dedicated and determined to document this life we lead 365 days a year.

Have a pleasant Monday!

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

As we continued to have quality time in Minnesota with family and friends, we added more photos of Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia.  We didn’t want those we love to feel every get-together was a photo op posted online. For more garden photos, please click here.

Pizza night in the bush…Finding ingredients isn’t easy…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
We were thrilled to have spotted these elephants on the Crocodile River from the Marloth Park side of the fence separating us from Kruger.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Our goal is to take a photo of increasing numbers of bushbabies on the platform at night as they gently share the little cup of yogurt.  We’ve seen as many as a dozen flying through the trees, and this photo of four on the platform is our record so far. We’ll continue to try for more.

As much as dinner guests enjoy eating traditional South Africa food, we’ve found our guests like experiencing something new and different. As a result of most of our dinner parties, we tend to make more traditional American dishes. 

Last night’s guests of Kathy, Don, Linda, and Ken especially found the prospect of eating Americanized pizza appealing. Although we still made it low carb, grain, sugar, and starch free, we made our usual pizzas with a bit of a twist which including three pizzas:

We counted 30 to 35 elephants.

1.  Sausage, mushrooms, olives, onions, and cheese – Tom’s favorite
2.  Pepperoni, mushroom, onions, olives, and cheese
3.  Chicken Thai pizza, a copycat recipe from California Pizza Kitchen, a favorite of mine and Kathy’s.

 We made three large pizzas, enough for everyone to try some of each if they so chose. The first problem we had was a lack of the proper type of a third pan. The second problem was,  where would we find pepperoni? The third problem was, where would we find the necessary ingredients to make the copycat recipe located here? 

It’s interesting to watch their interactions.

Keep in mind. I made a loose version of the above recipe to make it suitable for gluten-free for several of us in the group.  Plus, the sugary additions as shown in the recipe were modified to suit the wheat-free, sugar-free, and starch-free options. It was a bit complicated. But, somehow, I figured it out.

As for the pan, we headed to Marlothi Center yesterday morning and found an excellent pan at the hardware store that even included a rack for future use. That was quite a find.  

 As for the pepperoni, we headed to the Butchery in the same little shopping center and found salami that tasted somewhat like pepperoni, although the sliced rounds were much larger.

There were numerous babies in the parade.

Surprisingly, I found a combination of four ingredients at the Bush Center mini-mart to compensate for making the sauce. After tasting proved to be perfect, tasting precise as spicy peanut sauce should taste. I couldn’t have been more thrilled.

The chopping and dicing and cheese grating all by hand took almost all day. In my old life, I had a food processor and could have shredded the imported mozzarella cheese and vegetables in a matter of minutes, not hours. But that was then, and this is now.

 Tom grated all the cheeses while I cut the vegetables, cooked and diced the chicken, and sliced the three different types of sausages. Then, I cut everything for the side salad. 

Had we arrived a short while earlier, most likely we’d have seen them enter the Crocodile River.

On Friday, I made the dessert.  Knowing none of our guests were into big desserts after a big meal, I made low carb fudge and low carb almond bark, a nice little treat after a big dinner with coffee or a glass of wine. 

As it turned out, recently, I’d given up dairy in an attempt to improve my gastrointestinal issue. After three days without any form of dairy, I’m greatly improved. We’ll see if this continues to improve. Wouldn’t that be something if, all along, my issue was exacerbated by a dairy intolerance?

After a while, they began moving back up the hill in Kruger National Park and out of sight.

As a result, last night, I ate no pizza. Instead, I made myself a plate with all the toppings on the Thai pizza with only a tiny portion of that tasty sauce on a bed of steamed cauliflower and green beans. Wow! That was almost as good as the pizza would have been.

We had a wonderful evening as expected. Tomorrow, Monday, we’re meeting up with the four of them for what Don describes as a “special surprise in the bush.” It will be fun to see what he has in store for all of us! We’ll all bring our favorite “happy hour” beverages when we meet before dark.

A lone elephant grazing in the bush.

This morning, our new friend Kerstine (pronounced cast-teen) stopped by for an enjoyable visit, having walked on this beautiful day from her home many blocks away. It was nice to see her again.

 Marta returned from her one-week holiday, and we welcomed her with many hugs and warm welcomes. It was nice to have her back. She lives on the property in a little house in the side yard. 

The ages of many of the elephants varied from months-old infants to decades-old matriarchs.

She offered to clean today, but we’d done a great job cleaning up after last night. She insisted on making the bed which, with the busy morning, I hadn’t yet tackled.

 Today will be a low-key day. Tom will have his leftover sausage pizza while I make chicken liver and onion stuffed portabella mushrooms with roasted vegetables on the side for my dinner. Of course, on this perfect weather day, we’ll be on the veranda, well into the evening.

Soon, they began their ascent up the hill.

In our old lives, we have headed to Costco to purchase a new laptop. Tom is still having trouble with his monitor but has figured out a workaround, for now, a vice grip at the edge of the monitor, which makes it stay on. We’ll see how that goes over the long haul.

 But, like making the pizza, particular adaptations must be made in this life.

May your day be uncomplicated!

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

One year ago, we celebrated grandson Vincent’s grade school graduation at Benihana, a popular local Asian Teppanyaki restaurant in Minneapolis. It was a fun day. More photos coming will follow with our other grandchildren as we spent six weeks in Minnesota last year at this time. For more details, please click here.

Tall and tan and young and lovely…Great night out with friends…

Posted by worldwide-admin on with 0 Comment
What could be more fun than stopping on the way to dinner to let these magnificent beasts cross the road? Most likely, this was a mom and growing youngster.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

We never fail to stop to observe an ostrich. What a fantastic bird!

Today is a busy day! We’ve been up and prepping since 7:00 am with company coming for homemade pizza, salad, and dessert. Soon, we’ll take off for a quick trip to the mini-mart here in the park to see if they have a few odds and ends we discovered we needed.

However, even on these busy days, regardless of what’s on the agenda, we ensure there’s ample time to upload somewhat of a post for the day. Although mundane and a mere representation of quiet days “at home,” the words come quickly.

They always seem mindful of observing oncoming traffic,  But then again, we’re cognizant of giving them the right-of-way.

Photos may be a challenge when we’re aren’t always out and about searching for new and unique photo ops. Yesterday, we embarked on our usual two-hour drive here in Marloth Park and encountered several situations we’ll share over the next few days as we wind down the weekend.

On Monday, we’re off to see Deidre, the director of Wild & Free, Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release, to discuss her and her center’s research on Bovine TB, mainly how it affects its animals in the antelope family of which there are many in Marloth Park.

Such beautiful and graceful animals.

Also, while there, we’ll have an opportunity to take photos of many species currently being rehabbed at the facility and discuss the great work for wildlife. Everyone in the park knows about Deidre’s devotion and dedication.  

Although we met her before under more social circumstances, we’re enthused to see her again in her outstanding role as a conservationist and caregiver for wildlife. We’ll be posting the story with photos via a series over several days, beginning on Tuesday. We’re so looking forward to this opportunity.

All the cars in front of us also stopped to watch the giraffes.  That’s why people live in and visit Marloth Park.

Last night, we joined friends Linda and Ken for dinner at Phumula. Although the food isn’t as outstanding as at Jabula Lodge, we had a nice dinner and enjoyed the lively conversation. They had been traveling non-stop for the past almost three months and shared some spectacular experiences, some we’ve had in these past years and others that inspire us.

That’s what is so special about making friends with other world travelers. We learn so much about places we’d like to visit in the future. The world is a huge place. We’ll never run out of enthusiasm to see more and more as time marches on.

This giraffe was way more interesting in dining than paying attention to the motorists.

It is exciting to share our recent travels to Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, locations which they’d already visited in the past. It’s the commonality of most of our friends here in Marloth Park that certainly adds flair to conversations, where we’ve been, where we plan to go in the future. The myriad experiences we have each day engaging with the wildlife while living in this magical place.

Those conversations were so unlike discussions with friends in our old lives that were spectacularly over-the-top, mentally stimulating, and often filled with loud laughter.  The talks are equally mentally stimulating, filled with loud laughter, but the topics are very different.

Stopping to check out the passing cars.

Now, we focus on sharing a plethora of world travel-related topics, wildlife, and nature.  Wow! This experience certainly has rounded out our interests as opposed to what may have been had we “stayed put” in the US in our retirement years.

No doubt, had we never conceived of the idea to travel the world, now in our sixth year, we’d have found a level of contentment enjoyed by many retirees, often moving to warmer climates, making new friends, and staying in touch with old friends.

These two giraffes were on the opposite side of the road munching on greenery.

This “stepping outside the box” premise far exceeded anything we ever imagined for our lives.  Last night, on our way to the restaurant, stopping for giraffes crossing the road, Tom looked at me and said, “Who would have to thunk it?  Did you ever imagine stopping on the road to let giraffes pass?”

I smiled, looking deep into his eyes and, without a word, he knew my answer.

Have a fabulous weekend and be well and happy.

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

This pretty flower at Butchart Gardens attracted flying insects, as shown in the upper left. For more photos, please click here.