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| May the New Year bring us all together regardless of our spots or stripes… |
Today’s photos are from our post on December 31, 2018, while enjoying New Year’s in Marloth Park. These photos are a taste of what is yet to come
Well, folks, we’re almost there. A short time ago, we arrived at the hotel in Johannesburg, showered and dressed in comfy clothing, and we’re staying put for the night, ordering room service for dinner. Before heading back to the Tambo International Airport in the morning, we’ll have breakfast in the restaurant before heading out.
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| Mom and baby. What a sight! |
Mask wearing (or not wearing) is worse here in Johannesburg than anywhere we’ve been along the way or, even in India. South Africans think that wearing the mask partially over their mouth is sufficient. President Ramaphosa stated in a new speech last night that people will be arrested, fined, and jailed for failure to wear a mask.
The President needs to be more specific about wearing a mask in his speeches, or people don’t care. Enough about that! I’ve been whining about mask-wearing for months. I will try to let it go with “other fish to fry” and certainly plenty of other diversions upcoming by 3:00 pm tomorrow when we’ll arrive in Marloth Park.
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| Adorable giraffe at rest. |
In the interim, I have to confess. I am not following through on a promise I made about posting our final expenses for the ten-month lockdown in Mumbai, India before we’d get situated in South Africa. In the past two nights, according to my Fitbit, which is pretty accurate, I’ve slept a total of six hours. I don’t have it in me to work on the numbers with my foggy brain.
However, I will post those figures in the first weeks that we’re in Marloth Park when we are relaxing outdoors, well-rested, and enjoying our wildlife visitors, moment by moment. Also, we received better wishes for safe travels than we can ever respond to. But, we read every single one and tried to respond to as many as possible. Please accept our apologies and know that we appreciate every comment and email if we miss replying to you.
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| There were dozens of zebras playfully carrying on in the parkland. |
Also, based on my current lackluster state, I wasn’t very creative in choosing photos for today’s post, just grabbing a date and going with it. These photos are a taste of what’s to come over the following months, as we make every effort to keep our photos relevant, fresh, and engaging.
As for this last flight of eight hours from Dubai to Johannesburg? Well, we weren’t able to get an upgrade to business class for Tom, so I enjoyed the extra room and lay-down seat with a big soft blanket, pillow, and even a thin mattress pad that the flight attendant added early on to all of our seats in that section.
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| Although at quite a distance, it was delightful to see so many giraffes and zebras together in the open field. |
Although everything was relatively comfortable, I couldn’t sleep. During the eight-hour flight, I watched four movies. My favorite was the recent Harrison Ford, Call of the Wild. Weak and exhausted, I cried real tears, although I was aware that the adorable and endearing dog, Buck, was computer-generated (CGI). I suppose it’s no different than getting emotional watching an animated movie with sweet characters.
During the four movies, I dozed a few times, never more than 30 minutes at a time, but not at all during the last film, The Call of the Wild. It’s a beautiful family movie for mushy animal lovers like me.
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| She was playfully interacting with one another. |
I was offered champagne in the middle of the night or wine or cocktails, but I declined. I didn’t want my first taste of wine to be on an empty stomach on an airplane. As mentioned, alcohol is currently banned in South Africa, so we may have to wait a while to have “sundowners” with our friends.
OK, friends, I’m wrapping it up here. I need to order something to eat after not having a morsel in the past 24 hours. I don’t care to eat in the middle of the night or at 5:00 am when food was served on the plane. Plus, my options were limited, as they are on the room service menu at this Protea by Marriott hotel. But, I need to eat than feel hungry.
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| Ostriches don’t seem to mind what’s going on in the park. They are happily doing their own thing. |
Somehow, amid our hectic day tomorrow, we’ll post a short blurb and possibly some new photos when we fly and drive to our new home in the bush.
Have a pleasant day and evening wherever you are, and thanks for being our friends! Whew!
Photo from one year ago today, January 12, 2020:
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| In 2015, in Kauai, Hawaii, here is another of Tom’s exquisite sunrise photos. For the year-ago story, please click here. |
I am so thankful you are traveling again to your next destination. I will be happy to see you have made it to your new rental in Marloth Park. I am excited to see where you are staying and what animals come to greet you. Praying for traveling mercies for you and Tom.
Thelma May
Thelma May, thank you so much for being so supportive of us in this peculiar time in our travels. We can hardly wait to get there tomorrow and start feeding and taking photos of our animal friends. Stay safe and healthy.
Hugs from both of us!
Jess & Tom
So happy for you both that you made it to South Africa! Best wishes for an enjoyable and relaxing stay. You really deserve to soak up all the nature you will experience at its best (again). How exciting to have a whole house and veranda after being cooped upon a hotel room for nearly a year! Stay safe.
Lisa, thank you so much for your kind words We only hav one more flight to go on travel day #3. In about five hours we will be at our final destination, blissful Marloth Park. Stay safe and healthy and thanks for writing
Much love,
Jess & Tom
So glad you have made it to Johannesburg, hopefully it will be easier for the rest
of your trip. Marloth Park and the animals are waiting for you. Have safe trip.
Love you Cousin Phyllis
Phyllis, my dear cousin, thank you for your loving wishes. We are on travel day #3 with one more flight to go. We will be boarding soon. Stay safe and healthy.
Love,
Jess & Tom
Happy day, glad you have made it this far. Get some sleep and continue on! Happy trails! Be safe and be well. Your journey continues….
Peggy, thanks so much! We are on our third travel day and about to board our final flight. We can’t wait to get there and be settled! Thanks for following along with us
Love to you both!
Jess & Tom
God speed and so happy almost there in my prayers n thoughts I have group friends whi I have shared your story n they are I awe and all following like reading a great novel with a happy ending. Take care and thanks for the inspiration to over come and sharing your experiences with the world
Bob, thank you for sharing our site with your friends. It means so much to us both that you are following our travels stay safe and healthy!
Warmest regards,
Jess & Tom