Hoian

Our train ride from Dong Hoi to Da Nang was surprisingly good. We were dropped off by our farmstay driver and got our tickets no problem. I had reserved soft seats and we were in coach #3. The train arrived and we soon realized half the coach seats face one direction and the other half the opposite direction. Our seats happened to be facing backwards in relation to the direction the train was travelling, not good. The next thing we realized was there was not a lot of room between the seats if the person in front reclined their seat. Guess what, Bill could not even get into his seat. Luckily the train was not full so we just moved one row back, but travelling backwards was not working well for me. Bill went to look in the coach #2 as it did not appear there were many people in there. He came back smiling as he had found seats facing the other direction with a table and everything. We grabbed our bags and moved. If we got asked we would just play dumb. Lol.

 We were able to stay in these seats all the way which made the trip quite enjoyable. The scenery was beautiful and as long as the train was moving we had A/C. We had been told not to eat the food on the train so had brought some snacks which was a good thing as the food carts did not look appealing at all.








6 hours on a train through Vietnam was a good experience but we both agreed flying between cities was a much better way to travel. We like sleeping in a stationary bed not one that is moving.

 We arrived at our Airbnb about 2:30 after a very interesting transport from the airport. Our new home for the next four days was located on the river just across the bridge from Ancient City on Can Nam island. It was about a 10 minute walk into the market where all the shops and restaurants were located, but far enough away that is was quite quiet. 

We decided to get to know the area by taking a walking food tour again, so I went online and booked one off trip adviser.

 A couple of hours later we were walking through Hoian with 11 other participants tasting all the street food of Hoian.

 We started with one of our favorites Banh Mi. This yummy sub sandwich was created in Hoian and we were at one of the best Banh Mi restaurants in town. It had also been recommended by our host. Next we went into the market and had Vietnamese pancakes which were a baked rice pancake with shrimp and vegetables which you then rolled in a second rice paper and dipped in peanut sauce.





Next we had a white rose dumpling and a wonton. The wonton was quite different than what we get at home. The wonton wrapper is deep fried flat and then a filling of shrimp,carrots, pineapple and a sweet and sour sauce is placed on top. Very tasty.  We them stopped at a street stall and had a dish called chicken rice. Desert was a husband/wife cake  which was a mung bean covered in a sweet jelly. Not our favorite but we tried it.

We finished off with a beer along the water. We were quite surprised they did not include Cau Lau which is also a Hanoi signature dish which you can only get in Hanoi. But we were quite sure we would be able to find it on our own. After our tour we were both wiped so headed back to our hotel for the night. Hoian was spectacular by night but we had 3 more nights to enjoy it. 

The next morning we enjoyed coffee on our deck before we headed across the bridge in search of a tailor. As we were walking down the street we were approached by a lady who said she had a shop. She seemed friendly so off we went. Her shop was one of many located in a stall within the market. Her sister was running the stall and we sat down to have a chat. By the end of our chat we had been measured up, picked our fabrics and had ordered 5 shirts and 3 pairs of shorts for Bill and 2 dresses for me as well as getting a bathing suit top altered. What an experience. If Nim didn’t have the fabric you liked she simply took you to another stall to choose from. There were so many it was overwhelming, but fun. We left by 11:30 and were to be back for our first fitting by 5pm that night. 

We then headed back to our Bahn Mi restaurant to try the chicken version. We both liked this one better than the pork and we had our first iced Vietnamese coffee. To die for, they are the best coffee ever, especially on a hot afternoon. It was finally warming up. Yay!

We wondered around the market and all the shops and then decided to grab some cold beer and relax on our deck for a couple of hours before our fitting.  While we relaxed I did some research on cooking classes. As I found out these are very popular and fill up quickly. We were lucky and the Red River cooking class added an evening class for Friday so we booked in for 1:30-8:00 pm.







 Ang, our host has told us if we wanted a massage she could book them and the girls would come to our room to do them. We thought we would see if they were available and to our surprise they could be there in an hour. We had just enough time before our fitting so had them come. It was a very relaxing massage in the comfort of your room for $15.00 each.  

After our massage we had our first fitting. These guys are amazing in 6 hours they had all 5 of Bill’s shirts done as well as his shorts and my two dresses. His shorts needed to be made smaller and they had to tweak my dresses a bit so we made arrangements to come back the next morning.   For dinner we found the Morning Glory restaurant that had been recommended by Ang  and enjoyed another great meal. I’ve even been able to order imported wine which makes me very happy!

Friday morning we were able to book a cooking class from 1:30 - 8:00pm with the Red Bridge cooking class. So excited!  Before we went we had to go for another fitting, Bill’s shorts were perfect this time and my dresses as well. Nim talked me into purchasing another little black dress I had my eye on so we had to come back tomorrow for more fittings.   We wondered around the market and headed to the restaurant where we were to meet for our cooking class. We were about 1 hour early so sat and enjoyed another iced coffee. 

There was only 4 of us in our cooking class. Nadia and Hamlisch, a couple from London. Our first stop on the tour was a huge local herb garden that was run by 200 local families. It was irrigated but all the planting etc was done by hand. It was amazing. Each morning they harvested the herbs and sold them in the fresh market starting at 4am.

We had a lovely fruit drink and then headed to the market to pick up the vegetables we were going to cook with.  Sung our tour guide was very informative and we were able to purchase a few unique cooking tools, herb seeds, and dried lemon grass.

Then we jumped in a san pan boat and cruised down the river. We arrived at this beautiful location with a pool and everything, too bad it was too cold to swim. Drinks were included in our tour so we all had a beer before beginning to cook.

Our cook was a lively lady who handed us each an apron and we started with a banana flower salad. We each grated a different vegetable with the best little grater I’ve ever used. (One of my new tools).

 Once this was done we started the Pho stock. They began by searing the beef bone on the BBQ and then rinsing it it hot water and then into the stock pot with onion, ginger, salt,pepper and sugar. This stock would normally cook over night. We then went onto making shrimp in a banana leaf and fish in a clay pot. All four dishes were amazing. We received copies of the recipes however finding some of the ingredients will be a challenge when we get home. We ended the evening with fresh fruit and a glass of wine and we were taken back to town by vehicle.

It was al lovely evening and we now have a travel contact in London who has an Airbnb in the south of Italy. Nadia had boots delivered while we were there so I got the ladies business card and may get my custom tote made tomorrow if we have time. 

Our last day in Hoian was spent ordering my new red leather tote, having my final fitting for my little black dress and then picking them up at then end of the day. During our down time Bill actually agreed to renting peddle bikes to ride around Can Am island where we were staying and then ride back into town for my fittings and pick ups.

 While we were walking around in the afternoon we stumbled across this great little back ally restaurant that served Cau Lau noodles. Yay we were going to be able to try them. They did not disappoint, they were delish and so was everything else we tried.   So much so that we decided to go back for dinner. The only challenge was that we were on bikes and it was dark. After a few wrong turns and a near miss I was able to spot the alleyway. Dinner was just as good as lunch and we were able to find our way home without incident and get the bikes back on time. We even timed our stops so we were not caught in the afternoon down pour. 

Hoian was quite touristy but quant at the same time. The city is very beautiful at night when all the latturns are lit up and the canal is set up for the evening. We are off to Saigon tomorrow morning which should be quite different from here. 

IOS

 Niki offered to drive to the bus station a short drive away so we could catch the bus up into chora. This entailed a 10 minute ride up a very narrow windy one lane roads is a very big bus.  Once we reached the top we decided to hike up to the top of the mountain to the church in time to see the sunset. 

The town of Chora is built on the side of the mountian and resembled a maze of tiny little streets that intertwine one another with many shops, bars and restaurants. The route up was marked in white steps so it made it fairly easy to find.  So we set off and made it just in time to see a spectacular sun set   On the way down the shops had opened up again foe the evening so we were able to do some shopping before finding the restaurant Lisa had recommended.  This particular restaurant was a tapas bar so we decided to order 5-6 dishes to share. This it seams is how most Greek meals are eaten.  The food was very flavourful and by the time the last plate was served we all were rolling out the door.  We decided to walk down the mountain instead of taking the bus which turned out to be a very well lit pathway down uneven stairs providing great views of the island along the way. 

The hotel we were staying at on IOS was called Brother's and was run by Niki and his wife Lisa. Niki's parents had built the place originally and still lived on the property. His dad tended the garden daily and his mom chatted Greek to the guests and spoke to everyone who drove by the property. They had been on the island all their lives.  

We had breakfast served every morning down on the terrace. The Greek yogurt and honey was to die for. The preserves were home made as well as the tiny cakes. Greek coffee is also very good.   Once we had a leisurely breakfast we decided to go check out the beach in town. We wondered to the far end and mocked the beach chairs under the shade of the trees. There was a restaurant across the street that sold cold beer and had a clean toilet so we were set for a few hours. Lisa had recommended another restaurant that wasn't far from the beach or so we thought so that was the plan, spend the afternoon at the beach and then head for an early dinner as the place was run by a local family that cooked 8 different dishes each day and when it was gone it was gone. 

The beach was right next to the harbour so we watched all the high speed ferries coming and going, swam in the warm sea and relaxed.  After spending the afternoon we had one last swim and started our walk up to the restaurant. They told us it was just around the corner. So off we went up down and around, up down and around, up down and around and after about the fourth corner we found xxxxxxxxxx. By the time we got there we were all very hot again but they had shade, water and cold beer. 

After we cooled off we were invited to go into the kitchen to see what was cooking and decide which dishes we would like. It all looked amazing. Bill was brave and picked the rabbit and we all shared various other dishes. Again we were stuffed and just as we were about to leave they brought out desert and raki with honey. Desert was baklava with honey which just melted in your mouth. The raki with honey we found out is homemade and cannot be purchased. Each restaurant makes their own version and serves it on the house with desert. 

It was still early so we thought we would walk back and stop at a resort we had passed to see if we could have a swim.  When we arrived we were the only ones there so we bought a round of drinks had a swim and relaxed until it cooled off enough to walk the rest of the way back to the hotel.  As we were leaving Bill scooped a souvenir for the trip. A very cool little ashtray the clips to the table. 

It was still early when we arrived so we sat by the pool and visited with some of the other guests. 

We decided that in order to see the rest of the island we would rent a car. Niki made the arrangements for us and they picked us up the next morning at 10 am.  Driving in Greece is fairly easy as they drive on the same side of the road as we do.   So off we went. Brian and Bill took turns driving and there was only one main road around the island so not too difficult. Lisa had given us some suggestions so we toured around from beach to beach with stops along the way.  Again her recommendation for lunch was great. We shared various dishes which were all delish at a small little taverna on the road. 

We saw some very interesting sculptures along the way as well as spectacular views.  At the end of the day we used the car to go to a seafood restaurant Lisa had told us about. It was located right on the beach and we were able to pick from the fresh catch of the day. The only drawback was we had to purchase the entire fish. We looked at the grouper but it was just too much for the 4 of us to eat so we settled on the sea bass. 

The next morning we returned the car and went to the beach for the rest of the day. We had arranged to have our luggage stored so had most of the day to relax. When we returned to Brother's Niki informed us the ferry was about 1.5 hours late so we hung out by the pool finishing our wine until it was time to go. Niki took us to the port in time to catch our high speed to Santorini. 

I must say Brothers Hotel exceeded all of my expectations and was one of the best places we stayed in Greece. If we ever go back to IOS we will definitely stay here again. 

(Backup) Greece September 2017

Hello from Greece. Our trip over was fairly uneventful. We flew from Kelowna to Calgary, had a 3 hour layover so met up with Brian's brother Ross and his wife Lauri Ann for a glass of wine and a bite to eat. It was great to catch up with them and hear all about their quick trip to Germany. We flew into London and then into Athens. We were all glad to get to our Airbnb place in Athens for the night. We found a great little Greek street restaurant a couple of blocks away that had fantastic sulvaki, Greek salad, pitas, grilled halumi and cold beer. 

Our our day in Athens started with a food walking tour with "Alternative Athens". We walked around the streets of teens with our guide stopping at about 10 places to taste Athentic greet food and beverages. Geeks certainly like their sweets so Bill was in heaven, but no chocolate. The heat and the humidity were very intense but we worked our way back to the market to buy more nuts, spices and fresh fruit. Most paces we had passed in the morning were now closed for a few hours in the heat of the afternoon reopening at about 6 in the evening.  We thought we might take in the acropolis but it was so hot and humid and I was not feeling well we decided to head back to the condo for a rest instead. 

Bill, Joyce and Brian headed out to find someplace for dinner and I stayed to rest and hopefully get rid of my cold.  Joyce was also on the hunt for some imported wine which we had not been able to locate yet. They arrived back with cold beer a Greek Red wine!  No imports to be found. We tried it but it was not very good. It was an early night as we had to catch a 7:15 am ferry to IOS the next morning. 

Athens had been fun but very hot and humid and we were all looking forward to getting out of the city and to the islands. 

We had booked VIP seats on the Hellenic high speed ferry which turned out to be great. Very comfortable seats with our own table   Started the ride with Geek coffee and oso' then breakfast and a 4 hour ferry ride to ISO. We arrived on schedule and Niki picked us up and took us to "Bothers Hotel."  It is a 19 room boutique hotel with a lovely pool and shade area. Lisa offered us a cold beer and she then told us about everything on the island. Due to the heat most places shut down in the afternoon and reopen at 6. We decided to hang out at the pool until it cooled off and then head up into town to see a 360 view of the sunset and then go for dinner

NEWFOUNDLAND

May 2017

Ferryland NLd

We are off on a new adventure in a few days.  This time we have decided to explore our own beautiful country Canada, and travel to the furthest east coast of Newfoundland.  It has always been a dream of mine to see the ice burgs that float by the east coast every spring. 

 The pictures my friend Shirley has been sending me over the years have been spectacular and this year they have caught the attention of the world.  We booked our flights well before the media attention hit and now the excitement is mounting as it is forecasted to be a stellar year for ice burgs. 

We are flying into St. John's, then renting a car and driving up to Fogo Island for two days.  Then back to Twillingate for 2 days and then Bonavista and back to St. John's to spend 5 days with my friend Shirley.


This area is known as ice burg alley and should be the best places to watch them float by or jump in a boat and get up close.  However the big one pictured above is located 75 km south of St. John's. This particular ice burg is grounded at the moment in 300 ft of water and rises 100 ft above.  So if there are no big winds in the next week we might get lucky and actually see it in person.

Lobster season begins May 1 so Shirley tells me we should be able to find it everywhere.  Mmmmm can't wait.  She has also suggested seal flipper pie which has me intrigued.

Stayed tuned as the adventure begins!

Cheers

Victoria Falls - Day 3

Today we decided we would go and explore the city.  Patience had told us that you could get a crossing pass into Zambia to walk over the bridge and see another view point of the falls, bungy jump or just have a beer on the other side. We opted for the view and and beer. We took the hotel shuttle to the boarder and Patience helped us obtain our walking pass.  It was very hot so we only stopped for a few minutes to watch someone get strapped into the bungy ropes and then continued to the other side.

Joyce wanted to keep her pass because we didn't have to get a stamp in our passports.  That didn't work out, but what we didn't realize was that in a few days we would be actually going into Zambia to fly out of Livingstone so we all received stamps in our passports and our wallets were a little lighter as we had to pay $50 US each just to get to the airport!

The falls were just as beautiful from the Zambia side.

In our infamous wisdom we decided we could walk back to the hotel.  Ha, next time we are talking a cab.  It was so hot and humid by the time we made it half way, we had to stop in front of a hotel and run through their sprinklers to cool off.

From there we made it to the grocery store to purchase some snacks, beer and wine as we had asked for a mini fridge for our room.  Then we hit the pool and the shade.  This time we all had sun screen on!




Most of the things to do in Victoria Falls were very touristy and in US dollars so the only one we did was a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.  It was nice and cool by that time as there was a breeze coming off the River.  It was a great way to spend an evening, however the animal sightings were limited to a crocodile and some hippos and my sunset pictures did not turn out.

The next couple of days we relaxed by the pool as we seemed to be the only ones using it.  Not a bad thing to do after an exciting 3 weeks of vacation.

Our trip home was very, very, very, long!  We started with a road trip across the boarder into Zambia to fly out of Livingstone.  When we originally booked the tour  we were supposed to be staying in Livingstone.  Prior to departure G. Adventures changed this portion of the tour to Victoria Falls.  What I didn't realize was that Victoria Falls is in Zimbabwe and Livingstone is in Zambia.  Our return flights were booked out of Livingstone and I didn't catch this.  These two locations are only about 30km apart, however, there is a boarder in between.  So two hours later we arrived at the airport to start our flights home.  42 hours later we arrived back in Kelowna.  Good thing our airlines served good wine and baileys for your coffee.  Note to self, book flights earlier to avoid this!

I have to say this was the best trip ever!  We experienced so many amazing things and we did it with our best friends.  If you ever get a chance to do this, GO!  I highly recommend G Adventures, they kept us safe and provided us with wonderful memories.



Cheers until next time.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

We arrived in Vic Falls around 3pm and were met by Patience and Timby. We made a quick stop at the hotel and then we're off to the falls for our guided tour. The Falls were spectacular!  The Zambezi river simply falls into a gigantic gorge or what appears to be a huge crack in the earth. The official name is Mosi-oa-Tunya or smoke that thunders.

They are 355 ft in height and as the water crashes to the bottom large amounts of spray rise up well into the air creating what was originally thought to be smoke. It was very cool and because we were there in the late afternoon there were beautiful rainbows in the spray.   There were 14 view points to take in this amazing natural wonder.



After we toured the falls the girls took us to a local food market but there was really nothing we could purchase but they walked us through and explained what the various bins contained. During one conversation they told us the names of a particular food but none of us really caught what is was. So Joyce started to ask a few questions and one of the answers was “ we harvest them twice a year when they climb down the tree”. Once we comprehended what had been said we asked again what it was  and it turned out to be a type of worm they dried and either ate that way or fried as a side dish. By the time we had determined what exactly it was Corrine had put one in her mouth. When we told her what she was eating she freaked and spit it out grabbed Sherry’s Coke to rinse her mouth out!  It was quite entertaining as this was not the first time she wasn't paying attention.

After the market we went to a home of a local woman named Fatter.  Fatter toured us around her small garden and explained what the plants were, she then demonstrated how to grind maize into samp by hand with a cylinder type container and a rounded pole. After we all tried I was glad I had a food processor at home. It was quite a difficult process. After this we went into her very basic kitchen and we pealed pumpkin leaves we would be having for dinner. Then we went into the living room where a table had been set for all of us. We washed our hands in a bowl by pouring water from a pitcher over our hands.
Our first course was samp and beans. There was a chili sauce to add to it but Fatter warned us not to use too much as it was very spicy and hot. Joyce was first to try and she also warned us so I only took a very very small amount it was very flavorful but HOT.  Our second course was chicken in a sauce, beef stew, very tiny whole fish smaller than a minnow, the worms that had been fried, pumpkin leaves cooked and mixed with peanut butter and kale. Fatter explained that these were types of food they would eat, but they would not have them all at the same time. It had been a very long day so after dinner we went back to the resort. It was an eye opening experience that made us appreciate being Canadian and very lucky to have all that we do.

The next day was a rest/pool day so we decided to just hang by the pool. It was so hot we stayed in the shade, however, the shade we were under did not reflect the UV rays so those of us that did not use sunscreen burnt like lobsters.  We left the resort at around 5 to explore and find somewhere to have dinner. It was still smoking hot so we didn't go to far, but ended up in another resort having a cocktail with our feet in the pool until the restaurant opened. We had a great meal trying, crocodile, ostrich, and kudu Wellington .

Safari day 2

Today we are moving from Kruger National Park to Karongwe Private Game Reserve. On are way we visited a Planeterra sponsored children's day school. The children were ages 18 months to 4 ½.

They were learning their alphabet, days of the week,numbers, months of the year, family members etc in English as well as in their native language. It was a very basic building but through G Adventures help they had running water, flush toilets and cooking facilities.

 The children are fed breakfast, lunch and snacks. While we were there they came outside to play with us and have their morning snack of bread and tea. We played soccer, and pushed them on the swings.

We arrived at Karongwe which was a 9000 hectare game reserve with 4-5 guest lodges. Our lodge was had 24 raised tent units which were very luxurious and spacious each spaced out along a pathway. The main reception and restaurant/ bar was at the front.

My kind of tenting!







Our first game drive was at 4pm after high tea. While we were here we were assigned a team to look after us. Gilbert was our guide and driver and Johannes was our shangaan tracker.  The vehicle was an open air land rover 4x4 with great suspension. Each row was raised so every seat had a great view. The back row was the highest but was also the bumpiest, kind of like a fair ride. Marcy was a little nervous so we put them in the middle of the truck and we took the back row taking turns sitting with the sisters in the front. We were told to stay seated at all times as then the animals saw the vehicle as one large mass and were comfortable with that. If you stood up it broke the mass and they could attack. Everyone had their bums glued to the seat.  Bill decided to wear his buff, rather than a hat.  Marcy took an Instagram picture with a caption "Safari bound"!

On our first ride we were looking for the elephants. All the trucks were equipped with radios so the guides talked to one another throughout the trip. The elephants had been spotted south of the lodge so that's where we headed. We had a slight delay as the jeep had a flat tire, so we all had to get out of the vehicle which was not recommended but necessary.  Gilbert and Johannes worked quickly to change the tire and we were back on the road. The reserve has many dirt roads, none of which are marked but all of them have names. Gilbert has been working here for 16 years so knew the roads like the back of his hand, even in the dark. It was amazing.

Along the way we found giraffe, zebra, bushbuck, kudu, warthog

Then we started to see signs of a lot of elephant dung and broken trees. This was a sure sign we were getting close. A few more turns and Johannes spotted a whole herd of about 8 elephants of various sizes including a baby and a gigantic male.

We stopped the jeep about 10 feet away and watch them feed. They knock big trees over by simply leaning on them with what appeared to be very little effort. Then the younger ones maneuvered in to eat the branches and leaves.

 A couple moved out of the bush and into a clearing of dirt, then sucked up the dirt with their trunks and sprayed it all over their body. Gilbert explained that this was to help keep the flies off of them. They also sometimes roll in the mud and when it is dry they rub against a tree trunk to scrap the mud off which also takes the tics and parasites off as well. There was also a small bird that road on the backs of the Nyala that fed on the tic and parasites on their back as a well as cleaning any wounds they might have to help heal the would. The animal kingdom is an amazing thing.  The baby elephant was tired so laid down for a sleep. Most elephants sleep standing up as it is difficult for them to get up from the ground.



The largest male came over to stand guard and protect the baby while he rested. Elephants only sleep 6 hours a day sometimes just for 20 min at a time. The rest of the day they eat.

Due to the flat tire and the distance we traveled we arrived back in camp after dark.








Karongwe day 2

This morning Gilbert told us we were looking for lion. I was so excited.

We looked for a long time before one of the other vehicles found him. As we approach both guides and our tracker got out of the vehicle to confirm the sighting. Gilbert then radioed in to ask for permission to leave the road and take the vehicle into the bush closer to the lion. He was asked if the lion was static which confirmed and then was give permission to go in. My heart was pounding as we approached. He was lying down in the grass but as we approached he got up and moved away from us. The other vehicle then left us and moved over to the other side. Gilbert then re positioned the jeep and as he was backing up the lion came back toward our jeep. Joyce, Bill and I were in the back row of the vehicle so as we turned to look this 400lb lion was sauntering toward us about 10 feet away. It was so cool I could hardy believe my eyes. He stopped and lied down again. Gilbert turned the vehicle to everyone had a good view.

It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. What a majestic animal. He had a magnificent maine of various shades of gold to dark brown. We watched him for about 20 minutes until we had to leave to let other vehicles have a look. They only allow two vehicles in at a time. I had definitely lived the dream today, it was so amazing I had to pinch myself. We are so luckily to have experienced this.

After we had breakfast we went with Gilbert and Johannes on a bush walk outside the lodge fences.  This time Gilbert had a rifle just in case as we were on foot. He showed us many unusual things including a bush whose branch could be made into a toothbrush, dung beetles rolling dung into a ball for the female to lay her eggs, a bush whose leaves were soft enough to use as toilet paper, bark that could be used as dye and a knob off a tree that could be used to fill the hole a tooth left when it fell out. Marty, the dentist was a little skeptical. Then a whole herd of warthogs circled around us but were very tame. We wondered when we should get nervous, but Gilbert's gun was lowered so we decided we were safe.


The next activity was a giraffe dung spitting contest. Bill and Brian were the only willing participants.  Giraffe dung is a round ball the size of a large marble. Gilbert demonstrated and then handed a ball to Bill and Brian. They lined up popped it into their mouths and blew it out. Brian was the champion with the longest spit. The rest of us just had a good laugh.

 The next activity was termite eating. This time Gilbert had no takers. Johannes took a branch from a bush and gathered about 15 live termites. He then caught one of the larger termite very carefully as they bite, killed it by squishing its head on the branch and then popped it into his mouth. Crunch. Crunch !  He said they taste like peanut butter, which sparked Brian's interest but not quite enough for him to try one. He was still a bit skeptical. The walk took about an hour and was very interesting and entertaining.

We were all still full from breakfast so we skipped lunch and went to find the pool which was a short walk to the next resort. It was very lovely and nice and refreshing after our bush walk. After we cooled off we continued our walk to the watering hole and sat and enjoyed a bottle of wine while we watched the hippos snooze in the water. Other animals arrived to drink but we had to leave to get ready for our afternoon safari.

We headed out again in search of a cheetah . All the trucks were communicating with one another and we lucked out. They had spotted her in the southern quadrant. When we arrived there were already two jeeps viewing her so we had to wait. When it was our turn Gilbert instructed us to get out of the jeep. This was unusual as we had been told to never leave the jeep, not even stand up so we were a little leary. We were then told that this animal had been a rescue cat that they had reintroduced back into the wild so she was habituated and would allow us to view her as long as we stayed about 12 feet away. She had a collar but it was not active. They had been tracking her and she was doing very well in the wild, hunting and staying alert to the lions and leopards who were her preditors.  As we stood there she flopped over with her back towards us. She repeated this behavior 3 times as we moved to view her. We walked away from this safari a little skeptical as it appeared to be too good to be real. This had us questioning the lion siting as well. Which was kind of disappointing

We ended the day by stopping and having happy hour, safari style. Stainless steel wine goblets filled with good South African red liquid or cold beer.

Gilbert and Johannes put our a linen table cloth with snacks and happy hour was complete.

Had a great time on the ride back to camp!







The next morning we had a National Geographic representative join us for our final safari. Vincent was a cheetah specialist who was creating a data base on the cheetahs in South Africa. He was very interesting and cute!  So we took this opportunity to question him about our cheetah sighting. He assured us she was reintroduced into the wild and they had great hopes she would survive. He said she was very habituated and that’s why she allowed us to get so close and the reason she flopped over was because she knew humans were safe so there was no danger on that side so she rolled over to watch the other side for danger. We were also told not to crouch down as she would see this as a sign of weakness and we would be in danger. That is why they don't allow children or injured people to view her.  He assured us that all of the animal sittings were legitimate and they lived as any other wild animal. The only difference was they were used to the jeeps and did not see them as a threat. That made us all feel better and the excitement returned.

As we left camp this morning at 5:30 Johannes spotted a hyena.  He was wondering through the bush and looked similar to our coyotes but much larger. Nothing like the ones in the lion king movie!  He was on the move so we only caught a glimpse. Our goal this morning was to see if we could find a leopard. They do a cross grid search with the jeeps in the area of the park they believe he is in. Johannes also looks for tracks in the dirt. We got lucky again and Johannes found tracks. He believed they were from the day before as other animal tracks were over top of them, but they hoped he was still in the area.

 A little while later Gilbert spotted him and he walked across the road right in front of the jeep. But he also was on the move so we only saw him for a short time.

This morning we had time to stop for coffee and a muffin beside a watering hole. These guys are great, most outings we either stopped for coffee or beer and wine depending on the time of day. We felt safe at all times and having Vincent there with his third party knowledge from National Geographic was an added bonus.
We headed back to Joberg to Malikana Guest House where Soekie was waiting for us. This time we stayed in the upstairs suite with a lovely balcony and a double bed instead of two twins pushed together. Soekie cooked us a wonderful Sunday dinner of baked chicken and all the fixings. Too bad we were leaving in the morning as this would be a great place to relax for a few days