March 22, 2009
It rained with so much lightning during the night. We were awakened at 5:15 am with electricity off and the smoke alarm screaming. It was enough to wake the dead! Steve called reception to turn the madness off. We sat in the mind wrenching loudness for an hour. At one time a young girl brought down three kerosene belching camp lanterns and set them down in the living room. Steve and I quickly set them outside. The three of us sat in the darkness until the sun finally came up. We dressed for the morning game drive. Men finally came and turned off that awful smoke alarm! By the time we were ready to leave the house Susan, the camp manager, called to say we were being moved to the four bedroom mansion! We quickly packed up everything for the move. continue reading
March 21, 2009
Nicole was still sick, so we decided to go on safari later in the morning. To our surprise, we were called to tell us there was a bush breakfast today! Yippee! These breakfasts out in the open are a blast. They load up all the camp kitchen equipment, tables, chairs, white linens, crystal, silverware with all the food and bar, and set it up in a great outdoor location! Eggs to order, (more eggs, sometimes they even have ostrich eggs!), bacon, sausages, steak, fruit, cheeses, etc. It goes on and on! Eating in the bush is the best treat for fun the camp can offer. Many times the local talent comes to entertain. We did a short safari, and went back for lunch! This time we had made arrangements to have lunch at one of the sister camps, Faru Faru, which means ‘rhino, rhino!’ At the time, this had had very low occupancy, so we had their undivided attention! They brought platters and platters of food courses out. We had a wonderful time having lunch with such a great view! Later, we had a camp tour with the resident managers, Ollie, (Olivia), and her husband, Steve. It reminded me a lot of the Singita camps in the Kruger Park, in South Africa, Lembombo and Sweeney Camps. It was very modern with sliding picture windows on a remote control to get a full dose of the outside! After lunch, we returned to the Lodge. Nicole stayed in bed all day. Steve had a Tusker Beer and a nap. I was still agitated about the camera equipment, and the internet did not work in our house. I had a headache, and went to the Lodge to use the internet in the library.
For sundowners and camp tour, we went to the other sister camp, Soboro. This camp is being updated with all the luxuries a first class camp can have, a swimming pool and workout room! Ta Da! Soboro is decorated in real vintage furniture, rugs, and real 19th century provincial decorator items. I do not know how they could keep track of all the silver nick nacks and crystal doo dads! It is fit for a king or President Teddy Roosevelt! Move over Ralph Lauren! This is strictly from ‘Out of Africa!’ I naturally took lots of photos.
After the trip, we came back to our cottage to freshen up for dinner. Lee was giving a presentation in the media and game room on Singita’s recently acquired island group in the Seychelle Islands. They are opening a luxury resort there. We heared music coming from the main part of the lodge, and left the presentation to see what was going on. Local villagers were singing and dancing for the guests out on the front lawn. When the entertainment was over, Nicole joined us in the library for our special dinner. The villagers came inside for additional singing in the hallway. Nicole was feeling better after dinner, but left afterwards for bed. Steve and I had a nightcap in the bar, then headed for our soft cloud bed.
March 20, 2009
During the previous day, Toti and our group had expressed ideas to take a trip to the Serengeti National Park. We were staying a long time in the Sasaskwa Lodge and wanted to see more animals. We talked with the chef for our lunch box assortment. (Please understand, you are speaking a different food language here. If you can, try to let the chef fix your own lunch boxes. You might only want to eat the hard boiled eggs if they are available. They just eat food really different from Americans. A ham sandwich in the United States of America is NOT A HAM SANDWICH IN AFRICA. Bring your own mayonnaise, (not close in Africa!), ketchup, and salsa,(they do not know what that is!) with you! Lots!!! continue reading
March 19, 2009
We were very tired when the 5:30 am wake-up call came. I could hardly move, but the call of the anticipation of new animal sightings and adventure drove me from my slumber. I have a routine I go through in these camp situations. I want a big cup of coffee or tea, wash my face, pull on fresh clothes and socks, put some makeup on to get my eyes open, pack the gear that wasn’t included the night before, and hike down to the main lodge for meet up. There is always some muffins, cakes, or cookies to put some sugar into the system for a jump start of the morning. The cold air and early sunrise really do the wake up for everyone. continue reading
March 18, 2009
Since this is a relatively new area from being a hunting block, many animals have not dared to come here. It will take several generations for the animals to feel safe. We tracked a small group of lionesses, but they were not doing anything either! We had our usual bloody mary’s for morning break. We drove around for a while looking for animals. We found a pair of cheetahs lounging around ever watchful, and there were giraffes nibbling the tree tops. We came in early. Breakfast is right after morning drive. We do not eat much since it is so close to lunch! Our former ranger at Singita Boulders was now head ranger for Sasaskwa Lodge. We were excited to learn Lee Fuller was meeting us for dinner that evening. continue reading
My husband I were finishing the last part of our 2009 African Safari by flying to the Singita Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sands Private Reserve in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. To get there, we had to take a charter flight from a private company at the Johannesburg International Airport. Although we had spent a few days at a Sandton City hotel for a little rest and relaxation, we were still tired when we arrived at Federal Air. Traffic is always unpredictable in Johannesburg. We arrived very early, so early that we were the first passengers to arrive. That was fine for us, because we could claim our favorite ‘sleeping couch’ before anyone else had a chance! After all our bags were unloaded and checked in, we proceeded to their breakfast snacks and coffee. That in no way impaired my ability lay down full length on the soft couch for a nap before our flight. I soon fell asleep with the occasional muffled sounds of newly arriving safari guests. I had napped for a while, when I heard men speaking behind me. I wasn’t trying to ease drop, but their voices were louder and stronger than anyone else’s. As I slept there with my eyes closed, I thought I recognized one of the voices. continue reading
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