The love affair continues.......

Well gentle reader, I may not have been swathed in Muslin, but I definitely roamed the countryside looking for animals.  And I gotta say that to date South Africa has surpassed my expectations - and they were ridiculously high to begin with!

The team spent the weekend in Kruger Park, quite literally roaming the countryside.  We entered through Orpen Gate & spent the night at the Olifant's Camp - which met just about every romantic notion of Africa I've ever had.  Set on a high ridge, overlooking the Olifant's river with sundowners on the deck looking down at hippos in the river and baboons on the riverbank - all surrounded by plains containing the most magnificent grazing wildlife. 

 Sundowners with Cathy & Isabelle

View from the Deck at Olifants.....

Of the "Big Five" - Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo & Elephant - we were lucky enough to spot 4.  The only thing missing was the Lion, but we were indeed very fortunate to have come across an unusually friendly and not-yet-discovered species..........

Now gentle reader I will admit to being a somewhat emotional sort (oh big surprise I know) and am very much of the view that we are emotionally connected to places, even if we haven't yet been there.  I've felt that way about Africa since I was about 4 years old.  Ever since I was old enough to watch Animal Kingdom, I've soaked up absolutely everything I could find on Africa - documentaries, movies, books - you name it.  So I guess it's no surprise that I've actually openly wept on numerous occasions whilst on this assigment - much to the discomfort of South Africa Team 7 I'm sure!  Kruger Park ended up being a regular festival of happy tears for me.

It started with my first sighting of the elephant family, who were gracious enough to cross right in front of our vehicle - just about close enough to touch. 

And my love affair continued when we got to the first park and found one just outside the fence they put around all the accommodation parks (although I'm yet to work out if the fences are their to keep the animals away from the people or the people away from the animals - the place was full of German tourists & you KNOW what they're like.......)

And grazing just in front of the vehicle...... Have you worked out that I LOVE elephants?????

The bonus of the trip was being privledged enough to spot a leopard - a VERY solitary & difficult to spot beastie.  He bolted across in front of the vehicle I had to be very quick, but fortunately my eye/hand coordination has improved significantly since being confronted with the vast array of wildlife here.

The wet season has taken it's time showing up in Kruger and it is VERY VERY dry.  There is minimal water.  This of course makes animal spotting a little easier, as they are forced to all share common water sources.  The highlight was seeing elephants, giraffe & buffalo all sharing a water tank.

The rest of the day was spent spotting more giraffe & impala than you could point a stick (or camera) at, the odd herd of Buffalo, even more elephants, some waterbuck, warthogs, baboons and quite a few Zebra.  And of course, another personal favourite - the Hippo.  It was a veritable smorgasbord out there folks.  Here's just a small snapshot.  The library of animal photos is now huge and I think I may have developed RSI......

Hmmm.  Another photograph??  I suppose I'll have to pose for you then...... 

It's damn hot here - we need to move to a shadier tree 

I'm quick on my feet and pretty cranky....... Don't mess with me people! 

I'm ugly - but I have character people! 

What you lookin' at???? 

Elephant & Waterbuck

And of course, every so often you'd come across a reminder that staying alive in the Kruger is a tough business if you're not at the top of the food chain........

And gentle reader we even went on a night safari.  Now you KNOW how handy I am with a camera - here's the very artistic shot I took of Impala ;)  Note to Self:  Become familiar with the nighttime settings on the digital camera.....

 But here's a photo of Isabelle & I at the back of the safari truck, just to prove the camera was working.....

An overwhelming weekend was had gentle reader.  A lot of happy weeping and of truly magnificant moments in time. 

Now all that is left to do is to meet my gorgeous "Doctor Without Borders" - or as Isabelle would say "Medicin sans Frontiers" - adopt a couple of gorgeous little Malawi babies and go cuddle up in that mud hut...... 

Maybe next weekend.