Interlude with the King of the Jungle......

Ah, it's been a busy time since the last post gentle reader.  Finalising our client work & presentations, trying to get my BGLs to play nice, losing handbags on dirt roads (but more on that another time), the odd round of golf and - some close encounters of the lion kind!

Yes gentle reader, another dream come true.  I'm ticking them off at a rapid rate of knots this trip and of course I just had to share..........

We were lucky enough to get taken by our clients to the Protea Ranch here in Polokwane, where we were able to spend time playing with lion cubs and gazing at their mummies & daddies with just a thin wire fence standing between you and potentially becoming the main course.  And can I tell you?  These beautiful beasts are absolutely awe-inspiring up close.  Strong, beautiful and lethal - all the time looking like the laziest moggy sitting in the back yard.

These lions are part of a breeding and training program run by the Ranch.  All of the lions are trained and are used in films etc.  Their trainers have been working with some of them for well over 15 years.  The oldest lion is now close to 30 and is spending his retirement just sitting in the sunshine at the Ranch, watching the world go by.  Not a bad life at all really.

He doesn't look a day over 29.......  Big Jack is King of the Ranch

But the highlight was being able to play with the cubs.  At just 6 weeks old, these guys were just sooooo adorable I wanted to eat them with a spoon!  I realised every 'Born Free' fantasy I've had since I first met Elsa the lion through the gift of film.  It was fabulous being allowed to just be in the pen with them, letting them play with me, chew my hair and fingers and generally behave like 6 week olds.  It was just magical.

This little guy and I became fast friends.

I'm hoping customs won't have a problem with him........

But how could they argue with a face like that?????

But of course, the grown up versions are equally magnificent and it was really wonderful getting to see first hand how they reacted to their trainers.

Oh, it's just you....... 

Could we hurry this up?  I'm very tired...... 

In fact, I think I'll just lie down.  Just go on without me........ 

I think I'm going to sneeze.......

The day was wrapped up by a wonderful Brai (standard BBQ to all us Aussies) at sunset.  The perfect end to a truly memorable experience.

Gotta run, I have to feed the cub......