Count them:
1...Elephant, 2...Lion, 3...Leopard, 4....Water Buffalo, 5.....Rhino. The BIG FIVE and on my first trip to South Africa, how special is that.
Chobe National Park and Kruga National Park have given me the opportunity to see these animals plus so many I can't list them here. Future posts will most likely be filled with photo's and you will soon be tired of seeing them.
Victoria Falls.... helicopter ride over them and a 2 km. walk along the rim. It was unbearably hot here, but a fantastic sight.
Having a wonderful trip, writing this from hotel just outside Kruga Gate which leads into the Park. This morning was a day of rest as yesterday we were on a full day safari 6:00 am to 5:30 pm. At 5:00pm this evening we go on a nighttime safari and come back to an African meal under the stars.
If time allows more news will follow, if not, talk to you later when I get home.
Patricia
Monday, October 22, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Thanksgiving Weekend
After a week of pleasant warm temperatures, we now are experiencing a drastic cool down thanks to a system which spawned all of the cold temps and snow in Manitoba and Northern Ontario. Hey, it's Fall what else can we expect, we have had no frost yet, so we really cannot complain. and I have yet to turn my heat on.
Here in Canada, this weekend it is Thanksgiving, and usually the time for families to get together and participate in an Autumn oriented activitiy, such as picking apples, choosing a pumpkin, walking though a corn maze or raking those leaves that are starting to fall, or just getting together for a meal which more often that not includes a turkey on the menu, as it is in my house.
Tomorrow, Sunday, October 7th all of my family, except for my grandson will be here for dinner, 16 of us in total counting two little great grands. Each family is contributing something to the meal which makes my job a little easier. Turkey thawing in the fridge, cranberry sauce cooling in the saucepan, ingredients assembled for the stuffing and a bag of potatoes waiting to be peeled tomorrow. Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting made, as well as a pumpkin pie and an apple pie is in the oven as I write. That is dinner done, all that is left to do is setting the table.
What are you thankful for this holiday?
Me,
I am thankful for the good health that my family and my extended family enjoys at this time, as it can change in a moments notice.
Thankful that I am able to prepare a meal as we will have tomorrow, knowing that there are many who are not that fortunate.
Thankful, for my home and garden, and that I can enjoy my hobby of sewing and quilting, and also that I am physically and financially able to splurge on a vacation and trips. Many people in their golden years are unable to enjoy these luxury's.
Happy Thanksgiiving.
Patricia
Here in Canada, this weekend it is Thanksgiving, and usually the time for families to get together and participate in an Autumn oriented activitiy, such as picking apples, choosing a pumpkin, walking though a corn maze or raking those leaves that are starting to fall, or just getting together for a meal which more often that not includes a turkey on the menu, as it is in my house.
Tomorrow, Sunday, October 7th all of my family, except for my grandson will be here for dinner, 16 of us in total counting two little great grands. Each family is contributing something to the meal which makes my job a little easier. Turkey thawing in the fridge, cranberry sauce cooling in the saucepan, ingredients assembled for the stuffing and a bag of potatoes waiting to be peeled tomorrow. Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting made, as well as a pumpkin pie and an apple pie is in the oven as I write. That is dinner done, all that is left to do is setting the table.
What are you thankful for this holiday?
Me,
I am thankful for the good health that my family and my extended family enjoys at this time, as it can change in a moments notice.
Thankful that I am able to prepare a meal as we will have tomorrow, knowing that there are many who are not that fortunate.
Thankful, for my home and garden, and that I can enjoy my hobby of sewing and quilting, and also that I am physically and financially able to splurge on a vacation and trips. Many people in their golden years are unable to enjoy these luxury's.
Happy Thanksgiiving.
Patricia
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Final Four Days
Day 18, a tour of Cape Town, and to the Malay Quarter, S.A. Museum and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Afternoon of leisure to shop at the Victoria & Alfred waterfront area.
A full day tour on day nineteen to Cape Point, with a boat ride to Seal Island and the Cape of Good Hope, where we will see seals and penguins. Hoping to see the S.A. national flower, King Protea, in bloom which I understand is abundant in this area.
Tonight is our farewell dinner, where we formally say goodbye to all of our travel companions.
Day twenty, A wine land tour through scenery of vineyards, oak shaded rivers and Dutch colonial homes. Wine tasting in one of the cellars and lunch at a private estate. Then on to Stellenbosch to the Village Museum. We then transfer to the airport for our flights home.
Day twenty one, is a long day, flight from Cape Town, to Jo'berg, then on to London, UK, for a connecting flight for me to Toronto, and then a two hour drive to my home.
This will be a trip that I have wanted to do for many years, and never thought it would ever happen, but here I am getting ready for a trip of a lifetime. It's going to be great to have the opportunity to do all of this, but also so nice to get home again and see my family.
Ummmmm....... where will I go in 2013. Oh no !! there is that "13" again, maybe I should stay home.
Have a great day.
Patricia
A full day tour on day nineteen to Cape Point, with a boat ride to Seal Island and the Cape of Good Hope, where we will see seals and penguins. Hoping to see the S.A. national flower, King Protea, in bloom which I understand is abundant in this area.
Tonight is our farewell dinner, where we formally say goodbye to all of our travel companions.
Day twenty, A wine land tour through scenery of vineyards, oak shaded rivers and Dutch colonial homes. Wine tasting in one of the cellars and lunch at a private estate. Then on to Stellenbosch to the Village Museum. We then transfer to the airport for our flights home.
Day twenty one, is a long day, flight from Cape Town, to Jo'berg, then on to London, UK, for a connecting flight for me to Toronto, and then a two hour drive to my home.
This will be a trip that I have wanted to do for many years, and never thought it would ever happen, but here I am getting ready for a trip of a lifetime. It's going to be great to have the opportunity to do all of this, but also so nice to get home again and see my family.
Ummmmm....... where will I go in 2013. Oh no !! there is that "13" again, maybe I should stay home.
Have a great day.
Patricia
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Moving to the Garden Route, South Africa
I have had requests to mention where and what I will be doing on my trip, so hope this is not too boring for those who visit expecting to see some sewing or quilting. There will be plenty of time for those posts during the Winter months.
On day fourteen, we fly to George, to our hotel overlooking the ocean.
Day fifteen, has us going to Oudtshoorn, and then to the Cango Caves, leisure in the afternoon, hoping there will be a chance to find some shops....fabric shops. Dinner tonight is with a South African family.
Today, day sixteen, has us travelling to Knysna, then on a ferry to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, which is dedicated to the protection of the flora of this area, after animals and birds, flowers, shrubs and trees are things I love to see. Here is where we will eat what is described as a sumptuous lunch. Dinner is as a seafood restaurant tonight.
Day seventeen, has us driving along the coast, around lakes, mountains, beaches cliffs and forest, sounds as if there will be many opportunities for photos. Arriving in Cape Town and a cable car ride up Table Mountain.
Patricia
On day fourteen, we fly to George, to our hotel overlooking the ocean.
Day fifteen, has us going to Oudtshoorn, and then to the Cango Caves, leisure in the afternoon, hoping there will be a chance to find some shops....fabric shops. Dinner tonight is with a South African family.
Today, day sixteen, has us travelling to Knysna, then on a ferry to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, which is dedicated to the protection of the flora of this area, after animals and birds, flowers, shrubs and trees are things I love to see. Here is where we will eat what is described as a sumptuous lunch. Dinner is as a seafood restaurant tonight.
Day seventeen, has us driving along the coast, around lakes, mountains, beaches cliffs and forest, sounds as if there will be many opportunities for photos. Arriving in Cape Town and a cable car ride up Table Mountain.
Patricia
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Africa - Days ten, eleven, twelve and thirteen
Four days in Kruger National Park have us up early in the morning for a game drive, the best time to find the largest variety of wildlife. A full day game drive. Another day of bird and game watching and walks in the park, and an evening game drive to catch sight of some nocturnal animals. Kruger is known for viewing wildlife at it's best, so I am keeping my fingers crossed hoping that I see some of the Big Five, plus other wildlife in the Park.
A visit to Blyde River Canyon to see God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes and later that evening a dinner of native dishes.
As this trip is for the older generation (of which I am one, maybe not in heart, but getting there in years) we are being treated to the best of two world, luxury and rough and rugged.. Luxury hotels for a comfortable sleep at night, nice hot showers, balconies overlooking some beautiful scenery and great food. Swimming pools and dips in the ocean. Rough and rugged during the day, safari's in open vehicles, walking though the bush and grasslands. Climbing in boats for rides on the rivers and to see seals and penguins, and over rocks and in caves. Riding an ostrich and a cable car and visiting vineyards.
Also on the itinerary is what is described as leisure time, hopefully while in Cape Town I might be tempted to search out a fabric shop of some kind.
Have a great day
Patricia
A visit to Blyde River Canyon to see God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes and later that evening a dinner of native dishes.
As this trip is for the older generation (of which I am one, maybe not in heart, but getting there in years) we are being treated to the best of two world, luxury and rough and rugged.. Luxury hotels for a comfortable sleep at night, nice hot showers, balconies overlooking some beautiful scenery and great food. Swimming pools and dips in the ocean. Rough and rugged during the day, safari's in open vehicles, walking though the bush and grasslands. Climbing in boats for rides on the rivers and to see seals and penguins, and over rocks and in caves. Riding an ostrich and a cable car and visiting vineyards.
Also on the itinerary is what is described as leisure time, hopefully while in Cape Town I might be tempted to search out a fabric shop of some kind.
Have a great day
Patricia
Monday, October 1, 2012
Day six, seven, eight and nine.
Here are the next four days of my trip.
Day six:
Victoria Falls and an evening sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
Day seven:
Chobe National Park to go on our first game cruise.
Day eight:
Chobe N. P. morning game drive and an afternoon boat ride along the river banks to get close and personal with wildlife.
Day nine:
Fly back to Johannesburg, with an afternoon at leisure.
No sewing today, the sewing room needs a good tidy up, so that I can organize some of the UFO's that need to be completed before I start another project.
Patricia
Day six:
Victoria Falls and an evening sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
Day seven:
Chobe National Park to go on our first game cruise.
Day eight:
Chobe N. P. morning game drive and an afternoon boat ride along the river banks to get close and personal with wildlife.
Day nine:
Fly back to Johannesburg, with an afternoon at leisure.
No sewing today, the sewing room needs a good tidy up, so that I can organize some of the UFO's that need to be completed before I start another project.
Patricia
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