Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park

Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park
We have had two lovely weeks with Jocelyn and David who arrived in South Africa on November 16th. We did all the local sites including spending a couple of weekends in Kruger. They also managed to get off by them selves for a few days.

The highlight for us was four days we spent at the Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park.  We stayed on the Zimbabwe side of the falls at the lovely Ilala Lodge. The falls are almost 2 kilometers long, that is including two small islands in the middle. The rains are late this year so the falls were 'low', for Victoria Falls that is! To us they were very impressive. The benefit of seeing them when they are 'low' is just that, you see them. Apparently in the rainy season there is so much spray it is almost impossible to get a good look.

We  spent a day in Botswana at the Chobe National Park. First we had a  cruise on the Zambezi River then a drive in the park. It was quite a different experience to Kruger. We didn't see  the diversity of animals but those we saw we saw more of.

The Devil's Punch Bowl, at the beginning of the falls. Dont you just love the rainbow in the mist!

A view of the main part of the falls, Devils Punch Bowl is too the right and the Zambia side is to the left. You can see  spray obscuring part of the view. Imagine when there was 4x more water going over the edge.

I just loved these orchids growing on the bank opposite the falls. The constant spray and humidity must provide the prefect climate for them.

Dinner at Ilala Lodge

A bit too close for comfort!

This was the tiniest baby elephant we have seen. The guide  said  he had never seen a smaller one.

Its hard to get a drink when you are this little!!!

Hippos grazing on the banks of the river.

We came across a group of five teenage lions. I was sure this boy  was going to leap into our truck and eat Andrew!

Kruger Park November 18th

We always enjoy our visits to Kruger Park. We often seem to spend a long time in the car straining our eyes to see wild life. When we spot something it is all excitement. Sometimes we feel as if we haven't seen much until we start to count up what we have seen or look back at our photos from the day.

Here are some highlights from last Sunday, November 18th.

Mmmmm I think I would like a ride!

Wait for me!

Up!

Up!

And away!!!!!

I am the King of the jungle!

We were lucky to spot this Chameleon

Anyone for a swim!

This old fellow was actually at Chimp Eden not at Kruger.

Shops - A Divided Land

Shops

It is interesting looking at the different shops, those you find in Nelspruit itself and those out in the townships. They definitely tell you South Africa is still a divided land, those that have and those that don't. The first photo is of Riversde Mall in Nelspruit getting decked out in its Christmas finery. The others are random shops in the townships. Most are taken through van windows so they are a bit blurred.

Riverside mall

There are a lot of funeral directors

The local garage

A busy street corner

A lot of the shops are family run and the shop is close to the house

Not sure what this one sells

Corner store

Charkarza and Elwesha

November   8th

Last week was my last with going out with Penryn College to Charkarza and Elwesha school.  It seems early to have finished but the Penryn students have exams and so are not able to continue the outreach. We had a great day a both schools. We gave all the children, 200+, an exercise book with all the poems we had used this year, glued in. These books are for the children to keep but they will remain at the schools for a while so they can be used in class. The children were also given a tee shirt that had been hand painted by Penryn students. It was a fun time.

The lovely Angela who organises the outreach  is leaving Penryn at the end of this year. I have my  fingers crossed someone else will step up and it will continue next year.

Spring Rain

                                                                       Spring Rains

Winter is the dry season here. Not a drop of rain fell from May till September.

 Now that the rains have come the wild flowers are blooming in profusion. We went for a walk this morning on the empty block next to Safubi.  And this is not an area known for its wild flowers!!

Charli

For us, September was all about Charli.
I was lucky enough to spend the month with Kirst, Ant and Charli in Adelaide. Unfortunately Andrew could only come for the first week. We spent that week at Carrikalinga, long walks on the beach, eating lovely food and having fun with Charli.
When Andrew flew back to South Africa, we moved back up to Adelaide. Ant went back to work, that left Kirst, Charli and I to enjoy each others company. Charli is a little honey. She has a big personality and leaves you in no doubt as to what she likes and doesn't like.