After an easy 10+ hour flight we arrived in Jo-berg where we proceeded to miss our flight and lose our bag...that was OK we'll just drive to Swaziland! (4 hours) (GGs first time driving on the "wrong" side of the road)
Our chariot:
I had some minor issues with using the wind shield wipers instead of the blinker.
Crossing the border out of SA into Swaziland:
Once on the Swazi side we finally arrived at Jason's and Fiona's...WOW!
The house:
(with gift pack in the room!)
The yard:
The views:
The river (friends included):
..and of course Jason, Fiona, and Alex:
As our bag was still lost KK and I borrowed some clothes and shoes and we headed off to a traditional dinner. Jason is like the mayor Swaziland...we knows everyone including the people at the airport that were tracking our lost bag (you will see later) He also knew the owner of the eatery and we got hooked up with great Swazi food.
Food was great, but Jason and I had to run early because we needed to check at the airport to see if the bag was there...no luck.
The next morning Jason hooked up a great breakfast on the poach.
The views:
The weather was perfect so we headed AGAIN to the airport to see if the bag was there.....no luck..so after a quick stop at Woolworths to get some shoes and sock (we were still in our work shoes) it was off to MTB in a reserve in Swaziland. I rented a bike and then it was off...this was our first encounter with animals in Africa. This place is one of the only places in Africa that you an bike in a reserve...very cool.
After biking (Thanks J for the tour!!!) and a nice cold beer we tried the airport again..the booming Manzini airport:
...and luckily this time it was there! Jasons friend Mr. C giving KK the long lost bag:
After getting the bag we both had bathing suits so we took a dip in the river and then had a nice BBQ on the poach.
The next day, sadly, we had to leave Swaziland. We packed up the car and headed to Kruger! The crew:
On the trip we stopped at a nice women's coop and bought some jewelry and hand made mats:
It was a very nice drive...but we were running late to get to our lodge for the afternoon game drive. Jason kicked it into top gear and we arrived at Rhino Walking Safaris with 1 minute to spare. Just like before Mayor Jason (now mayor of Kruger) knew the staff and chatted up everyone. The best thing about being later is that you get your own truck with guide...what a way to start the safari portion of our trip!! After many hugs to Alex, Fiona, and Jason (you guys are the BEST we miss you and hope to see you in CH soon) it was time to go see some critters as Jason would say:
First sighting:
Second:
..and more!!! (1st Elephant)
As this being our first time out on safari we didn't know what to expect but at sunset our guide found a nice spot to watch the sun set and Elephants bath...unreal! (He also brought us beer, wine, and snacks)
After the sun set we tracked animals at night with a big flashlight and saw our only Lion of the trip. So first night count: 2 (Lion and Elephant) of the Big 5 (Lion, Rhino, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo). We arrived back at around 8ish and got escorted to our great room, changed, and went to dinner. Everything is included at RWS so we chowed down, met some other guest, and digested what we actually just saw.
So when your at RWS everything is taken care for you...this is full service. The schedule looks like this:
5:30 AM: Wake Up
6:00 AM: Coffee and Snack
6:30 AM: Game Drive either walking or driving
10:30 AM: Return from drive with buffet breakfast/brunch waiting for you
11:30 AM: Relax, read, nap, take a dip in the pool, watch the animals outside your door..etc.
3:30 PM: Afternoon Tea
4:00 PM: Game drive
8:00 PM: Return from Drive and go to a nice dinner
10:00 PM: Nightcap at bar:
11:00 PM: Sleep after a great day!
So at 6 in the morning we saw the lodge and room for the first time in the light...again WOW!
This AM it was off for our first walking safari with James and Mark (both very nice guys and great guides):
For the walking safari a group goes with a guide tracking the Big 5 in general. Of course we saw a ton of other animals too:
This day we found our Rhinos...a mother a calf:
#3 on the Big 5 list. After returning and a little Bfast we retired to our villa and chilled on the poach and watch the animals come right across the dry river bed in front of our place:
That evening our drive was to walk out into the bush and stay in a Swiss family Robinson set up. Mark and James were again guides and we got to the sleep spot:
This place was very cool....not ruffing it in any way. There was flush toilets, beer and wine, and great food.
Lamb and Sausage:
The next AM the sunrise was perfect!
..and we packed up a headed to look for more game..this time Buffalo (#4)!
Very cool..and on the way back for more Elephants:
After another great breakfast it was off again on a night game drive
...the best sunset yet! Our guide Mark:
WOW!
After sunset we went to a place to look at the stars and saw all the major formations in the southern sky.
The next AM was our last game drive so we were hoping to see a Leopard to complete the Big 5 and...we DID!
We also got out and did a walk to track some Lions,,,but we were a little to late :)
After a quick bite to eat we had to leave...but RWS was perfect! I wold reco this to anyone who is traveling to Kruger! Thanks Rhino!
After a 2 hour shuttle to Nespuit it was off to Cape Town!
Upon arrival in Cape Town we sorted a car and it was off to An African Villa. This place was a rec from 2 people at work.
The owners were wonderful and gave us a very nice room and insight on Cape Town. That night we hit a nice fusion resto and then grabbed a few beers on Long St. Overall Cape Town in a OK city but the outskirts are are just stunning. The next AM KK And I started by climbing Table mtn.
1:45 later we were at the top:
Unreal! After a little time at the top we grab the tram down and headed into town for a little shopping and eating.
Our ride back to the car:
They love Obama here too ;-)
That afternoon we tried to go to the cape of Good Hope, but rain stopped our plans...but we got some nice pics before and had a nice coffee and carrot cake in Kalk Bay:
That night we had a little fish for dinner and then stopped for a drink on Long St.
The next day we were off again this time down the coast...and more WOW moments. A little dip at Bikini beach:
More WOWs as we drove towards Hemanus:
KK even gave a run a the right hand drive:
Our $24 per day ride:
On the way we stopped and saw the Cape Penguins:
Lunch spot:
On reco we decided to hit the wine country and Franschhoek.
Plumwood Inn was the destination and who perfect!
That evening we watched the sunset at a great winery in the countryside and enjoyed our last day in SA.
That night KK and I had a great 5 course meal at on of the Top 50 eateries in the world...again WOW!
The next day we grabbed some breakfast and then had to grab our flight. We took our time back and saw a little more of the wine country. 3 flights later we were back in CH.
Overall this was a perfect vacation, really 3-in-1. After we came back and finished our 300 emails we reflected back and just said WOW! Thank you Jason and Fiona for the wonderful time in Swaziland (and help with planning)!! You guys rock! Hopefully we can repay you soon in CH. Also thanks to the staff at RWS, African Villa, and the Plumwood Inn and to the people of SA and Swaziland that made this vacation unforgettable.
