I feel so incredibly fortunate and grateful to be here. South Africa is an amazing, beautiful country. My only complaint is that 3 weeks will barely be an introduction.
After a very, very long series of flights, we landed in Durban Tuesday afternoon, hopped in a car and headed north. Geof quickly discovered that driving on the left side of the road on the right side of the car while shifting with his left hand was challenging while jetlagged and sleep deprived. We missed the main road and found ourselves negotiating small villages just as school was getting out. The mass of humanity on the roads was out of this world. Very cool, sometimes overwhelming.
Nevertheless, we washed ashore in Mthunzini on the Indian Ocean. I grabbed my running shoes and hit the trails of the nature reserve with the last light of the day. After scoping out the animal chart at the trailhead, I decided I was OK with all creatures minus the snakes. Noting the Green Mamba on said chart, I chose not to step on anything green and slithery. A couple of suspicious branches caused me to do the quickstep. Otherwise, it was a joy. Red Duikers (a small antelope)darted in and around me, monkeys crashed the trees and the birds were out of this world. From sight to sound, smell and feel of the air, everything was different. I was so excited by 1 particular bird, I failed to notice for almost a minute that it was standing near a zebra. Ending on the beach as the sun hit the hills, I felt that this was where I was supposed to be at that moment.
It's 5:00 am and we're set to hit the road. We're less than an hour from Kruger National Park; I'm so excited I can't sleep. This is one of Africa's great parks and I can't wait to mix it up with the big 5 and all their friends. With any luck, we should make it off the waiting list and be able to hike for 3 days (with an armed guide). Did I mention how excited I am?
After a very, very long series of flights, we landed in Durban Tuesday afternoon, hopped in a car and headed north. Geof quickly discovered that driving on the left side of the road on the right side of the car while shifting with his left hand was challenging while jetlagged and sleep deprived. We missed the main road and found ourselves negotiating small villages just as school was getting out. The mass of humanity on the roads was out of this world. Very cool, sometimes overwhelming.
Nevertheless, we washed ashore in Mthunzini on the Indian Ocean. I grabbed my running shoes and hit the trails of the nature reserve with the last light of the day. After scoping out the animal chart at the trailhead, I decided I was OK with all creatures minus the snakes. Noting the Green Mamba on said chart, I chose not to step on anything green and slithery. A couple of suspicious branches caused me to do the quickstep. Otherwise, it was a joy. Red Duikers (a small antelope)darted in and around me, monkeys crashed the trees and the birds were out of this world. From sight to sound, smell and feel of the air, everything was different. I was so excited by 1 particular bird, I failed to notice for almost a minute that it was standing near a zebra. Ending on the beach as the sun hit the hills, I felt that this was where I was supposed to be at that moment.
It's 5:00 am and we're set to hit the road. We're less than an hour from Kruger National Park; I'm so excited I can't sleep. This is one of Africa's great parks and I can't wait to mix it up with the big 5 and all their friends. With any luck, we should make it off the waiting list and be able to hike for 3 days (with an armed guide). Did I mention how excited I am?
5 comments:
Great start to your adventure Tonya. Can't wait for more to read!
I am so jealous, and heartsore!! This is the first time I have felt a bit homesick...Have fun and enjoy my country. Claudia
Hope to see you in Durban before the race.
Have a great time touring Kruger!
Have a great time touring Krueger.
Hope to see you before the race!
Hey Tonya & Geof-- it's great to read about your travels so far. We're certainly thinking about you and wishing you luck for this weekend; go get'em and have fun!
To adventures,
Rob & the rest of the FZ Gang
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