Toward the end of August, the company of young and one old
Canadian became restless. It was time to get out of Queenstown, hit the road in a rental car and see some wild animals. Most rental cars seem to be standard transmission, which meant that the job of driving would fall to Verna and me. We both love driving and looked forward to the interesting experience of driving on the left side of the road and sitting on the right side of the car. We'd get mixed up sometimes and head for the wrong side of the car only to find the steering wheel missing. The car we rented had the turn signal on the right side so under reflex action situations, we'd sometimes turn on the windshield wipers by accident. Our caution on the road was heightened as we passed an overturned vehicle. Traffic accidents are rife in South Africa and fatalities are all too common because of a combination of reckless driving habits, not enough enforcement on the road and driving under the influence.
As we drove to our destination, we passed some of the townships or "lalies" where most blacks live. Housing is of a far different quality than where we live in Queenstown. Economic disparity is now the issue. People are not prohibited from living where they like, but few can afford the more expensive formerly all-white neighbourhoods.
As we stopped to get gas, we were approached by a couple of minstrels. Their intent was clear. In a country where unemployment is high people get inventive. I applauded their "do-something" spirit by gladly exchanging some cash for their serenade.
Thanks to the tour planning and organization by my companions, everything was lined up for our stay at a lodge where we had a self-catering unit big enough for us all.
A river ran through the property and there were walking trails and canoes to use, if we had the time. We wanted to be in the park for an evening drive through to see the nocturnal animals and we also wanted a daytime tour the next day. I think we all agreed that the daytime tour was better. As you might have guessed
(and I don't know why we didn't consider it), but we could hardly see a thing. Once darkness fell, it was pretty much pitch black except for whatever light there was from the sky, the headlights of the vehicle and of course the search light that we had to depend on to see whichever animals the park guide wanted to point out. Our focus was very small and the light just wasn't good enough for good pictures. We were able to see a male lion, which I think we woke up. He eventually ambled off so he could get some shuteye. The photo of a black-backed jackal that is one of the few night photos of mine that turned out.
Addo is a large facility with its own lodgings for tourists, but at a premium price beyond our budget. The next day we saw more of the park, in addition to our daytime drive through, which yielded better photos. We discovered they had a 'blind' set up where it was possible to take photos of the animals as they came to a watering spot. We also enjoyed shopping in the gift shop and having lunch in their restaurant where I even found something to eat.
I'm really liking the Canon 12x zoom camera that I bought last year.
Seeing the animals of Africa is not all amazing and wondrous because just like anywhere, people will make a business of capturing wild animals for the income they can bring. Just like in North America where there used to be so many buffalo and other species that were practically hunted out of existence; Africa is plagued with the same problem. If it’s not the horn, the tusks, the skin, then it’s some other part that is fanatically valued and brings on the poachers who don’t think of the repercussions of their activity. So wherever animals are protected and not hunted, one cannot complain too much.
Our little “cabin” was on a working citrus farm it seemed. We saw banana trees on a walk around the property and two of our group took advantage of the canoes. After our experience with the animals and some enjoyment on the grounds of our abode, we headed home via Port Elizabeth – just to see a little bit of a larger city. On the way we saw people getting from here to there any way they could.
Port Elizabeth is located on the southern coast of South Africa and boasts broad, white-sand beaches. We took in the sights, sounds and smells of the craft market that was going on as well as played in the sand and the water.
Having to get back to our work at Get Ahead, we turned our thoughts back to hitting the road and heading toward Queenstown which was still quite a long drive away. We stopped in, I think, Grahamstown on the way, where we found the action of a typical South African small town – dead. Fortunately there was a place to get a meal before the final leg of the journey home. And on the way another glorious South African sunset.
A river ran through the property and there were walking trails and canoes to use, if we had the time. We wanted to be in the park for an evening drive through to see the nocturnal animals and we also wanted a daytime tour the next day. I think we all agreed that the daytime tour was better. As you might have guessed
(and I don't know why we didn't consider it), but we could hardly see a thing. Once darkness fell, it was pretty much pitch black except for whatever light there was from the sky, the headlights of the vehicle and of course the search light that we had to depend on to see whichever animals the park guide wanted to point out. Our focus was very small and the light just wasn't good enough for good pictures. We were able to see a male lion, which I think we woke up. He eventually ambled off so he could get some shuteye. The photo of a black-backed jackal that is one of the few night photos of mine that turned out.
Addo is a large facility with its own lodgings for tourists, but at a premium price beyond our budget. The next day we saw more of the park, in addition to our daytime drive through, which yielded better photos. We discovered they had a 'blind' set up where it was possible to take photos of the animals as they came to a watering spot. We also enjoyed shopping in the gift shop and having lunch in their restaurant where I even found something to eat.
I'm really liking the Canon 12x zoom camera that I bought last year.
After enjoying the magnificence of Addo we head off to a small, private game park that touted lion cub petting. They had a number of animals in pens, cages and enclosed areas to see-- not so nice for the animals, but for us a chance to actually touch a lion. As conflicted as we may have been, we paid our money and got the full experience.
Seeing the animals of Africa is not all amazing and wondrous because just like anywhere, people will make a business of capturing wild animals for the income they can bring. Just like in North America where there used to be so many buffalo and other species that were practically hunted out of existence; Africa is plagued with the same problem. If it’s not the horn, the tusks, the skin, then it’s some other part that is fanatically valued and brings on the poachers who don’t think of the repercussions of their activity. So wherever animals are protected and not hunted, one cannot complain too much.
Our little “cabin” was on a working citrus farm it seemed. We saw banana trees on a walk around the property and two of our group took advantage of the canoes. After our experience with the animals and some enjoyment on the grounds of our abode, we headed home via Port Elizabeth – just to see a little bit of a larger city. On the way we saw people getting from here to there any way they could.
Port Elizabeth is located on the southern coast of South Africa and boasts broad, white-sand beaches. We took in the sights, sounds and smells of the craft market that was going on as well as played in the sand and the water.
Having to get back to our work at Get Ahead, we turned our thoughts back to hitting the road and heading toward Queenstown which was still quite a long drive away. We stopped in, I think, Grahamstown on the way, where we found the action of a typical South African small town – dead. Fortunately there was a place to get a meal before the final leg of the journey home. And on the way another glorious South African sunset.
