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Monday, January 27, 2020
Update 11
When we landed in Maputo, our ride, Goodman was waiting for us. We climbed into his air conditioned van and headed for Kruger National Park in South Africa—about a 3 hour drive. I'd worried about getting into & out of SA without a visa but in the end, both turned out to be no big deal & didn't even cost us $$!
We stayed at the Elephant Lode where the roof was made of grass, monkeys played in the yard & elephants were grazing near by. Delightful! At 5:30 a.m., our safari guide, Lynne met us & we headed into the park. Lynne is SAfrican and made her first safari at the age of 2 in 1953. Kruger was a part of her and this trip was especially sentimental as it would be her last one before moving to Scotland. She was an expert in finding the animals. Think of the Magic School Bus series with our own Mrs. Frizzle at the wheel! We spent two days & covered a lot of ground but the park seems endless as you scan the horizon. Kruger is 14 million acres & has been a park since 1926. The animals don't even blink when you get close. We watched the baboons frolicking in the trees & river, the elephants & water buffaloes wallow in the mud, the grunting hippos bob up & down while the guys drank coffee & we watched the sunrise, the zebras & giraffes hug each other, the warthog lovingly shoo her babies into her den & then back in so her husk would protect them. There were birds of unique colors some with amazing tails & I think, six types of eagles perched in "The Bush."
Really, the name says it all. Small shrubs, tall grass and a variety of trees cover most the area making it easy for the animals to find food & cover. We saw lions so clearly one minutes and the next, they had disappeared. Only the sand rivers were open areas...in dry season the animals will dig there & find water below. Rog & I did a safari in Kenya ten years ago. There the vegetation much more scarce with an occasional tree so it was much different. I'd go on another one in a heartbeat! To spot & watch animals in their natural habitat is a spectacular experience!
B & J were also awed as we bounced about in our open Jeep feel like we were as close as possible to the animals. I can't help but think of how huge some of the animals are yet they don't need houses, cars, stores etc. And besides the elephant (18,000 in the park) that kill lots of trees by eating all the bark, the animals don't cause damage to our earth. Though I must say, may places it smelt like a barn yard...especially where the rhino dug his poop hole & his females made a circle of poop around it!
Picture that & imagine the smell!!
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We stayed at the Elephant Lode where the roof was made of grass, monkeys played in the yard & elephants were grazing near by. Delightful! At 5:30 a.m., our safari guide, Lynne met us & we headed into the park. Lynne is SAfrican and made her first safari at the age of 2 in 1953. Kruger was a part of her and this trip was especially sentimental as it would be her last one before moving to Scotland. She was an expert in finding the animals. Think of the Magic School Bus series with our own Mrs. Frizzle at the wheel! We spent two days & covered a lot of ground but the park seems endless as you scan the horizon. Kruger is 14 million acres & has been a park since 1926. The animals don't even blink when you get close. We watched the baboons frolicking in the trees & river, the elephants & water buffaloes wallow in the mud, the grunting hippos bob up & down while the guys drank coffee & we watched the sunrise, the zebras & giraffes hug each other, the warthog lovingly shoo her babies into her den & then back in so her husk would protect them. There were birds of unique colors some with amazing tails & I think, six types of eagles perched in "The Bush."
Really, the name says it all. Small shrubs, tall grass and a variety of trees cover most the area making it easy for the animals to find food & cover. We saw lions so clearly one minutes and the next, they had disappeared. Only the sand rivers were open areas...in dry season the animals will dig there & find water below. Rog & I did a safari in Kenya ten years ago. There the vegetation much more scarce with an occasional tree so it was much different. I'd go on another one in a heartbeat! To spot & watch animals in their natural habitat is a spectacular experience!
B & J were also awed as we bounced about in our open Jeep feel like we were as close as possible to the animals. I can't help but think of how huge some of the animals are yet they don't need houses, cars, stores etc. And besides the elephant (18,000 in the park) that kill lots of trees by eating all the bark, the animals don't cause damage to our earth. Though I must say, may places it smelt like a barn yard...especially where the rhino dug his poop hole & his females made a circle of poop around it!
Picture that & imagine the smell!!
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Update 9
My birthday! The 11th year in 11 different countries. I got lots of attention: balloons, signs, chocolate wafer cookies, white chocolate bar and Coke Zero! It was an aha moment when I realized I was the oldest person on base. At the work site, Ben took my shovel away & I got the easier jobs working under shade. I cut rubber inter tubes (actually made in USA) so they could line the wood post. So Ben did a lot of shoving, Rog continued to pound on strappings and Jen got to help finish up the temporary school and put the desk back in it. The kids hanging around were encouraged to come sit in them. An unforgettable moment!
At the evening meeting, since we'd all posted the fund raising page Ben helped design and we raised over $1000 dollars for AHAH—we were awarded a AHAH sweatshirt. Jen had so wanted it and was thrilled when she got it! She quickly put it on (in spite of the 90+ temp) as every cheered. She was over the moon excited! It was our last meeting, so we were asked to speak. Rog talked about how he loved being around such good people doing good work. Ben talked about how impressed he was with AHAH & all the volunteers. Jen & I mostly cried.
Last meeting note was to sing Happy Birthday to me.
After the meeting, we jumped in the van & went into town to play basketball with the locals. B & J played while R & I cheered. An intense game! When we got back, they had a birthday cake...well some banana muffin like balls...waiting & sang another round of Happy Birthday. Then I headed to my mosquito netted bunk bed to read my Facebook birthday wishes.
Now how's that for a birthday!
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At the evening meeting, since we'd all posted the fund raising page Ben helped design and we raised over $1000 dollars for AHAH—we were awarded a AHAH sweatshirt. Jen had so wanted it and was thrilled when she got it! She quickly put it on (in spite of the 90+ temp) as every cheered. She was over the moon excited! It was our last meeting, so we were asked to speak. Rog talked about how he loved being around such good people doing good work. Ben talked about how impressed he was with AHAH & all the volunteers. Jen & I mostly cried.
Last meeting note was to sing Happy Birthday to me.
After the meeting, we jumped in the van & went into town to play basketball with the locals. B & J played while R & I cheered. An intense game! When we got back, they had a birthday cake...well some banana muffin like balls...waiting & sang another round of Happy Birthday. Then I headed to my mosquito netted bunk bed to read my Facebook birthday wishes.
Now how's that for a birthday!
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Update 8
Last night, B & J popped corn to celebrate my upcoming birthday which every one devoured as crazy Scott ran a Trivia Competition. He's so full of fun! Yesterday he declared it was Nat'l Hug Day & stood by the dinner line with a sign describing a variety of hugs and requiring everyone to oblige.
Ben helped the staff develop a fund raiser so Tiana helped me set that up and AHAH Mozambique will benefit. Donations are already coming in so thanks to our great supporters!! Staff here is fabulous. Emille (from Traverse City) answers all our questions before & after arrival & made our transportation arrangements. She also keeps base clean along with a few alternating volunteers. Jonny, head director, stays so calm & is so friendly. Cat, Jazz, Monique and our old friend from Philippines, Ryan are project leaders. They are so knowledgeable & encouraging all the while they keep about 15 volunteers & around 8 hired locals working. And Tiana—truly the energizer bunny who offers evening entertainment as well as Portuguese lessons. Tonight many are playing Portuguese bingo. It's kinda like being at camp...a work camp.
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Ben helped the staff develop a fund raiser so Tiana helped me set that up and AHAH Mozambique will benefit. Donations are already coming in so thanks to our great supporters!! Staff here is fabulous. Emille (from Traverse City) answers all our questions before & after arrival & made our transportation arrangements. She also keeps base clean along with a few alternating volunteers. Jonny, head director, stays so calm & is so friendly. Cat, Jazz, Monique and our old friend from Philippines, Ryan are project leaders. They are so knowledgeable & encouraging all the while they keep about 15 volunteers & around 8 hired locals working. And Tiana—truly the energizer bunny who offers evening entertainment as well as Portuguese lessons. Tonight many are playing Portuguese bingo. It's kinda like being at camp...a work camp.
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Update 10
Packed up this a.m. leaving behind things we'd not need once we leave here which meant we could leave behind one empty suitcase. We completed our exit questionnaires & gave a list of all who'd donated to our fund raising page so each would have their name put on a brick. (So thankful to them!!). Then we stood by the door along with 6 others who were also leaving today and got hugs from everyone as they left for the work sites. It's strange how 9 days of living, working & sleeping so closely together ...in such heat...can form such bonds. Yup, there were lots of tears!
So 10 of us loaded into the van & headed for the airport where we feasted on cheese sandwiches & potato chips...and more chips (aka French fries—misunderstanding) and COLD Coke Zero & beer. So refreshing!!
As we sat waiting for our flight, we realized that not once had we heard anyone be cross to anyone. Actually we didn't see any kids fighting or getting yelled at either.
Like so many times on these trips, my heart feels happy & my life's attitude has been adjusted.
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So 10 of us loaded into the van & headed for the airport where we feasted on cheese sandwiches & potato chips...and more chips (aka French fries—misunderstanding) and COLD Coke Zero & beer. So refreshing!!
As we sat waiting for our flight, we realized that not once had we heard anyone be cross to anyone. Actually we didn't see any kids fighting or getting yelled at either.
Like so many times on these trips, my heart feels happy & my life's attitude has been adjusted.
Sent from my iPhone
Update 13
Animals we spotted on our safari:
Zebra
Impala
Owl
Eagles*
Wildebeest
Elephant
Hyaena
Giraffe
Hippo
Heron*
Monkey
Baboon
Water buffalo
Stork
Warthog
Kudu
Lion
Bird*
*variety of species
Most we saw many times & in large groups.
And I'm sure I forgot a couple....
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Zebra
Impala
Owl
Eagles*
Wildebeest
Elephant
Hyaena
Giraffe
Hippo
Heron*
Monkey
Baboon
Water buffalo
Stork
Warthog
Kudu
Lion
Bird*
*variety of species
Most we saw many times & in large groups.
And I'm sure I forgot a couple....
Sent from my iPhone
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