Journey from Cape Town to Dulini Safari Camp in Sabi Sands, South Africa

Monday, 11th October - flight from Cape Town to Nelspruit/ Mpumalanga/
Kruger airport. It might have a fourth name as well. I have noticed
that one South African colloquialism is to say "as well" frequently at
the end of sentences, with the stress on the "as" instead of the
"well" and meaning something slightly different or additional to how
Americans use the phrase.

When we left Cape Town, it had rained hard all night and was cloudy &
cold enough for jeans, sweatshirts & lined raincoats (12°C/53°F). Two
hours' flight north (which is, of course towards the equator here in
the Southern hemisphere), still in the same country, and suddenly we
has to strip to shorts & T-shirts (38°C/100°F, blazing sun). Quite the
contrast.

The flight was perhaps the smoothest, most careful take-off and
landing ever - with the gentlest deceleration on the runway as we
stopped. There was a little turbulence mid-flight - one of my children
was turning green, and the other was wishing for more. They are
different creatures.

Upon arrival, the luggage retrieval belt was not working, so all the
passengers went out into the sunshine/tarmac oven to collect the bags
- and came back inside with them to find the machine now working again
already.

Then we had a two-hour van drive to our safari camp in the Sabi Sands
area next to Kruger National Park. Two words overwhelmingly describe
the ride: HOT, and BUMPY. But also, we saw eucalyptus, banana, purple
jacaranda, avocado, and citrus trees/plantations. Very interesting.
There was a person selling bulk eggs by the side of the road: 60 eggs
for 48 Rand (5 Dollars/ 6 Swiss Francs). We mused about whether the
eggs were going to hatch or simply become soft-boiled on the hot
sunshine.

The van's so-called  "A/C" was trying very hard to cool us, but only
managed a wisp of slightly cooler air now and then in the mass of
stickiness. Back in Cape Town we had been huddling together for
warmth, but in this van we didn't even want any parts of our own
bodies to touch each other, never mind someone else's. Spread your
fingers, uncross your legs and don't bend your knees...

We learned from the driver that the Sabi River was named because of
the hippopotami and crocodiles in it - Sabi means "Fear." Those are
two dangerous animals that have caused many human deaths. Not
surprising when one learns that the locals use the river for drinking,
cooking, bathing and swimming, despite the animals.

Interesting place names along the drive (as best I can read my
handwriting): Hazyview, Phalaborwa, Elephant Whispers Lodge, Tranquil
Nest Lodge, Mkhulu, Mbombela, Mashonamihi, Matikwane, Nhlamulo,
Bushbuckridge, Bambanani, Hundzukani (with Cork and Belfast thrown in
for contrast!).

After 1 hour 20 of paved roads, we hit the dirt roads. If we thought
it was bumpy before...now it seemed the sliding door would rattle off
the vehicle at any moment. Two minutes on the dusty roads, and I could
taste and smell the land as I breathed - it was a pleasant reminder of
my time in Kenya as a young girl. I went on safari with my parents and
brothers when I was 12 - the same age my own daughter is now. I hope
she will retain the same fond and profound memories I have of this
wild adventure.

Finally arriving at the safari camp, thoroughly shaken and baked, we
were greeted with smiles, transformingly refreshing, chilled, moist
face towels, and homemade iced ginger ale in tall glasses, spicy and
only lightly carbonated. The luxury had begun!

Posted via email from K's Café