Click here for pictures hopefully

Click here for pictures?

Tintswalo

We took our morning drive, had breakfast, packed and took a 2 hour ride in a van to the next camp that was 30 miles away as the crow flies.  Too bad we weren't a crow.
Arrived at Tintswalo, don't forget the "n", and watched a bunch of elephants drinking from a hose dropping fresh water from a tree by the deck.
I put some pictures on google drive and posted a link that you might have to copy and paste to see them.
https://drive.google.com/drive/mobile/folders/0B2_UOJHWOLwfZVhLZ0xNV0p2elE

There is also some pictures of our "tent", larger than 90% of most people's houses.  Dining room, bedroom with fireplace, chairs, desk, closet, huge bath with shower and tub, and deck with private plung pool.
Our guide asked what we wanted to see and I told him that Paul was begging to see the wild dogs.  "Well there were some around this morning, we didn't see them, but let's try."
They were in and out of the Land Cruiser looking and tracks and grunting and after a couple hours we found a pack of 9 dogs after parking near a young male lion.
The dogs were resting and our guide and tracker were very excited as they might find them once a month if that often.  They have a huge range and often go off their property.
Then the lion started walking toward the dogs and the Alpha went up and started bouncing around like a Dahl Terrier (sorry Leslie).  The dogs eventually retreated and the lion walked within petting distance to check out where they had rested.
Came back to camp and had a nice dinner then to bed and up at 5:00 for this morning's drive.
It's WSU vs OSU at about 11:30 tonight so not sure if I'll be up for the game but told Paul, he is a Beaver, I'd call if the Cougs are winning.

Some videos?

Here are 2 or maybe just one video from Ngala Camp.

The first is the mating leopards, or at least she tried to get him interested.

The second is a mother rhino protecting her baby from a bull rhino, but not sure if that posted as it is 4 minutes long and took 1 1/2 hours to upload.

The mother has a one year old and two year old that are not offspring from the male.  She will not come into heat while she still has a baby so she must protect the baby from the male who wants her in heat.

Hopefully it loads and you can hear the guide.

Lovely camp, but hot!!

We are at camp 2

I guess I'm a couple days behind, but we've been so busy!

The next day we went searching for more animals. Giraffes, impalas, and other stuff. I can't really remember, but will have to check the pictures.

After lunch we were joined by a older lady who was bragging about all the safaris she has been on and was going to be there for 6 days.  She rode with us that afternoon and was thrilled to find out we had seen cheetah, because she hadn't seen any this trip.  But first she found out there were frogs near her cabin and wanted to be moved as she wouldn't be able to sleep.  No place to put her so tough.

We found a black rhino on the way to where they had spotted the cheetahs and spent 20 minutes with him until he wandered off so we went 1 hour to the cheetahs. We found and followed them for 30 minutes and it was apparent that they were hunting and our rigs would interfere so back to camp for breakfast and barely arrived in time.

She complained about not spending enough time with the animals and the guides explained that they get into trouble if not returning to the lodge in time.

We actually saw the sunset that night and had a good dinner with a couple of new fun guests.

Next morning before setting off, she was complaining to the guides again. They were shaking their heads so I stuck my foot into it (surprise) and reminded her that she wanted to see the cheetahs, they were a long ways away, the rhino was a bonus and they had to leave so you could see the cheetahs.  They had to get us back on time or they could loose their jobs.

They took us to a pool in the river that had mostly dried up and found a dozen hippos.  We had to get out of the rig and walk down to see them. After 20 minutes or so we got back in the rig and a lion pride had been spotted not far away.  There were 6-8 lions and we got pretty close.  Then at least a dozen elephants paraded around and we were between the lions and elephants.  One of the elephants decided to chase off the lions,which  didn't work, so they rambled on.

Got back to camp, I tipped our driver and tracker (probably a little more than usual, but they did a great job and laughed at our jokes) and packed up before a quick breakfast.

They took us to the air strip and the tracker was telling us what great guest we were and wasn't shur he could take much more of Gloria.  I told him she would be there for 5 more nights and he buried his head in his hands.

They waited for us to take off and gave big waves good bye.

About a 20 minute flight to the next camp and we 4 were the only ones onboard (plus the pilots).  We were met and signed in to a large newer camp that is part of the & Beyond chain.  There are 42 guests and it is full.  Much better internet and an older computer that I could use to backup some pictures, but didn't have an SD card reader. One of the chips for the camera has a usb attachment so some were backed up.

While I was doing that the elephants came into camp to drink from the watering hole and pool.  A couple dozen and there are some pictures on the blog dive of those I hope.

Yesterday afternoon drive took us to a watering hole to view 2 rhinos and some hippos then off to view a leopard.  Headed for sundowner and got delayed by viewing elephants, but saw the sunset in the trees.  There were 4 other staff that had tables set up for snacks and drinks.  The chef was skinny and Paul said he doesn't trust a skinny chef.  They didn't understand so we explained it to him and said he must be a marathon runner.  "Yes I am", he said.  I asked how long a marathon race was and he came up with 500 meters and cracked up when he know he was off by a bit.

Left the sundowner and a male lion had been sighted nearby so of to there where he was laying in the sandy river bed.  they had a red light on him so we could see and not bother him.  In a few minutes one of his brothers emerged and drank for at least 5 minutes.  Apparently loading up to mark territory for the night.

A long ride back to camp for a great dinner and had our car-mates join us and of course Pam asked how they met . . . .

"We are the Brady bunch, he has 3 boys, I have 3 girls, we met on line and found we both had spouses that switched teams.  He is a doctor (radiologist) and she is a voice person for shopping channels and the such".

This camp gets up at 5 and on the road at 5:30.  One of our party thought it was get to coffee at 5:30 and off at 6, which is when. We left.

Found a herd of buffalo off to the side.   They were all old males who were no longer in service and waiting to die.  We hung with them for a while, then off the the properties edge where mating leopards had been found.

We got to them and only saw one 7 second show before heading back to breakfast.  

After breakfast had a short nap and getting ready to dip in the pool.  We have been expecting the elephants again, but no sign.

More later.  

Feel free to email Pam or myself with news and raid the garden!!

Safari Day Two

I am struggling with pictures and have a dial up speed internet connection at the lodge only and when everyone is trying to get on it is even slower.  Our tent is a couple hundred yards from the lodge and we can't leave the tent at night without a guide looking for beady eyes in the bushes.

There are only 12 people in the camp, but we must share the land with others as we had 6 different rigs at a Cheetah siting this morning.  One rig had 12 people and we are three rows of 2 plus the front seat for the driver and scout.

We had lunch at 2:30 yesterday, Friday I think, and then off for the afternoon drive.  It was 90 something and proceeded out not seeing much.  Then we raced off to a rhino siting and saw a male and 2 female rhinos.  Big animals.

Saw 2 lionesses and 3 cubs and watched them for a while. Some impalas and giraffes and were late to 'sundowner' because of watching the rhinos and lions, but had our drinks and snacks after the sun had set.  Then 1/2 hour back to camp and sat around the fire with drinks and then a good dinner.

Up at 5:45 this morning for coffee, tea, or diet coke. On the road at 6:15 with our same 6 and guides.  More giraffes and found a small herd of elephants kicking up roots and eating grass and branches.  We drove in amongst them and listened to them crunch sticks with their mouths.  They moved on and we followed for a while, then got word of the cheetah siting, so off we went for what must have been 10 miles.

There were 2 cheetahs finishing of an impala and we eventually got within 20 feet and watched and listened to them eat.

40 minutes back to the lodge for breakfast.  It is now noon. Someone is napping and I have showered and watched monkeys run across our deck.

Paul informed me the Cougs squeaked by Boise State!

Anyone in Longview is welcome to harvest and tell others.  Don't forget about the grapes.

Hopefully the next camp with have better wifi or a computer I can use to back up the pictures.

Pictures at ??:??
Go back to the google drive link and see if there are some new pictures,

Safari Day One

We have arrived at Goronga Safari Camp outside of Krueger Park.

We spent all day yesterday traveling from Zanzibar to Johannesburg.  Hour car ride scaring pedestrians and motor bikers.  Then waiting at the airport for a flight to Dar something and going through 3 security checks and immigration where the workers were paid by the hour and that's about how long it took.

Got to the gate and spent my last shillings on some Amaretto at the duty free that I took to the very last row and sat in the middle seat with Pam in the middle one row ahead.

When we checked in the lady offered business class seats for $200 each we said no, but we'd do $100. "You have cash?"  Sure do. "Okay they will upgrade you at check in."

Great joke, there was no business class, but I'm sure she had fun with that!!

So I'm in the BACK with a big guy on the aisle standing and pounding beef jerky and a lady in the window seat not putting the shade down with the sun glaring in.  The aisle guy is way into my space and we would have had to stop the plane had I complained, so I kept quite and we three ordered multiple drinks as we were first served.

By the time the flight was over, Pam was telling us to be quiet and my Amaretto had vanished.  It was like chugging Fireball on the golf course.

He was the African rep for Union Pay which he claims will put MC and VISA out of business. I asked why he wasn't in the front of the plane and he said if the flight is less than 4 hours they go economy and the back row gets served first.  Sure enough his Chinese buddy offered him a pegio, Chinese for beer and I said sure.

Checked back into the hotel and were put into a small room that was not available when I booked, so back downstairs and "oh Yeah, so sorry" and put us in the room we paid for.

Out at 8 to catch the shuttle and then to the light aircraft terminal.  They had soft drinks, soup, then finger food and a 1 1/2 hour flight to here in a nice plane.  We were front row and about half way through Pam said, "I smell something funny and it's not you."  The pilots were spiting a bag of Doritos that was resting on the throttle.

Landed safely and the only animals we have seen are house flies, but I do hear a bird and there goes a deer.

We are overlooking a dried out river bed in cabin # 6 out of, wait for it . . . . . . 6.  I have already found a short cut to the lodge, but it is still a ways to the wifi and bar.  I'm sure we will survive.

Happy Anniversary to Drew and Emily!!!!  Hope all is well with everyone! No fires or hurricanes or nuclear war!!

We have lunch in 1/2 hour and then a drive, so I will try to take some shots from the phone and post. 

WORK AROUND!!?

Try this link to view some pictures taken with my phone.  They are loading very slowly and you will have to figure them out on your own.  Maybe when we get back to Johannasburg and faster internet I can load more.  The shots on my camera may stay there until we get home.

The link to my public Google Drive: (I hope)  You might have to copy and paste in the address line on your browser.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2_UOJHWOLwfZVhLZ0xNV0p2elE

Blogging from my phone

This ought to be interesting  trying to blog from my phone. I can't seem to get any pictures to come up, but I am not giving up.
Two days ago we took a boat ride out to a nearby protected island and Pam and I snorkeled for a little bit. Then we struggled to get back into the boat with the ladder that only came to the water level and I think a gymnast would have had trouble getting in the boat. It was not a pretty sight.
For an extra four dollars worth of fuel we went searching for the dolphins and found a pod of about 20.
There was another boat there and people were swimming with the dolphins but we were content just to watch so we wouldn't have to get hauled back into the boat.

Yesterday I took a 3 mile hike and got some good pictures of the fishing boats heading into the sunrise.  After breakfast we took an hour and a half trip to Stonetown which was a big slave trading port city until 1873.  We hired a guide who walked us around and pointed out and explained stuff. Bought some goop for my knees which are doing okay .  It was muggy hot so we had lunch and found our driver to take us home via a grocery store and multiple fruit and veggie stands.
Got back at 4 and hit the pool.
After dinner we had another game of hearts with cards that were a few drops of water short of pulp.  Once again I won, this time on a brilliant shoot the moon effort.  Then the moon appeared right where the sun rose in the morning. More great pictures I can't share.
Tomorrow back to Johannesburg and start the safari the next day.

Out to the Reef

Woke up at sunrise to another clear day with the tide WAY out.  Decided to check out the college scores and found out it was the begining of the second half with the Cougs having a chance to win their opener for the first time in 6 years.

Had breakfast outside, finished the game, GO COUGS, and then decided to try to find out what all the locals were doing out in the surf.  So I suited up and thought it might be wise to wear my tennis shoes out on the way to the breakers.  

Wading through the sea grass I spotted a few sea urchins (spoiler alert) and was careful not to hurt any of them.  15 minutes later I'm nearing the breakers and the incoming tide tips me over into a bed of sea urchins with their needle sharp spines.  Both hands and knees and even my tiny belly accepted the prods.  The sea turned red and I was looking for shark fins.

Obviously I made it back into shore, smashing every urchin I saw, but there were and are still some burrowing into my fingers and knees.

The computer Pam made me buy so I wouldn't use hers is not working, so no pictures until I figure that out. (In case anyone is tuned in)!!

I'll try to post this and some pictures later.

Hope all is well back home and in the HEAT!!

Made it to Zanzibar!

Our flight left Portland at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday and we arrived at our house in Zanzibar at 8:00 p.m. on Friday.  Of course we spent Most of Thursday in Johannesburg where we met Paul and Sharon in the hotel lobby at about 10:30 on Thursday morning.

Back to the airport Friday morning for a flight up to Dar Es Salaam Tanzania where we went through immigration and customs.  Then an ATM to get some local cash about 400,000 shillings each ($200 USD). Then a short cab ride to the old terminal to catch a light plane for the 30 minute flight to the island.

We had made arrangements for this house about a year ago.  The owner lives in Brugge Belgium and didn't want to go through Airbnb because of their fees.  We were a little apprehensive that we wired 1,000 Euros to someone in Nigeria, but there was his man the taxi driver holding up our name as we left the Zanzibar terminal.

He had been out getting groceries for our stay and took us to the spirits store for a weeks supply.  Then back on the road for the 1 1/2 hour 'ride' to the house.

BUT of course September 1st was "Eid al Adha", The Feast of Sacrifice, the most important feast of the Muslim calendar.  He took the back roads and EVERYONE seemed to be out in their finest walking the sides of the narrow road as we barreled through.  Luckily no one was hit, but we weren't in that big of a rush.  He did allow us to imbibe on the ride!

We were greeted at the door by the staff of 3 girls, the cook and two helpers and maids.  We got settled in and Pamela, the cook, made us a chicken with rice dinner.  She had to wait until the groceries arrived with us before starting.  It was very good.  There is also the driver and handyman, two gardeners, and 2 watchmen.

The house is huge and very nicely decorated.  200 feet of ocean front, pool, lots of covered and shaded chairs and areas outside as well as our dining table.

We have our own bathroom and Paul and Sharon took the bedrooms upstairs.

Spent the day recovering and adjusting!

Some shots of the place follow.

Sun rise this morning about 6:40 from our yard.

Pam reading (really) and Sharon in the pool

I'm actually typing this on the plane and the iPad shows 5:22 AM, but not sure what time zone, probably Dublin.

Made it home at 11:50 PM!  Our body clock is 8 hours ahead of that time (nearly 8AM tomorrow) as we got up at 7:00 a.m. Dublin time, had breakfast, and got on the bus at 8:30 for the ride to the airport for our late morning flight. 

Went through security and US immigration in Dubiln and took off a little late heading for DC. We were diverted to Syracuse NY because of weather or short on fuel as things were backed up due to weather. 

The flight out of DC was also delayed and a little bumpy to start.  Pam pretended to sleep and we have an empty seat between us so that helped some.

I think we are ready for a vacation or a staycation!!!

PowersCourt and Dublin

We made it from up north to south of Dublin and found a very nice room!

Shower and toilet on the left

Yes a TV in the mirror

Our room is on the top floor which have a deck to sit in the rain.  It's sunny now!!

We decided we had enough driving so we took the car back to the Dublin Airport a couple days early and went to Trinity College and the Guiness Tour.

Inside the library ala Harry Potter

 We had the most expensive beer in our life according to the cab driver.  And he was right!
Caught the Jones shuttle back to the hotel and grabbed a bite in their pub.

I went golfing with the guy that I sat next to in training classes back in St Louis 24 years ago.  He came out 10 days early and golfed with some buddies every day.  
I will need to post my score.  Walked over 5 miles, but I can say I played golf in Ireland and it was less than $1 per stroke. . . way less!

Then I went to the Powers Court Garden as Pam had gone shopping in a small village and wanted a break.

Powers Court Gardens

Dahilias

Then back to the Hotel and an hour later, back on the bus for a dinner at Castle Ward where some of Game of Thrones is filmed.

I just shot the apple of Jeff's head!

And had to pay!

The next day's breakfast before driving to Dublin via Belfast.

We saw the Titanic Exhibit which was well done showing the planning, construction, outfitting, voyage, collision, and finding the ship 100 years later.

Then off to Dublin on good highways and pretty heavy traffic.  So far, we have driven 1349 km or about 840 miles!  That's too much so we are turning the car in early, today, Wednesday(?) and catching the Jones shuttle back to Powers Court this evening.  We will take their bus in on Friday instead of fighting traffic and lugging our own bags.

Hillsborough Palace

I started this post 12 hours ago, but it wouldn't publish.  So after a long day in Dublin, returning the car as we are done driving and finding the shuttle back, I'll try again!!!!

After our 2 hour business meeting (one hour + one hour of introductions)  we hopped on a bus for a tour Hillsborough Castle which is the place the Queen stays when she visits Northern Ireland.

Not particularly old and we could only tour the first floor and gardens.  Reminded me of our back yard only no squirrels!

 

After the palace tour and high tea we strolled the gardens.

Then we stopped by the bus to drop off Pam's jacket before exploring the small town.  Three of the drivers were in the bus goofing off and joking with each other, so I explained we stayed at a house of a famous hurler.  "You mean hooler player," they corrected me.  I told them is name was Paudi Fitz something from Limerick County, probably 70 years old.

"Oh that would be Paudi Fitzmaurice they won the All-Ireland Championship in 1973."  That's the Super Bowl of hurling!  They pulled up a picture, and sure enough that was our brush with greatness.  

Pam said, "Last time I saw him, he was in his pajamas."  (as we left early in the morning)  The bus drivers looked at each other and said,  "I don't know if I would be saying that with your husband standing right here!"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paudie_Fitzmaurice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_c17BmZCCs

Two of the bus drivers

 I'll try to attach the rest on the next episode