Beware of Hippos

After 2 months of pure winter in Evi's home country, we experienced a magic conversion: winter to summer in 11 hours. We left Switzerland for London, spent 3 days with Melanie who is exhilarated by her new job, house, roommates, and lifestyle, then flew to South Africa in 11 hours, arriving in the middle of summer!

We stayed in Johannesburg with a lovely family, both parents are artists, who live in a garden-like environment in a lovely section of town. We took a tour of Jo-burg and Soweto, with a black driver who had experienced life under Apartheit and shared them with us. We saw the home of Nelson Mandela who lived on the same street as Desmond Tutu, both Nobel Prize winners.

We met our tour group at the Rosebank Hotel, and left for a 15 day tour of the country, starting in the north-east, near Kruger Park. We saw a male lion attack a BMW, chasing it down the park road for about 100 meters. Guides say they haven't seen that happen in 10 years. Male was evidently in heat and, mating just along the road, must have felt autos were rivals for the affections of his lady.

After Kruger, we entered Swaziland, the second smallest independent nation in Africa. (trivia - which is smaller?*) Exiting Swaziland, we entered the easternmost part of South Africa, KwaZulu Natal, home of the Zulu warriors, many of whom today wear white shirts and ties and serve wine at restaurants. We have seen interesting sights, our accommodations have been in lush settings, and the food has been tasty and varied (and 2/3 US prices).

Now we've reached the south eastern coast, at St. Lucia wetland, a wildlife and ecological sanctuary, home of crocodiles, hippos, and birds; considered one of the UN's World Heritage Sights. Tomorrow morning we'll go out on a boat.

All the best, our love to everybody,

Howie and Evi


*(Trivia: Gambia smallest nation in Africa)

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