http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/AnnaAdventuring/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from AnnaAdventuring en-us Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:57:37 +0000 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:57:37 +0000 Yesterday the rest of the group set off to tour Johannesburg and Pretoria. I wasn't interested in doing the same trip again and though I looked at other day trips I couldn't seem to find any enthusiasm for getting up before 7 throwing things in a bag and rushing off for a day of sightseeing. I did still get up early and joined the others for breakfast in the main building of the hostel although http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/blog-453601.html I actually slept until 7.30 this morning and didn't wander up to the Lion park until later. I wasn't feeling dedicated enough to clean the lion enclosures when I didn't have to I took the opportunity to walk around the campsite and take photos and then went up to the Lion Park and visited each of the animals in turn. The giraffe family were all together in the main camp and Georgina finally seems http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/blog-448586.html It was my last day working at the Lion Park today. Since I spoke to Carolina on behalf of the rest of the group we have arranged a later pickup tomorrow so we can have more time with the cubs but today was our last day of work.I set of to the enclosures first thing this morning. The smell of lion poo in the morning is not pleasant and I have also noticed it is particularly bad if they've had fre http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/blog-448585.html I was back to the usual routine today after my trip away from the Lion Park yesterday. I set off for the early morning shift and got to see the cubs first thing today as I now have enclosure cleaning duty. Glenn Tara and I quickly located the things we'd need for cleaning the enclosures in the hovel and set to work. I soon discovered that our cute little cubs are quite revolting creatures. We wal http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/blog-448584.html I had a unexpected trip today. I was sitting alone in the cool morning air hands cupped around a mug of hot tea when Carmel joined me not dressed in uniform. I asked where she was going and she said that she'd been talking to a tour guide who'd been telling her about Glen Afric a game reserve nearby where they film the ITV series 'Wild at Heart' and when she'd expressed an interest in going he'd http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/blog-440152.html It's been a fairly quiet day at the Lion Park. The most excitment I had was at breakfast since Purdy was still loose in the camp. I was sitting on the bench outside the kitchen when a large shadow passed over the material covering and rippled over the wooden posts of the fence. I looked up to see a giant giraffe's head silhouette looming over me before she got bored and walked off. Glenn soon came http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/blog-440150.html I had a new morning duty starting today nursery I wasn't too worried about it since the two cubs have gone to cub world. There was one morning after the cubs had a slight toilet problem followed by the realisation it's fun to slide in that I was exceptionally glad I wasn't responsible for cleaning it up There have been days when we've been ready to throw up on entrance to the nursery and I've http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/blog-440148.html It was my last morning on truck duty today. Glenn Tara and I walked up and stopped in the middle of an empty car park no trucks in sight. We successfully located the trucks in the staff car park by the nursery. I picked a truck and struggled to get in while holding the cleaning things and my own bag. Fortunately a member of staff spotted me futile attempt to get in the truck and ran to my rescue http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/blog-440147.html It's strange that the lion park is starting to feel like home. It seems normal to me to get up with the sunrise shower in bathrooms patrolled by divebombing weird insects eat breakfast outside and then walk out of the campsite exchanging greetings with the wandering giraffes and tiptoeing across a cattle grid on my way to work Tara managed to wake up in time for morning shift today so we all http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/blog-440146.html Another early start today another glimpse of a beautiful red sunrise I was too tired and cold to appreciate and another almost silent breakfast as the volunteers huddled on the wooden bench outside the kitchen cradling hot drinks and staring bleeryeyed at our food.At 8am we set off for our first duty of the day. I was on truck cleaning so Glenn and I walked through the deserted car park to the n http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/blog-439908.html I woke up early and stumbled across the field in the cool morning air to our bathrooms appropriately labelled 'lions' and 'lionesses'. I made myself breakfast in the kitchen and perched on the wooden bench outside where I was soon joined by Glenn Tara EmJ and our fifth volunteer Iris who arrived late yesterday afternoon. In addition to us five newbies there are five other volunteers staying http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/blog-439907.html Today I finally arrived at the Lion Park the original purpose for this whole now rather extended trip. I can't believe I have finally made it I got up early double checked all my documents and travel plans and dragged my rucksack to reception to await my taxi. I got to the airport to meet the rest of the group but not seeing anyone else sat down to wait...and wait. When it got to 9 'o' cloc http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/blog-438185.html Yesterday's trip had left me feeling pretty morose and an evening spent alone in my dingy hostel room did nothing to improve matters. I did however plan a trip to visit De Wildt Cheetah Research Centre assuming that while Johannesburg may have been a disappointment these beautiful cats were sure to cheer me up. I packed my bag and took a book outside to wait for my taxi. I sat on a bench in the su http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/blog-437564.html I decided to spend the day exploring a bit more of Johannesburg. Although I love the South African countryside and animals I felt I should learn something of the history of the country. I booked a tour that would cover the city centre the Apartheid Museum and Soweto.Johannesburg is a large city covering more than 2500 km sq. It was founded after the discovery of gold in the area by Australian pr http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/Johannesburg/Soweto/blog-437420.html I left Zimbabwe today. I got up early and had my final breakfast watching birds flying over the national park and animals drinking at the waterhole. I lugged my rucksack up to reception and then sat with Rone waiting for our transfer. We both agreed that it has been a blissfully relaxing trip but far too short The coach arrived to take us to the airport. I had a surprise as I stepped off the coac http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-437389.html I had a horribly early start this morning however an elephant back safari is definitely an experience worth getting out of bed at 5.30am for. I collected my packed breakfast from reception and clambered into the mini bus. I munched on rolls cheese and fresh scones as we drove to Victoria Falls Hotel to pick up the rest of the group. It turned out I was the only individual in the group. The other http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-436212.html Today was my first full day in Zimbabwe. I woke up early and went to the restaurant in search of breakfast. I found the most amazing buffet waiting for me bread rolls croissants cakes scones jams butters whole fruit sliced fruit fruit kebabs cereals cheeses cold meats yogurt fruit salad fresh juices tea coffee and a menu offering cooked breakfasts I got chatting to some American http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-435697.html After only a brief stay in Johannesburg I travelled back to the airport to fly to Zimbabwe I was very glad to leave Johannesburg. I woke up this morning freezing cold and when I looked out the window I found it was pouring with rain. I got to the airport early had a brunch in the cafe and perused the gift shop before settling into the departure lounge with a book. I was amused to see a giant m http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-435696.html Today was my first day of sightseeing. I had hoped to get a feel for the country by taking a city tour of Johannesburg but the trip wasn't running. I opted instead for a full day's safari at Pilanesberg National Park and am so glad I did. I have had a fantastic day have had a wonderful introduction to Africa and finally feel like my trip is starting. I woke at 7am and ran straight for my hot show http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/North-West/blog-435425.html I set off for Africa yesterday. I got through Heathrow fairly quickly although take off was slightly delayed. Our pilot was a very cheerful chap who chatted away to us over the loud speakers and gave us what was a cross between a guided tour and a weather report... 'now as we take off into the dark cloud ahead you'll be able to see Heathrow's new terminal 5...' As we finally took off and began the http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Gauteng/Johannesburg/blog-423802.html