Beware of Hippos

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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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Photos

Impalas, the McDonalds of Kruger Park
Impalas are the most common animals (and most commonly hunted animals) in Kruger Park; more than half the animals there are impalas, which eat any kind of grass or foliage, and serve mainly as food for the lions and other big animals. Kruger is the largest game park in South Africa, larger than the country of Israel.

Reflecting on Johannesburg
Modern building, home of the diamond exchange, all glass, with reflection of neighboring constructions.

Soweto housing
You can rent an apartment in Soweto (South West Township of Jo-burg), for 1000 Rands a month ($166), but many people cannot afford this amount, so are living in tin shacks.

Nelson Mandela's Home
This was Nelson Mandela's home in Soweto, before he was arrested and spent 26? years in prison, before he was released and became President of South Africa. Now he lives in a big mansion in Johannesburg.

How Tall are You?
Giraffes, the skyscrapers of the animals, are found in great numbers in Kruger.

Beware of Hippos
Hippos cause more deaths of humans than any other animal, our guides tell us.

Loving South Africa
Here we are, overlooking the Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga, located in the northeastern part of South Africa.

Our Hotel Room - Hippo Hollow
Our rustic hotel room at Hazyview, South Africa.

Warning to Hotel Guests
Beware of Hippos, which come out of the water and might be wandering in front of your cabin at night.

Our Travel Group
This group of 8 people, from seven countries (England, Germany, France, Switzerland, South Africa, Armenia, USA), traveling around the country on a 15 day tour.

Music and Dance
This dance, drum, and singing group from the Shanga peoples. The chief (the heavy man in the center) is also a taxi driver.

Common Form of Transport
Lazing down a Swaziland country road in the back of a truck...

Family in Swaziland
When we stopped our van on the side of the road for a short while, this young mother and her 3 children came out of their hut, happy to accept a small donation from us in exchange for a photo.

Toilet in Zululand
What more can I say?

Evi and Melanie
We flew to South Africa from London where we visited Melanie for 3 days. Photo taken in front of the Tower of London.

View of St. Paul
Bagpiper screetches on a bridge over the Thames.

Dining With a View
People having lunch at the Tate Modern Gallery, just across the river from St. Paul's.

Comments

[gadi]

Long Time Coming
That fulfilled the prophesy.

[Edi]

far away
Thank you for this interesting blog !

[LABAN SILA]

rich AFRICAN ARTS
Nelson is a true African crusader of the African Social & economic rights as depicted in His home photos.May the Almighty give Him more days to live.