Yaay you made it!!!! Wow...what an adventure. Have lots of questions...I can't wait to hear more about it once you are home.
Continued safety and joy in your travels,
Love Dan
Well, somebody(s) look happy! ... despite the rigors of the previous day, I guess.
Steve looks especially hobo-esque here despite his performance outer wear.
O_O Just wow. What an amazing trip so far. These are some really spectacular views... but who are the two gross hobos posing with the African guys?
ps: we haven't actually played your Settlers of Catan yet, but I did make you a new Thief, since you like using him so much.
So I read puma and Jonathan had to correct me to pumba. And give me a geography lesson. Jboy also tells me you have a super wicked awesome camera! We are thrilled about your adventuring, and loving the pics. Have you asked your rangers yet whether they have seen a rhino stomp out a fire...?
:)Heather & Jonathan
THUMP I'm trying to picture that "cute little skip jump", and failing.
But yeah, rhino poaching is possibly one of the planet's stupidest and most evil activities, especially when you consider what drives the market for the horns. It's one of the things that will make people of the future look back and say "what the hell was wrong with them then?"
Hi Steve and Liz!! You guys are having an amazing adventure! Keep up with the blog postings (and the photos!). Can't wait to hear stories when you get back!
Hi Steve and Liz!! You guys are having an amazing adventure! Keep up with the blog postings (and the photos!). Can't wait to hear stories when you get back!
...but more endangered :( almost 700 were poached last year in Kruger park alone...fueling TCM. At least it is getting national attention here - we have read quite a bit about the poaching issues in the media and in the national park publications. we met many lovely white rhinos during our trip - these guys just sat there for about 5 minutes until our driver nudged them along. they did a cute "little" skip jump when they decided we actually wanted to pass by them.
Clever Girl I remember the segment on African wild dogs from "Planet Earth". They are s.m.a.r.t. Vicious of course, too. But smart, extremely social pack hunters that coordinate and work together like the best team of soldiers you could imagine. Neat that you got to see some of them IRL.
good memory! they are super smart and will hunt in a relay or tag team kind of way - very co-ordinated and pre-planned. we saw a pack of about 8 of them....one of most special experiences in the park. interestingly, they are not territorial with other wild dogs. we haven't been able to figure out (yet) why their numbers are so low. we had a mammal guide book with us from 1984 and it said they were quite common. Our guide was not sure why they have declined, but siad that in the past few years, their numbers are increasing. sightings have to be reported to the park authorities so they can track how they are doing. simply amazing to see them interacting with one another.
Love the pics! And love the commentary too -- Yes, you never know what you'll find by the ocean :o)
Looking forward to reading more as your adventures continue. Stay safe!
Dan Veldhuis
non-member comment
Yaay you made it!!!!
Wow...what an adventure. Have lots of questions...I can't wait to hear more about it once you are home. Continued safety and joy in your travels, Love Dan