Geo: -25.3406, 31.7709Another superb dinner last night. Francois is the representative of the family that owns the lodge and he is very warm and hospitable. His mum Joyce baked a lovely chocolate cake for Rob's birthday and we all toasted and sang Happy Birthday (including in Africaans). Gerard, the 74 year-old patriarch is very involved in developing a new lodge a few hours away in Mozambique. He loves to talk about the country and the people, in a paternalistic and caring way. Joyce made sure that her son Etienne sang for us at dinner. He is a professional opera singer and also a very good chef.Andy and Ela are staying only four days and they are off again today for another full day safari into Kruger. We are going to an elephant encounter at Kwa Madwala ... read more

Geo: -25.3406, 31.7709We arrived mid-afternoon. After a quick snack we headed off with Andy and Ela (from Salzburg) for an afternoon drive along the Crocodile River. Kruger Park lies on the other side of the river. Our guide said that the current cold snap would reduce the chance of seeing animals - when it's cold they don't necessarily need to water every day. We were pleased to see a sleeping hippo, then a bloat of five in the river. We also saw a family of five elephant, and a distant view of a buffalo. So, a pretty good first go. Tomorrow after a 5:30am start we spend the day in Kruger Park and hope to see lots of animals.Our room is pretty but poorly lit, especially the bathroom. The lodge sleeps 12 people in five rooms ... read more

Geo: 1.33099, 103.84Yesterday did some shopping and had lunch at the Takashimaya department store Food Fest market. Very good sweet korean pancakes, crackers, dumplings, etc. Much champagne drinking in the afternoon followed by a restorative nap. In the evening we taxied to Lau Pa Sat for a meal on the satay street and finished off with a few drinks at the Jigger and Pony Bar.Today we browsed antiques and fine arts at the Dempsey Hilll precinct. After a fine lunch at Paradise Dynasty in the Ion shopping centre, we had a reflexology massage, which included a short nap. Then home to iced coffees and salted caramel ice cream, rugby and more chatting. Julie showed me how to download movies using BitTorrent. Home cooked pasta dinner and later off to the airport for our 2:10am departure for ... read more

Geo: -27.4676, 153.028... read more

Geo: 31.2382, 121.469We're on our own today to get ourselves on the 2:45pm plane to Brisbane via Guangzhou.Dwayne and Joellen leave earlier, so we say goodbye to them around 9am. The Mag-Lev train services Pudong Airport. But we leave from Hongqaio Airport so we'll do a tourist round trip on the train in the morning, then taxi later to the airport.Later. Easy 4 yuan subway ride to the Mag-Lev station and return. The Mag-Lev return fare was 80 yuan, and well worth it. The subway to our airport seems easy too, but with luggage the minor cost of a taxi looks warranted.... read more