Day 1: The Rainbow Nation

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2 beers, 1 orange juice, 3 bottles of water, one salt lick from the galley, 2 half-watched movies, 5 games of chess, 2 bathroom breaks*, and 11 hours later, our flight from Frankfurt, Germany touched down in the Rainbow Nation (I had to inform Erin that the nickname was derived from the many different people and cultures that make up South Africa and that an "alternative" explanation didn't exist).

*(Pops had quite a few more breaks, as he had 4 more beers, 2 more bottles of wine, and 3 less waters)

However, our excitement was short-lived (unlike Pops'dehydration), as we waited 4 hours in Cape Town's airport to board a 3 hour flight to Nelspruit in the NE of the country.

Upon arriving, we collected our rental car and proceeded to drive the hour drive to our guesthouse outside of Hazyview. Now I've driven a stick-shift with my left hand on the left side of the road before in Ireland, so I felt comfortable enough navigating around the many people walking on the highway shoulder with babies strapped to their backs while balancing goods on their heads...Pops, on the other hand, was a different story. I foolishly made the mistake of assuming he was a seasoned veteran, having driven a car in 2 backwards countries before. By the third time coming head-on with another car in the wrong lane, I realized my mistake.

Idle and Wild (our guesthouse) was beautiful, as the whole yard was a lush tropical garden. I quickly made friends with the local Jack Russell and Tabby before eating dinner at the local micro-brewery. We retired to our ablutions early, and Pops made it known that although he liked sleeping in a different room, this would be the first time he slept in a bunkbed since his brother Tom lost their bunkbeds on his way home from college.

Quote of the Day:
"Like this...this is freaking me out."
- Dave Gundersen as he is driving home from Perry's Bridge Brewery thinking every oncoming car was in his lane.

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Photos

Idle and Wild guesthouse
...this was the backyard of our guesthouse in Hazyview

Comments

[Mama]

Quick picking on Pops
I am glad that I sent Pops along with you so you have fodder for your entries......Pictures are great and despite Pops you sound like you are having a great time

[chickpoo]

Willy
Have to go halfway around the world to see Willy. Looks like it is a nice trip, just what you were looking for. HOpe everything is going well for you three. Gramps and Rosie