Well its Sunday morning here and its raining again! The only good thing about it is my nose cannot burn anymore than it has done - think I am now on the fourth skin peel!!!!!!
Yesterday afternoon we went off to Shamwari which is situated opposite Amakhala but is a much bigger reserve. The lodge we started our game drive from was Long Lee Manor - it is a very colonial style property and quite upmarket.
As we were early we had to waited around a while for our guide (ranger) who was a very nice chap. During the drive he was so informative and interesting to listen too which was great. Interestingly the Shamwari rangers carry a .375 rifle with them on the drives whereas the Amakhala rangers don't carry any rifle.
Before we started the drive we were able to have hot drinks and afternoon tea and then at the end of the drive sundowners and canapes. The drive started at 4.15pm and finished just before 8.00pm.
I loved the guide's opening statement on his briefing 'at Shamwari we ask that you only take pictures and leave footprint' a very polite way of saying 'be conscious of everything that is around you and respect it'.
He provided us with information on the background of Shamwari, plants and vegetation, culture and indepth detail regarding each animal we saw during the drive.
Unfortunately the weather turned and it started to rain and it also got a bit colder - well we did not hear the last of it from the others - anybody would have thought we were in the Antartic! I really cannot be doing with all this wingeing!!!!
One of the highlights was a white rhino bull, female and calf and we were really up close and personal - it was marvellous to see such an animal at the range we were able to get to without imposing on its being. We also saw one a white lioness with her 7 month old cub who was still suckling - she also had last year's cub with her - a young male.
Oh yes, we had to go and see the hippos - wow that was exciting! we sat and watched a solitary male submerged in a waterhole for quite a long time waiting for it to rise to the surface - we could have been there all night as it was in the middle of the waterhole and no intention whatsoever of coming out onto land. One bit of interest was that it had a turtle sitting on its back - one way of getting transport I suppose! I am still not sure if Sandra and Claire were pleased that they had seen the hippo (they had requested that they specifically wanted to see a hippo) as all they did was complain about the fact that there were no blankets or waterproofs on the vehicle.
The last bit of interest before heading back towards the lodge was to see a bull elephant pulling down a tree on the roadside and then blocking the road completely so no one could get passed. It looked so easy - I wished we could uproot the blue bush as quickly.
I really enjoyed the Shamwari visit but we only saw a fraction of the reserve.
I have realised that I have not told you about Sandflats - well there is not a lot to tell really as it is a one horse town. Originally the railway passed through here in the days of the steam trains but that has long gone. In fact we live in the old railway station. Sandflats in its majority is dominated by white South Africans and surrounding farms - there are not too many properties around here. There is the B&B and pub with the liquor store directly behind us (within a stone's throw across the garden). The pub is the social highlight of all the rangers who congregate there on a regular basis - now they can shift some various forms of alcohol. Apparently they do go down to the Polo Club as well but not sure exactly where that is but its near to Grahamstown.
Paterson is the nearest town which we can walk to - there are several shops and two funeral directors. The black african township is the other end just passed the orphanage and the coloured african township is nearer to the town by the primary school and opposite the orphanage. There is very high unemployment in Paterson and the knock on to that is as I think I have previously said high levels of alcoholism.
Paterson also has a major problem with HIV and Aids in the community and many of the children have lost their parents through the disease. It appears that the government do not think that there is a problem which is very frustrating for those who are trying to help their local community. Many of the farmers wives are involved in supporting the orphanage and other aspects of the community.
I must also tell you about my room - I have the window open all day and every day (in fact since I found a suitable brick on the second day here it has not been shut). Yes I did say a brick as without it I could not keep the window open!!! I was most disappointed last night I had to have a blanket over my sheet as it was colder than normal - for the past two weeks all I have had is my trusty sheet (I removed the duvet - it was far too hot). Everyone else has duvets, blankets and close their windows - its summer in South Africa for goodness sake!!!
I can hardly believe that I am nearly at the end of my three weeks at Amakhala - on Thursday I will be at the airport to meet up with David and we will be off on our adventures - I cannot wait, there is still so much I want to see. Thanks to everyone who has been providing David with meals - I don't think he has gone hungry whilst I have been away by the sounds of things.
Take care everyone - I will see you soon - the time is flying by!
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