Safari

We made it back from the Safari!!!
I know that no matter what I write or what we tell you in the future will ever come close to showing you how amazing this experience we just had really was! The last two and a half days just seem so unreal because of all of the things we saw and experienced.
Our day on Saturday started out with a three and a half hour bus ride north to the Phinda Game Reserve. It’s a conservation area that is privately owned but is a non profit organization because all the profits made are directly pumped back into the community. The drive there was interesting because we had a Zulu bus driver who told us about his culture, religion and history. The houses we saw and the people we came across were exactly what we see in photos or on T.V. The poverty of the people was horrible. Life is different here to say the least. One thing pictures or the T.V. can’t show you is the spirit of the people. Even though children were lined up on the side of the road and people were sitting outside their houses that had roofs held on with tires EVERYONE waved and smiled at our bus as it passed by. They must have known we were people going on vacation- something I’m sure they will never do- and they were happy to see us and seemed happy in general. They work hard and have little but are happy and friendly. People in America don’t want to work, feel entitled to the best of things, and resent others who have what they don’t. We could learn a lot from them.
When we got to the reserve the rangers and trackers met us at a gate that looked like the opening of Jurassic Park. We hoped in a Land Rover with no roof and sped down a bumpy dirt road to the Lodge. When we arrived they had a few workers with a damp hand towel for us and a glass of juice. We were so spoiled. Everyone at the Lodge worked together. They all had their different jobs, but the ranger’s unloaded luggage, the massage therapist waited tables and the gift shop girl did monkey duty. They had a real sense of pride in their jobs and everyone really loved what they were doing. Every time we said thank you they would say “Pleasure”!
Our first game drive was that evening. We had 4 all together. They lasted three and a half to four hours each and there were 6 of us together. The 4 of us rode with Jessica and Mak from Colorado, a very nice couple who were super excited for the adventure and had all the equipment needed. A BIG SHOUT OUT TO TONY FOR THE BINOCULARS!!!! Without them we would have been lost and they worked WONDERFUL!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! Our rangers name was Philip and he was amazing. He was the head tracker, though he couldn’t have been older than 30. The tracker’s name was Zekele, he was a Zulu and he rode on the very front of the car and could spot tracks from and animal and tell us when they were there and where they were going.
We saw all of the big 5 and Hippo, crocs, Cheetah, Giraffe, Bush Babies, Warthogs. The list goes on and on. It was hot, cold, drizzled and REALLY HOT too. OF all the places I’ve been and all I’ve seen this was the best. Hands down!
Tomorrow we go to the Zulu caves and Mountains! Miss you all and thanks for checking in.
P.S. My blood clot never developed. I know you were all worried….