The Famous SUN CITY

On leaving Pilansberg National Park, we drove to SUN CITY. It is a huge resort, casino and golf course nestled in amongst mining areas and shiny townships. There are a host of sports and adventures to do. Entertainment galore. The game arcade is a teenager's idea of heaven! A real "family friendly" holiday resort with its own little zoo. They have the biggest "kids club" I have ever seen. Google search it for a better look! You will be amazed at what is on offer there.

We had a few hours to look around. Mr. O. wanted to have a surf in the mechanically enhanced waves.   A warning bell signals the imminent release and arrival of the waves. lifeguards are on duty. The bottom is rough concrete. You wouldn't want to be knocked down by these waves, or ouch! I remember seeing it on a holiday show and it featured as a task on the reality show "The Amazing Race".

SAFARI #2

Mr. O. and I had a weekend in the PILANSBERG NATIONAL PARK. We stayed at a small, but lovely place called "Ivory Tree Resort" which was situated right beside the entrance to the national park. We went on two morning safaris which left at 5:30 and returned us back in time for breakfast at 9am. We also went on two evening safaris from 4:30- 8:30, with dinner served when we returned.

Now which is the best viewing seat in the safari truck?

The beautiful and inquisitive kudos

The wildebeest  or gnu

Sundowners!

Another romantic dinner in Africa

Stay out mossies!

Mummy rhino with her baby. It is so sad and deplorable that poachers kill these  beautiful creatures for their horns!

Where in the world are you, Mrs. O.?

"Right here!"

The Ivory Tree Lodge

Our bungalow

Mummy and baby

Mummy warthog with five babies!

Curious kudos

Guineafowl or "bush chicken"

Beware, giraffes crossing!

A group of giraffes is called a "journey of giraffes".

Now it's a zebra crossing!

A herd of elephants at the waterhole

It's like Noah's ark!

The collective noun for a group of zebras is "a dazzle of zebras". 

On the day safaris, we saw zebras, giraffes, elephants, wildebeests, rhinos, impala, springbok, warthogs and my favourite...the kudos. It was too hot for the lions and leopards to be out. They must have been hiding under some shady trees or at a cave entrance somewhere in the park. We went in search of them at night, but alas, no sightings by us ;0(  Others managed to catch a glimpse! We did hear some male lions calling to each other at night. We weren't far from them as they were in the thicket nearby. Oh well, we will just have to go on another safari to find them! We thoroughly enjoyed observing the amazing creatures that we did  see. Funny thing is that alot of  the "bush" is very much like Australia. There were times when we half expected to see a mob of kangaroos bounding across our path! Instead the giraffes would remind us that we were in Africa as they  gracefully checked for traffic and lopped across the road to the other side.

Buying tonight's Dinner

Fresh seafood from the sea and filleted for me! Yummy fish and chips for dinner tonight! Piexe e Batata por jantar este noite!

Golfing in Mozambique

I played my first game of golf with friends, Julie (USA) and Tania (SA), last Thursday. We had so much fun! There was a constant stream of adults and children using the golf course as a thoroughfare to get to work and school from their homes bordering the course. At one stage, we had to stop and wait whilst a shepherd herded his goats across our green! We wondered how many penalty points were awarded if you hit a goat or it ate your ball! We laughed the whole time! Even our caddies, thought we were a hoot ! Tania was given the name "Donna Bella Good Chip"!

Sailing, Sailing.... Over Maputo Bay!

Yesterday, we spent the day onboard a big catamaran . Destination? Inhaca Island! It took us two hours to sail there and back. The weather was a change from previous days and weeks of rain and floods.

We enjoyed the beautiful cool water for some snorkelling and swimming. The crew prepared a delicious lunch of curried chicken (Carril de frango). They were very attentive and our glasses were rarely empty! The weather was perfect and the company divine, especially our new friends, Tania and Micael!

There were three Mozambicans sailing the vessel, five Italians and one Portuguese gentleman visiting on business, and us. Very multicultural . We all conversed and shared stories of families and travel.

Could not have been any better, except that Tania wanted champagne ! Still that did not dampen our spirits. Another memory to add to our African Adventures!

Weekend shopping in Maputo

Greg and I went with camera in hand to check out the markets at Marces Jannette and the Arts and Craft Markets down by the old fortress.

Marces ( markets) Janette has everything from fruit, vegetables to hair extensions, hair plaiting services, hair salons, little hole-the-wall bars, little traditional eateries, tailors, clothing and lingerie shops! All located in a "rabbit warren" labyrinth. Luckily, we weren't there during heavy rains or floods as most of the place would have been a quagmire!

I bought some fresh fruit and veggies. Found a delightful stall, so nicely presented. It was run by a lady called Zubadri. She had the loveliest smile! I promised to go back and see her. Next time I do, I will take a copy of the photo, Greg took.

We saw this tiny little "hardware" stall where the gentleman was selling a small collection of tools, screws and nails. Greg now knows where he has to go for his Bunnings supplies!

My favourite part of the day was bargaining for an interesting African table and a wooden statue of a rhinoceros . The vendors quote a price and then I offer half of it if I really want the item. Then we engage in a "see-saw" verbal contest to agree on the price! He usually offers "best price" , but then I get my "best price meticais" ( money) out and say that's all I have! Take it or leave it! Usually, that does it. If not walking away helps and they come after you to secure the deal.

I became very good at saying "Eu apreciar premerio, obrigada!" ( I am just looking/ appreciating, first, thank you." Which is a polite way of saying, "don't hassle me, I am looking first."

I will have to go back to the craft markets as I saw a wooden giraffe that caught my eye! It was taller than me, too! Seeing my dear old "Blind dog Bear" is at home in Oz, I am starting a collection of wooden pets to talk to!

Johannesburg Post Script

After having our fill of delicious food and wines, but had to start making tracks to head back to the hotel to collect our bags and get to O.R. Tambo International Airport. BUT...... we just happened to walk past this "hole-in-the-wall" shoe shop. Now, anyone who knows me well, knows that I LOVE shoes, especially high heels. Even as a little girl, I used to clip-clop around in my grandmother's and great aunt's high heels playing dress ups. Somethings never change! Must be in the DNA! Well, I just had to go in and try some on. No purchases made. Don't think I could have walked to far in these skyscrapers, but it certainly put a smile on my face playing dress ups, even if just for a short time!