Amazing!

The sunrise and sunset drives were absolutely amazing!! It was soooo dam cold but that didnt bother me! We got into the park at 4:30am for the sunrise drive. It was still dark so we had the spotlights on but we saw so many animals. there was a week old baby white rhino only 1m back from the truck. Our driver told us it was extremely rare to see a baby by itself, and he was right because after about 30sec a HUGE mamma rhino came out from behind a bush and deathstared us! The sunrise was absolutely breathtaking! On the sunset drive my dreams all came true at once! we were only about 3km into the park and there were 2 cheetah chillin on the side of the road! There had just been a kill so they were full and were resting. I couldnt believe that i was only about 10m from 2 cheetahs! We also drove down near a waterhole to see some hippo's and then across the waterhole we saw two female lioness' and a big male lion come down to drink and play. We watched another breathtaking sunset in Kruger Park! It was sooo beautiful! I couldnt believe how lucky i was. My lifetime dream of being in Africa, seeing cheetahs, leopards and lions and watching an African sunset had all come true in one day!! Felt so blessed.

After sunset we put the spotlights on and saw an abundance of animals again. I was literally about 5m away from a huge male lion. He had just had a big feed and you could see his full belly. He was sleeping and i was so close that i could him breathe! It was one of the most exciting moments in my life!!

Next day we went quadbiking.I was a bit hesitant on doing it because i didnt want to just cruise through a paddock of watever, but i was wrong. It was full on extreme dave type of stuff!! We did one quick lap to learn how to drive the 250CC bikes and then we were off. We climbed 30 degree rockyslopes, sped through orange orchids, down huge rocky mountains, through streams and mud and then sped 75km/h up the main road (No roadrules in South Africa!). I did a burn out too! By accident though because i was playing chase with our guide and he made a really quick right turn and i followed him and did a big burnout in the dust! Sooooo much fun!

That night we went to Shangaan Cultural Village. It was one of the most memorable nights of my life. We were greeted by the local Shangaan tribe and welcomed into their village. We ate crocodile and impala and tasted other local fruit and nuts. I got to meet the chief of the tribe and he welcomed me to sit with him at his hut. I felt so honoured. He introduced me to 2 of his 3 wives and 4 of his 36 children (African chief's are very fertile!). It was such an honour. we also met the tribes medicine man and he showed us some of his traditional medicines and diagnostic methods. Soooo fascinating! We then went into the centre of the village and there was traditional dancing and singing and story telling. It was amazing. I got up and danced with them and played the drums and then we had a traditional feast in the huts. best food! Pap, meat, vegetables, fruit, shangaan bread and nuts. Then there was more dancing and singing! A very memorable night!

Back at school now for the past 2 weeks. Been very busy with teaching, coaching, tutoring, learning, counselling and dancing. Always lots to do and have been extremely busy.
Still loving Africa so much. Have made so many wonderful friends.
Sending lots of love home
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxox