Posted 26 September 2013

Jumbo Elephant, Jumbo Elephant, 

You have such a big long nose, 

Jumbo Elephant, Jumbo Elephant, 

It reaches to your toes!

22 August  We drove out the Southeast border of Swazi and proceeded to Tembe Elephant Park.

We passed a number of villages.










This is a public school.

Beautiful Garden!

This is a public market area.  Busy, Busy....We kept driving.

FINALLY, 

WELCOME TO TEMBE ELEPHANT PARK

We enjoyed  an afternoon game drive and an early morning game drive each lasting 3 hours.  

Our driver was very talented and we saw more animals than many others.....


And......










They smiled at us.





















A giant male lion, lying in the middle of the road waiting for us to take his picture!




















He has a collar on him.  I don't think he is tame, though.  We didn't pet him to see......

There was an area producing thatch next to the game park...  Interesting process.

We really did get close to a lot of wild animals.

I am having a good hair day!

There are several very large bull elephants in this park.

Watering holes are always good area for viewing game.

 


Com'on girls lets get our act together












Better now!  Hurry get your shot!

Nice reflection!

This giant 55- 66 year old elephant is ISILO.  (Age subject to audit).    HE IS THE GUY AT THE BEGINNING WHO HAS THE LONG, LONG TUSKS.  Isilo visited the camp in the night, banged and bumped around, left piles of  stuff and footprints.  It made for an exciting night!

Not Isilo, but one of the "big boy" group. 

He likes to push stuff around.....  luckily it wasn't us.

The camp had 40 to 50 people from all over the world, South Africa, the UK, Germany, New Zealand  and only us from the United States.



JOSHUA WAS IN CHARGE!

August  23-24    We left  Tembe and drove to St. Lucia on the Indian Ocean.     We stayed two nights with Monica at the Avalone Guesthouse.   What a treat!  

We Arranged for a Riverboat game drive to the Hippo Estuary.

Pretty good sized CROC......

This baby hippo stands on an adult to keep his nose above water.

This lizzard has his space and likes it.  he posed for a long, long time.

We were watched!!!!!!

Even from behind!!!!!

Later in the afternoon, the children enjoyed a 3 hour adventure “body surfing”
in the Indian Ocean.

This is a monkey and a monkey apple!

Striped Mongoose

August 25   After an early, delicious breakfast, we drove from St. Lucia to Nselini some 65 km down the coast.  We spoke to Branch President Alvana and found the rented space.  He / they welcomed us openly and suggested  we should be the Sacrament Meeting speakers.  Kyoung, Margaret, Ryan and  Robert bore testimony and spoke about sacrifice and many of the examples we were witnessing on our trip. 

The Primary Room

Priesthood Meeting

Always a new friend!

After the block, we headed on down the coast to Durban and then turned up N3 to return home to Johannesburg.    (we did not realize until we were on our way that Ryan had given his white shirt and tie to the husband of the Relief Society Counselor.  She had hung her husband's white shirt and pants out on the line after washing them.  They were stolen.  Also, Josh took off his belt and gave it to another young man.  We appreciated their sincere unselfishness and the way they got along and blended in with the members)  

The Durban area is beautiful!

Then Home at last!

Monday we finished up some last minute shopping at the African Market, and packed up for departure.

On the way over Ryan and Kyoung had 13 suit cases:  at least 11 of them full of white shirts, ties, clothes and other humanitarian items. 







On the way home, the suit cases were down to 11.  They took 3 suit cases to Salt Lake City for the Curtis’,  took Christmas gifts for us to the rest of the family and a few souvenirs for themselves.  Their service in behalf of others was exemplary and  their flexibility  in travelling is LEGEND!   Thanks!!

Definitely mixed feelings for us having Ryan, Kyoung and family leave.  It has been an unforgettable experience!  Stay Safe!