
South Africa, Surf and Safari, Whales and Garderns
South Africa is more than a place where you just see is a country experience with the five senses. It is an emotional encounter that makes you want to come back so I now on my fifth visit to this land of beauty and freedom. It is a land of contrasts where traditional African ways are mixed with those of modern Europe.
Here are more of a traveler than a tourist as we set out on safari hotel changes every night. We follow the Garden Route, the route of the visit of Prime Minister preferred by residents. Included in our group of 45 was a fighter pilot, two doctors, two psychoanalysts (which served me for me), the mother / Daughter, father / son, uncle of Julia Roberts and one of my good friends, including mine asset passport stamps, Frank.
As we have spent endless slums of tin shacks, we understood why the unemployment rate was 39%. It is the richest nation in Africa, but its resources are stretched due to the influx of 50,000 refugees annually from neighboring nations.
We learn that when a man built a hut on the your front lawn, after 72 hours you should allow him to stay or to find a new place to settle. In a population of 30% white and 70% of the color, reverse discrimination occurs for jobs. There are 11 official languages in South Africa. Most speak Afrikaans, a language derived from Dutch and Bushmen.
There is an indescribable warmth and friendliness of people here. "Ubuntu" is their word of welcome. They did not word for a foreigner in their mother tongue.
Day 2 – Cape Town rules of incredible natural wonders and trendiness. A cross between San Francisco and Rio, I could certainly stay here. We do a full day, including the peninsula of Camps Bay, Fish Hook, Simons Town, Hout Bay and more. Along dramatic coastline, we saw whales panties.
The highlights included a cruise to Seal Island, a hike among the thousands penguins and funicular to the Cape of Good Hope where the Atlantic and Indian oceans merge. There were many great moments of Kodak. At night, all scattered the famous V & A Waterfront with its plethora of pubs and cafes.
Day 3 – We head to Hermanus for a whale relaxed a right time. The annual whale festival is led by the world's only "Whale Crier" who blows his horn at each observation. Whales gather here each September to mate. The bays are clearly nursery for mothers and calves.
There are about 5000 Southern Right Whales appointed centuries ago when they were right to hunt whales. They have no teeth and swallow up 400 pounds of fish per day.
My provider said that we should see thousands gathered here in protected bays, but people told me they were shy today and only a few surface. However, it was a great day of free festivities. The whole town goes gaga whale and we liked to mingle with friendly locals.
Spring is in bloom now with a kaleidoscope of geranium, lavender, canola oil, star Protea and colorful. My wedding bouquet was callas. Here, they grow like weeds. We spent the night in the charming tiny town of Arniston. Our hotel on Sat ocean surrounded by mountains were dotted with lighthouses.
Day 4 – We go through the majestic mountains and Mossel Bay, famous for their calamaris which are the size of steaks. Our destination was Oudtshoorn, "Capital feathers of the world." Since 1864 is the world's leading supplier of all things ostrich hide, meat and feathers. We visited a huge farm for breeding and hatching of witnesses. Some got to climb the eccentric creatures.
Next stop was a wildlife center for the opportunity to become very close to various native animals. We had our photos caress leopard cubs, and a pygmy hippo named Humphrey. This was the home of "Duma, the cheetah's famous film of the same name.
Rare white tigers are raised here. There are only 300 left on earth. Many in our group participated in the world that "Croc Cage Diving", where they were lowered from the cage in hot water and surrounded by chomping jaws. These are huge Nile crocs. One bite and could break the column spine and break all the ribs. This site provided many exciting encounters.
Our last stop is the famous Cango Caves UNESCO, caves Arica the largest fair. I almost chose not to go as I am not a woman cave. It was however, incredibly impressive as we walked in the room Room mass dry caves that are a mere 800,000 years.
Day 5 – We arrive at the beautiful Plettenberg Bay. First tour is Monkeyland first sheet Free world roaming sanctuary mutli-species of primates. Here is the whole rescue on monkeys already abused, baboons, monkeys and lemurs in Madagascar. They tried to steal our property during our lunch outdoors.
Later, we visited the elephant sanctuary hands in interactive educational tour. I did not know African elephants could be tamed as Asian or Indian. We have learned that no other than the understanding is like the elephant that can learn, remember, reflect and develop things as man can hardly perform.
We enjoyed a safe in the hands Tower where we walked, fed and examined by touching his ears, tail, tongue and tear ducts. That was sweet. The trainers were Zulu-men. I started giving them a boost. With big smiles, they thanked me. I did not know this gesture Zulu meant they were very fertile.
We spent 2 nights at the Lodge Whalesong overlooking the ocean and a favorite of all. Here is a marriage surprise party was held for us with cakes, local wines and more from our U.S. supplier. After Frank made a heartfelt toast, we we all sang "Going to the plane and we're getting married." Dinners have been ours. Everything is so affordable here that we often classified 4 courses.
Day 6 – We traveled to Knysna oyster capital of the world. We boarded a ferry and sailed to Featherbed Nature Reserve. 4×4 Jeeps took us to the summit of Heads West for a breathtaking view over the sea
From there we hiked downhill to through the forest the sound of waves crashing on the coast. (This is the most dangerous bay on earth for boats sailing in these waters and are therefore unable to obtain insurance itself.)
A buffet of fresh seafood greets us at the Food Forest under a canopy of trees milkwood. From this little corner of paradise, I noticed the dock is covered with black mold. Rare seahorses are high here. These remarkable creatures mate for life and is the male who gives birth.
In the afternoon we joined the Ocean Safari in search of whales, dolphins and sharks. For me, this was the highlight of the trip. It was so unique: they have launched our boats like rockets in the Atlantic.
These vessels research has allowed us to obtain legally extremely close to whales. Our boat came on two 50 ton whales mating. One was the size of Moby Dick that arched gracefully than others slapped its flipper with a waterfall. It was like seeing two buses traveling in the water. Another boat spotted two pods of 20 whales playing together.
This eco-adventure was a powerful experience that left us in silence stunned until we left. Struggling against the waves, we return to earth was like storming the beaches of Normandy (without bullets) and very exciting.
Day 7-9 – We left for our longest drive of four hours to our game reserve. The landscape was perfect under the African sun with hills, indigenous forests, golden beaches and sand dunes that spilled into the sea
We arrived at the luxury Kariega, a private reserve with an abundance of game that has been a world apart. Situated in 14,000 hectares of lush vegetation Bushmans bordered by rivers, it was impressive. We had electric doors to see herds of gazelle, water buck, the antelopes and wildebeest. The landscape was a giant lawn for wildlife to satisfy their omnivorous appetites.
Five players of the game have been provided and sunset photo stop wine and drinks have been added. Our Ranger guides were excellent and it is more comfortable jeep safari does. Conservation is crucial here. In nature, nothing is guaranteed.
I have friends known to spend thousands of dollars on safari Africa and with the rain they saw little. The benefit of a private reserve is warranted comment.
Was just a taste of what Africa holds but here we have obtained the best photograph ever in the feet just lions, elephants, rhinos and countless other animals. The Cape buffalo is the most dangerous animal on earth because of its unpredictability. Is the only animal warrior Masai will take place.
Many here have been semi-domesticated and suddenly approached our jeeps. A client reached out to pet as if it Cow farmyard. He remained calm, but rabies may occur in seconds. For free time we enjoyed a cruise on the river between hippos and walked the trails. No where else have I been able to walk among the wild elk and zebra in the bush as I is here!
Our farewell "dinner Boma traditional cuisine has been placed under the Southern Cross star. The local staff sang and danced by a bonfire. It was a perfect ending to our trip well done.
About the Author
Former Miss Wisconsin Suzy Davis has traveled the world for nearly 30 years,
initially as a flight attendant and now with her company
http://www.AdventuresForSingles.com
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