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Wednesday August 9th, Albert Falls, Natal, South Africa On Sunday August 6th, gaining a fragile confidence in the machine, we head off on a ramble around the lake - about 30Km, hoping for some Zulu culture. We end up having a cup of tea and a game of mini golf - obviously this area is significantly run down from days of yore! Come lunch time, we notice a small entry on the local map, which advertises "lunches". When we arrive, it turns out to be a truly fabulous private game area, (we see three rhino and six giraffe on the 3Km. way in), and have a spectacular lunch while looking out over a beautiful valley. I nix the idea of Zulu culture in exchange for another portion of lamb on a spit (Hhhhmmmmn!). Back at the falls, we move into a chalet with a glorious view, and Mike and Kerry come over for their final night. They are typical of the South Africans we meet (sorry guys), - friendly, open, interested in what the world thinks about SA and the "situation". Stoic, resigned, optimistic. We usually get invited to their place to stay, and Mike & Kerry are no exceptions. Monday 7th August arrives - the day of reckoning for the machine, shape up or ship it out! I have no plans as I may need to stay in a local hotel, hire a vehicle, import parts, etc - just sweat it out for the day. I leave the machine with Murray, the manager, and head off for the internet café just for a laugh. The connections are better at this one and I get 15 messages out in 2 hours! Return to the shop for the bad news. Surprise! Seems to be a pretty easy problem to fix - the fan not up to scratch!!! They bolt it together (as a test), and tell me to test it and come back later. I breath easier once again. Back to Albert Falls with a celebratory pile of T-Bones (at $1.45 each, this is easy). We decide that it is far more important to organise our belongings than get a roof tent. Partially because our focus is now defined and we are not too concerned about roughing it, and we seem to be able to get good quality self contained accommodation more or less anywhere. As a bonus, its all relatively very cheap to live.
Before we left, we bought the "Lonely Planet" guide, so we were - at least for us, relatively well organised. At Jills, she gave us a current AA guide to self contained/ B&B establishments, and these, coupled with a cell phone, winter/ low season and occasionally a credit card, means that we can simply call ahead on the road, and stay literally, almost anywhere. Plus these places are usually wonderfully organised, clean, serviced and very friendly. Wonderful places to stay are literally everywhere, even in the remotest places on the maps - don't quote me on this, your milage may vary. The one major item you absolutely must have is a reliable vehicle to get you from place to place!! WELL! August 8th and we head off to Durban for the roof box for all our spare crap. Looks like the roof tent is out now as we cannot get both on top of the van. The vehicle behaves and we decide on the roof box. I'm not too happy with the mounting system, but we have little choice as it's the only combination that will fit.
As a trip while in Durban, we go to aquarium on the sea front. I'm very nervous about theft down here. No logical reason behind it, just more neurosis I guess. Aiden volunteers for the participatory part and gets loaded up with seal like bits and pieces. Get a photo for his efforts. We see the usual Dolphins, seals, penguin and fish feeding. A tank of sharks (not being fed). The Dolphin show was a demonstration of taking the vital signs and fecal and nasal samples for testing. Unusual stuff. We get back without incident (A Good Sign), and find the rhinos tromping around our chalet. We put on the braii notwithstanding these interlopers, just make sure we go the long way around the chalet to the braii pit. August 9th: Breakfast on the lawn, once again, Bob & Marley join us. Lots of photo ops as we have our cereals and toast & marmite.
I do a few checks on the vehicle, organise the junk for the roof top container, and prepare to depart. Once again, we have no idea where we will be heading this evening. We just hope the professionals at the 4 x 4 centre are just that - professional. A few games of pretty poor tennis, and we are ready for our evening game drive. This is a professional trip in a custom built Toyota. We leave at dusk - 5:30 PM. Once again, the driver is very knowledgeable about all the bio bits, from grasses to rhino habits. We take our bottle of wine this time. It's a bumpy ride, so we don't drink all of it. On the trip are also 3 teenagers, no, very pleasant guys, once again we do the "my society, your society" thing. They are also knowledgable about the flora and fauna, and optimistic, but very concerned about their future (they are almost guaranteed to not be able to get a job due to "affirmative action"). We see the rhino as we leave; still browsing on the short grasses around the chalet, giraffe, zebra, various antelope, Nightjars, Eland and a barn owl (unusual). Tomorrow, we head off to another destination (?). Hoping that the machine will finally live up to its name! Distance travelled this entry: 100 Km. Distance moved on trip this entry: 0 Km |
An aside to travelling in South Africa:
Durban, 8th August; seems like a pleasant enough place, commercial centre for Natal, harbour for Southern Africa. Bustling activity.
Wide palm lined streets.
Today is "National Womens Day in South Africa - we relax, give our laundry to the staff for washing ( a very large plastic bag full
for R10.00 - about $2.00). /some lady will not be having much of a day off today! 
