2012 done and dusted my last one for the year

Every year one start off with enthusiasm and with expectation that it would turn out to be the best years that you have experienced. This may be true and in my case it is how my year starts.

This year started off slowly and build up momentum, so much so that in the past 3 months I was unable to visit my own Biog to say something......so now a day before the New Year, I am seated and getting on with the task.

Most mornings in Kruger Park has a special feel and one has to be up early to capture sunrise. The birds of the park announce each day with so much enthusiasm that one rises with them, to catch the sunrise

Sunset at the right spot has a almost holy feel to it and traditionally we try to have a moment of silence during that time of day, and yes the sun sets extremely fast, to the amazement of some tourists.

Each day has its moments and it is not often that you see a Warthog (Pumba) with a smile.

When you get up close to one of the Big 5 as in this case a lioness, less than 5 meters from the 4x4, and she looks right into your soul with those amber eyes, a moment of your holiday is created. and never forgotten

But it is not only the big and Dangerous that makes an impression, this little Blue Pansy Butterfly came to rest close to my feet and one of my tourists remarked how beautiful it actually was, a moment later we spotted an even smaller beauty the Red bush Mite, a harmless vegetarian !

And on closer inspection it looks quite fearsome.

Elephants on the other hand are big, just look at those tusks, and when they are in a bad mood you best give way, this fellow was  unpleasant to say least, he chased us down the road, several times !!!

for may people being in the bush is one big yawn, I do have pictures of people sleeping in an open Game drive  vehicle. It is those that miss the real yawn, yes a moment to cherish

This Buffalo did not know what to make of the flavours coming from the game vehicle and can be seen taking a good long whiff, ............you have been warned, do not come any closer.

and this old bull relaxed in his personal mud pool, escaping from the summer heat, at that time it was around the mid 40 degrees Celsius.

This Black backed Jackal stopped just long enough for his photo, just to disappear in the tall grass

This young Giraffe was relaxing and completely undisturbed by the game vehicle, this allowed the group to take beautiful photos.

Finding wildlife at Private game parks are sometimes much easier and perhaps will our Grand Children only find these mighty but docile animals in these Parks. 

Many of the Lions we find in private Parks are so called Cage Hunting Lions saved by the owners of this Private Park, and what a beauty he is

Visiting Addo National Elephant Park, one expects to see Elephants and we were not disappointed, this huge Bull was unlike the one in Kruger park, completely relaxed he even stopped for a closer look, a wow moment.

The Tsitsikamma National Park also delivers on wildlife these Rock Hyrax baking in the Sun complemented the bird life and Dolphins we saw beyond the breakers

this young cheetah is part of a pair learning the ropes from mom before they will be released into the wild, a great project by Garden Route Game Lodge

Touring is not all about wildlife, it is also about people having amazing experiences and a whole lot of fun.  Standing on Ostrich eggs is part of   visit to an Ostrich Farm and a great tourist attraction, but they can break as the picture hereunder displays!!!!

 Standing on top of the Swartberg Mountain with 360 degrees views, is for persons coming from a country with no Mountains, makes for an experience not to be forgotten.

This Tourist lost in the Beauty of this Protea Forrest, she later commented that it was one of her greatest experiences on tour.

 

Learning about how a Ostrich leather handbag is put together is also an experience that not every person can boast about, these handcrafted Bags may seem expensive but they never go out of fashion !!!, but I must warn you the leather are being copied, so a cheap Handbag will be a copy.

 

There is a diner in Tsitsikamma where for a moment you could go back in time , or even become Marilyn, Elvis or perhaps the Beatles. Sing dancing to the 50's to the 70's music can be good for you.

 

You see I know that even your best behaved Tourist Guide may be caught up in the Moment

 

 

Yes it is me, under the red hat, we as Tourist Guides sometimes have to do strange things to entertain, and in this case I was Elvis undercover singing "it's now or never".

 

 

Meeting the locals in a party mood will always be an experience that Tourists enjoy and remember, this group where having a party at Lone Creek Waterfalls, and it was a job not to have the Tourists joining.

 

 

And the school tat we visited seem to steal the hearts of my tourists who wiped a tear after the Kids sang to them.

 

 

 

 

Bye bye 2012