Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Out of South Africa (and Swaziland)

I returned yesterday from my arduous trip to South Africa. It was a wonderful trip. I had a chance to see all of Africa's "Big Five" animals (elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinos) in their natural habitat, where they have all the rights and the right of way. I did this on an open vehicle safari and a tour bus safari in Kruger National Park.

I'll post some pictures later (although I can't promise great ones; I use a small, automatic digital camera), and write about the trip. I urge all of you to travel if at all possible, but I have to admit that this will probably be my last such extensive trip. At 75, my body does not adjust well to all the walking, stair climbing, and climbing up into vehicles that such a trip entails, not to mention two consecutive eight-hour flights each way, preceded and followed by shorter flights. South Africa is a long distance away, and the long flights were from New York to Dakar and Dakar to Johannesburg, reversed on the way back. Eating too much of occasionally unfamiliar food didn't help, either. I need a recovery period.

1 comment:

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Will try once again to leave a comment.
I evidently am doing something wrong.
New at reading blogs and also have just started one.
I am close to your age and built my retirement home during the past year.
Just found your blog after reading Ronni this morning.
I am alone, have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. One of my granddaughters attends NorthWestern in Illinois.
I am interested in much you share.
I want so to travel. Have not felt adventurous enough to take off by myself. Not interest in a tour.
Enough said.
Looking forward to your entries.