Wednesday 28 March 2018
Leutasch, Austria, to Kenmare, Ireland. March
Monday and Tuesday forecast was for -22C to -11C so we decided a walk was best, not skiing in that weather. Ken did try it but found it very cold. We enjoyed lunching down at the local bistro watching people etc. There’s lots of snow here unlike the last time we visited Leutasch in 2007 with all the family. There’s over a metre of lovely snow cover now whereas it was only 15-25cms last time!
Wednesday was a better day so we did some skiing on the trails down towards Moos and around the track nearby. Thursday was much warmer, only about -6C so we skied down to the Swimming Pool area. This was a lovely long ski across the open areas from Gaistal to Weidach and we both enjoyed it, although Ken started to cough as we neared Weidach. On the way we saw preparations for the 45km cross country ski race, a loppet, being held on Saturday and Sunday.
On Friday, we had to pack and leave this lovely area and head back to Zurich. Here we had booked into an airport hotel. Saturday, we took the train into the city and wandered around the huge underground shopping centre below the main railway station in Zurich. Lunch was at a great Sushi place just outside the station area. It was still rather cold and bleak so we weren’t tempted to walk very far!
Sunday, we caught the flight to Dublin. The whole of Ireland had been “snowed” in after heavy falls. However, on Saturday , we’d had an SMS from the Shaws, saying they were back in Dublin after their trip to Vietnam. They’d had to wait in the plane on the tarmac for 2hrs when their flight had landed. This was because there was still snow on the airstrip and not all gates were available. We assumed then, that they’d gone on to their home in Kenmare.
After going into Dublin and catching the train to Killarney, I rang Alan saying we were on the train as they’d instructed us to do. We all laughed when we realized we were all on the same train! They moved down to where we were and we started to catch up. The railway station had been closed when they went there on Saturday, lines hadn’t been cleared! That meant they’d had to stay overnight with a friend in Dublin. We had to change trains at Mallow and with cold winds blowing, we were all rather cold by the time the next train arrived 15mins. later. Shaws only had light gear and we didn’t have thermals on either. Anyway, when we arrived in Killarney, a friend was waiting for the Shaws and took us to her place for dinner too – wonderfully warm home and tasty meal.
Monday was a time to catch up for the Shaws and we enjoyed relaxing there too. Ken and Alan looked over the golf course while Vera and I did some shopping and took the washing in to be dried. Later on, Ken and Vera went off and played some golf.
On Tuesday Alan drove us around much of the Ring of Kerry. He was rector of the Kenmare parish before he retired and so knew the area very well. It’s 90kms from Kenmare to Valencia Island the most western spot of the parish. He entertained us with many stories and gave us lots of information too about the places we saw. We even went to the Skillings Chocolate Factory on the way!! Great place and we bought some chocolate, of course! The Skillings are jagged rocks off the coast with puffin nests etc. Few people are allowed to visit these places. It was a wonderful day in a beautiful area of Ireland and despite threatening rain, we didn’t get wet. It only rained while we had lunch.
Wednesday Ken and Alan went off to a discussion group and Vera and I went to Women’s group to hear a speaker, friend of the Shaws. The talk was given by Mo, a woman who had been a neighbour of the illustrator of the Ladybird books. He two children had been used by him as the models for the children in the books. It was a fascinating talk. Later there was more golfing, but not for me.
On Thursday we went up to the Bridia Valley for lunch and a short walk. The people running the restaurant have some accommodation as well. Alan and Vera have known them for some time.
The Shaws first started to go to this area many years ago when their accommodation had no facilities such as power and running water! They did many family walks in this beautiful area. The snow covered mountains surrounded these valleys, making it really amazing to see.
Monday 19 March 2018
Ireland, California and Home - Kincumber
We had such a great time with the Shaws and they were superb hosts too with interesting places to visit each day. Thursday we went up to the Bridia Valley for lunch and a short walk. The people running the restaurant have some accommodation as well. Alan and Vera have known them for some time.The Shaws first started to go to this area many years ago when their accommodation had no facilities such as power and running water! They did many family walks in this beautiful area. The snow covered mountains surround these valleys, making it really amazing to see.
On Friday morning, the Shaws drove us up to Killarney so we could catch an early train, hoping to go to Trinity College in the afternoon. The drive to Killarney was via another very scenic route. It was different once more from other places we'd seen before. We enjoyed the train trip to Dublin, despite being a bit cold waiting for the train at Mallow. However, by the time we arrived at the airport hotel after 2pm, Ken wasn't feeling very well. He'd been coughing lots overnight and on the train.We decided not to go into Trinity College so missed seeing the Book of Kells and the Long Hall at Trinity College - hopefully we'll go back another time to see that, and to visit the Shaws again.
The flights to USA were OK as flights go - short flight to Munich and then over 12hrs to San Francisco. That was interesting as we came via the polar route - Alaska, northern Canada and Alaska and we had daylight for most of the flight. We had a horrendous wait coming through immigration however after we arrived at the ariport - one and half hours!!! Unfortunately Ken was still coughing lots and so on Saturday night, Ken Kissane found a doctor my Ken could see the following morning. The prescribed antibiotics were good for the bronchitis and KB started to improve. I then caught the cough and cold, but no bronchitis, fortunately.
Each evening Ken took us out for dinner, to some great restaurants and we saw some lovely country as we travelled back and forth. Daylight saving started the night we arrived so it was still light as we drove out for dinner. We'd been to San Jose and San Francisco several times before so didn't need to go sightseeing this time, just wanted to see them both, especially Ginnie as we started out as pen-friends at eleven years old!! We've been fortunate enough to have visited each other a number of times. Last time they came out and had time with us on Alu in October 2008 and we then drove back through Queensland and NSW for KB's 70th in Forster.
Late Saturday afternoon, we drove up to their son's place, halfway to the airport, to have dinner before catching our flight home. We enjoyed that time, especially as we watched Jon and three of his children have fun playing a card game similar to "Snap". His wife Karen had taken the chance to go and have her hair cut. His other son was away skiing with the Scouts.
Ken K loaded all our gear into Jon's Prius to take us to the airport so could leave after the delicious Thai meal. We were at the airport by 8.30pm so checked and quite quickly so were able to relax while waiting to board. The 12hr 45min flight was on a United airlines Dream liner and was reasonably comfortable but it's still a long way and it's a long time to sit on a plane! I felt awful as I kept coughing but Ken was a little better. Anyway, we had a quick trip though immigration, baggage collection and customs to catch a train about an hour after arrival. Then it was on to the connecting train to Gosford, again with only a short wait. We arrived back here in Kincumber in a taxi only 24hrs after leaving San Jose late Saturday afternoon. Now we're unpacking, washing and trying to sort things to put away etc. The house looks chaotic now - was good when we arrived home! It's nice and warm here now, about 26C, but apparently was 39C last Sunday. My garden has grown lots while we've been away because a wonderful neighbour has been watering it through the very hot weather we've had here. There are even some tomatoes on the plants!
So this is the end of my Blog - Round the World in 2018.
Hope you have enjoyed reading it. I'll add more photos in a day or so, so you might want to log in again?
Margot B
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Wednesday 14 March 2018
List of animals, birds and plants seen in Africa.
ANIMALS. BIRDS. PLANTS, TREES
Baboons
Buffalo
Hippopotamus
Honey Badger
Spotted Hyena. Batlaeur Eagle. Boabab
Impala. Black Stork. Knob Thorn
Side striped jackal. Common Quail. Marula
Sable Antelope. Fish Eagle. Sausage Trees
Serval. Grey Plover. Umbrella Thorn
Ground Squirrel Grey Go-away bird (Lourie). Welwitschia
Bushbuck. Ground Hornbill. Weeping Wattle(toilet paper)
Cheetah. Hawk Eagle
Duiker, common. Lilac Breasted roller
Eland. Marabou Stork
Elephants. Martial Eagle
Genet, small spotted. Plum Coloured Starling
Giraffe. Purple Roller
Scrub Hare. Red Winged Starling
Kudu. Spoonbill
Leopard. Swallow
Lions. Tawny Eagle
Mongoose - dwarf and slender. Vulture
Colobus Monkeys. Weaver , trees with nests too
Vervet Monkey. Grey Heron
White Rhino. Helmeted Guinea Fowl
Warthog
Wild dogWildebeest (Gnu)
Burchell’s Zebra
Baboons
Buffalo
Hippopotamus
Honey Badger
Spotted Hyena. Batlaeur Eagle. Boabab
Impala. Black Stork. Knob Thorn
Side striped jackal. Common Quail. Marula
Sable Antelope. Fish Eagle. Sausage Trees
Serval. Grey Plover. Umbrella Thorn
Ground Squirrel Grey Go-away bird (Lourie). Welwitschia
Bushbuck. Ground Hornbill. Weeping Wattle(toilet paper)
Cheetah. Hawk Eagle
Duiker, common. Lilac Breasted roller
Eland. Marabou Stork
Elephants. Martial Eagle
Genet, small spotted. Plum Coloured Starling
Giraffe. Purple Roller
Scrub Hare. Red Winged Starling
Kudu. Spoonbill
Leopard. Swallow
Lions. Tawny Eagle
Mongoose - dwarf and slender. Vulture
Colobus Monkeys. Weaver , trees with nests too
Vervet Monkey. Grey Heron
White Rhino. Helmeted Guinea Fowl
Warthog
Wild dogWildebeest (Gnu)
Burchell’s Zebra
Victoria Falls 10- 13th Feb,
THIS IS OUT OF ORDER, SORRY. IT COMES BEFORE OUR 3 DAYS IN JOHANNESBURG
We had just one night again at the Club Safari in Johannesburg before flying to Victoria Falls in Zinbabwe. We had to buy US$ at the airport as many cash transactions in Zimbabwe are in US$. We took over an hour to get through immigration and seemed some of the holdups were because people didn’t have the dollars to pay the entry fees of $30 each for single entry! We took a taxi to the Kingdom hotel and on the way organised to go for a helicopter flight later that afternoon over the Victoria Falls and to go on a sunset dinner cruise on the river above the Falls. The Kingdom hotel reminds me of Indian Raj building with elephant tusks on the top of the roof of each building and imposing pillars of stone and concrete.
Livingston said of the Falls “scenes so wonderful must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”. The helicopter flight is called the flight of the angels! There was another couple with us so we had good views of the Falls and surrounding areas. The deep gorge below the Falls goes for about. 120kms. There are two power stations below the Falls, I assumed one was for Zimbabwe and the other for Zambia, across the other side of the Falls. The Falls look absolutely amazing and we could see the huge spray(rain) generated by the water falling on hard rock at the base of the Falls. Great flight!
We ate snacks at the poolside bar that evening - cocktails, crocodile kebabs, other nibbles as the restaurant only offered a buffet meal.
The following day we slept in and then wandered down to the Outlook Cafe which overlooks the gorge below the Falls. Had bought some postcards so wrote on them while waiting. There are lots of zip lines across the gorge but there was no-one ziplining or bungy jumping while we were there. I had the ostrich kebab which came suspended on a metal frame above the plate of vegetables!! Outside the front door were some amazing “people” manufactured from car parts, body and engines. We had a relaxed dinner at the hotel.
On Monday morning we walked down to the Falls walkway to see the whole length of the Falls. It took us about two hours and is about five km round trip. There wasn’t as much spray as some days apparently so we were able to see quite a lot of the Falls. We walked down to the tallest bridge in the world which connects Zimbabwe to Zambia and watched cyclist taking huge loads across on the back of their bikes. ThE bridge has railway tracks and road across it. Livingston is the town in Zambia just across this bridge. We didn’t cross the bridge as we would have had to pay more entry fees - for both countries! $30 to $50 each. We enjoyed lunch at the hotel cafe again, kebabs and Croque Monsieur with cocktails. Later that evening we were picked up to go on the Sunset dinner cruise. We had a small corner table on the deck with 18 American tourists at the long central table. Unfortunately we had lots of rain clouds around so sunset wasn’t as good as we had hoped. It was pretty good however and we saw many hippos in the river. Some even obligingly opening their mouths for us. It was a lovely cruise and I appreciated my gluten free meal.
Next morning we were on our way back to Johannesburg for 3 nights.
We had just one night again at the Club Safari in Johannesburg before flying to Victoria Falls in Zinbabwe. We had to buy US$ at the airport as many cash transactions in Zimbabwe are in US$. We took over an hour to get through immigration and seemed some of the holdups were because people didn’t have the dollars to pay the entry fees of $30 each for single entry! We took a taxi to the Kingdom hotel and on the way organised to go for a helicopter flight later that afternoon over the Victoria Falls and to go on a sunset dinner cruise on the river above the Falls. The Kingdom hotel reminds me of Indian Raj building with elephant tusks on the top of the roof of each building and imposing pillars of stone and concrete.
Livingston said of the Falls “scenes so wonderful must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”. The helicopter flight is called the flight of the angels! There was another couple with us so we had good views of the Falls and surrounding areas. The deep gorge below the Falls goes for about. 120kms. There are two power stations below the Falls, I assumed one was for Zimbabwe and the other for Zambia, across the other side of the Falls. The Falls look absolutely amazing and we could see the huge spray(rain) generated by the water falling on hard rock at the base of the Falls. Great flight!
We ate snacks at the poolside bar that evening - cocktails, crocodile kebabs, other nibbles as the restaurant only offered a buffet meal.
The following day we slept in and then wandered down to the Outlook Cafe which overlooks the gorge below the Falls. Had bought some postcards so wrote on them while waiting. There are lots of zip lines across the gorge but there was no-one ziplining or bungy jumping while we were there. I had the ostrich kebab which came suspended on a metal frame above the plate of vegetables!! Outside the front door were some amazing “people” manufactured from car parts, body and engines. We had a relaxed dinner at the hotel.
On Monday morning we walked down to the Falls walkway to see the whole length of the Falls. It took us about two hours and is about five km round trip. There wasn’t as much spray as some days apparently so we were able to see quite a lot of the Falls. We walked down to the tallest bridge in the world which connects Zimbabwe to Zambia and watched cyclist taking huge loads across on the back of their bikes. ThE bridge has railway tracks and road across it. Livingston is the town in Zambia just across this bridge. We didn’t cross the bridge as we would have had to pay more entry fees - for both countries! $30 to $50 each. We enjoyed lunch at the hotel cafe again, kebabs and Croque Monsieur with cocktails. Later that evening we were picked up to go on the Sunset dinner cruise. We had a small corner table on the deck with 18 American tourists at the long central table. Unfortunately we had lots of rain clouds around so sunset wasn’t as good as we had hoped. It was pretty good however and we saw many hippos in the river. Some even obligingly opening their mouths for us. It was a lovely cruise and I appreciated my gluten free meal.
Next morning we were on our way back to Johannesburg for 3 nights.
Wednesday 7 March 2018
Various photos from our trip
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| Sign on main road from Johannesburg to Kruger area, Why didn’t they spend the money used for roadsigns, To repair the road? |
Lion roaring in response to vehicle engine revving!
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Thursday 1 March 2018
Obern - Leutasch
Monday was a cold day so we ended up not going skiing until about 11am. The tracks were so good and we both enjoyed some more skiing but realised we get out of breath so quickly, not very fit! Late lunch at the Stube nearby was good but as there was a large group in for lunch, we had to wait for over 30mins for food. We enjoyed the sun streaming through the windows and a beer 🍺 while we waited for our soup. Temperature was about -6C by then.
Tuesday morning - weather is -22C warming to -11C later in the day. A day to do some more blogging and later on go down to the post office in Weidach to buy stamps for postcards and find colder wax for our skis! We ended up coming back on a different bus which went down the valley to Mittenwold and then back to Obern and to Weidach again. As the bus driver didn’t realise we wanted to get off at the Gasthof Gaistal, we did the whole trip one hour tour of the whole valley and thoroughly enjoyed it as part of our non-skiing day.
Wednesday, still very cold and Ken only skied for less than 30minutes. I didn’t even go as it was still too cold for me to ski. We wandered down to the local Stube for a warming goulash soup for a late lunch. I have now found how to put a few photos into the blog!! A very painful 😖 process indeed. I will try to insert more when we’re in Ireland with the Shaws next week. Dinner has been excellent every day. My only complaint is that the meals are too large!
Thursday. It has been really good staying here and the mangement organised gluten free bread, bread rolls and cakes etc as well as lactose free milk and yoghurt for my breakfast, really thoughtful. I’ve even had a few sweet muffins etc for breakfast - no way I can eat all they have provided!
Today weather was still overcast but a little bit warmer , -11 to -6C! We took the bus down to Weidach swimming pool area and went off on beautifully groomed trails for a couple of hours, wonderful to have slightly warmer weather and skis running very well too. A great ski! Ken started to cough so we stopped and had lunch at the swimming pool before returning to the hotel in Obern. Ken has now cleaned skis and we have to pack up before leaving tomorrow morning for two nights in Zurich. It has been a lovely week and we have seen the area with lots and lots of snow on the ground, unlike when we were here with the families in 2007 when there was just a thin covering of snow.
There is to be a 44km loppet ski race here on Saturday and Sunday. There are lots of preparations going on - Signs to registrations, start and finish lines and wide open ski trails for the many skiers expected to start. The Ganghofer has classical style 22 and 44 km races on Saturday and there are skating races on Sunday. They expect 1,800+ competitors! Weather is clearing tonight and I see blue sky too, so they may have better weather on Saturday.
Tuesday morning - weather is -22C warming to -11C later in the day. A day to do some more blogging and later on go down to the post office in Weidach to buy stamps for postcards and find colder wax for our skis! We ended up coming back on a different bus which went down the valley to Mittenwold and then back to Obern and to Weidach again. As the bus driver didn’t realise we wanted to get off at the Gasthof Gaistal, we did the whole trip one hour tour of the whole valley and thoroughly enjoyed it as part of our non-skiing day.
Wednesday, still very cold and Ken only skied for less than 30minutes. I didn’t even go as it was still too cold for me to ski. We wandered down to the local Stube for a warming goulash soup for a late lunch. I have now found how to put a few photos into the blog!! A very painful 😖 process indeed. I will try to insert more when we’re in Ireland with the Shaws next week. Dinner has been excellent every day. My only complaint is that the meals are too large!
Thursday. It has been really good staying here and the mangement organised gluten free bread, bread rolls and cakes etc as well as lactose free milk and yoghurt for my breakfast, really thoughtful. I’ve even had a few sweet muffins etc for breakfast - no way I can eat all they have provided!
Today weather was still overcast but a little bit warmer , -11 to -6C! We took the bus down to Weidach swimming pool area and went off on beautifully groomed trails for a couple of hours, wonderful to have slightly warmer weather and skis running very well too. A great ski! Ken started to cough so we stopped and had lunch at the swimming pool before returning to the hotel in Obern. Ken has now cleaned skis and we have to pack up before leaving tomorrow morning for two nights in Zurich. It has been a lovely week and we have seen the area with lots and lots of snow on the ground, unlike when we were here with the families in 2007 when there was just a thin covering of snow.
There is to be a 44km loppet ski race here on Saturday and Sunday. There are lots of preparations going on - Signs to registrations, start and finish lines and wide open ski trails for the many skiers expected to start. The Ganghofer has classical style 22 and 44 km races on Saturday and there are skating races on Sunday. They expect 1,800+ competitors! Weather is clearing tonight and I see blue sky too, so they may have better weather on Saturday.
Wednesday 28 February 2018
More animals and birds
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| Alpha male and young lion at waterhole. |
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| Waterbuffalo |
Animals seen on safari 3
Birds on giraffe neck removing insects etc
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| we are patting a cheetah at rehabilitation centre |
Animals seen on safari 2
Lions watching hippos drinking at waterhole
Wildebeest, gnu
Lion roaring in response to revving engine.
Crocs coming out of waterhole
Animals seen on safari 1
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| White lion seen near zebra kill. This is emblem of Kruger Park |
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| Zebras, fairly common |
Many elephants drinking at waterhole. Chased off some wild dogs.
Elephant with wet mud on it. Then would rub against tree to rid itself of skin parasites etc.
Sunday 25 February 2018
Austria - Tschagguns - Saturday 17-24th Feb
When we arrived at the car rental counter , Ken found that the compact car he’d ordered wasn’t available yet. We ended up with a small Mercedes, a C180 hatchback, for those interested in cars. It has been a lovely car! The drive across to Tschagguns in Austria was through light rain for most of the way. It was wonderful to find that, on our arrival, the room was ready soon after we had some coffee in the spacious lounge area. Their website is: www.cresta-hotel.at It shows what this lovely hotel is like.
We had a corner room, small, but looking out to the steep mountains all around us. We were ready for some sleep after the overnight flight and caught up with Michael and Ulrike Korn after a sleep. They had driven down from Leipzig, about 5-6 hours, and were staying in a flat on the small farm nearby, about 1km walk down the street. This meant we caught up with each other every afternoon for drinks and nibbles at the farm or the hotel. How wonderful it was to have time with them both.
On Sunday we all had a rest day but in the evening, we went joined the Korns to see the Spark, a tall vertically stacked bonfire with a witch on top of it. The tradition is that the witch is burnt on the first Sunday of Lent to chase away the ghosts of winter and ice and to bring spring and new life. Apparently it’s very important that the witch, filled with gunpowder explodes. ! Lots of people gathered in the cold weather to see it happen. Special foods are made for this time too. The witch did explode before the fire consumed the whole Spark. It’s called Funkenabbrennen.
On Monday, Ken and I went off t see what cross country trails were good for skiing. We found a small loop further up the road, but tracks were icy. We skied parts of these trails for a couple of days and then decided to be tourists as the skiing wasn’t good. On Thursday we took the large gondola and then tunnel bus for about 15mins. up to Silvretta. This is a beautiful spot and it was clear for most of the time we were there. The hotel overlooked the top dam of a hydroelectric power scheme where cross country tracks went across the dam and up slopes beyond it. This dam was at over 2,000m. high and the powerstation was in the valley below, 800m., so a good fall. The water pipeline was riveted steel so Ken says at it was built at least pre 2nd world war and maybe even earlier. The pipeline came down the hill beneath the gondola. On the way down we were held up, by a technical problem, so stood around for over an hour in cold conditions. When the problem was sorted out, there were about 60 people waiting to go down, with sleds., baby pushers, skis etc.!! We were very crowded in this gondola but made it back in time to join the Korns at 4.30pm.
Friday morning, Christoph Jager,, Ulrike’s brother, and daughter Anna arrived from the Black Forest. We went with them up to Silbreta, an old silver mining area. The views were amazing again, on the opposite side of the Montofon Vallet to Silbretta. We did some walking and after lunch, Christoph and Anna decided to walk down while we took the gondola again down to the valley. We managed to end up on the same bus back to Tschagguns as we had to wait for nearly an hour, having just missed one. The family then joined us at the Cresta hotel for dinner which was really special. Unfortunately Christine Jager had been unable to come but hope we catch up again soon.
Needless to say, Saturday was packing up again to head for Leutasch area. The others called in briefly to say goodbye and we were all on the way by 9.30am. Our trip down the valley to the main road going east towards Innsbruck, was easy, but then we crawled along behind lots of cars for a long time. Eventually we arrived at the Gasthof Gaistal near Obern about lunch time. We lunched nearby before checking in at the hotel. This is a superb family place where my food intolerances have been very carefully noted. It means all meals are fine for me. They have provided me with lactose free milk and yoghurt as well as gluten free bread, cookies and rolls. I am very spoilt!
On Sunday, we woke to light snow and -10C so didn’t rush out to ski immediately after breakfast. We went out later in the morning and had some great skiing on well prepared tracks in good snow conditions. I’m becoming more confident on skis too. After lunch we took the bus down to Weidach to ski shop and then took a bus to return back here. However that bus took us on a wonderful tour of the valley, down to Mittenwold and then around to Moos etc.
We’re looking forward to more good skiing tomorrow but after it warms up from the forecast -20C!
On Monday, Ken and I went off t see what cross country trails were good for skiing. We found a small loop further up the road, but tracks were icy. We skied parts of these trails for a couple of days and then decided to be tourists as the skiing wasn’t good. On Thursday we took the large gondola and then tunnel bus for about 15mins. up to Silvretta. This is a beautiful spot and it was clear for most of the time we were there. The hotel overlooked the top dam of a hydroelectric power scheme where cross country tracks went across the dam and up slopes beyond it. This dam was at over 2,000m. high and the powerstation was in the valley below, 800m., so a good fall. The water pipeline was riveted steel so Ken says at it was built at least pre 2nd world war and maybe even earlier. The pipeline came down the hill beneath the gondola. On the way down we were held up, by a technical problem, so stood around for over an hour in cold conditions. When the problem was sorted out, there were about 60 people waiting to go down, with sleds., baby pushers, skis etc.!! We were very crowded in this gondola but made it back in time to join the Korns at 4.30pm.
Friday morning, Christoph Jager,, Ulrike’s brother, and daughter Anna arrived from the Black Forest. We went with them up to Silbreta, an old silver mining area. The views were amazing again, on the opposite side of the Montofon Vallet to Silbretta. We did some walking and after lunch, Christoph and Anna decided to walk down while we took the gondola again down to the valley. We managed to end up on the same bus back to Tschagguns as we had to wait for nearly an hour, having just missed one. The family then joined us at the Cresta hotel for dinner which was really special. Unfortunately Christine Jager had been unable to come but hope we catch up again soon.
Needless to say, Saturday was packing up again to head for Leutasch area. The others called in briefly to say goodbye and we were all on the way by 9.30am. Our trip down the valley to the main road going east towards Innsbruck, was easy, but then we crawled along behind lots of cars for a long time. Eventually we arrived at the Gasthof Gaistal near Obern about lunch time. We lunched nearby before checking in at the hotel. This is a superb family place where my food intolerances have been very carefully noted. It means all meals are fine for me. They have provided me with lactose free milk and yoghurt as well as gluten free bread, cookies and rolls. I am very spoilt!
On Sunday, we woke to light snow and -10C so didn’t rush out to ski immediately after breakfast. We went out later in the morning and had some great skiing on well prepared tracks in good snow conditions. I’m becoming more confident on skis too. After lunch we took the bus down to Weidach to ski shop and then took a bus to return back here. However that bus took us on a wonderful tour of the valley, down to Mittenwold and then around to Moos etc.
We’re looking forward to more good skiing tomorrow but after it warms up from the forecast -20C!
Thursday 15 February 2018
Safari day 4 and 5
Day 4. After breakfast we were driven to the Moholohol Rehabilitaion Centre. There was a pied crow (with white collar) near the entrance. of Tremisana lodge as we left. At the rehabilitation centre there are many rescued animals and birds which are healed. Most are kept because they wouldn’t cope in the wild any more. They breed these animals and have a program to get the young back into their normal environment.
The staff brought out a cheetah which we were all able to pat! Further on were Honey Badgers, which we’d seen first at the Braai on Day 1. These are interesting creatures and they stretched up against the wall to be fed! They are also able to climb up a ladder to rest in the sun on the top platform. There were so many different birds here: a Marshall eagle, vultures, guinea fowl, an African Harrier Hawk, an African Fish eagle, Southern ground Hornbills (beautiful black and red bird), a drongo, lilac breasted roller, green wood hoopee, black headed heron and some Marabou Stork. It’s an amazing variety and we were close to them all! Some birds are in large “cages” but others in the large enclosures (with electric fences) with other animals. I loved the signs saying the fence will bite! There was a baby cheetah which tried to climb the fence while we were watching. In one enclosure we saw spotted hyenas roaming around and then a leopard in a tree with a lion resting below in the shade of the tree. They are doing wonderul work here.
After a light lunch at Tremisana, we were taken to a private game park - Tshukudu Game Lodge. The family bought the former cattle property 27 years ago and are gradually returning it to its normal condition. There was a beautiful blue Cape Starling perched on the top of a tree as we drove in. There was a semi-tame cheetah lying at the back of a sheltered area. It had killed an impala and part of the leg bone was beside the cheetah. We were able to move carefully behind the cheetah and pat its head but some other weren’t able to do so later, probably because there was too much noise and movement then. We boarded the safari vehicle which was originally an Argentinian army truck! It had no cover and was open sided.so easy viewing for all. Patrick, one of the 4 sons, drove us around generally following the line of artificial water holes. He had a sensor device to try and locate the alpha male which wore a tracking device. Before the first waterhole we saw a rhino in the bush and at the waterhole there were hippos. Next we saw a pride of 5 lions , a male and 4 females. A little later, we watched the old lion with the younger male go down to drink at the waterhole. We were driven quite close to this wonderful sight. Later we saw about 20 buffaloes with a white rhino in the middle of the group. They were all feeding on the grass which had been put out for them as vegetation is sparse because of the dought conditions in the past 3 years. Continuing our drive, we saw zebra, warthogs and giraffe. There were no elephants as they had escaped into a neighbouring reserve - electric fences are no obstruction to them! Patrick told us about the reduction in poaching after they instigated a system of dehorning the rhinos. The horn, of material like our fingernails, grows each year and they cut them down to 10cms. The poachers sell horn to traders for medicines in places like Vietnam.
Another evening relaxing in the lounge having a pre-dinner drink.
Day 5. We were programmed to return to Kruger for another day but we both felt we’d already seen lots there and didn’t feel like another long hot day with lots of driving. So we had a relaxing morning and in the afternoon returned to the Tshukudu Game Park. The cheetah was still where we’d seen her the day before. The bones were still in the same place too. On this drive with David, the second son of the owner, we saw a number of impala and some spotted hyenas among the trees. We came across the alpha male lion and when David revved up the engine loudly, the lion responded with some very loud roaring. Wonderful! There were several rhino around and we saw more birds here - lilac breasted roller and grey parrot. When we parked near one waterhole, two large crocodiles ambled out of the water towards us. Two crazy Italians jumped down to take photos closer up but were quickly told to get back in the truck as the crocs can run faster than a man! Another great day and the last day of our safari time at Tremisana Lodge. Tomorow we were to drive back to Johannesburg via Blyde River canyon.
The staff brought out a cheetah which we were all able to pat! Further on were Honey Badgers, which we’d seen first at the Braai on Day 1. These are interesting creatures and they stretched up against the wall to be fed! They are also able to climb up a ladder to rest in the sun on the top platform. There were so many different birds here: a Marshall eagle, vultures, guinea fowl, an African Harrier Hawk, an African Fish eagle, Southern ground Hornbills (beautiful black and red bird), a drongo, lilac breasted roller, green wood hoopee, black headed heron and some Marabou Stork. It’s an amazing variety and we were close to them all! Some birds are in large “cages” but others in the large enclosures (with electric fences) with other animals. I loved the signs saying the fence will bite! There was a baby cheetah which tried to climb the fence while we were watching. In one enclosure we saw spotted hyenas roaming around and then a leopard in a tree with a lion resting below in the shade of the tree. They are doing wonderul work here.
After a light lunch at Tremisana, we were taken to a private game park - Tshukudu Game Lodge. The family bought the former cattle property 27 years ago and are gradually returning it to its normal condition. There was a beautiful blue Cape Starling perched on the top of a tree as we drove in. There was a semi-tame cheetah lying at the back of a sheltered area. It had killed an impala and part of the leg bone was beside the cheetah. We were able to move carefully behind the cheetah and pat its head but some other weren’t able to do so later, probably because there was too much noise and movement then. We boarded the safari vehicle which was originally an Argentinian army truck! It had no cover and was open sided.so easy viewing for all. Patrick, one of the 4 sons, drove us around generally following the line of artificial water holes. He had a sensor device to try and locate the alpha male which wore a tracking device. Before the first waterhole we saw a rhino in the bush and at the waterhole there were hippos. Next we saw a pride of 5 lions , a male and 4 females. A little later, we watched the old lion with the younger male go down to drink at the waterhole. We were driven quite close to this wonderful sight. Later we saw about 20 buffaloes with a white rhino in the middle of the group. They were all feeding on the grass which had been put out for them as vegetation is sparse because of the dought conditions in the past 3 years. Continuing our drive, we saw zebra, warthogs and giraffe. There were no elephants as they had escaped into a neighbouring reserve - electric fences are no obstruction to them! Patrick told us about the reduction in poaching after they instigated a system of dehorning the rhinos. The horn, of material like our fingernails, grows each year and they cut them down to 10cms. The poachers sell horn to traders for medicines in places like Vietnam.
Another evening relaxing in the lounge having a pre-dinner drink.
Day 5. We were programmed to return to Kruger for another day but we both felt we’d already seen lots there and didn’t feel like another long hot day with lots of driving. So we had a relaxing morning and in the afternoon returned to the Tshukudu Game Park. The cheetah was still where we’d seen her the day before. The bones were still in the same place too. On this drive with David, the second son of the owner, we saw a number of impala and some spotted hyenas among the trees. We came across the alpha male lion and when David revved up the engine loudly, the lion responded with some very loud roaring. Wonderful! There were several rhino around and we saw more birds here - lilac breasted roller and grey parrot. When we parked near one waterhole, two large crocodiles ambled out of the water towards us. Two crazy Italians jumped down to take photos closer up but were quickly told to get back in the truck as the crocs can run faster than a man! Another great day and the last day of our safari time at Tremisana Lodge. Tomorow we were to drive back to Johannesburg via Blyde River canyon.
African Safari Day 2 & 3
Day 2
At 5.15am we were up and having a cuppa with a rusk before going off for a sunrise walk. We were driven down towards the Oliphant R. As usual, we saw warthogs kneeling on their front knees as they fed.There were two guide with us, Andy and Eva, both armed with rifles as we were going to be walking in the bush with wild animals. Arriving at the river, we got out of the vehicle to walk in line with one guide ahead and one behind. Coming down to the river, there were some hippos submerged with just eyes and nose visible. On the opposite side of the river were a few water buffalo and small antelope as well as a small crocodile on the edge of the river. We could also see some other small antelope but they were very far away. An outcrop of basalt across the river at this point was unusual as most of the area is granite, so pretty poor soil. There are many old termite mounds and natives fish for termites with sticks dipped in honey. There was a large entry hole to a burrow in one of the termite mounds and this is is where the anteaters, aardwolfs, live. These are nocturnal animals and rarely seen. There were small brown common mongoose peeping out of their burrow in what seemed to be a small old termite mound nearby. We also saw the slender mongoose as it ran across the grass the following day. On the way back to the vehicle we saw giraffe and zebras among the scrubby trees. The giraffe look so cute peering across the treetops. There are many impala all over the nature reserve and Eva referred to them as NAFI : Not Another Flipping Impala. The 2-3 hour walk was good and we had a lovely breakfast on our return to Tremisana lodge. Then we moved rooms as the air conditioning wasn’t working in the first unit and so were able to relax in cool conditions before a light lunch at 1.30pm. I enjoyed a short swim before we met Eva again at 3.30pm for an afternon drive on Balule Nature Reserve.
On this drive Eva was our only guide and she is passionate about her work, just like other guides we had during the safari.
We came across more impala and zebras and then saw a rhino with its young among the bush. There were two giraffe we saw which had wounded rear legs, one on left and the other on the right, so the guides can tell them apart easily. One of these had two small birds on its long neck pecking off insects. The male giraffe doesn’t have hairs on end of their short horns because of the “necking” contest between the males. We stopped for a short break on the airstrip and watched the sun setting. On the way back to Tremisana, Eva had a call to say there was a pride of lions on the airstrip, so back we went. There were 5 female lions quietly wandering across it and we enjoyed watching them. Now it was dark so time to go back to the lodge. However, on our way back there was another call, a large male lion was on the airstrip. Eva turned the vehicle around and after a mad fast drive back over the rough dirt road to the airstrip, we saw the lion, stretched out quietly!
Eva certainly enjoyed the driving and she is good too. What a great sunset drive that was. Dinner in the Boma with fire going in the firepit, was OK but pork chop could have been used to shoe leather! Bedtime was welcome after a busy day.
Day 3 was our full day trip to Kruger National Park. It was over an hour drive to the park entrance. Patrick was our guide and he’d been doing it for 23years but was still passionate about his work. We saw more warthogs, giraffe and a number of Nyala (a larger antelope with stripes) among the trees. Then Patrick drove us to a waterhole where we saw 5 lions in the shade of a tree watching 2 hippos in the waterhole. The hippos carefully walked backwards to the bush to escape the lions’ attack. Futher on were greater Kudus, a large antelope but with fewer stripes than the Nyala. It has huge ears! Patrick then drove us to a large waterhole where we saw over 40 elephants! They were enjoying the water with young ones splashing around and spraying each other with water and older ones spraying themselves with mud to keep cool and also help to get rid of parasites on their skin. Fascinating scene! There were some hippos here too with just their noses above water. We were told they don’t swim but sink down and walk along the bottom of the waterholes or rivers as they can stay submerged for up to 8mins. Then it was lunchtime at Satara in an open air cafe. This was a lovely spot and we saw gnu here as well as hornbills and eagles. Of course, there were impala and warthogs.
Next Patrick was told about a lion kill. Seems about 18 lions had taken down and killed a giraffe(hard to kill because of their strong kick). There were about 10 lions lying around sleeping under the trees after their feed of giraffe. One lion was till gnawing on the huge carcase under the Marula tree. The vultures were around cleaning up the area. Further on, a chap had told Patrick about a leopard which had killed an impala. Once there, it took a while to see the leopard sleeping in the branches of a tree with the remainder of the impala some distance away. How amazing to see the leopard in the wild. As we drove back past the resting lions, a white lion appeared. This is apparently seen very seldom. The white lion is the symbol of Kruger Park. Later on during the drive we saw a hare rush aross the road, then some wild dogs and more elephants and gnu. The Marshall eagles were flying around, looking great. Along the roadside we saw more vervet monkeys feeding on the Marula tree fruits and near the gate spotted a tiny squirrel.
This was such an amazing day seeing so many animals in their natural environment. I think we all dozed on the long drive back to Tremisana Lodge
At 5.15am we were up and having a cuppa with a rusk before going off for a sunrise walk. We were driven down towards the Oliphant R. As usual, we saw warthogs kneeling on their front knees as they fed.There were two guide with us, Andy and Eva, both armed with rifles as we were going to be walking in the bush with wild animals. Arriving at the river, we got out of the vehicle to walk in line with one guide ahead and one behind. Coming down to the river, there were some hippos submerged with just eyes and nose visible. On the opposite side of the river were a few water buffalo and small antelope as well as a small crocodile on the edge of the river. We could also see some other small antelope but they were very far away. An outcrop of basalt across the river at this point was unusual as most of the area is granite, so pretty poor soil. There are many old termite mounds and natives fish for termites with sticks dipped in honey. There was a large entry hole to a burrow in one of the termite mounds and this is is where the anteaters, aardwolfs, live. These are nocturnal animals and rarely seen. There were small brown common mongoose peeping out of their burrow in what seemed to be a small old termite mound nearby. We also saw the slender mongoose as it ran across the grass the following day. On the way back to the vehicle we saw giraffe and zebras among the scrubby trees. The giraffe look so cute peering across the treetops. There are many impala all over the nature reserve and Eva referred to them as NAFI : Not Another Flipping Impala. The 2-3 hour walk was good and we had a lovely breakfast on our return to Tremisana lodge. Then we moved rooms as the air conditioning wasn’t working in the first unit and so were able to relax in cool conditions before a light lunch at 1.30pm. I enjoyed a short swim before we met Eva again at 3.30pm for an afternon drive on Balule Nature Reserve.
On this drive Eva was our only guide and she is passionate about her work, just like other guides we had during the safari.
Day 3 was our full day trip to Kruger National Park. It was over an hour drive to the park entrance. Patrick was our guide and he’d been doing it for 23years but was still passionate about his work. We saw more warthogs, giraffe and a number of Nyala (a larger antelope with stripes) among the trees. Then Patrick drove us to a waterhole where we saw 5 lions in the shade of a tree watching 2 hippos in the waterhole. The hippos carefully walked backwards to the bush to escape the lions’ attack. Futher on were greater Kudus, a large antelope but with fewer stripes than the Nyala. It has huge ears! Patrick then drove us to a large waterhole where we saw over 40 elephants! They were enjoying the water with young ones splashing around and spraying each other with water and older ones spraying themselves with mud to keep cool and also help to get rid of parasites on their skin. Fascinating scene! There were some hippos here too with just their noses above water. We were told they don’t swim but sink down and walk along the bottom of the waterholes or rivers as they can stay submerged for up to 8mins. Then it was lunchtime at Satara in an open air cafe. This was a lovely spot and we saw gnu here as well as hornbills and eagles. Of course, there were impala and warthogs.
Next Patrick was told about a lion kill. Seems about 18 lions had taken down and killed a giraffe(hard to kill because of their strong kick). There were about 10 lions lying around sleeping under the trees after their feed of giraffe. One lion was till gnawing on the huge carcase under the Marula tree. The vultures were around cleaning up the area. Further on, a chap had told Patrick about a leopard which had killed an impala. Once there, it took a while to see the leopard sleeping in the branches of a tree with the remainder of the impala some distance away. How amazing to see the leopard in the wild. As we drove back past the resting lions, a white lion appeared. This is apparently seen very seldom. The white lion is the symbol of Kruger Park. Later on during the drive we saw a hare rush aross the road, then some wild dogs and more elephants and gnu. The Marshall eagles were flying around, looking great. Along the roadside we saw more vervet monkeys feeding on the Marula tree fruits and near the gate spotted a tiny squirrel.
This was such an amazing day seeing so many animals in their natural environment. I think we all dozed on the long drive back to Tremisana Lodge
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