April 2007 - Waiting for a visa in South Africa
Finally I headed off. Leaving Australia after my extended holiday, I had to go to Johannesburg to get my visa for Angola stamped in my passport. Fairly straight forward, take passport to the Angolan consulate general, hand them my passport and a letter that Katie's work had given me and wait 5 working days.
Well that's where it all went pear shaped. The consulate wanted more paper work, but I didn't have any. They wouldn't ring Katie's visa department so I had to go back to the motel call Katie, and then wait for the visa people to ring me. It was too late to go back to the consulate. The next morning I headed back to the consulate, but this time they needed a faxed version of the letter I had. But you won't have time to get it and come back as they closed at 11.30am on Friday.
In the end the visa people at Katie's end were going to arrange the whole thing from their end. Super. It will get issued next Friday and I'll be able to fly to Angola the Saturday after.
So what do I do for a week in South Africa? Go on SAFARI!!!
Wilderbest
A small heard of them. Only about ten metres from the road. They looked in really good condition, all shiny and happy to munch the grass just meters from nosy tourists
Zebra
I think the Zebra in the middle is related to Mr. Ed. It looks like his trying to talk to me. One of the questions that was asked to the guide was,
"Are Zebras white with black strips, or are they black with white strips"?
I was thinking to my self does it really matter?
The long necked animals where next on the tour.
Mr. G Raffe.
And don't forget about the small version.
Turtle.
Just out for a short stroll down the road. The amazing part was that King Charles (our guide) spotted him while driving down the road, from about 500metres away.
From long necks to the largest of all the animals.
Mr. Elli Phant.
This big boy was out ahead of his heard. Being the man of the house, it's his job to go ahead and make sure things are safe for the heard to follow. By the size of him I think we should be getting out of his road.
But it looked like his belly comes first.
Too be the biggest in the heard I guess you must have to eat a lot. But for us sitting in the back of our vehicle, just a few meters away from the biggest animal that you've ever seen is quite un-nerving.
These Hippopotami wouldn't get out of the water to have their photo's taken. But I guess that's not so bad since they are one of the Big 5 (i.e. they are one of the top 5 that kill humans).
This photo is just to show what the scrub looks like.
But one thing it doesn’t show is that most of the plants all have their own protection from the animals. Spikes. A lot of the plants are covered with big spikes, similar to the spikes you would find on some lemon trees, but they are covered with them. All to help stop the animals from eating all of their leaves.
I think this guy's a baboon (I cant remember, it's been along time since I took the photos)
Just some of the local ladies out for a walk.
Impala
They were everywhere. The ranger was telling us that they are the fast food of the bush. We all thought that they might have been crap at protecting themselves, but as it turned out it was a bull shit story. He was referring to the unfortunate markings on the rump. The McDonalds logo.
At the end of the first day's driving around Kruger, we got the most amazing sun set. The photo just doesn't do it justice.
The second day was much the same.
Close encounters with a bull giraffe.
Then the rest of his family comes by.
The two young giraffes were playing happily in the bushes. I just wish I had a video camera, as they are the most awkward creatures to ever have 4 legs.
Zebra Crossing
Then the biggest highlight of the whole tour.
It starts off with the old man stepping out from behind the bushes.
Then he thinks it's better if he's in front of the car.
With an about face, he's giving us the evil eye.
"Are you looking at me!"
"Yes I'm talking to you wankers in the clapped out Toyota."
"Oh bugger me, here comes the real boss."
"If I flap my ears out like this and you guys look scared, then she will think that I have everything under control."
"Ah there's nothing like a good old dirty mud bath."
This is where I got really impressed.
The herd, including baby elephants, came out of the bushes and headed our way.
I don't think I have to say much here.
As quick as they came, they were gone.
All you could hear after they were out of sight was the crack of trees as they crashed their way through them.
A warthog was the last cab off the rank.
Oh, except for one last animal that was on the endangered species list just 12 months ago.
But he made a remarkable come back and is pretty much as good as new.
Ciao
Brad
