大开眼界 - South Africa
(Sunday / 20:52)
(Sunday / 20:52)
I was 6 hours behind you all.
25th August
Flight was 13 hours in total. Did a stopover at Dubai and then headed to Johannesburg. Was really tired but I couldn't sleep and neither could I sit down and finish a movie. When we arrived at Jo'burg it was about 8pm. And my luggage was delayed because they forgot it in Dubai hehe Went up to the shops at the airport to get some necessities but there was nothing that catch my eye :( Got some stuff though because I have got insurance and it would cover the cost. Took a 10min bus ride to the hotel, Mondior, in a van that makes me felt like I belonged to the circus hehe
The hotel we stayed in was only a small part of the whole resort. Did our check in and did a little walk around inside. We missed our dinner time but it is okay because we were well fed by Emirates Airline haha And I got a double bedded room all to myself because they did not had any family room so they gave us two rooms instead! For the first time I slept in a hotel alone it was pretty cool. I was pretty cool.
Oh, before heading back to our rooms, my aunt and I used the coupon we had for a free cocktail at one of the bar. Ordered some rose drink because there was no more mojito :( We went back to the room with slight blur vision hehe & I had my very first leg cramp while sleeping.
26th August
Breakfast at Mondior was lovely. I like their tea selection & was amazed by the package. Instead of tea bags, the tea is packed in a shape of a stirrer. Initially I was still trying to open up the packet to pour the tea in when all you need to do was to pour hot water into your cup and put the tea stick into the cup.
inside an used gold mine
the roller coaster that comes down straight
Had awful chinese lunch before heading off to some city viewing at Pretoria (which is one of the capital of South Africa) and then to Voortrekker Monument. Really interesting, take a read if you like :) Went to the top for a breathtaking view before heading back to the hotel for dinner.
Dinner was at the resort itself and provides a large spread of food! Yay nothing is better than a good buffet. After dinner I tried to get in the bar with my cousin but we failed LOL the person first doubt if I was old enough and raised an eyebrow when I told her I'm legal. And then she was like 'no, definitely not her' to my cousin. At that point of time I could only think she really sounded like those woman in movies - the slang and action and all.
27th August
To the Entabeni game reserve! :) We were welcomed with drinks and lunch but sadly the rooms weren't ready yet. Not sure why though. Sat around and had bonding session with the rest of the travel mates haha Also spotted a few animals at the backyard. After almost three hours, I wondered why don't they just take us to see the animals while we wait for the room because the initial plan was to take us to the room before driving around the reserve. And they really did hehe
I became the translator on the jeep (is it call a jeep?) because I was better with both language (i think). The ranger, Thomas, drove up really close to the rhino and other herbivores and shared some knowledge about them with us. At first I was scared to be so close to the animals, especially the rhinoceros, thinking they would attack haha. Next we went for a hell of a ride. He was a damn good driver for being able to drive the steep slopes down the mountain! So steep that I would not be able to see his head if I look straight ahead while he drives. They say it is one of the steepest road there that goes almost 90 degree downwards. No joke.
The game reserve was magnificently beautiful. Most of the areas were left untouched and the mountains and everything fascinates me. ^^ And we saw lions and stayed for a couple of minutes just less than 5m from them. Really cool experience~
During my conversation with Thomas, he told me a little about himself and he basically lived a life I want to have. He travel around with his brothers from England (I think) and they are currently at different part of Africa. So I translated this part to the rest of the people on the jeep as well and my cousin jokingly asked if she could get his email. I laughed and then feel bad if I do not translate it to Thomas so I really asked him. He har har har then stopped for awhile before laughing again (which I assume he really finds it funny) and then he say he can give his mobile number HAHA at that point of time my cousin was already embarrassed because she never thought I would really translate that part.
We went stopped at middle of nowhere for a break and everyone was on high tide. Must be too much tea, coffee & beer before the trip -.- Then we all pee at behind some trees hehe I PEED IN THE WILD. We also had some drinks and tidbits before continuing our trip.
Hopped on the jeep and within 10minutes we saw a crocodile by the river! Watched it being motionless and when we were about to drive off, the other ranger decided to dare Thomas to touch its tail. He did it and came back saying he never did it before ahaha Thought that croc would turn about and snap or something but it just stayed motionless.
By the time we drive up the mountain, it was already dark. He used the same steep road and needed an extra equipment to help climb the mountain. Halfway thru he took out a powerful light/torch/whatever that is and then drive while holding that heavy thing in one hand. I kind of o.o and offered help to take the light. At first I thought it was used to help him see the road better but actually it was to help him spot the animals in the dark. So I held the torch for him but sadly we did not spot anything. My hands were freezing by then. It got really cold in the evening man. I was already wearing four tops but I could still feel it brrr
When we finally got back we kids crowd around the fireplace haha Had dinner and then head to our rooms. The game reserve actually have got four different kind of rooms located at different part and we got ours, called Ravineside, by a cliff. There are four rooms altogether and a common area at the middle but once we went back into our room we never went out. Probably too scared to haha I mean, those wild animals are free to roam anywhere they want to! One of their staying lodge was just tents and you aren't allowed to go outside the tent after the ranger have left. In the morning you can only come out if the ranger says so. So cool right I want to stay there too!
And my cousins and I did not bathe before going to bed despite being really dirty with all the sand and dirt from the ride that day because the water was yellowish in color. Should be the soil but nah, I just went to bed straight after I took off the first jacket I wore on the outside.
Labels: travel