DAY 108 SAFARI//PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA & DAY 100 ON CRYSTAL SERENITY

We worked up early before our wake up call of 5:30 AM for our first full day at Vlei.  We all were asked to be back to the main area of the lodge by 6:00 AM where tea, coffee and biscuits were served.  We passed on the beverages.  We then went on our three+ hour drive with Devin our driver and Mr. T his tracker.  We road with Bob and Glo as we did yesterday and will continue to the rest of our stay at Vlei.  Our escort Eva-Lynn also road with us and will continue to do so the rest of the time we are here.

We saw so many different animals and also a wide range of birds.  We did so well we stayed out longer than originally planned and we got back to the Lodge at 10:30 AM rather than 9:30 AM for breakfast.  This photo was taken late morning.  For the first couple of hours we each wore jackets as it was cool and it felt even cooler with the breeze as we drove along the property.  

 Eva-Lynn, Shore Excursion Assistant Manager, Crystal Symphony.

Nyala

Cheetah's

White  Rhinoceros

If you look closely you will see one to two birds on top of them that are removing ticks.

Termite Mound.

Baby Zebra.

Turaco.

This was from a watering hole that we stopped at.

Mother Lion with one of her cubs.

When we returned to the lodge we each enjoyed a cooked to order breakfast.  We were hungry and the food was terrific.

We had lunch at around 1:30 PM. We each had salads and shared one piece of homemade bread.  

We rested in our Chalet for awhile and then got ready for our evening drive.  We saw a family outside our Chalet from the back porch.

A family that stays together.

Meet the family.

As was the case yesterday, we met at around 3:30  PM for our second evening drive.  Hot and Cold Coffee as was Tea was offered with muffins but we passed on all of this.  We saw additional animals from outside the lodge as we waited to leave.

We had an absolutely wonderful drive.  

At one point we all walked to try to find the Buffalo but ended up seeing the Rhinoceros.  Our driver/guide explained all of the safety precautions and he walked first with his rifle, followed by Mr. T and then we followed behind in single file.  Although we did not see the Buffalo, we did see several Rhino and fortunately they didn't see nor smell us.  Walking gave us different perspective from being in the 4x4.

We also saw our first Leopard.  We saw several other animals and all in all it was a wonderful experience.

Two of the Rhino's we saw during our walk looking for the Buffalo.

The remains of an animal.

Devin, our driver/guide on the way back to our 4x4.

The Leopard that we saw last evening.  It was pitch dark outside so more challenging getting photos.  At one point the Leopard passed behind our parked 4x4, and then laid down fairly close to our vehicle to get some rest.

As we arrived to the Lodge, we saw an Elephant in a Swimming Pool.  Guess whose pool it was in?  You guessed it.  It was ours.

When we arrived back to the Lodge we enjoyed another dinner. 

The dinner was amazing.

We each had a salad an then we had Prawns with Chicken and vegetables. There was also a dessert.

After dinner, we were each escorted to our respective Chalet's and we each showered again before retiring to bed.

After along day, it was easy to fall asleep.

TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.....

"No great man ever complain of want of opportunities." - Ralph Waldo Emerson


Keith & Anne Marie