Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th July(Tofo to Kruger)
Our initial plan had been to leave early hours of Saturday morning and head to Swaziland for a night & then through to Kruger. We had been having so much fun in Tofo and the weather and water was so awesome, we decided to spend Saturday at the beach and then head straight through to Kruger on the Sunday. We had another awesome day and packed up in the afternoon.
We left at 12h00 for our trip to the Kruger. A fairly uneventful trip with not too many road blocks got us to Komatipoort border where we had heard such horror stories, it was also the last day of school holidays so we were anticipating chaos. We were pleasantly surprised and before we knew it we were back in South Africa. Quite a weird feeling being back. We stopped in Komatipoort town and had a breakfast at the Wimpy, which we all enjoyed. After that we headed through to the Kruger and to Berg-en-Dal Campsite which was our first stop.
Rest stop just before Komatipoort Border
Sunday 15th/Monday 16th & Tuesday 17th July: Kruger National Park
We arrived at Berg-en-dal at about 11h00 and set up camp. The kids had a nice cold swim in the pool at the campsite. On Monday morning we took a slow drive from Berg-en-dal to Skukuza and were very lucky to see elephant, giraffe, lots of impala, buffalo, rhino and lots of birds. After arriving at Skukuza we set up camp and went to the shop area where the watering hole is. We were lucky to see hippo and elephant here.
That night we went to one of the game movies that they show in the outside area, which was very informative and exciting for the kids.
The next day we went for a drive to one of the picnic spots and were also fortunate to spot a lot of animals. A huge herd of Buffalo soon after we left Skukuza, fish eagles, more hippos. It was great viewing from the truck as you are so high up and can see quite a distance into the bush.
Wednesday 18th July: Blyde River Forever Resorts
We left the Kruger through the Paul Kruger gate and headed towards Hazyview and on to Graskop where we had pancakes at Harries Pancake House. From here we headed towards Pilgrims Rest and walked through the historical little town and posted postcards from the old Post Office to the grandparents.
Post Office in Pilgrims Rest
From Pilgrims Rest we headed back through Graskop and took the scenic loop to Blyde via Pinnacle Point, God’s Window and on to Bourkes Luck Potholes. We were very lucky to have no mist and we could enjoy the beautiful views. The Potholes are quite rundown from many years ago but it is still amazing to see the impact of the water through the canyon.
God’s Window
Bourkes Luck Potholes
We arrived late afternoon at Forever Resort Blyde and set up camp. This is the first time that we had felt cold. As the sun set, it was freezing and when we left in the morning at 8h00, it was 2 degrees. So out came all the winter woolies that we have had stashed away.
Thursday 19th & Friday 20th July: Badplaas Forever Resort
After leaving Blyde we stopped off at Bridal falls and Mac-Mac Falls on our way to Nelspruit. We had to get some supplies and odds and ends in our first,”big city” and from here headed to Badplaas. We had a lovely stay here and swam in the hot mineral spring pools. I remember this from when I was Bryce’s age and went on a holiday with a primary school friend of mine, Patricia. We started in the hot outdoor pools and then when the sun disappeared and we went to the indoor pools. These pools temperatures are26/ 36 and 40 degrees. In the morning we had another swim and Grant & Bryce went on go-carts while Mitch and Aimee had a go on the four wheelers.
From here we headed to Johannesburg where we stayed at my mom’s house and took up the whole driveway. Mom’s neighbor kindly let her park in his driveway. It was really great to spend time with mom and to see the Brown family. My friend Shay came for supper and as always, great fun to catch up.
Saturday 21st-Wednesday 25th July: Jhb 94 Ernest Rd
On Saturday morning we went with mom to my cousin Neville Young book signing. He has just written a really interesting book aimed at the layman on Astronomy and the Universe.
From here we went to watch Tallis and Shanna in their gymnastics competition where they both did really well. Tallis received 2 gold medals and Shanna and her partner a bronze. We spent the evening at Ryan and Mandi’s house and on Sunday spent the day at Granny Joyce where the cousins had great fun playing dress up and going into the cellar. Had a busty Monday & Tuesday in Jhb, had an awesome supper at Liz & Ian on Monday and at Shay’s house o n Tuesday, as well as having the new awning fitted on the truck and haircuts done.
Cousins playing dress up at 94(Granny's House)
Shay
Wednesday 25th-Friday 26th July: Atkv Drakensville (Drakensberg)
We left Jhb at 5h00 in the morning and stopped off in a very cold Harrismith for breakfast. Once arriving in Drakensville and setting up camp we headed for the indoor pool and then the kids went to the trampolines and play area. We had a great afternoon spent playing squash and had a great curry that Grant made. The next day, Thursday, more of the same, we went for a run and then to the pool. We spent quite a bit of time doing schoolwork in the sun with a beautiful setting of the Drakensberg Mountains and then some more squash and finishing off with a swim.
Friday 27th July: Durban & Zinkwazi
We left Drakensville fairly early and headed for Durban stopping at the Pavilion shopping centre to pick up groceries and then on to Durban beachfront where we watched some of the Masters surfing competition at the New Pier. From here we headed to Zinkwazi Lagoon Lodge campsite. This has been a definite sign of where advertising is misleading. The campsite is not great, although the beach and lagoon is awesome! We will probably leave here tomorrow and head to one of the campsites on the South Coast.
I will post pictures at a later stage as am battling with the connections to do photos at this stage.
Friday 27th July: Durban & Zinkwazi
We left Drakensville fairly early and headed for Durban stopping at the Pavilion shopping centre to pick up groceries and then on to Durban beachfront where we watched some of the Masters surfing competition at the New Pier. From here we headed to Zinkwazi Lagoon Lodge campsite. This has been a definite sign of where advertising is misleading. The campsite is not great, although the beach and lagoon is awesome! We will probably leave here tomorrow and head to one of the campsites on the South Coast.
I will post pictures at a later stage as am battling with the connections to do photos at this stage.
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Thanks for joining us in our Adventure - Grant, Lauren, Bryce, Mitch & Aimee