Karridene-South Coast(28th July-1st August)

Karridene Protea Hotel (Saturday 28th July - Wednesday 1st August)
We arrived at the Karridene Protea Hotel on Saturday and will be leaving tomorrow. It is a beautiful campsite on the South Coast of Durban. You cross over the railway lines over a bridge and onto a beautiful clean beach and small lagoon. It is not the easiest swimming or surfing beach but the facilities at the campsite have been great. They have squash courts, putt-putt, trampolines and swimming pool. The campsites are really immaculately kept with great ablution facilities. We stopped in Durban beach on Saturday to watch Greg in the Masters surfing competition. He was only competing in the afternoon so we visited with him in the morning. On Sunday the weather was not so great, so we loaded up the truck and went to Galleria shopping complex and watched Ice Age 4 in 3D, which was great fun. Yesterday was also a bit grotty so we spent a bit of time on the beach but mostly did work at the campsite. Today(Tuesday), after doing a bit of schoolwork we headed to Scottburgh Beach for the day. Weather was great, water is a little bit colder than what we are used to in Moz but not too bad.

Tofo-Kruger Park-Mpumalanga-Jhb-Drakensberg-Kwa Zulu Natal

Saturday 14^th & Sunday 15^th 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 15^th/Monday 16^th & Tuesday 17^th  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 18^th 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

Royal Hotel 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 19^th  & 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 21^st-Wednesday 25^th 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.

Tofo Tuesday 10th - Friday 13th

Tofo-Bamboozi-Tuesday 10th - Friday 13th July
Always great to be back in Tofo and staying at Bamboozi. Has been really busy here this time with 2 huge buses full of young varsity students on holiday. The weather is still great and the water lovely and warm for lots of surfing and swimming, We have met a lovely couple Ron & Wilhimina who are also travelling in a motorhome. Had a lovely braai with them on Wednesday night and exchanged stories of travels. We had been to so many of the same places and met so many of the same people. Quite uncanny! Will post some pictures at a later stage. Tomorrow we are heading to Swaziland and from there on to Kruger Park.

Ron, Wilhimina & Kids

Malawi –Zomba Plateu ( Thursday 5^th  – Sunday 8^th July)

After leaving Liwonde National Park we had a slow drive to Zomba town where we found a, “Shoprite Checkers.” Yeah, we stocked up on our food supplies and as we left town to make our way up the windy hill to Zomba Plateu, we bought the most awesome strawberries and baby potatoes. The area reminded us a lot of Hogsback, all the beautiful trees and blossoms. We went to the campsite at Ku-Chawe Trout Farm, very basic but pretty setting on a small stream. This is the first time that we have been cold! So a bit of overkill but out came the beanies, gloves and sleeping bags. On the Friday morning we went up with the scooter to Ku Chawe Sunbird Hotel to defrost a bit in their sun and to utilise the wi-fi to download e-mails etc. In the afternoon Colin, Carolyn and their daughters Belinda & Colleen arrived from Blantyre. It was so lovely to them again and to meet the girls. We made plans for the next day to do a hike up to the waterfalls and then to go back to the cottage they were staying in for lunch.

Mitch, Bryce, Aimee, Belinda and Colleen at waterfall

We had a lovely weekend with  with the Campbells and our kids absolutely loved their girls. We decided to go & stay at their place in Blantyre on the Sunday evening and then to leave for Mozambique on the Monday morning early. We drove through the Tete corridor and overnighted at a place in Chimoio. It was at Milpark Hotel and we thought it would just be in the car park. We were pleasantly surprised to find a campsite and ablution block. Had a really awesome curry and rice at their restaurant and a good nights sleep before heading on to Tofo.

Bridge over Zambezi at Tete

Truck at Tropic of Capricorn on way to Tofo

UPDATE

We are currently at Ku Chawe Trout Farm in Zomba Plateau. We pretty much decided a while back, that instead of doing an East Africa "trip" and rushing through towns and countries, we rather spent longer at each place and had a holiday and got to know the people and culture.
Zomba is our last stop for Malawi, then we will head back, via Tete, back to Bamboozi in Tofo for a few days of sun and surfing. After that off to Kruger park and surfing"Eastern Transvaal ", then to JOBURG to see Joyce and family.
To end we are heading via Durban south coast for few day, then on to East London.
Hope to do Namibia, Zambia, Botswana next year if we get work in time.

Cheers for now.
--
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note Android phone

Liwonde National Park-Malawi-3rd - 5th July

Malawi – Liwonde National Park 3^rd -5^th July

We arrived at Liwonde National Park after a brief stop for diesel & supplies in Liwonde town. A beautiful  30km drive through the park, where we spotted a herd of elephant, plenty impala and a whole menagerie of birds, brought us to Mvuu Camp where we stayed for 2 nights.

Liwonde National Park

We spent the afternoon walking around the campsite and watching hippos on the banks of the Shiree River.

Sunset on Banks of Shiree River

 It is an unfenced camp so the animals are free to roam where they will. This makes for some exciting, adrenaline pumping walks around the camp. Especially at night where we were very glad to be in the truck as opposed to sleeping in a tent on the ground.

On Wednesday morning we went on a boat safari on the Shiree River and had the most amazing sightings, a very special trip where we got up close to crocodile, hippo, elephant, waterbuck, impala and too many different birds to mention here. At one point we didn’t know where to focus our attention as we had hippo on the right, crocodile and buck in front of us, elephant on the left and a territorial fight of plovers overhead.

Hippos/Elephants on Boat Safari

Crocodile & Birds

We are heading  off to Zomba Plateu today to meet with my cousin, Carolyn and her family that live in Blantyre. They are coming through tomorrow as their school breaks up today. Looking forward to seeing them again as it has been about 13 years since our last visit to Malawi.

Senga Bay - Steps Campsite 1st-3rd July 2012

Senga Bay - 1st - 3rd July 2012
We had a lovely slow drive from Cape Maclear along very decent roads where you see almost everything being carried on a bicycle. Huge bundles of wood, passengers, straw baskets. I can imagine that a bicycle must be like gold to a Malawian. The countyside is really beautiful with its changing landscapes. We arrived at Steps Campsite after stopping in the nearby Salima for some supplies and to fill up while we could find diesel, which is not always possible here but so far we have been very lucky. Our stay at the campsite has coincided with,"Put Foot Africa's" checkpoint 5 of their journey. We have met some very interesting folks. Their are about 60 teams involved. Their transport varies from 4x4 to the old vw buses as well as 3 guys on Big Boy Scooters. Quite amazing to see all of them arriving at their checkpoint. They have 17 days to log in at all their checkpoints and this involves 5 or 6 countries. They are mostly young and look like they are having a blast.
We woke up the this morning to a bit of wind which had the boys very excited as they insisted that they could surf these waves and they did.

Surfing Lake Malawi

Bryce & Mitch on beach in front of Steps Campsite

After surfing today we were even able to have a game of tennis at the Livingstonia Hotel next door. This cost 1000 kwacha, which is the equivalent of about R33 for 4 tennis rackets and balls. The court seemed to be breaking apart under our feet but we had great fun, with Aimee giving us some good laughs. We also utilised the pool at the hotel, which is really lovely, about 25 metres long.