March 9th, 2023 Day 65 of 128

Safari Day Two of Three Kruger National Park

Animals Seen Today: African Fish Eagle (Similar DNA to a bald eagle), Brown Headed Parrot, Elephants, Wildebeest, Spotted Hyena, Leopard, Wart Hog, Water Buck (white circle on their butts), African Tree Squirrel, Lions, Zebra, Giraffe, Ground Hornbill, Hornbill, Rhinoceros, Turtle, Impala, Gray Dagger, Crocodile, Ververt Monkey, Cape Starling, European Bee Eater, Lilac Breasted Roller, War Breast Eagle, Red Crested Cormorant, White Rhinoceros, Swensen Franklin Fowl, Ostrich, Cape Buffalo, Golden Orb Web Spider, Spotted Eagle Owl, and Lightening Bugs!

The alarm went off at 4:30am and we were up and dressed, covered head to toe in bug repellant and headed out before the sun was even up. We saw the sun starting to rise as we enjoyed danish and fruit at 5:15. We were off on our animal drive by 5:45 am. We drove all around the park and followed the sightings as they were called into the CB of our woeful driver Lazarus. We learned this week that the rangers speak in code that only other rangers understand so the poachers don’t know where the animal sightings have been. We also learned that those not staying at lodges within the Kruger National Park are only allowed in the park from 6am-6pm. The advantage of staying in the park is early morning starts and late night finishes. There are 12 lodges within the park. Jock Safari Lodge is among the newest and it was built in 2001. Others are older mostly built in the mid late 70’s. Jock Lodge is “one of the top lodges in the park” according to Lazarus. Mid morning we had our first stop and had the opportunity to stretch our legs and were served tea, coffee and hot chocolate and biscuits. We were back to the lodge around 9:00am and were greeted by smiling staff members and a beautiful breakfast buffet. We spent the rest of the morning showering in our outdoor shower, bathing in our outdoor tub, and plunging in our private plunge pool. It was so surreal being in the middle of the Park, in a bubble bath outside on our deck. Later in the morning we went to the gift shop and did some sovenier shopping. Megan got some post cards and stamps and we took the time to fill them out and we sent them off back to the United States. Lunch was at 1:00.  We had now eaten four times today.The highlights of this afternoons menu were Wildebeest Veal shepherds pie,  Vegetable Lasagna, and a dulce de leche tart. After lunch we sat on the outside dining patio relaxing and we were rewarded with an entire herd of elephants including many babies crossing the river right beside us. Wow. Then we retired to our cabin for a short nap before we met again for tea time and then on to our second animal drive at 4:00pm.   Today was like being in a National Geographic movie most of the day. We saw a Leopard today jump out of tree, slink through the grass and attack a baby Water Buck. The Buck got away and sent the entire herd into high alert. They were all violently exhaling as a warning to the other bucks and animals in the area. The Impalas starting to make the same noise. I don’t know if the buck survived the attack. It had puncture wounds in the back of it’s neck and its mother came right over to it and licked its wounds after the attack. We saw it run off with its mom and hope that whatever needs to happen in this circle of life happens. We had a mid drive stop again with the chance to visit the Lava-tree if needed, to stretch of legs and to eat again. Our evening snack was Biltong Jerky, cheese and crackers, trail mix, beer, wine, sodas and water. I am overwhelmed with everything we have already seen. I am feeling beyond blessed yet again. I was moved to tears this afternoon as I breathed it all in and gave a multitude of thanks to everyone who has been instrumental in getting me to where I am right now in this exact moment in time.  I will suffice it to say that if you’re reading this, you’re most likely a part of life and therefore one of my many blessings, and I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being exactly who you are. Thank you for what you have done to encourage, support and love on me. This opportunity is a priceless one and I have experienced something that I will treasure for my lifetime. When we returned back to the lodge after our second drive we were seated in the dining room for a plated meal. We had placed our orders this afternoon before we left for our drive and dinner was served. For those of you keeping count, this was the SEVENTH time we were fed today. Three meals and fours snack/mini meals throughout the day. Every thing we ate was absolutely delicious and obviously prepared for us with love and passion for the art of cooking. Cooked with local ingredients and served to us with such hospitality that I don’t want to go back to the ship. Megan doesn’t either. This wasn’t enough time here at all. We have one final animal drive bright and early tomorrow. Need to sleep fast. We’ll definitely need to catch up on sleep when we get back to the ship. It worth every moment of lost sleep. Hugs from across the miles. Enjoy all the photos.