CHARRRGGEE!!

Journal #19 February 20, 2009

So we got our wake up call at 5am and headed down to the lobby to get ready for our 2nd day of the safari. Today we had a different driver and his name was Hamilton. I knew right away that he was going to be great safari driver. Today we went to a bigger reserve that had all of the big five, the elephant, water buffalo, lion, panther, and rhino. It took us about 20 min to get there. I was soooo excited. As we started the day we saw more zebras and giraffes. But then about an hour in we saw ELEPHANTS!!! There were about 5 other safari cars there so it was hard to see them. Then the elephants went into the shrub so we could not see them anymore. All of the sudden Hamilton took off down the road turned around and went other places. Then all of the sudden we were right up to the elephants. I asked him wow how did u know they were here, he said “I smelt them. ”hahah he was a great tour guide.

We spent several hours on our safari that day, actually 11 hours. We saw lots of rhinos, baboons, turtles, and many more animals. I was surprised that during this 11 hour safari I never got bored. It was absolutely awesome!!! When we got back to the lodge a bunch of us swam in the pool, and just relaxed. During this time I got stung by a bee :( it hurt for just a few minutes.

Again dinner was awesome and it was great to sit out and look at the stars. They were so bright and I was really excited because I was finally able to see the Southern Cross. Elise and I called it an early night again because we had another early morning. Again we woke up at 5am and got ready for out game drive. This game drive was optional so about half of us went. I was especially glad I went on this one because WE GOT CHARGED BY A RHINO!!!! It was sooo cool but scary at the same time. His name was butch and he was big. We were all screaming but we were very thankful that he was only doing a mock charge which means he charges and then stops to scare us away.

We also saw some more giraffes and realized that some of them were bleeding, they got in a fight with each other. It was sad, but its nature. As we got back to the lodge we had to pack up and get ready to go. After waiting for about 30 min we got a phone call that the bus had broken down. When it finally got there we knew that we would not have enough time to catch our flight. GREAT. As we got to the air port we missed out flight by 5 min. Then we got the news that we would have to spend an extra night in Durban. At first I was sad because I had one less day in Cape Town, and Elise and I would miss our time with Fuad but then I realized that we would have an extra day in Durban.

I loved Durban, we were put up in a 5 star hotel that was absolutely gorgeous. The beds were soo comfortable, and the food again was awesome. A bunch of us went to the closest mall and did some shopping. Then we got back to the hotel, I made some phone calls home, watched Talladega Night's and went to bed. The next day we had another early wake up call and got ready to leave Durban. Of course today did not go so smoothly also. One of the girls with us never woke up and we left 50 min late.

This trip had a lot of complications but I was extremely glad to say how flexible the students were. So thank goodness we made our flight just in time. Again I slept for the flight and woke up as we landed. Because we were a day late our tour guide allowed us to be taken to the top of Table Mountain. It was the most gorgeous view. We could see all of Cape Town.

After getting back to the boat Elise and I went out on the town, we did some more shopping and went to lunch and Quay Four. Again just like most of the other ports, South Africa was nothing like I thought it would be. I can not believe how many people here are just as or if even more, racist than Americans. SA is more green than I thought it would be, I thought there was going to be more desert. There was also one point where I was talking to some tribal people and they had never even heard of Obama. That was surprising just because at every other port they worship Obama.

Well even though I had a lot of surprises in South Africa I absolutely loved it. I can not wait to come back with my family one day. It is sooo cool and a great place to visit. I encourage everyone to come here and try it out.

Well of course with our luck we were not able to get out of South Africa on time because of the weather. We left a day later and now we are on out way to Mauritius. They say we are going to make it in time because we are going fast but I am not sure. I think they waited a day later in case we see pirates we can go really really fast and not get to Mauritius early. I am not quite sure what I am going to do in Mauritius. If anyone has any fun ideas let me know. Me and my roommate are thinking about going parasailing. I think I am going to leave this port for me to do something really adventurous. Well I better get ready for bed; we lose another hour tonight so I am beat.

Love
Michelle