After a busy weekend in Johannesburg, it was time to relax! On Monday, we flew to Port Elizabeth, got our first glimpse of the Indian Ocean, and then headed 90 minutes to Kichaka, our home for the next three days.
We headed down a dirt road to reception where we literally signed our lives away, acknowledging the risk of injury or death on the game drives. Yikes! Then we were taken to the lodge where we were greeted with towels to wash up with and then refreshing drinks to spoil us. This is what a 5 star resort is like, huh?! I never wanted to leave!
We followed the path to our thatched roof bungalow... we each had our own... and found the most beautiful accommodations complete with our own little pool.
After a little time to unpack and have a swim, we were off on our first of four game drives (two from 4-7pm and two from 6-9am.) We thought it was pretty funny that the first animal that we saw on the game drive was a tortoise... pretty tame stuff! After stopping to taste the termites (yes, I did eat one!) we saw lots more animals. I'll let the pictures tell the story... (you can click on any picture to see it larger.)
Day two morning drive:
A hot chocolate/coffee break...
Back at the lodge, it's time for breakfast... so delicious! The water hole and pool are gorgeous and a good place to spot animals that come in for a swim.
We watched an elephant stroll into the pond... and a few minutes later, there were some friends! Just amazing!
That afternoon, we headed out again... this time we started out with gorgeous, perfect weather and then rain blew in. We had such a good laugh trying to get our ponchos on in the blowing wind! What an adventure! We found a sleepy lion having an afternoon nap...
This was the moment I'll always treasure... as we drove across the fields in the dark with the fog and mist surrounding us and huddled under our ponchos, I felt overcome with gratitude and God's love. I knew that I'm just a tiny speck in this amazing world but God is especially fond of me! (One of my favorite phrases from The Shack.)
The morning we headed out for our last drive... this one was the best! It seemed like we saw animals around every turn.
We interrupted an intimate moment between these lions. You know you need to pay attention when the tracker gets off the front of the Landrover and joins you in the back. The male lion kept turning around to be sure that the female was following him down the road.
Your game photos are just wonderful. So glad you got to go.
Posted by: Judy Webb | September 25, 2010 at 06:28 PM
FABULOUS!!!
Posted by: Kip | September 26, 2010 at 05:34 AM
What a beautiful resort. The pictures of the wildlife are great. Isn't God awesome? He made all this beauty and uniqueness that is so intricate and HE LOVES US!!
Posted by: Deb J | September 26, 2010 at 07:24 AM
You are unbelievably blessed. What awesome pictures. Thanking God with you for this wonderful world He made and you got to see some amazing creatures. Judy
Posted by: Judy | September 26, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Oh my goodness Debby, look at where God has taken you with your talents and hobby! Big hugs and thanks for sharing!
Posted by: erin | September 26, 2010 at 12:28 PM
Thank you for making the trip so memorable - missing you both madly.
T.x.
Posted by: Tracie H | September 26, 2010 at 01:30 PM
Great pictures -sounds like you had a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: JanSC | September 26, 2010 at 02:06 PM
wow...how amazing!!! I love the pics and esp the one with Dave and all the girls!!! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: joey | September 26, 2010 at 08:29 PM
Thanks for sharing this awesome adventure with us!! GOD is GREAT indeed!!! My hubby and I have been talking about going to South Africa sometime soon but I don't even know where to begin planning our trip!!! Thx for the info and details :-)
P.S. I took your class recently at Cherry Blossom Studio in Florida!!!
Posted by: Vanessa M Santamaria | September 26, 2010 at 08:30 PM
How exciting, Debby. I can't wait to see the book you create with these pictures. Sounds like you really enjoyed yourself. See you soon, Donna O
Posted by: Donna O | September 27, 2010 at 05:45 AM