Last exam

Well the studying is finally over folks. We did our last exam on Saturday and it was based on dangerous game. I’m hoping to pass it and that’ll be me officially qualified to lead walks and drives. It’s been a great six months and it’s actually flown by. I never thought I’d see the day that I’m a little sad that I won’t be doing any more exams! We celebrated our unofficial finish in style. Our Yank friend made a, I suppose you’d call it presentation with all the pictures and video’s she’s taken over the last 6 months. She added some soppy music and hey presto, you have an entertaining 50 minutes. One of the lads, Kevin “Left B”, even said that we’d be weeping by the end of it. I had to add a pinch of salt to that statement considering he had been drinking from 10 AM that morning! As they said it would bring a tear to a glass eye. I headed off for my informal interview with the lodge that I’ll be working for in January. It went well and I’m looking forward to giving it a shot in January. I might even do my level two exams in March. Em we’ll see!

Camping in Kruger

I headed off on Sunday to do a bit of camping in Kruger. I know now that I am officially not a very good camper. It’s nothing to do with pitching the tent. I’ve always been able to do that (no wise cracks) but when it comes to actually being able to sleep for a night on the ground. Not a chance. I’m like a zombie walking around because no matter what I do it doesn’t seem to suit me. I don’t know if any of you are insomniac’s but I know how it feels now. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Braai part and a few beers and setting everything up but when it comes to the actual putting the head down and getting some shut eye I just can’t. I’ve even used ear plugs and one of those eye things that you used to get off Aer Lingus for flying. No joy! At least I’ll be able to put the head down when I get to Swaziland. I’m going to book a nice bed, with a headboard and mattress!

Another Country

This is my third country in Africa. It feels like I’m cheating here mind you. Swaziland and Lesotho are both in South Africa but they are separate countries with Kings ruling them and you have to cross the border to get into them. It’s a nice place so far. It feels a lot more rural than SA. There aren’t as many white people here either so you kind of feel like you’re in Mozambique. I went for a bush walk today and was able to get up close to some cool animals. I enjoy that more than the vehicles where you feel like you’re not really experiencing natural behaviour in it’s purest form. It’s amazing how the animals react differently to perceived threats. When I’m in the car they don’t even bat an eyelid whereas when I’m on foot they are very nervous and skittish. They snort to let all the other animals know I’m there and it’s a really effective defensive technique. It’s always a good idea in Africa to watch where the animals are looking because it usually means a predator is around. I kept that in mind when I was walking but it was great. I have to say though, try walking five miles up and down hills in 35 degree heat.

Bye Bye Special

Well it was the end of the road for myself and “Special One,” as roommates before I left on Sunday. He is going off travelling so it was with a mixture of relief and no regrets that I bid him adieu! The really strange thing is that he is going for a job in the dangerous reptile and snake park. He will probably end up getting the job too and he’ll be handling Mamba’s!! Yikes!