Group Hug!

 

Cape Town Airport,  June 10, 2024

Did I mention we are traveling with a group of wonderful people? We all share two very special people in common (not shown, but they are in our hearts with every step of this journey!) Some are related by blood, others by cherished friendship. 

This photo was taken right before we said goodbye to our wonderful guide Ian (far right, back) as he watched us like a proud parent as we went through security. After a short wait, we boarded our Airlink flight for an hour and 15 minute flight to Kruger (Nelspruit) airport. 

From Kruger, we identified our bags, then we were walked to the tarmac where we met our itty bitty planes to take us on to Phinda...

🫣😬😵‍💫

Getting into one of these things was a bit of a challenge, especially for some of our taller guys, and was kind of difficult for John and I, but we made it in just fine, though not gracefully... soon we were airborne in one of two planes. 

 look closely,  are those hippos?

interesting patterns on the ground.

We landed on a grassy runway strip, and folded ourselves out of the planes. We saw  three landcruisers waiting to whisk us to our next destination: &Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge.

This is where we met the guides and trackers that would be with us the next few days. We piled into the vehicles and were down the road not a minute and spied some grazing wart hogs and wildebeest. So exciting. After a short drive through forested areas with gorgeous tree canopies, we arrived at our destination. The staff was waiting for us with fragrant warm hand towels and whole-hearted welcomes. I felt the hospitality thick in the air. After a few minutes of seeing our rooms, we would be wisked off to an evening game drive. John was exhausted from the flights, and I was pretty tired too, so we sat that out and took it easy. We were both too tired for dinner. 

our home (#4)

Wake up calls come pretty early at the camps - 6:00am, for a 6:15am gathering for coffee and sweets, then leave at 6:30 for the game drive.  Our guides, trackers and other staff were there to greet us by name cheerfully and very excited to show us the 'Sand Forest'. The light of day was just starting to come in and it was so beautiful!

pathway from #4

While everyone at home is suffering with the heat, we are layering clothing, scarves, gloves and hats to keep us warm as we travel some of the 800 (yes 800) roads in the area. The guides and trackers have to know each road by heart. The sandy road was less than smooth, but the motion was comforting as the wind blew in to my face and

 I had snuggled deeper into my blanket and warmed my ever suffering hands with a winderfully warm hot water bottle. What pampering! 

Our guide Chell was fantastic, she expertly, maneuvered the bumpy roads while keeping an eye out for a animals and for directions from our tracker Muzi. Both made a great team. We saw two cheetah brothers, elephants, nyalas, zebras and impalas. We had daily coffee breaks in the bush, and our guides made the most delicious concoction; 'Mocha Choca Rula' (a mixture of cocoa, coffee and Amarulo - similar to Baileys). Nothing like a warm cup of this amazing nectar in the cool of the morning! 

cheetah bros

The service and hospitality was given freely from the heart. Staff knew our names and were great, especially with John. Speaking of John, he has been a trouper through all of this - he was very off for a few days, confused and unable to do some basic things.  Great thing is he has slept through every night we've been gone. I can't recall when he has done that back home. That in itself has been healing for him. It's so much quieter, more peaceful. I've seen him improve in such a short time, and he tells me all the time how great it is to be here!

I will be forever grateful to all the friends on this journey who lent us a hand - from carrying our heavy backpacks, to helping John navigate the sandy paths and stairs with no railings, and so much more. This kindness and compassion from my fellow travelers is humbling and has been such a gift.