South Africa - 2015

We have been expecting great things from the food in South Africa. And it all got off to a great start. Trout, garlic snails, crumbed fried fetta. This was in Dullstroom, in the heart trout country. A yummy start to our holiday.

This is one of the sights along the Blyde River Canyon. These holes have been worn out by the whirlpools in the water. Both bizarre and beautiful, and magnificent to view from the footbridges over the canyon.

One of the spectacular outlooks along the Panorama Route. This was at a spot near the Three Rondavels, overlooking Blydepoort Dam near the end of the Blyde River Canyon.

We watched this beetle do her thing for quite a while. She wanted the ball of dung up the top of the slope, and everytime she got it near the top, the weight would overcome her and it would roll back down, collecting her on the way, like a cartoon character caught in a giant snowball. Then she would start again. Back legs against the ball, front legs on the ground, and then walking backwards, pushing it all up the slope again. Incredible example of the persistance that stems from innate behaviour.

The braai. The South African barbecue. Every cabin; every campsite; every picnic spot; each has a braai. This was our cabin in the Letaba Rest Camp in Kruger. Just beyond that fence we could watch the animals coming to the river to drink. Mainly hippos and antelopes. What a perfect place for a braai!

A baby giraffe nervously looks over at us. I love how the light has caught its face.

Baby giraffe, staying close to mum.

Compared to the elephants around, of course it is little. You really lose track of how big they are. And when you start using words like "suckling", you can't help but imagine something cute and cuddly.

Jo spotted the leopard while it was sitting on the ground, near the base of the tree. We stopped and watched, and after a few minutes, it stood, stretched, and leapt in to the tree. There, in one of the lower forks, was an impala carcass. Something caught earlier, and dragged off the ground for safe keeping. It seems we had arrived at dinner time.