It's a Steyn'd Africa

2012-04-04T13:21:00.000+03:00

Sophie Isabella Steyn - our new addition to the family

2012-04-03T12:48:00.000+03:00

AeroPink Nelspruit

2012-04-03T12:30:00.000+03:00

This is who I am now

Its come to an end

2012-04-01T12:39:00.002+03:00

Ok its been a while since my last entry. In fact we have been back in South Africa for 4 months already. I just couldn't write anything in my last few months at Klein's Camp. I wasn't in a good frame of mind - too much stress.

Without going onto any detail, just know that not all was as it seemed - I still can't say what I personally really felt about things in Tanzania.

I am very happy to be out of Tanzania and back home. It is definitely a place I will always remember and I had many a good time there, but home time is home time. They almost never let us leave, thanks to some arsehole's inability to do his job in a customer facing role and then booked a seat for us on the plane that didn't even exist.

The thing I will miss most about Tanzania is the staff at Kleins Camp, they are truly the best we've ever worked with and the goodbye was emotional to say the least. We miss them everyday.

Being back in SA has it's own challenges, like starting a new business, Tiff on maternity leave (new baby beautiful Sophie is 8 weeks now) and Jackie having to go to school with the cost of living being sky high, while earning zero salaries being the most challenging chapter yet.

So we say goodbye to The East African Adventure and say "Hello" to The South African Chapter and more intimately, the Aeropink Nelspruit and Family Chapter.

No matter where you are in Africa - it is still Steyn'd, but hard to leave. Catch you soon.

Borehole issues

2011-08-29T13:29:00.001+03:00

SO! Now our borehole has collapsed. Amazing how the shit just keeps on piling up.

Our water started running out a few days ago and we have cleaned the pump and yet still there was not enough water. We had to get our tractor to bring water from our bottom reservoir to our top camp reservoir so we and the guests (full camp still) could have water. I was going home at 4:30PM and saw our tractor reversing it's loaded trailer carrying the 5000l water tank where we would decanter into the 30,000l tanks above the camp.

First load of about 9000L took us 2hrs round trip to complete. As the tractor was reversing it tippled over and the 5000l water drum fell into the reservoir smashing itself into pieces and breaking the pipes and taps joining tank 2 &3 in the reservoir. So we had to add pipe and bi-pass one 10,000l tank

Long story short – after 2hrs of blood sweat and (almost) tears, in the rain I might add, we managed to salvage some water and are using only 2 tanks now at the top.

We have now had to borrow a water tanker from one of our neighbours, which is doing 3 round trips a day to Bologonja and it is still not enough water.

The drilling rig is only coming later in the week, so we are in a bit of trouble here and it is going to cost around US$40,000. I need to go on leave, especially since on top of all this and previous crap mentioned in earlier blogs, I have been accused of using non-villagers to patrol our land for cows.

Its so funny (not really) how I am being dictated to by a few greedy Maasai who want it all, how I am allowed to run my operation here.

Financial month-end, then holiday for a month in SA. It cannot come fast enough!

The Migration Arrives

2011-08-22T10:56:00.000+03:00

Amber and Ant arrived to visit us and arrive just in time they did. Yesterday the migration was in full flow through the concession. Below is a video taken from our house this morning.

Last year the wildebeest arrived on 24 August and were two months early. This year they arrived on 20 August. We believe it is because we have had some winter rains and now some of the wildebeest instead of crossing the Mara River are heading East to us for some good grazing.

My clever little Golfer

2011-08-16T16:16:00.000+03:00

Jackie playing golf in our bedroom. I must add that I get a shot for every 30 of his :)

And still, it continues...

2011-08-16T16:10:00.000+03:00

Guests that are more suited to a hotel have been very demanding for the last 3 days. They want impossible things, like closed vehicles, slippers (still on their way from SA after a delay, and couldn't get any on the circuit),a sit down lunch in the Serengeti on the Mara River - a 3hr drive away - with a full compliment of butlers and chefs. Logistically impossible at such short notice, not to mention the lack of Tanapa sense of humour at seeing something like that setup along "their" river. Also they didn't want any guest delights or bush banquets that we offered.

Hectic winter rains have caused the Grumeti River to flood and block off our access to the airstrip and couldn't pick up freight yesterday.

Large rainfalls and cloudy weather have hindered our solar heated water geysers and we've have had to run our geysers directly on the generator, causing blackouts and other major logistical issues in the office. Our generator is on its way to Arusha to get an overhaul and now need to plan for a rental to come up as the spare that was so recently fixed in Arusha is not working - obviously.

Massive cow problems continue still, with areas being completely over grazed by Maasai cows. I have now employed 15 Mgambos (local Patrol) to help keep the cows out of the concession. They are on a 1 month contract and will be transported, housed and fed by us. This is the second last resort before my final plan to eradicate cows once and for all. They are a pest to predators and to the land.

Looks like more rain coming, but we are still able to do fantastic game drives for the guests both in the concession and to the Mara River to see the migration every day.

Another day in.......um.....Africa

2011-08-12T13:07:00.004+03:00

This is an email I wrote to my regional managers and director.
The names of the Govt. officials have been changed to protect the innocent and the dumb.

Hi Wayne

If you have a spare minute - A delightful short story:

Yesterday, we pulled in the Wildlife Department’s Game Control Officer, Mr. Braaivleis (my big mate) yesterday to come advise on how we should deal with a buffalo that has been hanging around and which chased guests and askaris 2 days ago. As a draw card, we obviously had to pay for their diesel to get here and give them lunch at 4PM.

Anyhow Mr. Braaivleis, our esteemed comrade, and HIS esteemed comrades, carrying an assortment of different calibre rifles (even a shotgun) decided that shooting the buffalo was the best option. These guys managed to take about 7+ shots to bring the animal down. However there were 3 of them, so 2 got away with haste. All this havoc and mayhem only to find 5 buffalo taking refuge in my carport this morning. Probably making their way down to RM 10 as we speak. Brilliant!!

Anyhow they chopped the thing to bits with pangas and loaded a variety of ‘cuts’ into their pickup. As you can imagine there was nothing left for the hyenas. A guest saw blood on one of the WD guy’s pants (where & how I don’t know) and mentioned to Karen that it must have been killed. This all happened around 5pm, when guests were meant to be out on drive but came back early due to some rainfall. The story we told the guests was – they were chasing a rogue buffalo bull away from the lodge with gun shots. And after the guest mentioned the blood to Karen she added - it must have turned on them and threatened their lives so they had to unfortunately shoot it.

These guys are such cowboys, they bashed their vehicle up the steep hill to get to the carcass on very wet ground (no idea about conservation). They took out their spare wheel to make space for the meat and rolled it down the hill towards the open plane. On the way it almost hit our vehicle parked on the road (not allowed on the wet ground), which it would’ve smashed up as it was going at a serious pace. It rolled over trees and bushes and halfway towards the open area with a couple of WD guys chasing after it laughing and screaming, which I am sure our guests did see and definitely heard.

So long story short, if we get any complaints you now know why J

It doesn’t end there though. Obviously! Mr Braaivleis has given me letter asking for a donation to put him through wildlife college for a year. The cost of his tuition is $6,860. As much as it pains me (and it seriously pains me), I think we should make a contribution, if not all of it, then possibly half. I am not sure what budget you have for this sort of thing. He is an important and influential dude and can make our lives easy or difficult depending on his mood. He will be a good oke to have on our side. Let me know your thoughts.

Oh BTW, the tuition fees is for a Professional Hunter’s Course – Hilarious!!

And yes, just to confirm, it is still the Wild Wild West out here.

Cheers

Matt

Lions Roaring - Our morning Alarm clock

2011-08-05T10:09:00.000+03:00

A crappy July 2011

2011-08-02T11:53:00.002+03:00

July has been a terrible month!!!

Had a meeting with the Maasai village council, where they accused me of practising witchcraft. This is due to the fact that we started removing cow bells from the cows illegally grazing on our land.
I was charged at the local police station for practising witchcraft - the charges were eventually dropped.
I was expected to pay the Maasai who's cows were dying because I took their bells, but further proof showed they were just trying to extort money off me once a gain, as their cows were seen grazing the next day on our land - illegally.
In the same breath they asked me for money too make improvements in their clinic.
Cows continued to graze on our land every day for the whole month, most cows belonging to the village council members who we pay a lease to use the land and whereby they ensure it is free of cows - what a JOKE!! ........ There is one thing about a Maasai - they want everything and cannot honour an agreement. It is not within their capabilities.
Both our washing machines broke. Our poor laundry okes are washing sheets and clothes etc. by hand. They are still broken, as we can't get the parts here in TZ.
Room 6 flooded, due to a burst tap.
Had one guest who was given a private vehicle by the agent for 3 weeks, so had a shortage of rangers and vehicles for the whole month, in which we have had our highest occupancy ever. It was a complete logistical nightmare.
This one guest got stranded in the Serengeti due a to the back diff's tube housing snapping on his way back from seeing the migration. Another logistical nightmare!
Most staff had a brain fart at some point in the month and just couldn't remember how to do their jobs - very tiring!
Spent 5 days in Arusha for the 4th round of wage negotiations, which were thankfully completed. I was exhausted, but did get to play 2 rounds of golf :-)
To top off the month (before I had to deal with financial month end on the 31st). I was hosting bush dinner one night before the heavens opened. Myself and the staff got completely drenched packing up, and while Tiff and I were lying in bed at about 23h00 we heard a massive crack and a thump and our house was hit by lightning. We had 50mm of rain and we woke up to a flooded house. It took a week to get online, and the support team worked their butts off too.
The following items were ruined by the lightning: -

Repeater radio station
Telephones - burnt out our system in the office
Satellite internet (router burnt)

Therefore no communication with the outside world and considering we don't get cell phone signal except for the occasional SMS - we had a tough time trying to organise running the camp

5 wireless D-Link boxes
4 network switches
1 DSTV decoder and an LNB
2 TV's (including ours). Not sure when the company will buy us another one, so no CBeebies for Jackson for a while
Mine and Tiff's Laptops - have gone to SA to get repaired
1 Desktop PC
1 credit card machine
About 20 light bulbs
2 plug points

Month End happened :-) as it does every month

The drive to Bilila

On the upside, Tiff, Jackie and I did get to spend 2 nights at Bilila Lodge in the central Serengeti for free, as I know the manager there, however all the extras were exhorbitant to say the least. However it was worth it. The short break was so needed and so appreciated by all of us and was a little blessing.

Our swimming pool in our junior suite at Bilila

Jackson calling the animals

2011-05-20T12:42:00.001+03:00

Shooting an arrow

2011-05-14T11:16:00.001+03:00

Making fire

2011-05-14T11:14:00.001+03:00

Playing Cricket

2011-05-14T11:11:00.001+03:00

Male bonding

2011-05-14T09:58:00.005+03:00

Tiff is away at our Ngorongoro Crater Lodge for a food fundi's workshop for 5 nights. So whole she is away Jackie and I will be doing some serious father/son bonding.

Day 1
Jackson and I had tea and rusks while watching CBeebies after his arvie nap. We then played a game of rugby (my boy can kick a good touch), while I scanned the bushes for any leopards and the pride of lions that have been calling every night lately. After his dinner we read Fanyana. Jackie woke at 06h15 and we drank tea and watched "Finding Nemo" on the laptop while lying in bed together. Good times!

Day 2
Arvie game drive with Jackson and Jay. We saw a leopard, about 200 ellies, a huge herd of buffalo and loads of giraffe. I hosted dinner until 10pm. Jackson woke me up at 6am only to be treated to some more CBeebies, after which we chased each other around the house like madmen. Hysterical!

Day 3
Day 3 - Dad watched rugby, Jackson wanted to play rugby = tantrum. No dinner for Jackie, so I ate his dinner. Read Jackie "the monkey with the blue bum" at bed time. Woke up at 6am to tea, Cbeebies and Finding Nemo and then a bit of 'play dough'. Later we heard an animal being taken down by 2 leopards right below the bar area. Will check it out once the guests leave.

Day4
Arvie game drive with Jackson and Jason. Saw hundreds of ellies and a couple mating. Had a braai with Jason and read 'Fanyana' for Jackie's bedtime story. Ate meat straight off the braai and enjoyed a bottle of red. Woke up at 3AM to elephants screaming madly around the house. I couldn't go back to sleep. Jackie walked in at 5:30AM and we read about 6 books in bed. Busy day now ahead - shattered!!

Day5
Had fun with play dough in the arvie. Jackie cleaned up after himself without me even asking (so proud)! Had a fun bath with puppet and croc'y and then had to go host dinner. Slept like a king until I felt a hand on my face at 5:45, so Jackie and I had tea and watched "lightning McQueen" in bed and read his Eat African bird book. Jackson's mommy comes home today and he is very happy...

Zanzibar

2011-05-14T09:25:00.000+03:00

After the Jackson Medi-Vac and Tiff's loosing the baby trauma, we decided we needed a long holiday and what better place to go and relax than on Zanzibar.

We spent 10 nights at Mtoni Marine, where we got a good deal. After that we managed to spend 3 night on Mnemba Island, which &beyond owns, so we stay very cheap aswell, but get to enjoy all the benefits like amazing food, awesome dives and a bit of swimming.

Below are a couple of pictures to give you all a peak at our holiday experience

On the plane

What a pleasure

This is where we spent at least 5-6 hours a day at Mtoni

Coming in for dinner

An early morning stroll

Arty B&W

"My" Boat

Dinner on the beach

Still dinner on the beach

Off to "school" - my first time ever!

Some place in Ras Nungwi

The market in Stone Town

Some fresh fruit at the market

Couldn't get Jackie away from the sea

Our blue eyed boy

On dad's chair with some tea and a bikki

Spading Claire with his fins on

Another lazy afternoon lalalalala

Cleaning the sea

Finally doing some form of excercise

Too cool

Great pic

Bye Bye Mnemba

Mnemba Island

Jackie's cool dance moves

2011-03-02T12:01:00.001+03:00

Tiff's Goat

2011-03-01T12:47:00.000+03:00

Our mechanic, Pardi, came into the office asking for a short time off to go fetch Tiff a present that he had for her. It was a memento to say Pole' Sana (very sorry) for loosing her baby.

Little did we know that he was taking the motorbike to the closest boma to fetch a live goat.

When I was about to go home, as Tiff was already there, I was shown a white goat sitting in the back of my vehicle. I took the goat home to show Tiff her gift and to see what she wanted to do with it. Unfortunately there was no chance of keeping the goat at our house and it would be rude to give it back.

We didn't have time to give "Whitey" a name

The only option was to slaughter it and braai it. I made sure the canteen staff (the butchers in this case) gave me the best few cuts and the rest we donated to our staff who were having a farewell party last night for our Safari Shop Assistant, Josephine.

Quite fatty and tough

I seriously need a haircut

I quickly needed to invite the mates over for some "nyama choma" (cooked meat). Rob, Tawanda, Dale and Leoni popped over for the feast. Ironically Tiff was doing bush dinner, so she will only get to enjoy the goat tomorrow night at Black Rocks.

In the mean time I had marinated the meat in oil, peri-peri sauce, curry powder, salt and lemon juice.

Looking much better

We also had some boerie, which was a gift for me, from Cliff & Claudia in Arusha. There were no vegetables or salads of any sort. There just wasn't enough time to organise anything like that. But we did have rolls for the boerewors.

The goat was pretty difficult to cook. We decided to cut it into small pieces and braai it that way. This allowed us to eat it in strips and with the marinade was actually bloody nice. Dale even made a spicy lemon dip, which he got ripped off for, but ended up as a sauce on my boerie roll.

It actually looks tough, doesn't it?

I have had goat quite a few times, but always cooked by the locals, which is with out adding any flavour. So I must say I did prefer the marinated version. The boerie rolls were good too, but that goes with out saying.

Eat and Enjoy - notice the lack of greens

It turned out to be a good spontaneous night. The rest of the goat is still marinading for tomorrow's Balck Rock outing where Tiff too can enjoy her gift.

The Nairobi Saga

2011-02-27T14:39:00.006+03:00

Klein's Camp was fairly quiet, so Tiffany was enjoying a “pregnancy” massage with Florence in Room 2. I was idly whiling away the time in between budget lead sheets when Kina (Jackson's nanny) gave the office a call saying that Jackson was very ill.

I raced up to the house to find Kina sitting on the couch sobbing and holding in her arms a limp, pale, unconscious little boy that didn't look at all like Jackson.

I picked him up and placed him on our bed. He wouldn't wake up. His eyes were rolling in the back of his head, while making violent guttural moans. I felt as if a dagger was being driven into my heart and shattering it into 1000 pieces.

I had to remain calm and collected. I checked his temperature, 39.4C. Jackson was 'boiling' hot, shivering with goosebumps and unconscious. My first thought – Malaria!

I had Kina try and call Wasso hospital which is over a 2 hour drive away. No answer from anyone there. I called our office for them to alert Tiff that Jackson was extremely sick and we needed to act now.

I met tiff in the parking lot. She was white, ghostly and looking like a mother in shock.

I called our medical rescue company in South Africa. Things seemed very slow following protocol, so I decided to rather call the Flying Medical Services (FMS) based in Arusha, where I had a made a contact, quite coincidently, the week before.

Pat from FMS was quick on the ball. He basically said they will send a plane and we could sort out the costs later. Unfortunately the Govt. has closed down our airstrip (for no apparent reason) and Lobo in the Serengeti would be too far and cost us $50 each just to drive there. However The airstrip (that's a very loose term) at Ololosokwan is closer to Kleins and easy for a Cessna 206 to land on.

They would only arrive in 2 hrs. It would take us 40 minutes to get to the airstrip. This gave Tiffany time to go and pack a night bag, while I organised final details for the lodge to be left without managers and to arrange some cash for ourselves. It's a very surreal moment running around wasting time on purpose while in between turns looking at your son lying in his nanny's arms all limp and lifeless, but breathing.

Pat also told me Jackson could take a paracetamol to help reduce the fever. If he was unconscious the tablet had to be administered as a suppository. As if on queue, Jackie decided to wake up and therefore I could give it to him orally. He was only allowed 240g due to his weight.

Amazingly when we decided it was time to leave for the airstrip, Jackson woke up, partly because of the paracetamol and I think partly because he knew he was going on a “game drive”, which he just can't resist. He was very happy boy for about 10 minutes before he passed out again. This continued all day.

The plane eventually arrived at 15h25. There was a pilot and a doctor on board. The doctor didn't even look at Jackson who was once again asleep, didn't even take his temperature and didn't even give a shit. I think he was just there for an emergency should the need arise. Not sure.

The flight to Nairobi was going to be 1 hour. Jackson woke up again as we got on the plane and stayed awake the whole flight. He also loves “airplanes” and will not miss out on 1 minutes flying time if he can help it. We landed at Nairobi Wilson – a bit like Lanseria – and there was an ambulance waiting for us. Tiff went through customs while I transferred Jackie between vehicles.

He was very excited about the ambulance. Not yet in his short little life has he driven in a car with a bed. He stayed awake all the way to the hospital.

I was starting to wonder if this one going to be like one of those moments where your car is stuffed, will not even function like a car and when you take it to the garage it is purring perfectly and the mechanic thinks you're an idiot who is just over reacting.

But I saw what Jackson looked like and I knew how I felt. So I knew we were not over reacting flying across country borders in a little Cessna where we could have just gone to Wasso two hours down the road.

We were quickly checked into the A&E. This was four hours after the incident. It just proved to us that should a “real” emergency arise, we are completely out of our depth. A scary and sobering thought. The doctor did a quick once over of Jackson and could explain everything very simply.

Jackson's tonsils were septic. His body was probably carrying a bacterial infection aswell. This caused him to pass out and convulse. We actually didn't know that he had convulsed. It took a while to get the details of the actual moment from Kina.

It all seemed to make sense (well sort of) and the doctor convinced us that all would be fine. We were so happy to be in Nairobi as opposed to Arusha or even worse, Wasso Hospital.

We also spent an hour at the laboratory doing blood count tests and a malaria test for just in-case, plus a few other tests I can't pronounce. His white blood count was very high, indicating bacterial infection. It took a couple of hours in the A&E to get anywhere and it was getting late. Were were all very tired, irritable and just wanted to be admitted. All 3 of us were to spend the night together in the paediatric ward and a bed couldn't come quick enough.

It didn't take long for Jackson to hate doctors. The first one put one of those wooden spatulas down his throat to check his tonsils. The next one put an IV in him - a process that seemed to take ages. He wanted to pull it off, but we mentioned that he looked like Iron man and he was chuffed.

IRON MAN

The hospital administration screwed up our registration. We had to pay a R6000 deposit before Jackson could be admitted. We should have paid nothing (I am still waiting for my refund). We eventually made it into the ward at 21h00. At 21h30 we got dinner (not what we ordered) and at 22h00 there were finally 3 beds for us to sleep in.

As it is in hospitals, sleep comes intermittently, what with heart and blood pressure tests, aswell as the administering of medication at ungodly hours. Besides the noise, the crap food, even though the menu looked good, and the disease riddled paediatrics ward, the nurses were very nice and friendly albeit somewhat slow off the mark. The doctors are also professional and we felt that Jackson was in good hands.

Jackson was much better in the morning and the doctor said he could go home. He only needed one more dose of anti-biotics and he would be as good as new.

Enjoying our triple room

Jackson looking a lot better

Breakfast - Not so appetizing

I was getting Jackson discharged and Tiff decided she would go for a scan while she was at a hospital.

I was holding Jackson in my arms as Tiff's tummy was being scanned. Immediately we could see no movement and the silence was deafening. The doctor confirmed that our little baby had died about 10 days ago, and there was no way of finding out how.

Jackson smiling and laughing and telling mommy to get up off the table was oblivious to it all, which made expressing our true feelings impossible. Discharging Jackson was just the next step in admitting Tiff, much to the confusion of the hospital staff. The rest of the day was spent in a haze of sadness and uncertainty.

It turned out that we could not afford to pay another deposit, for Tiff's admission. This time it was for R15000. Medical aid had not sent a letter for Tiff. They had apparently for Jackson which the hospital decided not to tell us about and happily charged us for Jackson's expenses.

Tiff at this stage was in an absolute state and after her card was declined, she broke down. The finance guys felt sorry for her and asked me how we could guarantee the payment. I said we could and to please just admit her.

I asked my boss for and advance and if the company could pay it immediately. Everything was approved, but it never came through. Tiff was discharged and we had to borrow the money. More stress!

Anyway, after much deliberation we were allowed to stay in the same room in the paediatrics ward. Tiff was induced and so she had to go through labour, which lasted 30 painful minutes. That night at 00h10 Tiff's body ejected the foetus . It was extremely traumatic.

Jackson, luckily sleeping, was moved to the middle of the passage way. There was Tiff lying on the bed, me standing next to her holding her hand and both of us staring at a miniature lifeless tiny little Steyn just lying there on the bed.

Eventually the nurses came and cut the little foetus from Tiff and said that the placenta was still inside. Jackson was again wheeled into the room and we slept.

The next morning Jackson wasn't overly happy. He wasn't himself and I could see that everything was starting to get to him. Two days in a hospital was enough for him. For all of us! Our lovely friend Jo quickly organised a place for us to stay in Nairobi.

Jackson's and I left Tiff to go into theatre for her scraping out of the placenta. The doctors were delayed again and Tiff's nightmare seemed to linger a while longer. Meanwhile Jackson and I made ourselves as comfortable as possible at Malcolm and Debbie's house.

I spent the afternoon finally having an hour's rest then taking Jackson to the park where he played on the slide. All the while his mom was lying on a metal table going through her final physical torment for the week.

Tiff made it home at 7pm and was looking good, but very tired. We were treated to a delicious meal, a friendly home and tremendous night's sleep.

The next day Tiff, Jackson and I were driven to Giraffe Manor by our new found friend's driver. We all got to feed a giraffe called Jock some pellets before a group of Americans physically pushed us out of the way to get their photos taken with him. Not impressed.

The tickle of the giraffe's whiskers and the lick of his tongue drooling saliva all over our hands was a truly childishly tantalising experience. Seeing Jackie's face light up was a Godsend and just what we needed to heal ourselves, even just a little bit.

After Giraffe Manor we trundled along to Sheklins Elephant Orphanage where we were introduced to an array of tiny elephants. Jackie was very excited to see “toto elephants” up close and personal. He was however more interested in taking photos of them.

Jackson insisting on getting the camera

Jackson's artistry

Later, Jackson being a little daddy-vas wouldn't stay out of my sight. I had to be with him every minute of the day. Tiff rested and we played all day. It was obvious that Jackson was feeling very unsettled and need to get back to his routine and be in his happy place where mommy and daddy are more at ease and not so upset.

Nairobi is a very cool little city. I briefly quite enjoyed the vibe and the amount of half decent shops. The quality of goods on offer are a mile better than anything Arusha has to offer. The traffic is just as bad and there are cool coffee shops and places with names like “The Taj Mahal Brazilian Steak House” and “Golden Shower Villas” . Hmm interesting!

We managed to book flights back to Kleins Camp for the next day for $1500 – an absolute joke. I just hope that our medical insurance will cover the cost home. Surely if they pay for you to be medi-vac'd out they should cover your return flight, otherwise how do people afford it? Time will tell.

Over all I have to say this was a very painful and trying experience. We will learn and grow from what has happened and I am sure find some peace in knowing that everything could have been worse. We are just so happy and relieved that Jackson has made a full recovery and that his illness was nothing too serious. Although you could have fooled me at the time of discovery.

We received a hero's welcome coming back to Kleins and was very moved by all our staff's sentiments. We really do have an amazing bunch of people working here. We also found out just how wonderful our friends and family and other work colleagues are through all their love, support and encouragement for us.

Jackson is playing happily again and seeming somewhat oblivious to it all. Thank God for that.

Jackson now in his "Big Boys Bed"

2011-02-15T11:01:00.000+03:00

Ken's christmas present to me being used at my braai

2011-02-15T10:59:00.000+03:00

Checkout the lamp on the railing. Aussies think of everything

It's been a long time coming

2011-02-13T13:20:00.000+03:00

Apolgies to all my followers (all 14 of you). I have been very slack in updating my blog, very slack indeed.

Below is a history of pics. Basically it is a photo blog of the last 8 months

July holiday at Pangani

Playing Aeroplane, Aeroplane on our airstrip

Mommy Loves on the deck at Capricorn Cottages

Baobabs on the beach - awesome!

Jackie having heaps of fun

After Pangani before October holiday

A boys game drive - beers, bottles and biltong

The migration arrives at Kleins

Wob and Jackosn having fun at sundowners on the strip

Jackson throwing poo at me - very funny game :-)

Jackie loves a game drive with mom and dad

Rob, me and La - sundowners - again!

On a night drive back from Black Rocks

A crossing at the Mara River

A Hippo helping a struggling wildebeest calf (Pic 1)

A Hippo helping a struggling wildebeest calf (Pic 2)

Proudly &Beyonder

Rob & Ann come to visit

More Mara crossings

October/November Holiday in SA

My surfer dude - hopefully he is better than me.

3 generations

Happy 2nd Birthday my big boy

Searching for whales

Playing boobies boobies. They seem to be more like Nana's boobies - so low :-)

Inbetween Holidays

The mist rolling in through the valley

Man Braai at Black Rocks

Jackie's first forced smile

Jackson's 2nd birthday party at the lodge with his mates

The pulling machine

What a good boy cleaning up after his party

Not a bad scene

Man Braai at full moon

Jackie watching watching the migration cruise past our house

Braaing amongst the migration

Termite annihilation

Jackie very intrigued by the chameleon

Arty lion reflection from a stream near the Mara River

December/January Holiday in South Africa

Rob's pre-wedding party (hywel, Rob, and Medium Ed)

Jackson on the pull - check out the 6yr old blonde - what a boytjie!

Little sisters

New Years Eve, Joey, Tiff & Paul

Christmas fun with Auntie Lynne

"Nellie the Elephant"

Trying out the drums with Caroline and Morgs

Christmas eve dinner

Jackie having fun on the boat with Sammy & Kirsty

Hammered with Caro and Rob

My 40th Birthday Party

Looking young and HOT hehe

Lynne and Ken

Tiff looking good for the 80's

Stu and Des

Joey and Paul looking good

I love a bit of air guitar

Exciting Black Rhino sighting in the Crater

2010-07-28T12:02:00.002+03:00

It's peak season during an afternoon in the Crater- and it's half as busy as it is in the mornings

Life on the Crater floor

2010-07-28T11:52:00.002+03:00

Saw a couple of animals on our trip to the Crater floor yesterday

Are you aware of the benefits of Aerolite Ceiling Insulation


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