The Big Five

Saturday arrived quickly with a trip to the Indian Market in Durban to allow us to shop for local items. A side trip to the Muhti Market for a few of us was an adventure as always being full of herbs, bark, spices, animal parts and items not rcognizable. Of course our small group stood out in this mass of people. Pictures are not recommended because of some of the illegal items being sold but we did visit one of the stands that our tour leader was familiar with and were able to discuss some of the remedies cured by ingesting certain plant materials. Much trading was done at the Indian Market but of course none at the Muhti.

It was then off to the North, past the new soccer stadium built for the World Cup next year--4 billion Rand--did Nancy P. have something to do with this?

After a 4 hour trip we arrived at St. Lucia preserve and what a trip up the estuary viewing hippo families(pods), crocodiles and beautiful birds. Hard to believe the size of the animals in the water-5000lbs-right next to us yawning while we went by.

Sunday was rise and shine at 4:30 to jump on a safari jeep and off to the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Preserve. Our guide Patrick zipped up the canvas sides for it was a little chilly but we dressed for the ride. Immediately upon entering the park, Impala were spotted and as we found out were very plentiful in the 95,000HAC-235,000 acres-- park. This park is Africa's oldest established protected area. During our 8 hour tour, we did experience elephants, giraffes, white rhinos, kudu, cape buffalo and many other animals. The picture I included today show the big five, all in this park, but we did not spot any lions or leopards. At one time, not too long ago, there were only 15 white rhinos in the world but this park has led the way to build up the numbers and now this park holds over 3000. After a lunch in which the local monkeys joined us and pilferred some food, we headed back to our hotel in St. Lucia.