The real voyage of discovery consists of not seeking new landscapes

"The real voyage of discovery consists of not seeking new landscapes

but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust

Evening and weekend jaunts.





Everyone decided they would like to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about the local Zulu Culture by going to the local Heritage centre (tourist trap) just outside town, where a traditional Zulu village is set up. We were first served a meal of foods eaten then and now and it was explained how they were cooked and eaten. We were then invited into a large hut that would have a typical home for the ladies in the old days. We were shown some of the possessions they would have used in daily life. We were then dressed in authentic garb (mine of course being a gogo's outfit. I'm unsure how they ever wore these outfits, being made of thick tanned hides and woven bark they felt like wearing a board and weighed a ton! Young men in Zulu garb came in and treated the the girls like they would a young Zulu maid, everyone had a good laugh. After removing the outfits we were led to another area where and then we were treated to Zulu dances.

entering the hut

skirt stands by itself!

Gogo getting dressed

Us 2 with the little black tops are dressed as married, Jess would be bare up there, and also only wearing the little bead skirt, so the fellow below is taking her for a wife

      
"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." - John Burroughs

Night drive through iSimabgaliso Wetlands Park.

Pygmy chameleon

Globe spider

Egyptian fruit bat

break time - hot drinks all around

One afternoon Alana and Sofie suggested we take a break and head over to the Isiphaphalazi Butterfly House. The project employs many local people, which makes supporting the venture very important to both the staff and volunteers. We received a very informative presentation regarding the life cycle of butterflies and then got to walk through the butterfly house, filled with all sorts of butterflies at various stages of life.
Although it was a rainy day in Zululand, we sat outside at the organization's recently opened Tea Garden. Thanks to manager Tessa, we received tea along with a wonderful array of scones, muffins and cupcakes.
The Isiphaphalazi Butterfly House also provides local school children with educational seminars to teach them about preserving butterflies as well as other species and wildlife.

Took a Sunday drive through the Park up to Cape Vidal. I'm not really a beach person, but as it was Sunday and nothing going on, I decided to tag along. In one spot along the road we ran into a what seemed a breakdown or something as cars were backed up. What we saw, was a Rhino attacking the lead car. He actually battered it for about 5 minutes, backing off then charging again. The poor folks kept trying to get around him. Eventually he turned and went back into the bush. Was an amazing sight. Cape Vidal has beautiful beaches and it was interesting to see the area we had driven through on the night drive in the daylight. Cheeky monkeys at the park tried to rob everyone, whether your back was turned or not. Guess they're quite use to people there and getting what they want.

Alana's boyfriend was a local fellow who owns a couple of small planes; one he uses to do crop dusting, the other to fly tourists over St. Lucia and the coastline for a birds eye view. The three roommates had decided they would like to do this on the Sat., but at the last minute Jess chickened out, deciding she wasn't up to flying in a small plane. The other girls couldn't afford to go without a third, so I offered to take her place. Was glad I did, it was a wonderful flight.

St. Lucia

shipwreck along the coast

 

we're staying right down there