Worlds highest bungee jump complete!!

Today I said goodbye to everyone from Kwantu and started my journey to cape town via the garden route. I picked up Garrett from the airport at 11am and my new friend Louise joined us until Knysna where we dropped her at her hostel. But first we made a pit stop at the worlds highest bungee jump!! And yes I did not share this information with Garrett until he saw the sign hehe. I thought he was going to cry lol. And funny thing was they even made him jump first, poor boy but he did it. I jumped third and it was absolutely terrifying!! Such a rush but it is so beautiful and everyone is really cool and gets you pumped up. Definitely a first and possibly a last for me haha. And then to keep the adrenalin going we stopped at an oyster bar and I ate raw oysters for the first time....ok not quite that daring but hey it's was another first.

My last week in Kwantu :(

Thursday June 7Th

This afternoon we went to feed the children. I was quite skeptical about this who kid thing but I decided it was something I should at least try the first week. And it was fantastic!!! The children were so excited to see us and loved their photos taken and playing with our cameras and wrestling. They were ages 7-16 about. Such cuties, I'm definitely going back next week!

Friday June 8th

Today we went to the elephant sanctuary. It was amazing!! Right when we got there we arrived we got to track the elephants through the bush; thorns and all! It was difficult but super fun. Once we found them we tok photos and fed them apples. Then we heading into there pens to make them there beds for the night, mix there food, and then headed out to collect branches for there pens as well. then we had a break for lunch. After we were all able to ride an elephant with a trainer, it was so fun.

Over the weekend we went into Port Elizabeth and did some souvenir shopping, dinning, watched some ruby and then of course experienced some night life. Sunday we said by to four of the volunteers who were finished with their stay here at Kwantu and we get some more volunteers on monday nights. 

On the drive home we faced a lovely South African drive home near death experience. Someone driving opposite direction as us decided that it was a good time to pass (coming into our lane head on) when it clearly was not!!! We had to slam on our breaks because we couldn't swerve off the road

Monday June 11th

We worked in the morning and afternoon chopping and weeding and tonight on the game drive we finally got to see Zulu (the male lion)!!!!! It was great we were so close to him it was unnerving but he was distracted marking his territory and checking out the neighboring lioness. 

We also met the new volunteers, there are 5 of them all from the UK. Two boys and three girls, exciting to get new volunteers.

Tuesday June 12th

This morning we did a ridiculous difficult hike that was awesome!!!! But we had to stop several times for the others to catch up. It was beautiful weather and a great morning. On the game drive it was wonderful! We finally got to see the hippo!!!!! It was running on land and went into the water so we got to see its full body on land, so exciting!! That made my game drive for sure. And then that night it was going to storm and two lambs were born that afternoon so we were going to help Kat put them in a shed. But as soon as we got out there we just stared at them and she decided she didn't want to stress the sheep out by putting her in a separate shelter apart from the other sheep. Ummmm OK, clearly has not grown up on a farm, that was a waste of time. LOL o well it was nice to see brand new baby lambs.

Wednesday not gonna lie was chill and rainy. Moved some scrap metal, lecture on native animals, and half road maintenance but too muddy so cut short.

Thursday we chopped black wattle and then children feeding. Wasn't as amazing as last week. The kids were super mean to each other and it was kinda awkward right away. But then they danced and it was more comfortable but definitely not the same. That night we went on our last game drive. Originally we were going to count blue wilder beast but it turned into a basic game drive. And we finally saw the buffalo (last of the big five except the leopard: Rhino, lion, buffalo, leopard, and elephant). We were all looking left and last minute i turned right and saw them just as we were passing them and they were right beside the road but so so close to missing them all. At the end of the drive we also saw Zulu the male lion just sleeping soundly and then as we were taking photos he got up and came right up to the car and freaked everyone out, Melissa just put ur head down and cuddled me she was so scared LOL. And then he called out super load to another lion in the distance and I got a good video of all the sound!  

That night we went on a game drive after dark. We didnt see much except some eyes of all the different antelope and zebra, they werent too happy us disturbing their sleep.

Friday we woke up early to go on a dawn game drive. So so tired, even though i generally am up that early at home. It was pitch black and the sky was still amazing!!! Didnt see much in the dark but once the sun started coming up it was beautiful and got some great photos. Not gonna lie i did fall alseep early on in the jeep haha. that afternoon and evening we did the elephant sanctuary, feeding them, making there night beds, and then riding them. That night we all packed our stuff sadly (5 of us are leaving) and then had a bon fire. 

Now in Port Elizabeth for the weekend before i leave on monday to start my garden route trip!!!

Currently in POrt Elizabeth

Thursday we planted more trees, went on the game drive and got to see the rhinos and elephants from a distance which was cool. And also me and my small bladder had to get off the truck and pee in the bush. Ugh Rachel!!! But i was dying!

Friday I got some amazing photos of the baby tiger cubs because by luck we noticed they weren't in the den and they were feeding so we ran in and got some shots until the mom came back in hiding them from view.

Now I am in Port Elizabeth for the weekend to have some rainy cold fun. This is definitely winter in South Africa, so glad I brought cold weather clothing - i packed too many summer cloths as well that will not be touched.

photos to come.

Continued Wednesday 6/6/12

This is the second day where we get to work the entire day with all the regular volunteers.  But as an added note the accommodation is amazing!! Except being it is winter is it super cold!!! and we only have two blankets and not heaters except a fire place. But the couches, dinning area, food, and living room is all amazingly well beyond my exceptions!!
Today we went into the reserve to cut black wattle (an australia native plant that sucks up too much water and chokes out the rest of the native trees). I used an ax but they also had machetes and saws. It was an amazing workout and I was so so sore the next day in my obliques, low back and LATS it was great!!!
That evening we did a game drive and got to see the lioness and her two cubs (they look full grow tho). But they were feeding on the mornings kill it was great to see them in there natural habitat.

Finally an internet connection...time to catch up!!

6/4/12
So monday I arrived in Port Elizabeth at 10:30am - i was the first volunteer arrive this day and I had the pleasure of meeting two of the volunteers leaving Kwantu (the place where we will be working and staying) and they gave me a rundown of all the other 8 volunteers at Kwantu while I waited for the other 3 new volunteers to fly in that day. It nice to talk with them because I had no idea what to expect.
Once everyone arrived we headed an hour and half to Kwantu! We got a tour of the lodge area and then had dinner where we got to meet the other 8 volunteers. Everyone is very nice and mostly from the UK except one girl from Scottland, one from Belgium, and then a guy who arrived with us is from Portugal (looks like a model in a perfume ad, so hot, and very very nice man-four year girlfriend hands off!).

6/5/12
This morning I woke up to the alarming sound of monkeys running around on our tin roof! So freaky but luckily we were warned every morning 6:45am sharp and they were right on time LOL
We got our tour of predator camp this morning which is where the lions, tigers, white lions, and cheetahs all going through rehabilitation are kept. AND 5 days before we arrived one of the tigers had two baby cubs!!!! Unfortunately they are keeping the cubs with the mom and dad to see how the male takes to the cubs as she feeds them, so we don't get to play with them.

We then break for breakfast at 9:30am and then we join the rest of the senior volunteers digging holes to plant palm trees.  Now not to brag or just be irritated but I dug 6 holes by myself (through alot of grass and brick and cement-a nightmare but manageable) to the girls (who are paired in two) 2 holes! Ok im mean but come one ladies. But I also got a huge blister this first day which popped of course so a lil rough. Then it was lunch time

The afternoon/evening we went on a gamedrive within the reserve (basically a safari) and we saw giraffe, zebra, many different antelopes. It was quite exciting!! Amazing all the animals we saw and how close we came. This amazing. That night when we got back to the camp and went to predator camp and they head ranger let us see the baby cubs in the tiger den!!! So little and sooo soo amazing!!!!

now I am going to break for lunch and will finish my week updates soon!

I am a CARNIVORE

Well last night I got to really experience Africa. I went to Carnivore and indulged in eating Zebra, Impala, Crocodile, and Kudu! It was tasty (except crocodile) but definitely feel like a carnivore. :(    But it is my last day in Johannesburg and Im off to Port Elizabeth tomorrow morning to start my next leg of this trip!

Arrival in Johannesburg

finally made it to Johannesburg. Of course a little detour on the way to ATL stopping at Detroit. We tried to cut it close as possible on connecting time and I am glad to say our 6min layover went smoothly with one gate over! The first class lay flat bed on our 14hr flight was quite splendid. The flight attendant even noticed my 10hr out cold nap I took (she was impressed with my sleeping skills lol).
While I was reading through my volunteer packet on the plane another flight attendant start laughing and was telling me that there are usually quite a few hunters who come to South Africa - sad but ironic.

But as usual with flying I always have to wonder. WHAT THE HECK ARE PEOPLE DOING IN THE LAV!!!
-a man in the lavatory took (no exaggeration) over 15minutes-yes i timed him after a while since i was sitting across from it.
-next guy took 6 minutes
    -neither one was carrying anything with them and it didn't smell like their morning business (i went to the restroom right after - p.s. i took under 2minutes)

Currently I am checked into the Intercontinental with Avi and it is 8pm and I am wide awake being a just slept 10 solid hours. But I am definitely excited to have just landed on my 6th continent!!! Just missing Antarctica!!