The start of a very long holiday...
29.07.2007
Hey Everybody! I hope everyone is well and enjoying themselves. My apologies for my lack of keeping in touch, but internet is scarce and phonecalls expensive in South Africa. I am having an amazing time! After a big breakfast in Sydney airport and a sad farewell to Mum, Dad and Cat, my flight to SA was fine and i was very lucky in having a spare seat next to me. The plane was quite empty and there were heaps of people lying down across rows of seats etc. Upon arriving in Johannesburg I found that i had a long wait until my flight because we had landed early and I was extremely anxious to see James! I ran to the domestic terminal and checked in and tried to get an earlier flight, but failed because the next one was full and so waited anxiously for 4 hours. I made friends with a toddler and 2 grannies during this time. I then flew to Port Elizabeth where James, Craig, Eric and Celeste were waiting for me! It was so wonderful to see them all again! James and I went to the Grahamstown festival a couple of days later, which was a real cultural experience!!! We then embarked on a 10 day camping trip to the Kalahari desert, which was incredible! We stayed at Augrabies, Twee Rivieren, Mata Mata and Nossob campsites (google them if you're interested). We saw absolutely everything! We saw Leopard, Cheetah, Lion, Hyena, Honey Badger, Giraffe..... the list goes on! It was incredible and i was over the moon with my amazing little camera and the job it did! I'll let the photos speak for themselves!!!!! It was so special to see all those animals so close in their natural environment, nothing fencing them in. I am so grateful to Eric and Celeste for taking me to the Kalahari, i dont think i would ever have been able to without them.
Today I landed in London and met Caity. Grandad and Eileen picked us up from the airport and we went home, then out for a pub lunch and just relaxed this afternoon. Tomorrow we head back into London to start our TopDeck tour on Tuesday! I'll keep you posted.
Love to you all but i really must go now! take care. Steph. xoxx
