The Great Migration

We are at the Masai Mara, meaning the great plains of the Masai tribe. The serenghetti and Mara meet but there is no way to tell where one ends and the other begins. This is however, the place where the Great Migration occurs. The zebras go first as they eat the tall grass and the wildebess follow as they eat the shorter grass. We saw the wilbebees crossing this morning; thousands of these animals crossed the Masia river migrating north; the most amazing site immaginable! We have all come down with different maladies during our trip and are anxious to get home. While the blog was a great idea at the start, we had limited to no access to the internet and when we did, the connections started and stopped so apologies to all. THere are other messages out in draft that I will go through and upload. Will start posting pictures once I remove the inadvertant ones of the floor, the inside of my bag etc. There are numerous amazing shots that I am anxuious to share. The trip was unbelievable!

On to Cape Town

Left Timbavati this morning on our way to Hout Bay. Freezing cold! Flew from Hoed Sprit to Johannasburg and from Johannasburg to Cape Town, then drove to Hout Bay. Temperature here is in mid 60's with a strong wind. Hout Bay is on the western cape. Ocean is across the street. We are at the point where the Atlantic and Indian oceans. meet Tomorrow is the big shark day - I am hoping that it gets cancelled. Once I figure out how to upload pictures, will start sending them After 10 here so signing off for now. g

Third amazing day

We have had the most amazing past three days that anyone can imagine and then some. Just came back from a night in the "hide", a rustic escape that is like a tree house about 30 minutes from the Tandula Camp. No running water or electricity but so amazing! The best of all camping. When we got back, we were greeted by a hippo lying on the side of the pond, no more than 10 feet from us. Have to sort out pictures as i have taken over 600 so far. We have lions mating, not once bu t 3 times. Accoding to our guide, Freeman, thry mate every 20minutes for 3 days then in 3 months the lioness has her babies. We ate breakfast by the side of a large pond an were visited by a herd of 7 zebra with 1 baby. Collectively, we will have amazing pictures to post. Best to all, we are all well!

After a grullimg flight, arrived in Johannesburg. While trying to figureout where we were supposed to be, Faith came out of nowhere to take us across the street to the hotel. Met Linda,Sue, Lauren in the lobby. Had a wonderul dinner and crashed by 10pm local time. Up at 6 for our flight to Hoed Spruit. Arrived and had a 45 minute drive to Tanda Tula. saw a hyena, impala and warthog just on the drive to the "camp". Everything so far is truly amazing. out for a game ride at 3 pm. will upload pictures tonight.

Saturday 7/21/2012

Faith and the west coast gals are already on their way. Sr. Mary and I leave tomorrow. Seems as if this day would never arrive and now it's tomorrow. Checked-in, packed and ready to go, I think! Hopefully we'll be able to post pictures once we get there but in the meantime, wish us safe travels! Georgeann

48 Hours and Counting!

Well, I almost met my goal of walking out of my office today at noon!  Partially packed, fully psyched!!!  Looking forward ot meeting all "Girlz" in SA.  Safe travels to all.  Let the adventure begin!!!

The countdown!

The packing has started. It was done once but then had to take everything out and spray with insect repellent as I am sure once I land, word will get out that fresh meat has arrived and the mosquito's will swarm to welcome me. Herbie is not fond of the idea as he has taken up residence in the "big" suitcase. Zoes on the other hand says, "wake me when it's over!" Eliza Jane and the rest of the brood aren't saying anything! 7 days and counting! Oy! If I stay up every minute until we leave, I might make it! Anxious to meet everyone! See you in S. Africa! Georgeann

I'm back on.  Can't believe its only a month away.  Ready...but not ready.  Still have a list.  Have all shots and pills; even have my Rands.  Off today to get more batteries and chips for camera and maybe even buy another camera as backup.  Wait and See.  Looking forward to meeting everyone in Africa!

Counting Down!

38 days and counting! Shots-check, Malaria pills - check, Teeny-tiny suitcase packed (thanks to Faith)- check, well almost, camera lessons - not yet but have talked about it; why rush things that I'll forget anyway! Fear of 22 hour flight - check. Tips welcome! The countdown is on! Later, g

For the longest time I could not remember this blog address....I'm back!!! Georgeann and I received a lovely and thougthful Chirstmas gift from one of her dear frineds....disposable underwear! I have to admit being a bit creeped out, but I may give it a trial run before Africa!

Been reading travel books on South Africa and Kenya in bits and getting more excited. Found a great article in an older issue of National Geographic about the Sheldrick's Elephant orphanage.

Look forward to getting to know all you better via this blog!

We're getting closer....

Girlz - it is November and we are that much closer to our departure date.  The above is one of my favorite pictures that Faith took on our last trip to Africa.  The giraffe may not look graceful here but she is getting the job done.  Nothing really to report -- just wanted to keep things moving on this blog. I don't see Faith on here yet - does she know the blog exists?

Blog How To's

Opening the blog is pretty easy.  Once you sign on to the blog, up at the top is "Dashboard".  If you click on it, you should see buttons to create a profile or edit.  It would be nice if each of you completed the "profile" so we can start to get to know one another. If you have trouble let me know.

After much difficulty with Delta, Mary and I got our return flights booked.  Faith and I have decided that we hate Delta -- the good news though is that we are all set.   Mary, the organized one already picked up a couple of books.  We were just on Hilton Head together and OMG, the pages are all tabbed with different colored markers.  I must admit though that I picked up a book by a Robert Therault (Not sure if that is his name) but his book Cairo to Johannesburg, is about what to expect.  I figured I could read it and then bump it up against you all for a reality check.  Looking forward to more posts about how to pack.  Was glad to hear that they provide the bug spray. 

One of my co-workers daughter just came back from a trip.  She is in Vet school in Scotland and they went over to work with the rangers to "tag" sopme of the animals.  Am looking forward to a skype call with her to find out more about what they did and her experience.  Will let you know what her adventures consisted of.  Until then, happy posting! 

Just finished booking my return ticket - now I'm all set to go.  Only one flight through United out of Nairobi and, of course, it leaves at 2:50 am on August 9th. No sleep that night for me. I am so excited!! I have never booked a flight using miles before and wasn't sure if it would work or if there would be seats available. Thanks to Miss Faith, I knew the right dates to call to make the reservations.   (Another great picture from Faith of elephants in the mud bath).  One step closer to taking off on our trip...

I have never "blogged" before. Not quite sure how this works. Just learned how to tweet last month. I am very excited about this trip with old and new friends. As Linda mentioned, I met Faith on my first trip to Africa and later travelled with her and Linda to Vietnam and Cambodia.  There are some people that you just know are good travelers and you hit it off right away.  Faith and Linda are such people. I just turned 50 this last May and celebrated with a trip to Jordan and Israel - quite the experience.  As of this moment I have visited 66 countries (in a meaningful way -- not just for an airline connection) including Antarctica. I have hit all of the continents and travelled over the equator a few times.  When not travelling I am a partner in a white shoe law firm in Boston, MA practicing commercial real estate development law.    The above is picture Faith took of me on our first trip to Africa!

So much shopping - so little knowledge

For someone who always travels with at least 2 checked bags + a computer + + +, this is going to be a huge challenge.  I need one bag for face products alone!  Never thought I was so high maintenance!  Found a catelog "Magellan" that has travel clothes to include disposable underwear.  Can't believe I figured out how to link it to our blog.  http://www.magellans.com/

Suspect that makeup is not required, thank goodness but don't know about anything else especially sunscreen for those of us fair souls.  Certainly don't want it to serve as an attraction to lions and tigers and ....

While Faith is the planner extraordinaire,  I am a worrier!    Anyone else in my corner?