Today was a Fairy Tale

I’ll confess, of the things I looked forward to most about going to South Africa, going on safari did not break the top five. With shark diving, bungee jumping, and meeting some amazing new friends, it seemed an unlikely contender of the most memorable things. And alas, it did not reach number one. No amount of adrenaline could compete with late night drinks and conversation with new friends on the diversely clad streets of Cape Town. It did, however, make a good run for second place.

I finally found where they keep the customer service in South Africa-Shamwari Game Reserve. Just off of the N2, you take the red dirt road, R326, to the middle of nowhere. As instructed by the GPS, you turn off of R326 to “road.” Road however, will lead you to an electrifying combination of luxury, customer service, and adventure. (Must remember to locate the “road” in Indiana.) About 1 km down road, I had to yell, “Watch out for that zebra!” Nothing like a few zebra running across the road to foreshadow a great night. Another 20 km down road and you will find serenity. You hand the keys to your own personal host, as they unload your luggage, park your car, and instruct their assistant to serve you a freshly made lemonade or martini.

I was walked both to and from my room with an armed guard. Going to work in the morning and walking from the parking garage to the COM building without a riffle will just not be the same. The room was like something off of a Hollywood movie set. Two of four walls made completely of glass that overlooked a hot tub, mountains, and blue skies. An indoor and outdoor shower, a garden tub, and telescope completed the extravagance.

Following a 2 PM arrival time, I went for the first of two game drives. Yahn (pronounced Yawn) was our driver, and was phenomenal. Young, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable, he led six of us through the hectares of giraffes, black rhinos, elephants, cheetahs, and lions. Without any type of animal tracking device, it made the game drive especially exciting as we kept our binoculars peeled for any movement in the bushes or on the mountain side. After coming across several antelope, zebras, warthogs, and giraffes, we paused to enjoy a few bottles of wine on one of the mountain tops overlooking the sunset. The thrill and romance of it all was truly palpable.

Following a four hour game drive, Yahn asked what time I wanted to go for the morning game drive since the other guests were staying for three days and not only one. “4:30!,” I replied semi-jokingly. And without missing a beat, he agreed to a 4:30 wake-up call and a 5 AM game drive. Spectacular!

At 8 PM, I was escorted from Martial Eagle 1, my room, to a seven course meal that consisted of soup, salad, prawn, lamb, and desert, among other things. I fell asleep wrapped in silk sheets looking at the Milky Way and feeling like a princess.

By the time I got the 4:30 AM wake-up call, I was already dressed with camera in hand. The morning safari was wonderful in a whole new way. Watching the stars fade into sunrise over the mountains was gorgeous. We caught sight of several of the new born animals-giraffes, elephants, and rhinos-waking up with their mothers. The morning continued to gain speed as we came across the elusive cheetahs that roam the grounds. After much searching, two of them came trotting on the prowl down the road straight towards our vehicle. They were incredible. After hearing of a lion sighting on the opposite side of the reserve from another driver, we left the cheetahs in search of the lions, specifically the lion who had just recently killed another, older, lion.

We found him majestically overlooking the rolling hills of his kingdom. He basked in the morning sun with no lionesses around. (The lions have a distorted relationship, as the females do most of the hunting.) Sadly, it was not five minutes after finding the sought after lion that we heard back on the radio that the cheetahs had just stalked and killed a baby heartabeast (antelope). I would have loved to seen the action.

All and all the safari really was the pentacle of my drive through the Garden Route. Granted I was not jumping off of anything high, but trust me the excitement was as evident in the wild as it was on the bridge.

My remaining time in Cape Town was spent collecting a few souvenirs for my beautiful nieces, saying good bye to spectacular friends, and wishing that my time in South Africa were not drawing to an inevitable end. And now, here I am on the last leg of my journey back home-a flight from Washington to Indianapolis reminiscing on my time away.

I would like to thank each and every one of my avid readers and all of you who sent emails with your jokes and praise. I am especially thankful to those of you who wrote saying that this blog has in some way inspired you to travel or to book an adventure of your own.

 I want to thank my boss for hiring me three weeks ago knowing that I was leaving at the most busy time of the year for two and a half weeks, and my entire team at Cummins whom without this trip would not have been possible.

I really want to thank my mom and dad who have never once told me I could not do something that I put my mind to. They never held me to the small town of Franklin, but instead encouraged me to explore new places, Boston, Australia, and Chicago to name just a few. I want to thank my dad for never letting me be afraid to do anything, and for making sure I do not get in my own way. I get my adventurous spirit from him. I want to thank my sister who I frequently emailed random and quirky thoughts to throughout my trip, and whom I can always count on to back me up, even if the rest of the world does not understand.

And lastly, but certainly of no less value, I want to thank Shaun, Ina, Corne, Sue, Brian, Williford, Wendy, and Dean, whom without, this trip would not have been nearly as memorable. You are all wonderfully exciting and endearing people who hold a special place in my heart. Meeting you has made me a better person.

To anyone who is looking to capture their travel in pictures and writing, I will happily join you and write about your adventures for the very small fee of one round-trip plane ticket, and endless groveling to my boss for additional paid time off.

As much as I would like to continue writing my blog, my trip through Wal-mart might not hold the same adventure and excitement. Therefore, until next time, dream big and safe travels.

“I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow and each road leads you where you want to go. And if you’re faced with a choice and you have to choose, I hope you choose the one that means the most to you. And if one door opens to another door closed, I hope you keep on walking until you find the window. But more than anything, my wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to. Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small, you never have to carry more than you can hold.” Rascall Flatts

Cheers,
Stacey