Traveling to far away places around the world, pre-COVID

BY SUE MORRIS

Africa was never on my bucket list.

Then I attended an informational meeting on an excursion to that country, presented by Lake Region Bank. I went to the presentation out of curiosity.

Halfway through the presentation I turned to a friend of mine and said “I’ll go if you go.” Arlene said the same to me. The rest is history.

Arlene had been to Africa before, going on a game hunt with her husband, so it was an old hat to her.

I must say it was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. It’s terrific if you are an animal lover and I fall in that category.

We arrived in Capetown and spent a few days in the city, touring the countryside – including a huge botanical garden which was a highlight for me. Most of the flora and fauna hadn’t been included in my master gardener training. Who knew there were penguins in South Africa?

From there we flew to a private game reserve where we went on six game drives — one at 5:30 in the morning and the other at 4 in the afternoon.

We were able to spot four of the big five — elephants, lions, cape buffalo and rhinos. Only saw a fleeting glance of a leopard.

Then there were all the other critters — zebra, giraffe, hippo, kudu, impala, cheetah, hyena, monkeys, wildebeest, crocodiles, wart hogs galore and hundreds of birds — including the one that is featured in “The Lion King” movie.

Close up of lion on safari.

Sue Morris

We never knew what we would see on each drive and the anticipation was part of the excitement.

To be that close to a pride of lions sunning themselves was worth the trip alone.

We were in an open jeep and were told to stay seated and keep your mouth shut and the animals would consider you part of the jeep.

I was never afraid, but I sure did as I was told. We had the same driver and guide on each outing.

Halfway through each game drive we would get out, stretch and enjoy coffee or other treats.

Then it was on to Johannesburg, home of Nelson Mandela, where we saw his home and the museum dedicated to him. Two Nobel Peace Prize winners grew up in the same neighborhood, Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Next we flew to Zimbabwe and visited Victoria Falls, which is a mile wide — cruising the Zambezi river with more wildlife — crocs, elephants taking a bath in the river and hippos keeping cool.

We visited a village and were able to talk with the Chief who told us about their way of life. The children had to walk miles to school — we don’t realize how fortunate we are. Good memories. This was November 2019. After Covid I don’t know if I’d be willing to take eight different planes, take malaria pills, several vaccinations and travel all that way but I’m sure glad I went.