Saturday, September 19, 2009

I'm still alive!

With Xianandi in car

Xianandi

Peter Pan

With Croc

Feeding Winston

View over Blyde river

Sorry its been a while, but the net here is so crap, and only one computer for about 30 people so can be hard to get on.

What have I been up to. We got a call to say a Leopard cub had been hit by a car, and went out to collect it. Unfortunatly, the mother had already called it through the fence by the time we got there, and we couldnt get to it, but looking at the wreckage of the car spread 20 meters along the road it wasnt going to survive. I also managed to roll my ankle while running in the dark to leave to get the Leopard, and a week later still have a massive scab on my knee, a lovely bruise on my foot, and can almost walk properly and pain free again.

I went to Kruger NP. Fantastic experience, saw 4 of the Big 5, Lions Buffalo, Rhino and Elephant, just missed out on seeig the Leopard. Unfortunatly, Kruger is being destroyed by there being way too many elephants in the park, and you can really see the damage. It is begining to look like a wasteland. (there are about 17000 elephants in an area designed for 7000).

Have also been on a river cruise through some unspoilt area, which was fantastic. the environment is so varied here, in so many ways it reminds me so much of Australia, except the animals are somewhat different.

I was meant to leave for my next project last Wednesday, but I am enjoying myself so much here, and have heard bad things about the place I was meant to be going to, that I have changed my plans, and am staying here for an extra 3 weeks (leaving 6th October now), and then heading up into Botswana to do some Elephant research and tracking, and maybe some Leopard, Lion and Cheetah tracking.

It is begining to get hot over here now, up into the high 30's during the day, and still staying quite warm at night (its compfy in an open toped car in shorts and singlet top. Unfortunately, the centre where I am working at the moment has very strict uniform rules, so its long pants and t-shirt while working during the day which gets very hot, although we can change and wear what we like at night.

4 comments:

Elaine said...

It is so lovely to see you in all of the photos, with the HUGEST smile all over your face, it is so very obvious that you are enjoying yourself so very much,, I am so very happy for you Petal, Love and huge hugs and kisses Mum

Zoe said...

YAY for still being Alive. i was getting worried there for a moment, i logged on and there were no wonderful new pictures or exciting stories about what you were doing.

Kruger sounds like it would have been wonderful.

what were you and Xianandi doing in the car? just going for a drive :)

are your long pants and t-shirt a nice light material? it doesnt sound so nice to have to wear them but at least they would give you a little bit of protection from the sun and stuff that can hurt your legs.

anyways keep having a ball and keep us updated.

Love and Hugs Zoe

Unknown said...

Hi Princess,

I'm puzzled. I'm really chuffed that you have a Cheetah called Ian
But why put the X in front????

Oh,

I've now seen the next picture the light dawns a little.

What is Winston? Looks like an Owl of some sort.

Keep up the trip details please 'cause this is a wonderful, if vacareaous, experience.

LOL

XIannotwithyou in car

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhiannon!
Beautiful photos and excellent texts!
Never believe hearsay when traveling,if you have the feeling you should do something ,do it!
Well done, all the best from Geoff Papel.