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Sabbatical Meike

September - December 2023
Seit Jahren habe ich davon geträumt, endlich ist es soweit Read more
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  • TravelerSabbatical Meike
    Day 15

    Zebra crossing

    October 6, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    Still raining :-( - you'd think coming to South Africa it would be lovely, warm and sunny, you could go to the beach and swim a bit and relax in the sun...well, that's not the case here. But even though all my clothes are damp and dirty (and being dried in front of the fire) I still enjoy being in this wonderful area. Its not like the dry Savannah one expects in KZN or Krüger Park, but more like a rain forest with lots of beautiful and amazing animals - who don't care about the weather...so when going out yesterday we came across the two male lions again, this time relaxing and then one of them just walking by our vehicle...it was nerve-wracking and very special.
    On the way back we were held up by a herd of Elephants, completely mesmerized by their social behaviour I forgot that I was soaked to the bone. Meanwhile its quite 'normal' to be held up by Giraffes, Zebras, Elephants or a Tortoise (Turtle on land), Turtles, Birds...giving Zebra crossing a complete new meaning.
    Jaco, our coordinator, is very passionate about all animals, regardless of their size, and is giving this passion to us. It really makes you think about a lot...    Read more

  • TravelerSabbatical Meike
    1
    Day 21

    Soup Kitchen

    October 12, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Besides helping on the Reserve the Volunteers also support the local soup kitchen in Kentons Township. Miss Gladys soup kitchen has been founded in 1998 and takes care of children whose parents are not able to do so. Every wednesday afternoon we are going into town (civilization 😀 ), where we also can get groceries, medication, alcohol, decent coffee etc.
    With a shopping list given by the soup kitchen we also buy apples, rice, maize, potatoes for the kids. Some also bring necessities from home to give to the kids. At the moment Miss Gladys cares for ca. 40 kids from 3 to 18.
    Usually we play with the kids, feed them and sing and dance with them. Every other week the volunteers prepare a short lesson about the wildlife, sealife etc. This is quite a challenge for me, to get the kids to sit still and listen for 20 minutes (patience being my middle name 😉). But even though the kids don't have much they are happy, proud and inquisitive - it makes me think a lot.    Read more

  • TravelerSabbatical Meike
    2
    Day 22

    Addo Elephant Park

    October 13, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    This weekend Toni, Sarah and myself decided to spoil ourselves to a weekend away. We went to a beautiful hotel in Addo (with a huge bathtub in our rooms) on friday afternoon, during heavy rainfalls. For saturday we had booked a Day-Safari including Braai, and were to meet our guide at the Southgate of the Park in the morning. Even though we left early enough we couldn't get through on the gravel roads, had a jackknifed truck and too much water and mud...and it still kept on pouring...We finally got there an hour late bit it was well worth it: the weather cleared and Steve, our guide, explained everything thoroughly. We saw lions, black rhinos, lots of elephants and buffalos, it was really beautiful. The Braai was very nice and we enjoyed being outside the car for a while. In the evening we had a wonderful dinner, even with Sushi.
    This morning we wanted to go for a hike in the Zuurberg Mountains, but the roads were still in bad shape so we returned back to Oceanview early and are enjoying some peace and quiet before the kids come back...    Read more

  • TravelerSabbatical Meike
    Day 25

    The Lioness

    October 16, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Believe it or not - it was raining again really badly all night and this morning. So instead of going out in the morning we prepared another session for the kids on Wednesday, this time about the 'circle of live'.
    In the afternoon it cleared and we finally were able to go out, this time to check on the black rhino. The roads though were still flooded and really muddy, so it was a hard and bumpy ride - but well worth it. Instead of seeing the rhino we finally found the lioness, which until today, we have only seen from afar. She had one cub with her, the other two were not to be seen. She also was in company of the two males which we have seen previously. On our way back we were stopping for the sun down and and quite a few fireflies - lightening up the bushes like tiny christmas lights.    Read more

  • TravelerSabbatical Meike
    1
    Day 26

    Little Hideaway

    October 17, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Since the weather has now picked up it gets really warm, almost hot during the day. As a treat between manual labor (pulling alien plants) and elephant research Jaco lead us to a little Hideaway in the woods: a waterfall with a little pond to swim in. It is really amazing, and due to the current rain it has quite a lot of water, perfect to cool down.
    Today we also accounted a couple of Giraffes with babys, so cute...    Read more

  • TravelerSabbatical Meike
    Day 26

    Sick

    October 17, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    After all that rain the last couple of days the weather has now finally picked up and its sunny and warm. Even though Sarah, my roommate, and I have picked up a Bronchitis, due to the eternal damp and wind. So we went to the doctor yesterday, which in itself is an adventure. We had to pay 450 ZAR for the visit and then got a bag of prescriptions for another 1000 ZAR, but due to that we had to skip the morning trip into the bush and the lesson with the kids at the soup kitchen. At least we had the house to ourselves and also Wifi was back up again :-).Read more

  • TravelerSabbatical Meike
    21
    Day 28

    Halftime

    October 19, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Its sunday again, I have now been on the Reserve for four weeks - time flies. The people I started with have meanwhile become friends, but will be moving on tomorrow. I'll miss them: Sarah, my roommate and Toni, together we are the three musceteers :-). Spending the days and weekends together is something special, we've had a lot of laughs and great experiences.
    Due to a lot of people leaving on monday Jaco took us for a Sunrise drive on Friday morning. Getting up at 3, all bundled up it was still dark and really cold, hence the beanie and the jacket. This time we went up a montain where we could watch the animals coming alive in the valley, heartbreakingly beautiful...
    After a quick breakfast we started again on the fencing, getting the wire out, meanwhile it was hot again and we were glad about any shade, but happy to do some manual labor.
    On our way back we came across the lions, taking a sunbath and not being bothered by us at all, they are just like big cats.
    Going out in the afternoon it started raining again and temperature dropped by 15 degrees and we were completely soaked, in one day we have had all the climate zones, no surprise I can't get rid of my bronchitis.    Read more

  • TravelerSabbatical Meike
    Day 31

    Sunday activities

    October 22, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    One last time together: the three musceteers going kayaking.
    Of course it rained this morning, but once we were in Kenton it cleared and we were off. We were going into the mound of Kariega River, which usually is quite shallow. And of course we stranded, but with the incoming flood were able to move on. A lovely place and really quiet, even though I was completely drenched, obviously my kayaking technique needs some practice. And I also managed to drench Toni, who was sharing the Kayak with me...
    Tonight we are planning our last meal, enjoying a last bottle of wine and a card game - I will miss them.    Read more

  • TravelerSabbatical Meike
    1
    Day 34

    Scary moments

    October 25, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We went out to find the lionesses yesterday - after speaking to the Rangers we were able to locate all three of them together, dozing and sleeping in the thickets. What a sight, they always seem more menacing than the males, even though they are only resting. The cubs were not around, probably playing somewhere else.
    When we wanted to leave our car got stuck in the mud, and even despite scratching the mud out, putting branches and stones underneath the tires we only got in deeper - we needed some help from Tembo (who also got stuck with his car) and Maverick. All that happened still in sight of the lionesses...in the end we had to change the vehicle, single file, and this is when one of them came really close and roared at us - we all tried to get into the new car at once, leaving not enough room in the loading space. So I had to cram in with 3 others into the cabin, heart beating wildly and hands trembling violently.
    After two hours we finally managed to get out of this area and for the moment I have seen enough of the lions.    Read more

  • TravelerSabbatical Meike
    Day 40

    This and that

    October 31, 2023 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Another week has gone by, my two friends have left and new volunteers have arrived - this time two french ladies. There is a lot of turnaround at the moment, which is not always easy getting used to.
    Still we are going out every day, checking on the cheetahs, the rhinos, the elefants and the lions. Even though to be honest I'm a bit apprehensive about the lions at the moment.
    Since the weather was really good last week we went camping for one night - in the bush. We build a huge fire, everybody brought a sleeping bag and snacks. I was a bit scared of any creepers and critters trying to crawl into my ears, but that went surprisingly well. And with my new sleeping bag I was also warm enough. I guess I got about 3 hours of sleep this night, and my back really hurt the next morning - but it was an adventure 😀.
    Weekend activities this time took place in the Pottery in Kenton, where I was able to try to create my own pots and bowls - which takes a lot of patience and trying, usually the clay just collapsed again on me. And another beach hike where we came across a puff adder (of course not knowing at the time).
    The days are blending one into one at the moment, finally there is some sun, but rain is never far away.
    For the coming weekend I am planning a day at the beach, just relaxing, swimming and reading - since we are at the Indian Ocean the water is already warm enough.    Read more

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