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So long South Africa until we meet again

I am sad to be leaving South Africa in less than 24 hours.  The journey has been like a wide awake dream.  I’ll be back to explore more of the wonders found here hopefully next fall, winter and spring.  Or spring, summer and winter depending how you look at the seasons.

Spotted Hyenas Kruger NP SA

Spotted Hyenas Kruger National Park

The wildlife so close and roaming free in its own environment while I stay in my cage called a car.  Such an improvement from wandering a zoo and looking thru bars while my heart breaks over the containment of life for human enjoyment.

Arch from Echo Ravine trail Golden Gate Highlands NP Free State SA

Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Landscapes of such diversity abound in this country no bigger than the state of Texas.  And I’ve yet to see them all.  Some places remind me of home in the States, similar but different.  Towering walls of sandstone like the canyonlands in the Southwest.

Waterfall Nature's Valley SA

Nature’s Valley

High mountain streams cascading into waterfalls like the Rocky Mountains.

Hogsback SA

Hogsback

Mountains blanketed with forest like Washington’s North Cascades.

Fields of sunflowers R26 Free State SA

Free State

Rolling hills with farm fields stretching on to forever like Iowa.

Aloe flower stalk Nieu-Bethesda Rd Great Karoo SA

Great Karoo

Vaguely vegetated desserts like southern Arizona.

Tsitsikamma NP SA

Tsitsikamma National Park

Waves crashing on rocky shores like the northwest coast.

Sand dunes West Coast NP SA

West Coast National Park

Sand dunes to clamber over like the east coast.

Sunset Camdeboo NP Eastern Cape Graaff-Reinet SA

Camdeboo National Park

And colorful sunsets like everywhere in the world.

Flap-necked Chameleon Kruger National Park

Yes, I am sad to leave but carry some most amazing memories away with me.  Plus I long to sleep in my own bed.

I’ve seen so much and taken 1000s of photos.  I will be sharing the journey with you all as I post for probably the next six months or more.

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Welcome to South Africa

After a 14 hour flight from New York to Johannesburg I was very glad to land in South Africa and get off my butt. Joan was waiting for me after I picked up my luggage. Then off we headed out of Joburg west to find a place to camp for the night.

Classic car show at Lover's Rock Caravan Park Magaliesburg SA

The Lover’s Rock Caravan Park had a classic car show going on and I was very surprised to see so many vehicles I actually recognized.

Sterkfontein cave entrance SA

Monday we went Maropong where I toured Sterkfontein Cave.  Then drove to Kruger National Park.

The gate was closed by the time we reached Crocodile Gate so we crawled into the back of the truck and slept until about 4:30am.  First in in line we drove in at 5:30 registered for five nights to camp and bought my Wild Card.

Wildebeast Kruger NP SA

Wildebeest

Almost immediately we saw wildlife.  And I took several hundred photos on just the first day.

Saddlebill stork Kruger NP SA

Also saw plenty of birds.

Giraffe Kruger NP SA

This little sweetie gave us the eye.

Zebra Kruger NP SA

Plus these two in the stripped pajamas.

Crocodile Kruger National Park SA

And this croc was just lying about.  Saw a whole lot more.

Elephants Kruger NP SA

Before the end of the day.

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Penguins at Boulders Beach South Africa

Sunrise view across False Bay from Moonglow B&B Glen Cairn Cape Peninsula South Africa

I woke up earlier than usual knowing a full day of touring the Cape awaited starting with Table Mountain then out to the Cape of Good Hope.  Plus the possibility to see penguins at Boulders Beach on my way back to Moon Glow Guesthouse near Simon’s Town.  How could I not stop to see penguins.  It was late, I had to hurry and my camera’s memory card was full after only a few shots.

Penguins beach Boulders Table Mountain National Park Cape Peninsula South Africa

So I returned the next day, my last day in South Africa.  Nice having the Wild Card for free access into South Africa’s National Parks.

Penguins beach ocean Boulders Table Mountain National Park Simon's Town Cape Peninsula South Africa

These little tuxedo clad critters are a hoot.  Or should I say “heee hawww” because African penguins were formally called “jackass penguins” because of their loud braying like a donkey.

They make nests on the beach by digging a hole with their flippers.  I have to assume the female does most of that because she appeared to be orchestrating the design work while the male waddled off in search of more nesting materials.  Obviously not any easy chore with so much competition.

Penguin houses Boulders Table Mountain National Park Simon's Town Cape Peninsula South Africa

Not everyone gets to nest right on the beach.  Scattered plastic jugs with numbers, so they’ll know the right address.

Boardwalk Boulders Table Mountain National Park Simon's Town Cape Peninsula South Africa

Listed as a vulnerable species in South Africa, the first pair of penguins made a nest at the Boulders in 1984 probably due to the return of their primary food source of pilchards, or sardines, that had previously been fished out.  By 2002 the colony of adults reached about 3300.  Fences were erected to keep the penguins out of neighborhood yards and raised boardwalks built to keep us out of the colony.  In 1998, the Boulders colony became part of the Cape Peninsula National Park securing this sanctuary.

I had to laugh at the comical penguins, and people’s comments as they attributed human characteristics.  Does that waddling walk remind you of anybody?

08 Penguins Boulders Table Mt NP Simon's Town Cape Peninsula ZA (1024x953)

Cuteness overload. I wanted to take one home but didn’t want to pay for an extra seat and there’s no sardines in Arizona, other than canned.

09 Sunset from airplane over Cape Town ZA (1024x402)

This entire African adventure sadly came to an end.  Always hard to leave a newly discovered place.  Goodbye, I’ll be back.

Local entertainment on the streets.

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Lijit

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