Goodbye Graces, Hello Martens

Sarah — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:06:52 +0000

As the Graces were in mid-air back to Ann Arbor, Ted and I were once again at the Johannesburg International Airport (visits 4 and 5 of 10) to welcome our second round of parental visitors. Similar to the Graces, it was the Martens’ first time to Africa and we so appreciate them coming so far to be with us. Rob, Sarah (Ted’s mom is also named Sarah!), Ted and I have traveled together several times before, so we knew we were in for a good time.

We spent our first couple of nights in the Drakensburg Escarpment, in an amazing hilltop accommodation that Ted and I had identified while previously driving through the area during my parents visit. Though none of us have been there, we imagine that the surrounding landscape was similar to the Irish countryside – lots of green, rolling hills. We spent a whole day driving a scenic loop through the region taking in waterfalls, rock formations and exploring caves.

Could be Ireland?

Drakensburg Escarpment

Blythe River Canyon

Sarahs

We then ventured into the Kruger Park for a couple days of self-driving safari. As Michiganders may spend vacation time on a lake Up North every year, many South Africans make an annual trip to the Kruger Park. You stay in the park, you drive around looking for animals all day (drinking beer optional) and you BBQ in the evenings. We channeled our inner South African and did exactly that. Though Ted and I knew a little bit from our previous safaris, we were by no means a wealth of information, so we opted to do a ranger-guided night drive. It was totally worth it as we finally saw our first rhino! Ted and I had been on safari for a total of 18 days (between Botswana and South Africa) so it was long overdue. Those things are ridiculously intimidating and very pre-historic looking. The good news is, we had many more rhino spottings still in store for us!

Self-drive safari treats

Rhinos!

Hyena

Oh, the Places We'll Go » Self-drive

Goodbye Graces, Hello Martens