The Excursions

Port Elizabeth
December 10th

After a day at sea we find ourselves in Port Elizabeth. That night we were treated to a concert at the Gqeberha Theatre in the centre of Port Elizabeth.

The show was called 'Azamazing' and it was quite an experience. The performers were from the Xhosa tribe. They are known for their traditional dress, dancing and beliefs.

While in Port Elizabeth we also went on an excursion to the Sibuya Game Reserve. This included a river trip. See the photos below for what we saw on the excursions.

Amazing costume

This woman is dressed in traditional Xhosa costume - albeit super bright for the performance.

A trip on the river

It was a very hot day, so a trip on the river during the game drive was very welcome. Especially as they gave us a chilled gin and tonic to drink while we took in the sights.

Water Buffalo

Some of the animals we saw at the Sibuya Game Reserve. It was a very hot day and these water buffalo were around one of the water holes.

Birds on the river

Not sure what birds these are, but they were a sight to see while we were on the river.

Looking for lions

With all the game drives we have been on we have yet to spot a lion. And this game reserve is not the one to find one. Being a small private game reserve of only 4,000 hectares, it is too small to sustain lions.

Mud, mud glorious mud

These are not hippos - but rhinos taking a mud bath to cool off while the curious impala is curious about us humans.

Impala

Impala enjoying a hot summer's day.

Richards Bay
December 12th

At Richard's Bay we found ourselves in Kwa Zulu Natal, where the Zulu tribe is predominant. This part of the country is much greener with lots of gum trees, which they use for making paper. We saw these from the bus as we went to another private game reserve called Zulu Nyala.

I took this video of a Rhino mother and her baby. It was a very hot day and if you listen very carefully you can hear the hungry baby rhino crying for its mother to roll over and let it have some milk. Unfortunately for the baby, the mother rhino was enjoying the cool of the water a bit too much.

We did see lots of other game, including impala a water buffalo, but alas, no lions. The game reserve is too small.

Coming into Richard's Bay

I was in the gym in the morning and had a great view of the ship coming into Richard's Bay. There were lots of lovely inlets and beaches and it was warm and sunny.

Tying up at the wharf

When I finished at the gym I went up to the top deck to watch what happens when the ship ties up to the wharf.

Supervising

Here's the Captain and his crew supervising tying up the ship to the wharf.

Water buffalo

We saw these beautiful creatures on our excursion to the Zulu Nyala private game reserve.

Curious zebra

Who are those funny creatures in that vehicle? I wonder where they come from?

Zulu Nyala

The game reserve had a big water hole and as it was a hot day, these water buffalo were loving it.

Impala

We never get sick of seeing these beautiful, elegant creatures as they move around the bush.

Wildebeest

These wildebeest are so ugly they are beautiful - at least that's what we thought. They are also called 'Gnu'.

Thirsty Impala

These impala were having a refreshing drink at sunset.

Leopard

This leopard is temporarily in a cage before being introduced to the reserve. They are apparently trying to find it a mate, so they can breed.

And then came dinner

At the end of the safari were were treated to a delicious meal inside the hotel part of the game reserve. These Zulu dancers put on a show for us. We were tired and very happy by the time we arrived back at the ship around 10pm that night.

Durban
December 15th

After a day at sea we tie up to the terminal in Durban where we are greeted by these dancers. We don't have any excursions booked, so take the shuttle into town to the Durban aquarium. That's where we meet an enthusiastic taxi driver called 'Uncle George'. He is 72 years old, is missing a few front teeth and has a red mark on his forehead to show he is a Hindu Indian. He assures us that he will look after us (for a fee, of course) and once that is all settled we pile into his taxi.

As it turns out, we are very grateful for Uncle George. He arranges a golf cart to take us around the Botanical Gardens and looks after us as we explore one of the huge shopping malls.

The streets of Durban

It was quite an experience driving through the streets of Durban with Uncle George. Without him we would have been very unsafe. This shop front is typical and the crowds of people a little frightening.

Entrance to the gardens

Uncle George took this of us looking rather hot and bothered at the entrance to the gardens.

Santa in the gardens

It was a relief to reach the relative normalcy of the botanical gardens. They had been decorated with all sorts of lights and Christmas decorations for the children of Durban to enjoy. It would have also been great to visit at night at this time of year.

Water lillies

These were in full bloom in one of the ponds in the gardens.

Recycled Rhino

This is one of the rhinos decorated by school children and on display in the park. The competition was to raise money to stop the poaching, which unfortunately still goes on.

Rainbow Flower Power Rhino

We liked this one the best, although they were all amazing.

Rainbow Eucalyptus

Uncle George arranged an excellent guide to take us around the gardens. He pointed out this amazing tree, which takes up an enormous amount of water and grows too quickly for its bark to catch up. The result is this rainbow pattern.

Rainbow Eucalyptus tree

This shows the tree, which was enormous.

Anyone want to climb?

The tree behind me is especially good for children to climb - so many branches.

Mause in front of the tree

Not sure if Mause or I were up to climbing it! But great for a photo.

Jackfruit Tree

This tree apparently has the biggest fruit of any tree.

Little orange bird

I can't remember the name of this little orange bird. But it loves nestling in the water lillies.

Mossel Bay
December 18th

The last stop before we reach Capetown again is Mossel Bay - a pretty town just north of Capetown where people from there go on holiday.

The name comes from Admiral P van Caerdenm when in 1601 he and his ship's crew found only mussels to eat.

It's a great place for deep sea fishing and scuba diving and we had an excursion booked to a local vineyard for a cheese and wine tasting.

Our cruise ship did not tie up the wharf, but anchored a little off shore. So we had to take the little red boats that were lowered down into the water.