Day 6
Early start this morning, leaving Cape Town Nelspruit Airport
Hotel St Georges has
been super. Only criticism is that the bar was soulless, rather like the Marie Celeste.
The hotel is almost empty as autumn appraches. Funnily enough though all the bar staff were
Liverpool FC supporters,& so, much fun was had at Bill’s expense.:)
Hire care returned, and checked in smoothly for 2 hrs flight.
Arrived at Mpulanga just after midday, and collected another hire car, for drive
to Sanbonanni near Hazyview. Our home for the next week. Easy drive to the
resort, although quite slow at times through dense smoke patches owing to veldt
fires along the route. Strangely they were ignored by the locals even though
they were burning quite close to residential areas. Later discovered that as werenow entering the "dry" season, the fires were being lit deliberately to burn off excessive summer grass growth before the drought set in, and more uncontrollable fires occurred.
On arrival at Sanbonanni we were subject to strict entry
inspection to the resort by armed guards. Wondered what we were coming too?
Reception was lovely, complimentary cold drink, and then
shown to our chalet. It’s delightful. Two bedrooms, each with separate
bathrooms. Enormous lounge/diner and full kitchen, plus and big outside “Braii”
pronounced Bry, = barbeque. Our enormous rear window overlooks a small stream
which in due course flows into the river, home to both Hippos and Crocs.
Warning signs advise “ NO BATHING!” Not bl**dy likely I assure you. The front of the property is a short grassy
area, and grazing glossy ibis are abundant, together with several other lovely
birds I have yet to identify. I did spot
a lovely woodland kingfisher though- a beauty.
We unpacked quickly, and then headed back to Hazyview town
to stock up on food essentials. Can’t say any of us was impressed with it, and
so we just grabbed the essentials and quickly returned to the resort.
We were all quite weary after the early start and decided to
eat at the resort restaurant which was very busy because of a visiting
convention. The regular menu was suspended, and we all had the three course
buffet for 150R each approx £13. It was
lovely. First course was a fairly regular salad. Main course was a selection of
barbeques meats, steak, chicken, and sausages, plus mashed potatoes, sweet potato,
rice, and pap. aka crap – a foul connection of mashed maize-yuk.
Desert was fresh fruit salad, ice cream, hot custard, and
several different sponge type cakes. Very good value for money. After a couple
of beers, we found Dutch courage to walk back to our chalet, only ¼ of a mile
over lit paths; but scary non the less, and patrolled by armed guards, as both
the hippos and crocs are inclined to wander after dark-eeek.
An early night all round was had, although the outside
noises took a little getting use to.
Another enjoyable day. Wonder what tomorrow will bring.
No comments:
Post a Comment