11th March - Day 11 of the trip, day 7 at the reserve

Out early for a game count. Chiedza obliged us with another sighting. Must be a shy old girl though cause we only saw her rump this morning and no cubbies. Still haven't seen Zulu (the leader of the wild pride) yet. Amongst the usual suspects - the wildebeest, zebra, impala and hartebeest - we also saw a white bleesbok. Very rare and stunningly beautiful.

It was back to base quite quickly this morning so that we could grab something to eat before heading out to do some voluntary work at a local school. The reserve donate food to the school so that the kids get a decent meal for lunch. The children are from nearby townships and are used to living in small tin shacks no bigger than a few square feet. It was humbling to see how well behaved they were - queuing up ever so patiently for their dinner and accepting whatever you gave them. So completely unspoilt and so different to how some kids back home behave.

After lunch it was play time and we were the climbing frames! You just go with the flow - although I didn't know quite what to say when one 12 year old, who happened to be the same height as me, came and put his feet on top of mine to do the climbing up your legs and back flipping that all the other kids had been doing. The other volunteers thought it was hilarious!

The kids are just so pleased to have you there they are in to everything and have dozens and dozens of questions. But its the simplest things that amuse them. Hair clips and a water bottle provide endless hours of fun and the water bottle is a much needed tool. They loved having their picture taken - some cute little posers too - and then being able to see it on the back of the camera screen two seconds later. Have tonnes of those pics and will send them back to the guys at reserve to pass on to them once I've had them printed.

Play time over it was back to English class. Was so sad to leave them at the end of the day, could have quite easily stayed with them a lot longer.

A bit of 'volympics' once back at camp then we were preparing for our slap up dinner.

The reserve have our volunteer accommodation, the employee accommodation, a small hotel and some lodges, out in the plains, within it's grounds. (It turns out that it is actually what was the village of Sidbury - the owners 'bought' the village about decade ago.) This evening a banquet was being held in one of the lodges for the Mayor of Port Elizabeth and we were all invited to attend! So we donned our best gear and headed out. The lodges are amazing!! Right in the heart of the reserve with glorious views over the plains and very tastefully decorated in traditional materials. We were treated to an fantastic performance from some local African dancers - demonstrating four different types of dancing and some beautiful music - before we all sat down to a delicious meal. The manager of the reserve came over to see how we were all finding things and introduced the mayor. They all seemed to be having a good time and so were we.

Another dramatic electrical storm as darkness fell after which so did the - still much needed - rain. Quite a spectacle to be driven home in and all very sleepy by the time we got there.

Although startled awake by Moses when he told me that I'd need to leave the reserve at 9am the next morning if I wanted to catch the only lift into town for my 7pm flight to Jo'burg! Hmmm... what to do with an unplanned day in PE?!?! Sure to work something out. Can't wait to get to the Lion Park.

Love
Jox