An Elephant Breakfast!

 Monday, February 20, 2023

Well, the rolling blackout last night became a permanent blackout because the power never came back on. That's why I wasn't able to post to the blog yesterday.  The power was supposed to go down from 8-midnight, and again from 4am to 6:30 am.    I couldn't even work on my computer because it was down to battery saver mode and we had no electricity to recharge it. Also, the ablution block (showers and restrooms) did not work because they use electricity to pump the water through. Our phones, cameras and radios usually get charged overnight, but that didn't happen.   It also meant I had to try out the shower in the rv (also called the wet bath).  It really wasn't too bad after all.  We then found out that the power problem was just our pole (with 4 people plugged in) that didn't have power.  I guess the breaker must have blown.

The campgrounds here are quite different than those we are used to.  In South Africa, when they say full service, it means a pole in the ground with 4 plug-ins for multiple vehicles.  Normally there is a water hook up at your site, but not here--you have to move the rv to a water spigot, and you better have an appropriate hose and adaptor!   And, there are no sewer hoses....you remove a little canister from the toilet area and take it to a special area for dumping.(Jim's job and no pictures!)  It's a whole new experience!

Jim stayed up and listened to the end of the race which ended about 2:30 am. We had to leave by 7 am because today we had breakfast with the elephants.  Actually, we fed them breakfast!

This park was established as a rescue center for orphaned African elephants.   They have cared for 40 elephants here since the park was established in 1994.

Sally is the matriarch of the current herd.  She is 34 years old and weighs about 4 tons! (What would weight watchers say about that?)

These animals have the same lifespan as humans.  They say Sally is very docile and welcoming to the new elephants brought to the park, but it still made me nervous to get too close!

Her feet are pretty big too!

It was really a treat to get up close and personal with these magnificent animals.  We weren't allowed to touch them -they said it is too stressful for the elephants.

After the elephants had their breakfast, we had our breakfast in the Elephant Cafe.  It was a fun picnic basket breakfast full of goodies, including a yogurt parfait, spinach quiche, fruit, ham rollups and croissants with fresh mango juice and coffee.  We are getting very spoiled with our meals!

We then headed to our next destination--Tsitsikamma National Park.  Along the way, we passed from the West Cape region into the East Cape region.  I was surprised to see a toll booth in South Africa--the toll was R60.  Who can figure out what that is in US dollars?

We stopped at a bank on the way to get some coins for the laundry.  What an experience!!  First of all, just getting in the revolving door was a hoot--it goes the opposite way we're used to.  Of course, I tried the "normal" way-- The guard had to correct us (me) to get inside. 

Inside the bank there was a receptionist where you had to sign in.  There were two people in front of us and we waited about 10 minutes.  They took Jim's name and birthdate and directed him to a teller.   Jim told the teller what he needed, but the teller didn't know what kind of coins the laundry machines take, so Jim walked out with a bag full of coins in a neat little bank bag!  By the way, in case you need to know,  it takes 6 R5 coins for the washer and 4 R5 coins for the dryer.

The drive was pretty, as we went along the coastline and could see the ocean from the road.  We entered Tsitsikamma National Park and had to go through quite a registration process, but it was more than worth it!  This is one of the most beautiful views we've had from a camper.  We are looking out at the waves that are breaking on the rocks just in front of us.

This view is in front of our camper.

We were able to get a couple of loads of laundry done just as the skies let loose with a pounding of rain and wind.  I am so glad we weren't still driving.

We were able to get a nap in after a short night last night, and the rain stopped in time to treat us to a nice sunset!

And, there's no rolling blackout tonight.  Woo hoo!