We're finally here!

After 9 hrs flying, plane being searched, sprayed, 9 more hrs. flying, 3 hrs. in the car, up this a.m. at 5:30 for our safari....as you can see it was well worth it. We saw even more animals than this. We're going back out at 4:00 for an evening safari. The bush lodge is fabulous!! and the food even better. As you can see by the first picture....we were tiredddd.

Pictures of our fiasco

The "bird" put a dent in the cockpit. Men looking at the remains of the bird. Us finally getting our "well deserved drink".

Still in the USA

Took off on time in Orlando but about 10 mins. into the flight we heard a loud thump and the cabin began filling up with this horrible smell. The captain told us that we had hit a bird (later he said that he thought it was a bald eagle) and it had gotten sucked into the engine. This was the engine right where Nancy and Patty were sitting. We had to return to OIA and as soon as we landed a fire truck met us to make sure we were okayed to return to the gate. A group of maintenance men/fire fighters met at the engine and went oh-aw as they pointed to the engine. The decision was made that the plane could no longer fly. All of the 300 passengers had wait in line (we had been on row 16 so we were some of the first ones in line thank heavens) to get rebooked. We thought they should have found another plane to take all of us...but they didn't. After an 1 1/2 hrs. in line we finally got to the delta counter. There were no flights to get us to Atlanta to make our connection to Joberg but we were able to get one to Atlanta at 5:10. That would be 10 hrs. at the airport before we even took off. She booked for the same flight the next day to Joberg (only one flight a day). We would miss our connection to Pilanesburg and our first safari. But we got a free room in Atlanta and 3 meal tickets each and would be flying first class to Atlanta. We headed to the bar as soon as this was settled. We were going to use one of the meal tickets for our drinks. Well...the meal ticket was for $7 and a vodka/tonic was $10. Barb had one but Patty and Nancy settled for a $5 beer. We had a successful flight to Atlanta but had to lug our carry-ons a ways to get a hotel shuttle. We haven't seen our big duffles but were told not to worry that they would be in S.A. when we get there. We're hoping we won't have to wear this same outfit for 23 days since we would have already had them on for 4 days. The flight will be 19 hrs from here in Atlanta. Our Grand Circle representative called this a.m. and told us we would each have to pay $100 to get us to Pilanesburg to meet the other 9 safari travelers. We're not happy about this since it wasn't our fault. We'll see if we can get some of our moneies back when we get home. We'll talk to you again from South Africa (here's hoping)

I CAN'T WAIT

Just got back from the beach and can't wait for our trip to Africa. We have to be really creative with our packing as we can only take 44 lbs. This should be interesting. Only 3 days till we go.

I'm getting ready!!!

I have been watching a lot of animal shows on the Animal Planet Channel trying to learn about the Big 5 in S. A. My favorite cat is the cheetah. We'll be able to have our pictures taken with tamed cheetahs. I'm so excited!! We'll be "up close and personal" to elephants and ostriches. I wanted to ride an ostrich but I weigh too much. My tough luck!

Prepping for our trip

Patty, Nancy and Barb are going with a tour group to South Africa. It will be a 3 week trip from Sept 21st-Oct 14th. We are leaving early to take advantage of a 4 day "pre-trip" to Pilanesberg National Park, the third-largest game preserve in the country. It is 2 hours from Johannesburg and is located on the rim of a rare alkaline volcanic crater and surrounded by concentric circles of hills. The park’s breathtaking geology provides a unique backdrop as we seek out the legendary "Big Five": buffalo, elephant, lion, rhino, and leopard. Patty and Nancy have already been "prepping" by experimenting with their new cameras taking pictures of the "Big Five" at several zoos. Below are several pictures they took of the zoo animals and that we hope to see on our safaris.

Meanwhile, until we leave, we are busy figuring out what suitcases, clothes, shoes and toiletries to take. And, oh yeah--which insect spray!!!!