Mandy's Blog: December 2010

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Day 11 - Sabie [28th December 2010]

The Journey continues

{Written by Mandy}

This Morning we left Badplaas around 8h00am, to continue our Journey.

This time we moving on to Mpumalanga.

Sabie Rive Camp in Sabie.

On arriving at Sabie River Camp, we were met by Riaan and Gillian, who joined our trip

for this week while we at Sabie, since Riaan changed jobs a few week back he was not able

to get leave for the full three weeks.

After setting up camp, we sat around and chatted, some went for a swim, the boys played a bit of bit cricket with Megan.

Tonight the immunity necklace was won by Donovan.

An interesting looking shop in Sabie

Arriving at Sabie River Camp

Fiona and Steve setting up camp

Steve Richard and Chey

Dirk catching 40 winks

Sitting around chilling

Preparing dinner - Burger Braai

Sunset

Everyone eating

Ria collecting the evening meals money

Everyone voting

Donovan doing he's Popeye face

Donovan receiving the Immunity necklace

Fiona burning the votes

Monday, December 27, 2010

Day 9 and 10 Badplaas

CHILL TIME

(Written by Mandy)

Day 9 and 10 everyone pretty much did their own thing, some hung around camp.
Some went up to the pools, some went fishing at a nearby dam and others drove out to Barberton
and went on Heritage walk through the historic town.

The girls and some of the guys went to the spa for a massage etc.
And some of us went to experience the tube ride which was called the "Rinkhals"
Loads of fun was had.

tonights Tribal Necklace was won by Fiona and Steve.

Tent Town, Our camp site

some of us just lazying around

The view from our camp site

The Great Trek up the hill only to slide all the way
down again, but was a lot of fun

Some of the guys bunching in one of the pools on the way day
trying to make a train without being caught by the
life guards

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Day 8 Badplaas

Christmas Day

(Written by Mandy)

Today, I think for the first time, no one needed to get up early to hit the road, so everyone got to lay in a

bit. Eventually one by one everyone started crawling out their tents, going for showers etc.

We then made breakfast: bacon, eggs, mushrooms and bread.

We just sat around for the morning, some went up to the pools for a swim and to explore

the resort. In the meantime the ladies and some of the men set about preparing our Christmas lunch,

which consisted of a variety of cold meats, ready cooked chicken, potatoe salad, Cole Slaw and green salad.

The main meal was followed by a Malva Pudding made in a black cast iron pot on the fire, made by Ria which came out

perfect with no left overs. With the Malva pudding we had canned peaches and custard.

All was very nice, what more could we ask for.

After lunch, some went for a nap, others went up to the pools for a swim. Everyone just chilling, relaxing and

doing whatever they feel like.

After that a bunch of us took all the lunch dishes and went to wash them. As we got back to our

tents, low and behold, the skies opened up and it bucketed down in turrents, literally drenching everything.

I ran from tent to tent zipping windows closed for those who were not in camp.

The kids arrived back from the Spa pools, drenched like drowned rats, LOL.

Shame, for the first timers, (Cheyna, Tammy, Sam and Shaun) roughing it in the camping world, have now experienced almost

everything. Schorching heat, mud, rain, creepy crawlies, wild animals wandering through your camp, crappy ablutions to great ablutions.

After a long relaxing day, everyone was actually really tired, and most the group crashed early without even

having supper. Then it started raining again, so hard that Norman and Dirk's tent was taking strain so some of the guys helped to move our Gazebo over their tent, which really helped and stopped
the rain from getting in.

A few of us that were still up nibbled a bit on the left over christmas lunch.

Percy, Dirk, Chris and Piet played poker for a while while I was sitting catching up on my blogging.

Everyone dishing up Christmas lunch

Piet getting hot with a wet face cloth on he's head

I had the Immunity necklace today so I got to be served

Melanie muching on piece of cold meat

Everyone munching their Lunch

The view from our camp area

The Kids arriving back drenched in the rain

Look at the water gushing off the top of the Gazebo

Spot Dirk???

Day 7 Badplaas 24th December 2010

Back To South Africa

(Written by Mandy)

Everyone once again agreed to rise early to hit the road on our journey back to SA.

After a mean storm last night, the day began hot and once again became a real scorcher.

We left Mabuda Farm in Siteki and on Route passed through Manzini and then through Mbabane.
Here we went on a little bit of an adventure riding around looking for the Candle Craft factory.
After turning here and turning there and U turns, we finally found it.
Very interesting designs of candles, and watching the local guy shape and mould the candles was very
interesting.
we left the candle craft factory heading for the border post, just before the border post we stopped at the
glass factory. WOW, what beautiful things, animals, bowls glasses and more all made from Glass.

After this we arrived at the border post. This time it went better than when we came into swaziland.
Finally through the border post and relieved to be back in SA, we headed for Badplaas.

We arrived to a very very full Badplaas, scouted around for stands, finally found one where we could
all fit on with a tight squeeze.

Being Christmas Eve, we stayed up until Midnight when we did our secret santa and exchanged Fifty Rand gifts. Rassie was made Santa Claus and did a great job making everyone laugh.

Scenery from Mabuda Backpackers camp before leaving