Our London stay was incredible, and we still had some hours left until the evening flight to Johannesburg. The hotel was super, One Aldwych , https://suddenly70.ca/2024/02/25/birthday-trip-of-a-lifetime/, in that they let us keep our suite until almost the time of departure for the airport. If you read my previous blog, Part 1, of this little series, you would know that it is probably the finest hotel we have ever stayed in, not just the gorgeous interiors, but the quality of its staff and its hospitality. I went swimming in the glorious pool, Sway and Kate worked out, and Charles relaxed. Can’t remember what Corby did. Our breakfast was not organized, we all just ate when it was convenient. I had planned a luncheon with relatives at a Chinese restaurant that had a round table and served Dim Sum. We had a good visit even though the food was not special, nor the surroundings or service. It is called Joy King Lau and I do not recommend it. We wandered around Covent Garden, and then headed back to the hotel for a 4:45 pick up for the airport.

in the First Class lounge

Now excitedly we were all upgraded to First Class on British Airways. Wow! We checked in at a special check in area, then spent our time having dinner in the stunning First Lounge. Great premium champagne I think it was Laurent Perrier, and I had confit of duck. Delicious. The service was impeccable and we all felt very special. Sway occupied herself with videos on an ipad which was a treat for her because her online time is limited and monitored. By the time we boarded, and I believe I told you this before that all our flights were on time for the entire trip, we were all in a pretty good mood. Except for one other customer, we took over the first class cabin. More champagne, lovely royal blue pyjamas, china, silver cutlery, and were pampered continuously. I saved room for a cheese plate, and an XO cognac. After my bed was made, I watched a movie, read my book, and fell asleep. The flight was over 11 hours, and the only time Sway fussed at all during our trip was when she wanted to stay aboard longer. Hmm.

matching jammies on the plane

the first class life, gorgeous meal, crystal and a very happy Kate

We were greeted by two gentleman in Johannesburg airport. They were organized through the Lodge where we were booked, and this was a very good thing as they whisked us through customs. A few large flights arrived at the same time and the lineups were horrendous. Our guys seemed to know everyone important, and we checked in for our flight to Skukuza. I always check for our passports and discovered that the check in agent had inadvertently kept ours. Whew! We soon boarded a small Airlink Airlines plane and within an hour we arrived at our destination and our Safari open air truck with our guide, Raymond, at the wheel. Our bags stowed we headed to our home for the next few days. See below!!

beautiful art, lovely pool and table for dinner outside

What a home! We were lodged in Fish Eagle Residence , a More Family property, and it was incredible. When we arrived in the truck we were greeted by staff with cold towels, and then led on a tour of our home for the next four nights. A snack was waiting presented by our wonderful chef, Mavis, and our butler, Gifford. Then we changed into safari clothes and headed on our first game drive with Raymond. He asked me what I wanted to see and I said I loved the male lions. We first saw, Nyalas, a type of antelope, then buffalo, zebras and amazingly two male lions, apparently brothers. Yes!! Then we were taken to an outdoor site where others from the main lodge were waiting to enjoy a barbecue with masses of chicken, meats, salads , and more specifically oxtail Potjie, wildebeest loin, chicken dust, beef shortribs, oopsies, skilpatjies, corn on the cob, seabass, basmati rice and then a performance of dancing. Sway lay down on a blanket and went to sleep. We returned to our home and all of us enjoyed the comfortable beds and did the same.

the barbecue fire

Now our schedule every day was set. We woke at 5:00am, had some juice or coffee or a small pastry, and then headed off on our safari. After about a 3 hour trip we returned to breakfast prepared by Mavis, then a swim, nap. We all agreed that Mavis made the best ever scrambled eggs. Maybe the eggs were so good because they came fresh from the local farms, or how she did them. They were exquisite along with bacon, sausages, great cheeses, a huge fruit plate. In the afternoons we were naturally hungry for lunch after a morning swim or exercise in the small gym, and Mavis prepared it. Kate is a pescatarian so there was always, fish and we had southern fried chicken, with South African Chenin Blanc, an intricate white wine. At 4:30pm we were picked up and went on another 3 hour safari. While we were out tracking animals we took a break as the sun was going down, and the back of the truck opened with a little platform table and we had champagne, juices, wines or whatever with biltong, and some savoury snacks. This tradition called the sundowner is one we continue wherever we are, of course, minus the animals, except for doggie, Oscar, and minus the truck.

One afternoon we visited a pre school. This was an important education for Sway. Not everyone in South Africa is living as we lived on our vacation. We saw the homes, the young children sitting on the street, Sway played in the school yard, we visited a class. In fact this town was where Amu, our tracker lived. We participated in a program called Pack for Purpose which encouraged us to bring items that could be used by the local people such as baby clothes, writing pads , coloring pencils and markers etc. All this illustrated to Sway and to us how very fortunate we are and how important it is to share.

at the school

and then we visited a healer in the village

Raymond our knowledgeable guide. The rifle just in case on our bush walk. Never used.

Amu, our tracker

breakfast with Gifford serving

wonderful Gifford and Mavis in the kitchen

lion brothers on our first game drive

and the rest of the animals below

our daily uniforms

on our bush walk

We saw incredible animals and some very special sightings. I have displayed many pictures that will enhance my telling of this story, but some highlights; a hyena carrying found kill. Apparently hyenas don’t kill, but wait and retrieve. We saw hippos in a large lake on an evening drive, a lioness roaring which was unbelievably exciting. She had her newly born cubs hidden away and she was alerting her pride where she was. Watching her diaphragm working very hard was exhilarating. We witnessed two zebra stallions fighting one another and drawing blood. They were very close, and we were all too shocked to even take a picture or video. Raymond said he had never seen such a sight in his 20 years of guiding. Zebras all have different stripes and are usually very calm and relaxed. Leopards hunting and just lazing in the sun, hippo families walking about with their little ones, wart hogs which are so ugly, but also have a special beauty. Giraffes were sighted every day, graceful, elegant creatures with beautiful eyes and lashes. We spotted 16 of them one day just walking in the bush. Everywhere were various types of antelope with their beautiful eyes and graceful bodies. We saw water buffalo with their amazing horns, and wildebeest. Of course the elephants entranced us. We watched one feed off a tree, standing for a long time working the bark, and then we saw baby elephants with the herd. One morning when Raymond arrived he beckoned us to our back deck where a family of elephants had arrived. We were so close to them, with their little ones tagging along. This was a wonderful way to start our day which included a morning bush walk. Raymond and Amu demonstrated survival methods in the bush; how to make a tooth brush out of a particular plant, how to guard against animals if you were sleeping. It was fascinating to walk and listen.

Every lunch and evening we had different meals. One favourite salad that we enjoyed more than once was filled with fresh avocado , olives, onions, tomatoes very thinly sliced and a scrumptious dressing. All the produce from local farms was so very fresh. Both Sway and her mom had a reaction to the anti-malaria pills. No real complaining, but they took to their beds and slept it off, after that, they quit taking them. We were in a low malaria area. The pills for precaution. We probably had had enough at any rate, as we started them in London. Charles and I stopped ours as well.

the famous sundowner

Our last evening there was a storm. And what a storm all night. Masses of rain, thunder and lightning. Apparently animals are not fond of storms and take cover. It poured until late morning. We had finished our daily safaris so just hung around on comfortable sofas outside. Sway and Corby spent time in the water. I was happy to read and watch them, and thought a little grey cat had just walked by my legs. Turns out it was a little gray monkey trying to get into the house by moving the glass doors. Charles scared him away, but he was followed by dozens of other monkeys, climbing on the roof, all over our deck. Adorable, but shameless.

trying to break in, but very cute

The road to the airport was washed out so we had to take a detour to the airport to get our small flight back to Joberg and then to London. We made it in time and saw lots of wildlife on the way. We were not upgraded on the flight back, and the kids had the experience of premium economy , which was not so very bad unless you are Corby’s height. Charles and I were in Business class and I managed to sleep the entire flight. We spent a wonderful evening in London. Corby had requested a visit to a typical pub. I found one within walking distance and had booked it ahead of time, The Lamb and Flag, filled with history. The very first mention of a pub on this site is in 1772, when it was known as The Coopers Arms (the name changed to The Lamb & Flag in 1833).We ate fish and chips, fish pies, and Sway slept through all. Nice walk back to the hotel, and then some relaxed time reminiscing and planning our next trip together which will include Neve and a Disney Cruise.

enormous fish and chips yum at Lamb and Flag

horses in London ready for a protest..note their leg protectors

The best part of the trip was getting time with our kids. Bonding with Sway, and generally just enjoying every moment being with family was the highlight of our celebratory journey. How lucky and blessed I feel, considering my history. If you don’t know it you can read about my life, Aria : Song of a life, available on Amazon, but suffice to say I lost my parents as a teen, lost my only daughter and you get the picture. I am incredibly grateful to have family. I did forget to tell you that on the morning after the rain I had a request from Sway to hear my singing. We played my recording of opera and she liked it and started singing in a high voice, and so did all the birds that gathered to join in.

Until next time,

Enjoy the spring!

Riki