23 hours on the bus and totally worth it

Last weekend with everybody in Hluhluwe was a lot of fun. In fact, Ellie and I had so much fun that we were convinced by the Grahamstown crew to take the very very very long bus ride to Grahamstown this past weekend. We got on the bus at 5:00pm in Durban. And, eventually, 12 hours later we arrived in Grahamstown where Sabrina met us at the bus 'station' (a spot on one of Grahamstown's two main roads). She took us back to their place and Ellie and I both crashed for a couple of hours.

Once we were awake again, we were taken on a little tour of Grahamstown. I emphasize little only because that is what Grahamstown is, little. According to the Lonely Planet, there are 120,000 people. That is a lie. I mean, Lethbridge is definitely bigger. No question. Anyways, Grahamstown is little and I loved it. It's in the Eastern Cape, a beautiful part of SA. The town centers around Rhodes University and I get the impression that living in Grahamstown is a bit like living in Antigonish or Sackville. Very much a uni town where students come from all over the place. So, the real draw for me for the weekend in Grahamstown was an invitation to come out of retirement. About ten and a half years ago, I played my last game of rugby. I love the game, but a few concussions in my rather short career seemed to suggest that I might not be cut out for the game. However, when I was invited to play on the Legal Resource Centre Levelers in a co-ed ouch rugby tourney, I thought it would be great. Our expectations weren't high though, as our team was full of people who at one time in their lives played rugby (with my career being the most recent) and others who had never even touched a rugby ball before. So, low expectations. Mathieu's goal was one win. My goal was one try for the team, and once that had been reached re-evaluate the goal.

We arrived at the field on the Rhodes campus and went over to the sign-in table. The guy looked at Sabrina and I and was like "oh, you have girls on your team". Apparently the co-ed part had been lost on most teams and only one other team had any girls on it - and because of the pool divisions, we never got to play them. Well, after a bit of a warm up and watching two matches (only 7 minute halves), we were up. The boys we were playing against were clearly a bunch of 19 year old res kids. It was pretty amusing. We lost. However, I met my goal when I scored out team's first and one of only two tries for the day. Yahoo me! Haha. I think it may have had something to do with the other team really not knowing what to do with a girl playing and you could have suggested that the ref was generous in his call, but I will take it. I re-evaluated the goal for the day and decided that a win was too ambitious and stick with a try for the day. Goal met.

So we played two more games, and were given beer in between (bad decision). We lost all of our game, but I had a wonderful time. It was a beautiful day. Lots of sunshine and the perfect day to spend at the rugby pitch. I am now back in retirement and my body seems to be happy with that decision.

We had a great rest of the afternoon with team beers on a patio and dinner out with Ellie, Mathieu, Sabrina and Tim.

Sunday's mission was elephants. Although we had seen them in the distance last week, we were determined to see them up close at Addo Elephant National Park. It looked to be a great day when from the highway we saw giraffes, zebras and hartebeests (for those of you who don't know what a hartebeest is, take a look at this...www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlPszRbVqVA). So, good start.

When we arrived at the park, we were given a map, which also included a checklist of animals that can be seen in the park (I like checklists a lot, so was quite happy). Addo is the only park in the world where you can see the Big 7 - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark. We were in the land part not the marine part, so no chance with the last two, but we were looking for a big day of sightings. Sabrina's first request was to see a kudu. Now, did the park ever deliver. We rounded our first corner on the game drive and there was a kudu. And another and another and another. So, we decided everybody needed to make their requests. Ellie wanted elephants, Mat picked some random hare, I picked warthogs, and Tim picked the flightless dung beetle (one of the only places in the world you can find them). So we were on the lookout. It was an amazing day, and we were slowly checking off the wish list...my warthogs...

Shocked to actually see the hare Mat decided on. And luckily saw a few flightless dung beetles that Mat was able to avoid on the road. We had t be out of the park by four to make it back to town for Ellie and I to catch our bus. At about 3:15, I was directing us back towards the entrance when we came around a corner to a watering hole. Well, did Ellie ever get her wish - elephants galore! There was a family of females and at least 4 males, one definitely more senior and 3 adolescent boys. It was great.

As we were taking pictures, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a tortoise. I really like him too. I just felt bad for him and all the elephant poop he had to get around. He wandered off into the grass and it was back to watching elephants.

So great day. We ended up checking off 12 of the animals on the list. Only one of the Big 7, but it was a great day. So thanks to our wonderful hosts (Mathieu, Sabrina and Tim) for a wonderful weekend in a great little town. Tim, we will miss having more adventures with you as you take off to Ghana, but have a wonderful time!

11 hour bus ride back to Durban and back to work.