Postcards from Around the Globe
MAY 26, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Marcus Daniels
We traveled from our hotel in Pretoria, Arcadia Hotel around 8:00 a.m. to go to Pilanesberg National Park. This park is home to the Big 5 in South Africa, which consists of the buffalo, leopard, lion, elephant and rhino. I learned that these animals are known as the Big 5 because they are the only land animals that are well known for killing humans. They are also printed on all of the South African currency, Rand.
As we traveled to the park, the streets and sights of South Africa were truly amazing. The images of poverty and the poor gave me a deep appreciation of what I have and the blessings in my life. After traveling to the AIDS Orphanage and hearing more and more statistics of the current economic situation in South Africa, I felt obligated to contribute to the development and understanding of this country.
When we arrived at the park, I knew that this experience would be like no other I have had before. I have never been on a safari game drive or stayed in the middle of nowhere overnight. We had a late lunch at the restaurant and went on a preview of the game drive. Since in South Africa right now they are moving into winter, the sun set between 5-6 p.m.
As we traveled through the valleys and mountains of the park, we saw all types of animals; antelope, ostrich, etc. When we were coming back towards our cabins in the dark, we had to slam on brakes because there was an enormous elephant that cast a shadow on our vehicle. I will always remember this moment because the elephant was virtually invisible.
We returned for dinner and retired for the evening to wake up for an early morning for our full game drive.
More Postcards
JUNE 18, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Richard C. Jones
MAY 29, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Mauri J. Robinson
MAY 29, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Kelechi Kalu
MAY 28, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Kweku Arko-Gilbert
MAY 28, 2007 - SOUTH AFRICA - Freddie Wilkes
