Dawn comes early on the South African bush but we've been up for an hour when it happens.
The light shimmers on the river and we glimpse hippos in the pool. We've seen them before but we are directly on the river bank now with Lorens watching carefully lest they seem upset by our presence. Nothing happens beyond a glimpse of wildlife not available in most places on this planet.
Leaving, we're off to see who else we can bid goodbye. Our rhino friends appear along with a boarder, a red billed oxpecker.
Whispering, "May I eat this ear tick or would you rather I not?" the bird and the beast co-exist nicely. The rhino pair, still skittish, are less jumpy than they were in days past and they tolerate our presence with wary eyes.
These final two encounters punctuate our last game drive with an exclamation point.
Back at River Lodge, we clean up and pack and wonder what the monkey's parents would think of their larcenous ways. See the video below for details.
We have a final breakfast with friends and await our driver who will deliver us to the Hoedspruit Airport for our South African Express flight back to Joburg. It's early. Josh had told us that we would not have to worry about making our flight because, "you'll make it even if you're ten minutes late." That's the only bad piece of advice we got from him. No matter. We were there long before we needed to be. En route, we spied our French companions at the gate to the reserve where they had ripped open the oil pan on their car as they drove themselves away from Ezulwini. Sadly, there was nothing we could do for them as they looked forlornly at the oil beneath their car. We hope there is a SAAA to call.
Our flight is smooth, luggage arrives promptly, check in for our Delta flight is uneventful, immigration is a snap and, upon arrival at the Air France lounge (which serves Delta business class passengers) we encounter the only hiccup of the day: it's a bit of a dump.
No worries. We each belong to a thing called "Priority Pass" and we depart for one of their lounges which is quite nice and provides the location where we can pass the time and I can write this final entry in our EZ Ezulwini blog.
"What is your most memorable sighting?" you may ask. My answer will surprise you. My most memorable sighting was not the parading lions or the bathing elephants or even today's red billed oxpecker. No. It was the delightful girlish screams of delight that came from the mouth of the woman I love as she, for the first time, spotted her favorite giraffes in the wild or when we came unexpectly upon elephant or when the baby elephant frolicked in the water.
She was not the seasoned CEO then; she was giddy with delight and that, my friends, delighted me beyond measure.
More Fun Than A Beryl Full of Monkeys
Monday, August 10, 2015
Johannesburg South Africa, Gauteng, South Africa
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2025-02-15
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Liz Chatelain
2015-08-10
Paul, I feel I was with you both for this wonderful journey. Thank you so much for taking the time and making the effort to blog your way thru it.
Have a fast trip home to the wilds of Kansas City.
Hugs, Liz
Sharon Wilder
2015-08-10
How Awesome!!!! Blessed and safe return
Love Sharon
Bob Cushing
2015-08-10
What a great Story; much more than a "blog". I could imagine myself being there on Safari. Spent too many hours at the Joberg airport waiting for the Delta flight to board, but this was Fabulous beyond words, and one that I will save.
Safe travels home!
Joan Rolleg
2015-08-10
Everyday I am so thankful that I put the two of you together and thanks for letting me watch another part of your life and to see how happy the both of you are. Have a safe trip home.
Sandi
2015-08-10
Have a safe trip home. Amazing adventure!!! You 2 are much braver than I am so I am content to live vicariously via the wonderful blog stories :-))) Sandi
Linda
2015-08-10
Paul and Beryl, I too felt like I was with the two of you. I was in awe of all the animals and the sunsets. Thank you so much for sharing with me. It looks like you guys had a great time....Paul you are a great writer. Beryl you look as beautiful as ever and happy! Love Linda
Wish I could have met you at airport in Atlanta....next time
Jeannine Strandjord
2015-08-11
Your blogs were outstanding the ending was lovely!
Janice Hansen
2015-08-27
Loved your blogs, but more than that- I am thrilled for my friend Beryl to have found her Prince Charming and that you two are so in love. May you be blissfully happy all the days of your lives.