Sam, CJ and I wanted to get
on the road by 6:30 a. m., Packed like a bunch of Texas Hill Billy's, our
trailer almost totally full (people in Kruger actually asked us if we were
moving into Kruger), and Jabulani (our Landy) was bulging, we left our beloved
Venda Villages to work our way to Nelspruit in 2 days. Since "this is Africa,"
events arranged for us to actually hit the road at 8:28 a.m. We were casually
driving through Kruger and enjoying the cool morning air before the sun scorched
away all the shade. A shy Impala watched from her haven under a large bush, a
vulture frowned at us from his lonely dead tree perch and zebra crunched their
grass while one sacrificial male kept guard while the others ate. It was a
typical scene from a day in "The Bush."
We rounded a curve and
noticed a few cars off the side of the road. Looking at us was a magnificent
bull elephant with an attitude.
CJ, our token guide, seized the
gears of Jabulani while yelling, "What's he gonna do?? Which way is he going??"
He lumbered straight for us while Sam took some great photos. Now Mr. Elephant
looked the size of a Mac Truck. CJ pulled to one side of the road,Mr. Elephant
did too. We couldn't believe what was happening. She pulled to the other side
and he did too! CJ stopped, and MR. ELEPHANT lumbered strait at us. Sam froze
mid photo and said what do we do? CJ reminded us she could not back up the
trailer. (Just what innocent tourist want to hear.) OMGoodness! The Mr. Elephant
looked bigger than a HOUSE and WAS RIGHT UPON US! CJ screamed, "I can't find my
gear!!" Mr. Elephant was pressing hard toward us and for the third time CJ
yelled she couldn't find her gear. And finally the Landy rolled backwards with
the trailer beginning to meander into a jack-knife. Mr. Elephant apparently was
satisfied that HE was the "winner" and he pirouetted to the left just as we went
right, avoiding a collision. We were thoroughly shaken for several minutes and
were soon back into the magic of the African Bush. It was very interesting to
be so up close and personal with such a humungous creature. CJ has made a vow to
have Janco teach her how to back up before next year.
Until next time... From the
Bush...
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