Concluding South African Narrative with Videos from three countries.

We are on vacation until mid-June...see you around.

Narrative follows videos of South Africa, New Zealand, Hawaii and two pictures below.




Over-the-top at Mont-aux-Sources.





There's no turning back...or is there?



Video follows-South Africa:



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Video follows-New Zealand:


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Sunrise supreme. Aren't they all?





The Mahai Falls, Drakensberg.




Sisters, Hilary and Jenni, brothers-in-law, Ernie and...




Watch out! Leopard crouched. Jenni said to me, while I was facing the other way, "Do you think that's
real?" I turned, not having seen it before, and jumped a sizeable height.




Sometimes, a little balance is called for, most times as much as possible. We have enjoyed the country
immensely, once again. We also realize the land has influenced our lives in setting a direction or path
for us notwithstanding we no longer live there permanently. We also recognize problems exist in the country
and in our opinion, will escalate—we are often wrong though. Perhaps a little story or two will illustrate
a negative aspect although we try, and do believe, portray a positive view, generally.

One Sunday evening, after using our cash resources to pay a lodging bill, we set off by car to an ATM
in Underberg, a small town. We had noticed a bank, an ideal cash replenishment resource at which to
collect additional money, for the next day’s transportation to the border post. Upon arriving at the
terminals, we noticed the foyer was flooded with light but the surrounding area was mostly dark. It had
an eerie feeling although that may have been exacerbated by our uncertainty of the area. Nevertheless,
it did not have the atmosphere of Disneyworld.

I handed Jenni my wallet after removing a debit card and locked the door. Jenni reminded me that I should
get out the car first before locking the door. What would I do without her? The key remained in the ignition
and Jenni moved into the driver’s seat smartly. We agreed she would toot should she see any suspicious behavior.
We had not defined 'suspicious' which left an awful number of opportunities for blowing the horn. I darted
to the machine, transacted business and returned hurriedly to the car, hoping she would allow me back inside.
You never know.
That’s not an ideal way to live although you might think our expectations are a little high.

We arrived at Oliver Tambo Airport, formerly Jan Smuts, for our completion of a journey around the world.
We kept heading west from San Diego, our commencement port, and should arrive back via London. Upon returning
our rental car, we loaded a trolley with six bags of varying sizes and weights. On the way to the counter,
a rather poorly attired Zulu, half-accosted us in the elevator in his willingness to help the ‘elderly couple’
with their luggage. We never have anyone assist us in these matters but this fellow was insistent; we thought
it would give him the opportunity to earn a bit of money. Why not?

I had dropped my guard, being at an airport and thinking it quite safe. Jen noticed he continued to cause
diversions and distractions while taking us away from the direct route. She believed he bumped me at one
stage in searching for my wallet. She then saw his hand working the zipper on the small bag—I didn’t.
She urged me to take the bag from him. I did. After a couple of minutes, we were able to get rid of him,
finally. He was not the sensitive type and did not take 'no' easily. He had tried to get ahead of us using
the cart to block his actions. Our normal intention is always to stay with the ‘leader’ which we did—this
thwarted his ability to be less visible. Thus, he was not able to achieve privacy during which period
he could have removed items. Unfortunately, I had my head in the clouds, still being somewhere up Sani Pass
or in the beautiful wilds, while acting in a normal trusting manner. Bad move. I was not prepared for
the 'civilized wilds'. Fortunately, I never travel without my personal security (sweetness) guard.

A minute later a security guard arrived on the scene and asked us to check whether anything had been
removed from our bags. Apparently, he had been observing from the floor above. He acted firmly and
with urgency. By that time, I had the feeling it could be another scam and moved on after saying,
‘All was fine’.

“We hear the mountains calling…and Ellie and Benny.”


Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey