Monkey Madness

So, this morning started just like any other day; woke up, got dressed, had breakfast, and arrived at the car park at 9.30 ready to be told about today's activities. Today was going to be slightly different, firstly the temperature was already soaring by 9am, then secondly there were passengers from a cruise ship coming today so we were not able to use certain toilets or the safari trucks.

Today we had to water some plants that they are planning on introducing into the game reserve that are called Spekboom. They are apparently juicy for the elephants and can photosynthesis at night as well as the day to help keep the air clean. We had to fill buckets with water and lug them back and forth till all the plants were watered which was hard in this heat although there were a lot of us, so it did make it easier. Our next morning activity was to walk round the rehab centre checking the animals for injuries as well as filling up their water's. Quite a few of the lions and one tiger had ticks on them as well as one lion was lame whilst another tiger had a graze on its

side. The white lions are so affectionate towards each other which I just find adorable even in this heat. After this there was one more morning activity which was a hike, although a lot of us including myself dropped out of this one due to the heat becoming unbearable; by lunch it is meant to be 42 degrees and for my English skin, it is just too much!

When we got back to Cubs, we noticed there were a load of sweet packets strewn across the floor. They were Werther's Original, my Werther's Originals. I ran inside and noticed that there were none left, I had not even opened them yet, so to be honest the fact that the monkeys had stolen them and then figured out to open them really surprised me. I did go outside and try and find any that I could save although amazingly they did not drop even one, just the wrappers which I picked up as I went this is how I discover that they also stole my earplugs from my shelf. I guess as they thought they were sweets, but they quickly dumped them when they realised they were not worth it as I found them in the flower bed just outside the window from where they got in. I did notice the other day my mints had gone missing, but I did not think much of it as thought I must have just eaten them and not remembered although now, I realise the crafty monkeys must have taken them too!

I was in such a state of am I angry or should I laugh? I really could not decide, but I guess there isn't anything I can do about it so I shall just laugh and must buy myself some new earplugs and aeroplane sweets once I go back into town.

We had spaghetti with a tomato and herb sauce for lunch today which was nice and a well needed break from all the meat that I have been having. After lunch everyone hid indoors out of the blistering midday sun, it was even too warm to sit by the pool, so I sat with Annie and Katherine getting to know them both better on the bunk beds. Around 17.00 we decided to go for a dip in the pool before dinner, although as I did not fancy the 20-minute walk back down to my accommodation to grab my swimwear I just went in my shorts and t-shirt as with the heat, it would dry off in no time anyway. The pool felt so refreshing and just helped me to cool off in the heat even at 17.00 although we didn't have long enough in it in my opinion as we had to go to dinner at 18.00 so we were probably only in the pool around 30 minutes before we had to get out to try and sun-dry off. We all went to dinner still quite wet from where our swimwear still had not quite dried, not that it was too noticeable thankfully. I opted for the vegetarian option again tonight which was rice with a vegetable casserole plus a chocolate/caramel cake for dessert which was the best one yet. After dinner me, Annie and Morgan got told to stay behind to discuss our Garden route tour. We firstly got our itinerary with all our times on and then we discussed what of the activities we are most keen on doing so that Jeff, our driver, can plan our trip in the most effective way. It sounds incredible what the coming week has in store, my first proper week of backpacking. I would tell you more, but I like to keep you in suspense plus as they say all the time 'activities are subject to change'. So I better disappear now as still got my packing to finish off plus don't want a late night tonight

either. I still cannot believe the first section of my journey is almost over, it has been so amazing and gone so quick, I am excited though for what the future holds.