The Broken Road

I’m trying to distract myself by writing this so I don’t have to think about the fact that I’m actually leaving South Africa. I already said goodbye to Hluhluwe last week. It was so weird to leave the place that has felt like home for the past months. Last time I left, I knew I was coming back. This time I don’t know what’s going to happen. Thankfully I had another week in South Africa, in Hoedspruit to be exact. After only two hours of sleep and not feeling too well on the plane, I finally arrived and went to pick up my rental car. I was feeling quite shitty so when the attendant told me he couldn’t give me the car because of a problem with my card, I was ready to break down in tears. There was nothing they could do for me so I was basically stranded at the airport. Thankfully there was a really sweet American couple who offered to give me a ride into town where I would meet Christine. She and I tried to come up with a solution but we couldn’t think of anything that would work. Eventually I called the lodge I was going to stay at and they have honestly been amazing. They have gone above and beyond to arrange the car for me. I am so grateful that there are people who care so much!

So yeej, I had a car! Christine and I made good use of that little car by driving it up to Mariepskop, we really didn’t think we would make it without 4-wheel drive but the car was strong and made it all the way up. The view from up there is breathtaking. We sat there for hours just chatting and laughing. Being so high up and far from everything makes you feel like there is nobody else in the world and nothing else matters, exactly what I needed ;) The next day we got up at 4am to go to Kruger for the day. I think we saw over 30 elephants during our drive, including lots of babies, but the best sighting that day (possibly ever) was of three lionesses with their six cubs right next to the road. We sat there watching them for over 30 minutes (no other cars!), the lionesses were very relaxed and the cubs were running around, playing and nagging their moms. Such a special sighting and an experience I will never forget! On the way back to Hoedspruit we almost got stranded without petrol but thankfully we found a gas station just in time, lucky again.

I spend two nights at Wait A Little, where they do horse safaris in a big five reserve. I had been emailing with them about their work experience program but since I was in the neighborhood I decided to ask if I could come by, and they said I was more than welcome. Everyone there was so lovely. They have some great horses and it's a beautiful area. They work hard but there is a nice atmoshpere and they all hang out together whenever they have some time off, I felt right at home and will definitely go back in the future. The highlight was bumping into two Rhino on a horseride one morning, such a special experience! My last night I stayed with Christine at Umlani Bushcamp in Timbavati, where she works. It was a beautiful lodge, very nice people and Hyena that walk around the camp as if they are pets ;)

It's weird to be away from the horses. In my last week in Hluhluwe I rode Attila to the plantations one afternoon, and just sat there for almost an hour watching the sun set behind the mountain. The view there is amazing and it is so quiet and peaceful. Another day, I rode Bullet along the lake in False Bay with Flamingos flying next to us. You just don’t get that kind of experiences in the Netherlands. I taught a few more lessons. Ka’tia has made so much progress over the ten lessons she’s had. Bundu made it hard on her during the last lesson, trying to turn around, stopping, even bucking, but she handled him perfectly and even though it was frustrating, she kept going. The whole Druce family came out for a little trail ride with Evan riding Tshoks without any help and even Emma was on a horse (Heleen and her were on Bundu together), so special! On my last day, Heleen and Mariette took me out for lunch and that night we went to Amorellos for the last time. It was a perfect day to end my stay with.

The hardest part about travelling is saying goodbye, to the place I’ve gotten quite attached to, this amazing country, the weather, the animals but most of all the people. Six months (in two three-month intervals) might not sound like a long time but so much has happened in these months that it feels like years. I’m grateful for everything it taught me but mostly for all the amazing people I’ve met. To everyone who helped me with the horses, who came riding with me, shared their stories, inspired me, encouraged me and was just there to listen and laugh with: thank you, I will see you soon!