Wild Wings & Rock Art | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Wild Wings & Rock Art | Previous Challenge Entry
By Fiona Stevenson
11/12/14
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“Good evening.” Hugh looked up from a scattering of notes he was rearranging on the table beside his chair. “Lovely to have you all here this evening, especially as it means we don’t have to go through re-runs and repeats with each of you individually.”

He quirked an eyebrow at his wife. “While Naomi finds some refreshments I will take the opportunity to apologise that we have no pictures to save the proverbial thousand words. We did take a camera – one of those little digital things that keep all your photos on an SD card – all very neat and tidy, and importantly, space-saving. But in the final days of our trip it was confiscated when I inadvertently took a photograph of something politically sensitive; I still am confused about what it was. When we asked for the return of the camera – they were welcome to take the SD card out – our request was refused.”

He thanked Naomi for a proffered glass of water.

“Everybody comfortable? Right, we’ll get to the trip, and if anyone has questions please save them for later.

“As you all know it was a nostalgic event. We were going back to our roots, and as many of you share the same roots we tried to look through your eyes as well. Thank you for the list of contacts you gave us. We bring greetings from many, but there were others we were unable to contact for one or other reason.

“Our first tour was to the Kruger National Park. We arrived at the OR Tambo International Airport and spent that night at the Safari Inn. Early the following morning we were met by Wild Wings Safaris for a five hour drive in a very comfortable minibus to the Park entrance. Here we changed to an open safari vehicle to drive to the Rest Camp, a slow drive of about four hours. We did not see any of the Big Five animals, but we did see zebra, impala, a couple of monkeys and a giraffe in the distance. Not a bad beginning.

“Mary, we met your cousin, Ken, and he has sent you a letter.” Hugh leaned across to pass her an envelope. “It was delightful meeting him, and he was with us for most of the four days we were in the Park. The weather was good for most of the time. We headed out early each morning – without breakfast, which was usually a picnic meal mid-morning – and returned to the Rest Camp shortly before noon. During the heat of the day there is little likelihood of seeing any of the animals as they siesta in the shade – sensible creatures.

“With one night drive, and the offices of a very good guide, we saw many if not all of the species of animal in the Park, even a very elusive leopard. Gary, you were very much in our thoughts as we know how much you miss your time in the Wankie National Park. The fourth day came much too quickly and Naomi and I slept a good part of the way back to Johannesburg.

“We joined the next tour a few days later in Howick. Perhaps I should say, tours, as each day we joined a different group travelling to view arts and crafts; taking horse rides; shopping for souvenirs; taking in the history of the battlefields of bygone days. We were able to find items of interest for each of you which we will distribute later. Phoebe, we visited the little church where your grandparents were married, baptised eleven children, and were later buried. It is still in use.

“Our final visit was to the Kamberg Rock Art Centre where the Bushmen paintings were first found. Now known as the San people, the paintings are seen as having a religious influence rather than being simple reproductions of everyday life. The Rock Art Centre has audio-visual information on the San people but Naomi and I elected to visit the Game Pass Cave and Waterfall Shelter with a guide. The walk took the better part of the day but was well worth the effort, linking the Game Park visit with the animal portraits drawn on the rock faces by the San People.

“Then it was back to Johannesburg for a brief time before flying out. This was when we visited the celebrated Buddhist Temple where we lost our camera. We covered much ground and really needed more time, but two weeks was all we had.”

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