animals | Adventuring into Retirement

Here are my answers to this week’s questions from Pensitivity101

1. If reincarnation exists, would you like to return as a domestic pet or a wild animal?
I would choose to come back as an elephant. Elephants are a matriarchal society and I identify with that. Also, you and you can eat and drink as much as you like and nobody cares how fat you are! Elephants command respect even from the king of the jungle the lion!

2. Do you think Zoos are a good idea?
I do not like zoos. I know some good ones can be educational, but I prefer to see wild animals in their natural habitat. I dislike the idea of polar bears being in a zoo in a tropical climate!

3. Have you ever been to a safari park?
While safari parks are generally better than traditional zoos, the animals are still kept in captivity and are fed by the rangers. I believe that animals should not be removed from their natural habitats, but we do not live in a perfect world. These parks can be educational and provide people with the opportunity to see wild animals without having to spend a fortune on an actual safari holiday. To answer the question directly: No, I have never been to a safari park. However, I am fortunate enough to have visited several game reserves where animals live in the wild without human intervention.

4. Have you visited an oceanarium?
Indeed I have. Similar to zoos and safari parks, they provide education, conservation, and awareness. The animals are well cared for, yet one might wonder if they would be better off in the vast, wild ocean.

Grandpa explaining the mysteries of the ocean to his fascinated grandsons

Gratitude:

II am thankful for all the wildlife holidays I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing. I’m also thankful for the birds in my garden, especially for the beautiful Klaas’s Cuckoo that posed for me a few days ago. I often hear him but rarely see him.

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Monday 14 October 2024

For those reading my blog for the first time, let me explain the title of this post. The Gecko Caravan is a rare species. There are just over two hundred of them in Southern Africa and most of us are on a WhatsApp group where we share news. tips about camping and adaptations to our vans, etc. Each Gecko is numbered according to when it was manufactured so if you see a Gecko Off-road Caravan with the number 81, you will know it was the 81st one built. That just happens to be the number of the one we are the proud owners of. Our travelling companions are Alec and Cathy who own Gecko 109. They live in Napier, 50 km from Struisbaai. If you don’t already know, Struisbaai is a small fishing village near Cape Agulhas, the southern tip of Africa.

We met our friends at the silo towers, Bredasdorp at 09:00 and set off for the first leg of our journey. We will spend one night at Kleinplaas Campsite, Oudtschoorn, then four nights at Karoo National Park, two nights at Camdeboo, and finally four nights at Mountain Zebra National Park.

The weather today was cool and overcast and we had a few splashes of rain too. It might have been overly optimistic to dress in jeans and a short-sleeved T-shirt but my fleece gave me enough warmth while in the car!

Our journey graced us with stunning vistas. Route 62 boasts breathtaking landscapes, grand mountains, and imposing cliffs that stand over pristine streams. The delightful natural flora is a sight to cherish.

Following our traverse of the Tradouw Pass, we stopped for breakfast at The Country Pumpkin in Barrydale. We highly recommend this restaurant not only for its ambiance and quaint decor but for the excellent food served. You can also purchase delicious confectionery, home-bottled preserves, and souvenirs from their shop.

We arrived at our first overnight stop, Kleinplaas Campsite in Oudtshoorn at 13:00. The sites are spacious, grassed, and shady. The ablutions are well-maintained, clean, and neat.