The drive to Emdoneni

Today we checked out of the Elangeni hotel, in the midst of utter chaos. Almost all of the transplant games participants all were checking out at once. During which everyones card keys deactivated at once. There was a line for check out, and panicked people all trying to get their room keys working agin for the 11am check out. After a little chaos, we said good-bye to my parents and took a cab to pick up our rental car. We packed our car with all our many bags and began our 3 hour journey to the game reserve and Emdoneni lodge. It was Casey and my first time driving on the wrong side of the road and with a 6 speed manual car. At least it was a Toyota Corolla so there was some similarity, except everything, including the steering wheel were on the wrong side.  We had a beautiful drive for the first 2.5 hours, and the last 30minutes was utter hell for me, as my bladder got to the point of pain, and I was close to going in a bottle, or stopping on the side of the road in an African villiage. I have never been in such dire need for the bathroom. It was the worst time, in rural Africa, to need a bathroom. Good job Anna. We finally reached the lodge, and we had to drive slowly 1km, on a bumpy road. Once we reached the lodge, I ran out of the car. The best and biggest pee of all time.

After the epic piss monsoon, we were taken to our room, the windfall cottage.  To get there we all jumped in our car, drove by the Serval, and came upon our luxurious room. 

Our room is the windfall cottage, and it is off the beaten path from the rest of the rondavels. It is luxiourious with a leather couch, bar, 2 rooms, large "princess bed" as Casey calls it, with a mosquito net canopy, a claw foot tub, and out side shower, within our enclosed patio. I'm not so sure about the shower, as we have already seen an African wild cat, frog, and plenty of bugs out there... The exciting thing, was when I looked outside the first time, we already had a large and cute African wild cat out there grooming himself for us to see. We couldn't get a picture as the night time pic was too hard without prior set up. They set up a green light on our bathroom patio, which works as night vision. I think we figured showers will be taken in the middle of the day, between activities :) The rooms are decorated with traditional African hats, and beautiful black and white shots of the cats. It for sure is Anna and Casey's paradise. The one problem is the bathroom has no noise control between the bedroom, so we will be taking turns in here... The one problem. As we say, it is the honey moon suite where all was lost ;) 

Right out in front of our room are the cat enclosures, and when we walk to reception, we will pass by the cute cats every day! We already saw the caracal, and the cheetahs off in the distance. There are all kinds of antelope, zebra, and a variety of animals that live on the property. We already saw some antelope and an unknown large animal on the drive in. There is plenty of Scat around and I am sure the animals will be spotted today or tomorrow.

Our itinerary today is to have breakfast then head on over for a private cat tour at 9am. Then at 2pm we will be heading out for our first game drive. It is very exciting to be here. 

We are literally living in the bush. To go to reception it is about a 5 minute walk, and we walk by the cats, and through the bush. Last night it was pitch dark. We take a flash light to lead the way. It is quite the experience. I can't wait to see what happens on this adventure!