scorbs

Hope you rang in the new decade with gusto!

To celebrate in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (in the Kalahari), we had a 360 degree fireworks display courtesy of mother nature. That’s right. I go to a semi-arid African desert… and get thunderstorms. Still, the long lines of lightening where amazing to see! And the park after the rains was quite magical.

Happy New Year!

The allure of the Kalahari is the beauty of the land.  However, the wildlife – while less dense than in other parts of south africa – is still amazing.

steenbok.  these beautiful antelope almost look like they have make-up on.

african wildcat. a rare daytime sighting, as they normally are only active at night.  long ago, the egyptions domesticated them.  they’re related to our house cats!

i forget what these guys are called. 

a running family of gembok

gembok

springbok

The colors of the Kalahari are remarkably dynamic. 

Depending on the time of day and the weather, the “redness” of the landscape shifts.  Since there were scorching 100F heat waves and explosive thunderstorms during my stay, I got to experience the whole range. 

early morning overcast

bright morning sun

sunny afternoon brief cloud cover

morning after thunderstorms

late morning after thunderstorms

After a tricky car rental process (turns out automatics aren’t common in south africa) and figuring out (sorta) how to drive on the left side of the road, I arrived at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

A few minutes into park, three wild ostriches appeared from behind a hill on the left side of the road… and ran across the road about 15 feet in front of me.

These giant 8 ft birds run with remarkable grace.  And for a second, I had this “OMG – I’m in Jurassic Park” moment – i swear, those ostriches had a velociraptor aurora  to them.

the ostriches, as they ambled off into the horizon

Tonight, I leave for South Africa!!

There are 3 major stops planned:

• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, to see some African vistas of a red suns over red sand dunes.
• Kruger National Park, to (hopefully) see some one or two of the Big Five.
• Cape Town, for some sun, beach, wine… and maybe even some Great White shark diving.

It’s my first trip to Africa.  Super excited. 

quick facts:

• money: 1 usd = 7.53 south african rands
• time:  USD + 2 (noon in seattle = 10pm in jo’burg)
• language: english is one of the 11 official languages
• temperature:
  • kgalagadi: 90-100F & sunny
  • kruger: 80F & scattered rain
  • cape town: 70F & sunny

We ate REALLY REALLY well on this trip (and so inexpensively!). 

Here are a few yummy examples…

first night in oaxaca: best enchiladas I ever had.  and i wasn’t even hungry before i started eating.

the famed chapuines.  turns out grasshoppers taste like…. crunchy insects.

 mole negro!

vino tinto

salsa

pasta

steak!

mole negro we made in cooking class

sorbet we made in cooking class

Located near the city of Oaxaca, the ruins of Monte Alban date back to as early as 500 BC.

photos for a quinceañera outside of santo domingo

selling outside of santo domingo

the afternoon’s batch of fresh tortillas

sauce cooling

streets of oaxaca

street performers

streets of oaxaca