Feel the fear, and do it anyway!

Sunday 18 January 2009 - The day I have been dreading since I first paid my deposit! Snakes and venom training this afternoon! What joy! First a game drive incorporating the twitchers paradise Lake Panic. The rest of the morning is spent in Stevenson-Hamilton Library trying to keep my mind off it! The library contains (yes books, clever clogs!) a display of African themed photographs, which gives me something to aspire to. Also there was the skin of a lion killed by Harry Wolhuter, riding horseback through KNP in 1903 Wolhuter was attacked, able to wrestle the lion, he eventually killed the predator with his sheath knife (also displayed).

How long can I possibly string lunch out for............? The dreaded time has arrived, for those of you who haven't gathered - since forever I have had a enormous fear of snakes. We arrive at the open space that was to be our classroom for the next gazillion hours, five large sealed plastic boxes sit ominously on the ground, each labelled with its contents together with VENOMOUS or a not so threatening non-venomous! I'm not sure I can do this!

We're dually introduced to Donald (photo) the snake man! I'm not sure I can do this! Donald firstly explains the course of the afternoon and asks if either of us (yes there just Kirsteen and my quaking self) have any phobias - my hand is up like a shot! My fears were somewhat lessened when I was advised that I would not be force to do anything I did not wish to do (does that mean I can go home now?).

'So what's the most venomous snake in South Africa?' Donald begins, "Black mamba' we reply. Wrong! The answer being the tree snake or Boomslang, so lets produce one from one of these wonderful plastic boxes! Seriously, I really, really don't think I can do this!

As Donald approaches said box, I stand ready to make my get away, he takes his snake handling stick and there we have it, one long thin lime green highly poisonous snake! OMG I want to cry! Did I mention I was within metres of a snake! Donald beckons us closer, Kirsteen 'no fear' McLeish is off, slowly I edge my way nearer, I need to conquer this!

By the end of the afternoon, I've held a scorpion, stroked a hissing cockroach, had a Bearded dragon (affectionately called Pongo for the afternoon) sat on my lap, let a Golden Brown Baboon spider run over my hands (it felt like cotton buds when it walked) and major achievement if any, picked up a Puff adder (kills more people in SA than any other) with what looked like a golf club with a hook end and put him back in his box, felt the skin of both a Puff adder and Africa Rock python, and had a 7 ft Burmese python draped around my neck! You go, girlfriend!

During on the reptile handling, we learn about the different toxins Haemtoxic, Cytotoxic and Neurotoxic from snake venom, their symptoms and what to do should you be bitten, also about the behavioural habits of snakes, you will be pleased to know, they only generally bite when provoked - so we have something in common!

Forgive me, as I go to bed this evening feeling a little in awe of myself - today I have moved my own mountains!

Going Wild about two Bateleurs. Not usually seen in pairs.

Rain Queen

Modjadji or Rain Queen is the queen of the people in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Living in an area surrounded by giant cycad, the Rain Queen is believed to have special powers, including the ability to control clouds and rainfall. The Queen is known to be highly respected in South African culture, and received visits from Nelson Mandela.

The Queens' eldest daughter is always her successor (matrilineal), therefore the title of Rain Queen is always passed from mother to daughter. Makobo, the last reining Rain Queen died 12 June 2005, from what was rumoured to be an AIDS related illness, her heir has not yet been chosen as the Queens' only daughter was fathered by a commoner. Therefore there are concerns that the 400 year old dynasty of the Rain Queen may have come to an end.

No rest for the wicked!

Saturday 17 January 2009 - The weekend! Bet you thought we'd get a well deserved break! WRONG! First off to the Lecture Hall with Kevin, this morning was all about SANParks, understanding the organisation and how it works.
Whilst walking to the hall, we passed a small cemetery for the dogs of the rangers that used to work in KNP, many of the canines had lost their lives saving their owners from wild animals. So first impressions, you're inclined to think it appropriate to bury your pet within the park, then Kevin explains that during apartheid, blacks were not allowed to visit the National Parks unless they were servants, and even then they were kept in designated areas. Many parks contain ancient burial sites, yet blacks were not allowed to bury their dead with their ancestors, nor were they able to visit these sites. Suddenly a dog graveyard for whites becomes a bitter pill to swallow.

The afternoon was filled with a visit to the Herbarium, which is a extensive collection of all species within KNP and used for identification purposes, basically its lots of dead things pickled in formaldehyde! But very interesting all the same. We then spend time at the local plant nursery and seed bank, Kevin introduces us to the cycad plant and tells us all about South Africas' Rain Queen (more on her later). There is also information about terminates, their large mounds being part of the African landscape - the queen terminate pops out around 30,000 eggs a day, now thats good going!

Heading back to base, we were now in for our 'reality check'! The guys had not told us what this section of the programme was about, Kirsteen and I were a little apprehensive to say the least! Taking a stroll down to the river, we take a pew, then Pete throws it at us, all the bad stuff we could experience at Park, from HIV/AIDS to thieves, from racism to people approaching us for money - where the hell did I put my return air ticket?? Seriously this was very informative and prepared us for the worst. The moral of the story being, do not become complacent and use your common sense! After the long lecture we're off to the restaurant at the disused railway for a well earned drink!
Tea, my very first 'braai' pronounced bry, a barbeque to us english folk! The boys were in charge, Kevin cooking his world famous chicken with secret marinade! Notice the boys are in charge, we eat at 10 pm! The chicken was delicious, saying that, at that time of night so would a scabby horse!

Going Wild about mating Chacma baboons - get a room! Lacking a bed and therefore the inability to just fart and roll over, the male sits on the bridge with a smug look on his face, seriously all that's lacking is the obligatory cigarette!

Meet and greet

Friday 16th January 2009 - A chance to get to know each other, we sat on the edge on the golf course overlooking the lake, with Kevin trying to force feed us muffins and juice, a family of warthogs racing around the gardens and hippo snorting from the cool waters! So after a quick intro into the programme, it was down to the nitty gritty, paired up you got to interview your respect partner and confirm what you'd learnt to the rest of the group in a 'getting to know you' exercise, Peter drew the short straw, having to suffer my interrogation!
Later in the day we visited the Biological Control Breeding Centre, discussing the dangers of alien species such as prickly pear and water hyacinth, and the measures of control that are available. From there we went to the bomas, livestock enclosures used to quarantine any animals moving in or out of KNP.

On most days we will be going on two game drives, so rather than bore you to death with every sighting I will create a small section called.....'Going Wild', to keep you abreast of Krugers' inhabitants!

Today I'm 'Going Wild' about seeing three Spotted Hyaenas! My spot too, beginners luck me thinks!

Blind Date!

Thursday 15 January 2009 - Meeting GVI at O R Tambo Airport. There were just the two interns on the January intake, myself and Kirsteen. We had briefly corresponded via e-mail before Christmas and had a quick chat over the telephone, a day or two before flying out. So stood at the information counter, looking like I was ready to complete a bush tucker trail, with toy lion in hand, I wait. Luckily Kirsteen and I get on like a house on fire, whilst drawing breath, we find time to locate Sandra Jacob, GVI co-ordinator and Kevin Moore, SANParks representative (see photo) we are on our way!

Driving 5 hours, travelling through wonderful diverse landscape, we enter Kruger National Park (KNP) via Paul Kruger Gate, Skukuza, our new home for the next couple of days, our new abode being a thatched hut! The last person to join the motley crew being Peter Bradford (GVI). Let the training begin!

Bad Boy - Jo'burg

Wednesday 14 January 2009 - Arrive in Johannesburg! I admit I feel a tad apprehensive! Will the city live up to its bad reputation? Thankfully not! The citys' airport is under going major reconstruction, ready for FIFA 2010. First impressions concrete and agapanthus! Its a short ride to my accommodation Road Lodge, luckily they allow me to check in early. So seriously air con on, shower and bed in that order! Occasionally I twitch the curtains, just to confirm that, yes there is blue sky and yes, I really am in South Africa!

Up, up and away!

Tuesday 13 January 2009 - Tears at the airport, seriously did you expect anything less! Saying goodbye to my ickle sis Lesley and Andrew was not an event I had relished. Would I have the nerve to get on the plane? From somewhere within me, I find the strength! South Africa, new start, here I come!