Water Safari and Durban

Lazy crocodile in the sun

Hippo!!

The estuary

many many hippos

cute hippo sleeping

3/24:





We got up early again this morning to check out of the Sand Forest Lodge and to head to St. Lucia Estuary where we had to catch the boat at 10AM or else it would leave without us. This was pretty much a safari but of water creatures. I stupidly sat on the top of the boat and thus got burnt but was able to see all around the beautiful estuary. Once our 2 hour long tour started, we immediately saw several crocodiles, some bathing in the sun on the sand while others creepily swimming with only their eyes above the water (reminded me of the croc in Peter Pan). All I could think about was that I need to see and take lots of pictures of hippos for Ari. Lets just say I got my wish. We saw hundreds of hippos. Literally. They were everywhere! It is hard to imagine that they are such dangerous animals because they are just so cute and lazy! All of them were just standing in the water, walking around, sunbathing. I wish Ari could have seen them first hand. One minute you are looking at just water and the next minute, right where you looked, a hippo emerged - one that was previously submerged in the water. We were also able to see some monkeys by the shore and a couple birds. As with the game drive, it was really exciting to see the animals but then it became "oh wow..look...there is yet another hippo" or "yet another crocodile". It is sad how fast you become used to the animals and then, you are no longer excited by them.





After our St. Lucia Estuary tour, we left to drive back to Durban where we are going to stay for the next couple of days. We are staying at the Blue Waters Hotel which is right on the beach. By the way, this hotel is GORGEOUS! It is so nice! Our room has a balcony that overlooks Durban and part of the beach. I got to watch the sun set from my little balcony. We went to dinner at Castros (I think that is what it was called) and I had a steak fillet. It was the most amazing steak I have ever had in my entire life. I shoveled that thing (all 350g) into my mouth in a manner of minutes. Then I practically attacked the waiter for trying to take away my mashed potatoes (the first time I have had those since I have been here and they were sinfully good). I also had a bottle of J.C. Le Roux Le Domaine with my meal (sharing with Mia of course). That is the only wine I like...but it is more like champagne. Actually it is champagne except it cannot be called champagne because it is not from a certain vineyard in France. Anyways, the dinner was amazing. Some people went to the casino afterwards but I was exhausted and headed back to the room. Tomorrow, we are going to the Indian market = Cailin is going to spending money on gifts!