Hot Air Balloons and Four Wheelers

Balloons Over Africa wanted us at their site to start the balloon ride at 0500 so it was another early day. It was possible to watch the balloon being set up while having tea and coffee. After a brief safety lesson we get in and the balloon lifts off.

The huge balloon is incredible graceful and despite feeling barely any wind it moved quickly. The birds eye view of the surroundings was magnificent while the sun was coming up.

As the balloon came over the hills it was possible to see the shadow of the balloon and get great photos.

Our expectations were for it to be chilly but it was actually quite warm with the hot air blowing.

Landing was in a nature preserve not far from ostrich, wildebeest, giraffe, and zebras. As the balloon was being repacked the passengers had champagne and dried bananas. Shortly after we were shuttled off to another lodge for a wonderful breakfast of bacon and eggs.

The place was gorgeous with flowers and palm trees.

Curt and I made a quick stop at Gecko lodge to change into our four wheel riding clothes and check out of the hotel. A quick trip into Hazyview rewarded us with some beautiful zebra lamps. They are made of strips of bamboo which is very light weight. The white in the zebra stripes is made from crushed ostrich eggs.
The next activity was to be an hour ride on four wheelers.

It was great fun to be guided thru the macadamia tree field and along streams in the forested areas. The course was difficult with lots of twists and turns but worth the effort.

The garden area also had beautiful flowers

A short drive later landed us in Graskop for lunch. The Harry’s pancake house restaurant served wonderful crepe like pancakes with fruit and ice cream folded in the center. Cinnamon and sugar topped it all off. Another 1.5 hours was spent enjoying the curio shops before driving home.

When we got home and went around the corner of the house this kudu bull was their looking at us.

He is nicknamed Mr. Beautiful and Genie fed him some carrots so we could see his "unicorn" up close.
Dinner at their house seemed to be better than any restaurant we ate in and tonight was no different. Rice topped with sweet and sour pork and pineapple with vegetables and chocolate ice cream. Every night I go to bed here stuffed to the gills.