Africa at its best

This weekend was fantastic! Starting Saturday morning at 9:00 we were on our way to a cheetah park! We were actually permitted to go inside the cage/living area of a full grown female cheetah and pet her! Then, we went and saw baby lions, one cub was playing between my feet! I was a little freaked out because it is a lion and I'm not the best with animals. We went to a look out near Unlambo (the place where I went to bush camp) and viewed Africa's beauty. We could see farmland and mountains off in the distance. Lunch was at a quaint bed and breakfast that I imagine would be the ideal place to stay during a honeymoon with fresh cut flowers on every table and peaceful scenery. Addo Elephant Park was our next stop. Interestingly, Addo is bigger then Krugar Park and claims to not only have the "big 5" but to be the only national park in SA to have the "big 7" since it extends to the coastal line including the great white sharks and dolphins. While driving we saw more then I can count of Kudu (Africa's version of a deer) and not too many elephants. Finally, we spotted some, a whole family! The baby elephant captured my attention and stayed under its mother. The female elephants are the leaders in the elephant world and it just seems natural that all animals should have this matriarch system. ;) We were driving through the park at sun set and the wildlife, mountains, and setting sun created a mood that no matter what was going on in your life you couldn't help but to be at peace. We were also fortunate enough to go on a night drive and view even more animals. We saw hyenas which are truly ugly creatures and it may just be the influence of Disney's Lion King, but I am not particularly fond of them. Sunday revealed itself to be wonderful as well. I think I should just train for a triathlon (not really) but Bridget and I wake up and run on Sunday, then bike through wind storms to get to the ocean. Then, I swim for hours because although the water is chilly I can never resist the tempting waves that even when you enter they physically pull you in deeper as if delighted to have a new friend to play with. While I was out deep enough to avoid the crashing of the waves and just smoothly float over top, dolphins swam by! Not close enough to touch but it was amazing none the less! For those of you who are concerned about the "study" part in my study abroad experience, don't you worry I have been doing a little bit of school work as well. In fact, my first term ends April 1st and I will have different classes for the remainder of the time. Hope all is well on the home front, only 3 and half months left in Africa!