Magnificent 7 Find Big 5 & More... All is perfect

Saturday we arrived at Lion Sands and met our ranger Talley, tracker Levi (yes the beloved Levi was indeed with us) and our personal butler Norman. We experienced a total of 6 drives and each one turned out to be more spectacular than the last. It is almost impossible to describe in words, no consonants, only vowels - iiiiiiiieeeeeeooooooaaaaaaa. Our stay at Lion Sands appropriately enough ended with tracking and finding the 5th of the Big 5.... The LION. Wow, we drove over trees, thru shrubs, bushes and hills up & down & up & down & up and then sideways because Levi had seen fresh tracks. The pictures will speak for themselves and we all including Talley and Levi were overwhelmed and exhilarated by the experience. At that moment our Magnificent 7 became 9. Not only did we learn and saw many animals, we are now walking encyclopedia's of flora and fauna and dung. (Ask Howard about his giraffe poop incident of 2009, and let him show you his trophy). After being spoiled with a total of 8 meals per day, including 3 breakfasts we are now blogging to you from Lower Sabi where we have begun our own personal journey with Howard as our Ranger and Al as our tracker. You should know that after picking up the rental 10 seater, and getting the perfect direction (go straight) we figured out that here in Africa in the southern hemisphere everything is upside down and after a 10 minute consultation at our first intersection, we decided to head to the main town just in case we were not heading in the right direction. Naughty baboons visited Elaine, Howard and Reno this am as they prepared to leave. The only casualty a fresh bag of sugar in the raw. So we prepare to head to Pretoriuskop as we search for the next 5 on this journey.

The Ridiculous to the Sublime

Wednesday night we had Rock and Sole Fish & Chips - yummy.  We had to "mind the step" even to the Loo! On Thursday, we went to Harrods (the ridiculous).  At first, we were trailing the Wellands on what felt like a road rally.  "We're in Pet Kingdom, on our way to Denim," texts Al.  "We're in Pet Kingdom now, we're oh so close to you," texts Elaine...and so on and so on. 3 hours of viewing the most ridiculously priced items. Look, it's Elton John's red player piano! And Howard purchased a 4 mil year old nautiloid for $999,999, but when they said it would cost $100 to ship, he politely passed.    On to the sublime, Hyde Park, so lovely. And finally, a BBQ with friends. James, Lydia, Maximilian and Luciana opened their home and hearts to us all. The food was superb. We had a Pims or 2 or in some cases 3....slept until 11:44 the next morn. Watch out Africa, here we come! Love to you all....

London Day 3

We began the day at the greatest shopping experience in the world... Harrod's. What a merchandising extravaganza, from fossils to food, from caviar and oysters to kittens and gerbils. There is nothing else quite like it. From there to the Queen's house where apparently she forgot our 3:30 invitation for High Tea. They said she was packing as she is getting ready to leave on holiday. We did confirm our appointment for the 7th of August when we will have the opportunity to actually get inside the palace and visit 19 rooms. Watch for the pic's. Then onto Queens Park and the beautiful home of James and Lydia, fabulous hosts, where with Bobby Flays assistance via the i-phone, Howard and Al bbq'd for the brit's. Anywhere, anytime we are ready to grill and chill, Pimms and Tequila who would have thought. We've taken our first malarone pills and are ready for the overnight flight to Johannesburg, we hope that South Africa is ready for us. Until next time.... Mind the Gap! All our love Marcy and Al

Yes It's Still Wednesday

We finally arrived on Tuesday morning and made our way to the hotel. Upon arrival they inquired whether or not we might do them a favour and change to a sister hotel (and at this point they had never met us before). They offered an upgrade so off we went by taxi to the Radisson Bloomsbury. A lovely ride with the only jewish cab driver in London who somehow managed to out us. Now we know where the best Kosher meal in London is, but can't seem to find the fish and chips. Spent the day with Henry learning about his misadventures in marriage at the Tower of London. Marcy always looking for referrals found the greatest need in London (see photo's not in intended order after several tequilla shots). Joel what can you do with this one? Heading out for grub since many of us will begin the malarone pills in the am. Cherrio for now, or as Max the cab driver would say, Shalom, next year in Santa Monica.

Is it Wednesday?

Why yes it is. 6 of the 7 lounging after a day of exploring. London is one big stairmaster (as Clare would say!) and our legs are tired but our minds expanded. However, we've learned that London is ancient Gaelic for town without Tequila. Have no fear, we smuggled in our own and have been enjoying the buzz. The Rouse house is charming and warm filled with lovely people flowers and a personal sachet. We're enjoying their company very much. Natural History Museum is amazing...lots to see...it gave Reno such a burst of energy that he's able to hold up the world. And don't forget to, "please mind the gap" (or as Reno would say, "please mind the gap between your ears!) Cheers and missing you all

The journey begins

Well the journey is beginning. Elaine, Howard and Reno are on there way to London via Chicago. Marcy, Al, Zan & Becca depart on Monday evening non-stop and the Magnificent 7 will all re-connect in London on Tuesday morning. Great Britain will never be the same as the 7 spend a few days acclimating before arrival in South Africa on Saturday and the quest to find the Big 5 begins in earnest. Stay tuned for all of the exciting details!