Vacation part 1

So, DMDad thinks he's the only one who can post novels and get away with it. Well here's one from me. And no, I don't really expect anyone to read it.


Day 0
me and the boys decide we'll get up by 4am, to leave latest at 5. princess is not with us as she does not have enough leave left.
Day 1
We're up and done by 4.20am! The princess has got up and made us coffee (me), hot chocolate (L) and cup a soup? (G), and we're off. It's a great start as we are ahead of any traffic, the day it young, and it's not even dark. We make good time, and soon we arrive in Newcastle, halfway, for breakfast. GMan had taken over the wheel from Vrede to Newcastle, and even though I couldn't go to sleep, I did relax whilst reading th newspaper, and watching the road. It's so early that KFC isn't even open yet, so we have to resort to a MaDonald breakfast. We settled for two cheese burgers, chips and coke, and set off again. I'm driving as GMan can't eat and drive. Through Vryheid, down to Melmoth. 20km from Melmoth it's raining, more of a heavy wet mist, but enough to be dangerous, so even though GMan is awake, I don't let him drive. By the time we get to the Empangeni turnoff, it's dry, so he takes over again and drives us to Richards Bay - to my brothers home.

All along the drive, from about 7.30 am, we have been in contact with my brother. First we convinced him we were only leaving at 9 am, to miss the traffic. Then we told him traffic was heavy, then it was raining hard - all these things slowing our progress, so by the time we hit RBay he thinks we're still 350km away! Then LuckyL calls him and asks if he has lunch ready for us! Man was he happy to know we had already arrived.

So, spent a few hours at his house with him and the sis in law and niece, then drove the 50 km to Mtunzini - and the Forest Lodge. Now, I wasn't too excited about coming here, as I knew it would be a quiet place - boring for the kids. And I was right. It's a nice enough place. Clean, practical, a short nature trail walk to the beach.. nice pool right next to our unit.

We booked in, settled down, called my brother who was going to join us the next day, and got him to come through immediately! They arrived a few hours later, and we had a braai, and all the world was fine! Got to bed early though, as the long trip had taken it's toll of me.
Didn't sleep well, as it's damn hot (38-40 C) and there's a smell of burnt wood (kaya!) in the bedroom - only mine though.

Day 2
Up early - due to the early to bed, and the smell I was up at 4.30. Most of the rest were up by 5am, and by 6am we were on out way through the forest on a trail hike. Oh, and guess how intelligent we were - not a bottle of water between the 5 of us! (GMan didn't come with - he slept in). Anyway it was a nice trip, in the shade of the forest trees, and we got to the other end - the beach access carpark, in good time. We then made our way back via the beach. Some fun had jumping the di=dunes, and a short swim to cool down, and then back to the chalet. Damn it was hot. Straight to the pool for an hour or two, and then lunch.
After lunch I had a snooze, the rest (excluding GMan) went for another short walk. By 3.30 we were down on the beach - into the sea and having a ball. An hour there and we were exhausted - back up to the chalet and into the pool for another hour or so. The water in the pool was like a bath. After that everyone took turns to shower, we had a braai, and I was in bed early.

Day 3
Up early again - this time I'm pissed off. There's the smell of burnt wood, like a kaya (LIU) in the room. It's chocking.
So I'm up and about before the rest of the immediate world. Later the rest start to get up, and we go up to the pool for a swim. Then lunch, and I go and complaint to the management about the smell. They come around, and arrange to replace the whole bed, mattress, base, bedding - the lot. Within 15 min. the smell is back. I call again, this time management come out. He can't smell anything. The mans a fool, and I tell him if it's not sorted I'm booking out and will take it up with RCI. He sez to call him when the smell is stronger. By now my brother and his wife have left, and my niece has stayed behind to have a break with us. I call the manager again. he comes out, and smells the burnt wood smell as he gets out of his car! However, we are not able to isolate the cause, and anyway, the room seems to be clearing again. So I decide to stay and see how it goes.
It's a very, very hot and humid day, so mostly spent indoors.
We only leave for the beach at about 5pm, and spend a good hour there before going back up to the pool. We decide to go out for pizzas and have a great evening. bed at about 9.30 pm, and no bad smell is a relief.

Day 4
We decided last night that today we would go to Ballito for the day. It's a very popular beach town, with a lot more to do than this place we are in. Ans the kids had a lot of friends who would be there. Typically we slept in! I was up at about 7.15 am, GMan at about 8 or so, by 9.30 we were on the road. 85/90 km to Ballito, a couple of toll roads, one monkey with a speed camera, lots of rain, and 1 hour later and we were there. it was overcast, but dry. Dropped the kids off at the beach, and I went upto the shopping center, found a coffee shop, logged on and caught up with emails! Chatted to some friends online, and then returned to where I had dropped the kids. At lunch time we went for KFC, and then back to the beach. I went down with them, and went for a walk, taking some good photos on the way, (more on this in a separate blog). Back in the kombi, I logged onto the net, and surfed a bit. Update facebook, checked emails, read some crap about Bush and some shoes being thrown at him, watched the video on You Tube (thanks to a link sent by a mate) and read a newspaper. By 4.30 the kids were clapped and came upto the car park. By 6pm we were back at the chalet, braaing and showering. Another hard day in Africa.

Day 5
Started very wet. Again it rained most of the night, and this morning was still overcast and miserable. Consensus in the chalet was that we probably would stay indoors today. It's just too miserable (and cool) outside.
So, not that I mind, but today would just be wasted. I've been mulling over in my head the contents of my letter to RCI on our return to normal life (if living in Bobejaansberg can be considered normal). Based on the fact that I have a high trading value timeshare unit, I was on a waiting list for 11 months, and had to pay an exchange fee of ZAr900, as well as the fact that we have been RCI members for more than 17 years, I think this place is a shithole, and we were hard done by. I believe they fucked uo with our booking request, and had to squeeze us in somewhere as they knew they had. The fact that I started to throw my toys out of the cot must have raised some eyebrows, and maybe someone's head was on a block. If this place is an indication of the type of accommodation that RCI will be taking onto their books, it's the beginning of very sad / bad days. It is no where near the quality of accommodation we have become used to getting, and no amount of spend could even get it upto the standard we expect. We chose to stay on anyway, as it's better than living in a shack / tent / cave (or is it?).

Day 6
Started slow. We were tired -the smell of sewerage was stronger than ever. We packed up and left for Richards Bay, as the Princess was flying in later in the afternoon, and we didn't want to hang around here anyway. We drove to my brothers place, which is just around the corner from the airport in RB and chilled for the day. Excellent internet access meant good poker playing for a change, without dropping off the 3G all the time.
By 5.30 we were at the airport. Information desk sed the plane was due at 6pm. 3 minutes later the announcement was "The plane from Josi has been delayed and is expected at 6.30pm"? Duh? No problem, chill in the pub, and eventually the bird landed and the Princess graced us with her presence. My niece decided that she enjoyed being with the boys at Mtunzini, so she came back there with us. Arrived back at the chalets not too late, and took ourselves down to the restaurant where they served relatively good meals. Back in the room most crashed early as it had been a long day.

Day 7
Started out clear - so we ducked out early and went down to Ballito for the day again. The Princess was keen, as she also enjoys that beach - the kids were ecstatic!
Dropped the kids at the beach, and me and the Princess made our way back up the hill to the Mugg & Bean. Me to upload emails, and she to have a coffee and muffin. Coffee was great, my muffin was too. Princess had a bacon and cheese muffin. Boy did she fuck up! Fourth bite, and she said "this looks stringy", and then "this is bitter, I hope it's not off", and then spat everything else back into her plate!!!! WORMS!! Crawling out of her muffin! I thought she was going to hurl all over the table!!!!
Called over the management who were so apologetic. Removed the offending muffing with speed. Offered her anything else she would like . "NO, thanks". Ok then, your meals are on the house, oh, and by the way, here's a R30 discount on your next meal / purchase from us! Not bad response to the situation. Must have apologized 13 times! Anyway, Princess eventually had a toasted cheese sandwich, and we left.
Came back later in the afternoon with the kids, and bought 3 muffins, take away - Choc Chip!
Kids had a great day on the beach - oh, I did too. Got me a free t-shirt and cap too! Anyway, drove back to the chalet, had a braai, and started to pack. Oh, as we drove in we spotted an owl (the Princess saw him first), and we stopped to take some pics. Got some good one's, and some bad one's. Nice old owl.
While we were there - can't remember the day, we were also lucky enough to spot the Raphia Palm Nut eating Vulture (or at least, that;s what someone said it's called.)
Back at the room, we packed up, and prepared to leave the next morning.

Photos and stuff to be posted as soon as this fing blog page thing is fixed. F$%&

SALAGATLE!