Phil's Blog: March 2013

I am very glad that I convinced myself last minute to go out to Swaziland with the girls. Olivia (England), Sofie (Sweden), Niki (Australia) and Elena (Germany) had asked me to go to Swaziland with them (Li couldn't make it because she had to work :( ) but at first I hesitated, seeing as how there was going to be so much estrogen in the air. Very happy I decided to go because this was a beautiful 3 day getaway from Johannesburg. We packed up our bags and made our way towards Swaziland on Monday morning. It's actually a good thing that I went along with them because my car actually had the power to get us up those hills and room to fit us 5 comfortably (well I was comfortable - I love being the driver!) It's roughly a 4.5 hour trip which is about 400km East of Johannesburg.

Swaziland is a country that is within South Africa and borders along the side of Mozambique. It is one of the very last kingdoms of Africa and King Mswati III is the last remaining absolute monarchs in Africa. Interesting fact - he is known to have almost 70 wives!! Swaziland has five main reserves, despite being such a tiny country. We were heading our way towards the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, which is in the Ezulwini Valley.

The drive out to Swaziland was absolutely gorgeous. I mean, the landscape was beautiful. I know every time I drive in BC with Evie, I am always in awe of all the beautiful scenery. This time, my jaw was hitting the floor. One of the other things that Swaziland is known for is its excellent road system. Honetly, Quebec should be embarrassed when it comes to comparing the roads to South Africa-Swaziland. NO potholes and smooth driving for 400kms!

We ran into an interesting encounter with the border police of South Africa. Once we reached the border, we had to get out of the car and go through customs to stamp our passports. Then drive into "limbo" area between South Africa and Swaziland. As we were approaching the South African exit, the girls decided to for a "wee" as Olivia says. I, already being in my car, decided to just wait for them on the side of the road, near the exit point. All of a sudden, one of the officers was making these hand gestures as in what am i doing there and move to the side to park. So I did and waited for the girls. Everyone gets back into the car and we approach the exit. The same officer, now asks me for my drivers licence, passport and asks me to exit the car. He then instructs me to open my "boot" (trunk) and asks me if I have any laptops, to which I say no. He then asks me if I am looking to pick a fight with him today. To which I say, uhmm No. He then goes on saying, who do I think I am for parking on the road like that and that this is not how we drive in South Africa and ends by telling me to get into the car and leave. I have no idea why he did this but I assume he was power tripping on me. Oh well, minor problem but we were smooth sailing into Swaziland!

Once we got the the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, we paid our park fees and drove to the Sandzela backpackers hostel. We were going to be staying here for the 2 nights and this was in the middle of the reserve. Our drive towards the hostel was very bumpy on the red muddy road. Also making sure not to hit any of the zebras, antelopes, deer or wildebeests along the way! SO BEAUTIFUL :) Once we got there, we checked in to our room - nice big room with 3 bunk beds. I got one of the top bunks - reminded me of my childhood :) We got there around 4pm, so we relaxed, went swimming for a bit and then had dinner outside and had a taste of Swaziland.

The next morning, we woke up at 7am and had breakfast outside. They made us Swaziland porridge and eggs which were cooked on the fire...soo good!! After that, we had plans to go on a 4 hour horseback riding expedition to the Execution Rock area. This is an area in the mountains on the reserve, where they would bring bad people and kill them by making them jump off the edge of a cliff or if they didn't, they would throw a spear in their backs making them fall off. The guide mentioned that they don't practice this anymore in Swaziland. Phew! Anyways, we had to cancel this tour because it was raining all night and it was too wet in the rock area for the horses and slippery. So instead, we went on a 2 hour horseback riding tour in the reserve. We started around 9:30am, at this point it was hot and sunny. Hot enough for me to burn the back of my neck because I forgot to put cream there :( This was awesome, horseback riding in a reserve!! We were right beside the zebras, impalas, wildebeests, crocodiles in the water, deer, antelopes!! It was fascinating!! My horse, Moon, was well trained! I had gone horseback riding once before in Mexico. These horses were awesome. We trotted and even galloped...so much fun! I loved it. After we were done, we had lunch by the water where a crocodile was eating a Zebra in the water. Supposedly that zebra has been there for a week. Gross! Once we were done our lunch, we headed for a 2 hour hike along the Hippo Trail. Unfortunately, we didn't spot the hippo but it was a great walk in the reserve. In and out of bushes and forests and paths along the water. Surreal experience!! We headed back to the hostel around 4pm, went for a swim, took a shower, had a nap and then headed back the camp for dinner! I had impala chops - was very good. Tasted "gamey" and smokey...yummy! During our meal, it started pouring rain! After a good hour of eating, the waitress asked us how we are getting back to the hostel (about 5 minute drive through the park - no lights, muddy roads and animals everywhere). We told her we were driving back and she said, "Oh, the bridge usually floods with this weather, you might not be able to cross to get to the hostel" Uhmm...can we please pay now and we left as soon as we could. It was literally torrential rain. I was in my flip flops and feet were full of mud just getting to the car. At one point along the drive, there was a large puddle that I wasn't sure how deep it was, so the girls got out and walked in it to see how deep it was. Man were they troopers....lucky no croc was around! Thanks guys :) Eventually we get to the bridge and it was fine! She worried us for no reason. We finally got back to the hostel and met a group of AMERICANS! They were about 10 international students studying in Cape Town and traveling for the week. We all met and had a fun night of playing card games (Kings) and drinking :) A can of beer is 8.5 rands....85cents. I had given 50 rands to the bar guy (5$) and opened a tab with that. So cheap!! We had a great night...I slept like a baby.

Next day, it was rainy again. We had breakfast and headed back home. On our way back, we crossed the border no with no problems this time. Once in South Africa, there was a random police check and I got pulled over. A little nervous even though I know I did nothing wrong, there may have been around 50 cops everywhere. He asks for my licence and asks me where Quebec is. I said Canada and then he smiled and asked me what I am doing here. We exchanged a few words and then he asked me what I thought of the roads here - I said they are much better than Quebec, that's for sure! He laughed and sent me on my way. Continuing our driving, at one point there was a large truck up ahead and a smaller truck behind it and then me. The small truck decided to pass the big truck, and I followed. Once we passed the truck, we gained some speed because of the downhill and I was maybe going around 125km/hr. I see the smaller truck press his breaks and all of a sudden there was a cop in the middle of the road, on foot, telling me to pull over. Random cop under this bridge and he's all alone. Here we go again....He asks for my licence and then my passport. He goes behind my car, in front and behind again and asks me to step outside. He tells me I am driving with an INVALID licence because he can't understand it (Permis de Conduire) and tries telling me that I should get a ticket. He then starts questioning my passport and says when did I enter SA while he's looking at my Ghana visa from last year. This guy was sketch! I then answer him by saying well I was pulled over around 30 kms before this and the police accepted this licence and didn't give me any trouble and then I made up the next part but I was told to bring this up to scare them, so I said that once I got to SA because I am working as a doctor here, my canadian embassy approved my licence to drive here and I would have no trouble. He then goes on saying, do you know the laws in SA....I say yes. He says that I illegally passed the truck up ahead and that I should get a ticket for this. I said, well I was following the other small truck ahead and did this cautiously while the large truck pulled over closer to the shoulder and so why did he not stop the small truck ahead of me as well. He answers me - Go on now (angrily). I ran back into my car and left! Man, he was looking so hard to give me a ticket and then what usually happens is that you must bribe them cash to not get one. I covered all my bases and stood my grounds! You learn all these tricks after 2 weeks in africa. TIA (This Is Africa). We then continued our way home and got back nice and safely!

This was honestly a great 3 days. I had so much fun and it was a great time traveling with all the girls. We all got along very well and only thing that was missing was Evie. Would have loved to be on this trip with her and see all these great things together!!

After we got home, I took a nap, showered and went out for dinner with everyone and the german guys. This was Sofie's last night because tomorrow she will be spending 24hrs with the EMS helicopter service and then she will be going home on Friday after spending 9 weeks here! She's going to be a great pediatric surgeon one day and we are trying to arrange for her to come to Montreal for an elective if possible. Safe travels back home Sofie!! We went for dinner at Dukes Burgers - its so good!! Best burgers in Joburg!! No way I am losing weight on this trip!!

Now I am back home about to get ready for bed and will be spending the next 3 nights on call in the Trauma unit. It's going to be a busy weekend because of the Easter holiday/break. I am looking forward to it and ready to work!! I will try and catch up with some blogging in between calls.

Have a good night everyone!!
Phil

P.S. Evs...I will be home in exactly 2 weeks!! Can't wait to see you :)