06 July 2009 – Monday

We decided that for P-day we would return to St Lucia and take the road out to Cape Vidal. It was a perfect day for it. The sky was clear – at least until they started burning cane fields in the afternoon – and there was a nice breeze to keep us cool.

We were happy to find that our Rhino pass got us into the reserve without needing to pay the R50 cost. The sign at the gate where we checked in says that entrance is limited to 120 vehicles a day and I wondered if they stick to that. There was certainly not much traffic on the roads today so maybe they do or winter may not be a busy season for them.

We took our time and took every loop road and stopped at every view point. We walked down to Mission Rocks – a jumble of rocks that appear to be the remained of a major lava flow but according to the information are carbonized sandstone – and looked for seashells. I managed to find one small shell for Mary. We have yet to find any large or colored shells or coral.

We did not see a lot of animals but we did see a big herd of hippos – I am not sure what you call a group of hippos – in a shallow pool and also far away on the lake shore. Because the ones on the lakeshore was so far away and we did not have any binoculars we could not decide if they were really rocks or hippos. While we were trying to decide a game tour vehicle came up behind us and the guide told us they were hippos. We decided we needed to buy a good pair of binoculars for our animal and bird watching.

Along this same loop trail we came across a family of baboons that basically ignored us, three zebras that were just standing on the plains and hardly gave us notice, and finally three cape buffalos that we stopped about 20 yards from. We got out and took pictures of the buffalos because they were so close. They did not pay much attention to me but when Mary came around the car in her bright blue flowered blouse they started paying attention. I was tempted to walk closer to them for a better picture but decided that I did not think I could out run them back to the car and would be happy with what pictures I had.

All in all it was a very pleasant 5 hours of enjoying the quiet and beautiful coast area. Now that we know more what is there, we will probably visit the area again. We certainly want to take the boat ride up to see the hippos and possibly – if I think my stomach can take it – go out and see the whales passing.

By the time we got home Mary was really tired and that was not helped by her almost constant need to sneeze. I think there must be something in the air because a number of the elders are also having the same symptoms.

I should mention that when we go out on P-day we always wear our tags and we see many people reading what they say. I also carry the pamphlet “Who are the Mormons” in my pocket and if people seem interested I offer them a copy. Today there were no takers but I like to be prepared.