Weekends without kids. . .
In a bold move, Gerhard and I went
away without kids for the first time ever and all I can say is that we should
have done this a very long time ago!
We went to the absolutely and
utterly amazing Nkomasi Lodge where your every whim is catered for, the small
things matter and you are treated like royalty. We had an absolutely
amazing time and I really hope that we will one day be fortunate enough to go
back.
It starts on arrival; you park your car
at the entrance and then go to the welcome lounge where a cooler box full of
cold drinks, beers, ciders etc. awaits. When all guests are there, you
depart in the game viewers, luggage already en route.
Upon arrival, the friendly staff is
on hand, singing a welcome song and an ice cold face cloth and home brewed
ginger beer is served. You then proceed to the Magilis (the living room
tent) where a check in is done and the programme and events for the weekend are
described. From here you proceed to your tent. Not just any
tent! This is truly amazing, it is like something from Out of
Africa. Old world charm, utterly stunning tents with King sized beds,
wooden antique furniture, a sun deck, totally secluded and private, a small
plunge pool, outside shower, and best of all, a Victorian style bath on the
deck underneath the stars.
The afternoon game drive takes place
after high tea is served in the Magilis. Cakes, quiches, smoothies,
tartlets, coffee. During this time your ranger will pack a cooler box.
You depart from camp for the game drive at 16:30 and the game ranger tells you
some really interesting things that you honestly would not and could not have
known. We saw the most amazing things, lions, cheetah, jackal,
klipspringer, water monitor, elephant, and rhino. And then as the
sun is setting across the African sky, the ranger takes you to a nice spot
somewhere to see the sun setting, sets a little table (white linen of course)
and sun downers and snacks are packed out, quite the spread.
As you return to camp it gets rather
nippy and a blanket is provided, some night game viewing and then upon arrival
at camp, a warm face cloth and some amarula or sherry is provided.
Bathing under the stars is followed by pre-dinner drinks at 20:30 followed by a
four course dinner, on the first night it was a carrot and curry soup, a phyllo
pastry parcel stuffed with feta, tomato and basil, mains was a red wine filled
or curry kingklip, veggies and mashed potato and desert was a panna cotta with
chocolate sauce. We had the most divine red wines.
You sleep like an angel in the
softest largest bed I have ever slept in, and wake up at 5:30 when the game
ranger gives you a wake-up call, off to the Magilis at 6:30, freshly brewed
coffee, fruit platters and some croissants and muffins with homemade jam.
Then off for the morning drive – pit stop, coffee and rusks half way, back to
camp, cold face cloth and fruit juice. Brunch is served at 9:30, wow,
what a spread. Cold buffet of muesli and yogurt, fresh fruit, freshly
squeezed juice, salami, cheese. Bread jam, then the decisions, to have
full camp brekkie, or smoked salmon and scrambled egg, haloumi salad, fish and
chips. Decisions decisions.
Massages overlooking the Komati
River, the drone of the rapids in your ears, bliss, some free time, lazing by
the pool, afternoon nap, repeat game drive, arrival but then a boma braai under
African starts, magical! White linen clad tables, fine wine, open fire
made of sickle bush. Some star gazing, the very knowledgeable guides show
us the jewel box, Orion’s belt, canis major (I think…) and the like.
Wow! More bathing under the stars,
another excellent night of sleep. What more can a girl ask for.
Then sadly the next day it is home time, back to life, back to reality!
Ah, to be wined and dined and to
have baths under the watchful eye of Orion.
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