Dear Stephen-

Well, we are finally caught up with most things at home in USA.  Chinese New Year has started so I am doing this before we get caught up in all of those things with Stephen's family. 

We were very pleased with all of your arrangements for us in South Africa, Malawi, Swaziland and Lesotho.

Both drivers were excellent as both drivers and guides.  If you have occasion to need an airport hotel in Johannesburg again, only use front rooms in the hotel we were at. 

 The planes from the airport go right over with a great roar that was not as bad in the front.
 
The agency and drivers used for the cars to get us to and from the Sunbird Livingstonia Beach Hotel  were
excellent.  It was good to stay at the Livingstonia - our room was large, and the food was excellent and plentiful.
We just relaxed.  Everyone was pleasant. This resort is right on the lake with a beach.

We were met at Kruger Airport by our driver guide.  He had just arrived from Johannsburg!  It would have been better for us to have met him in Joburg, then for us to to go through the airport routine at Joburg, to fly  to Kruger.

We drove through Mozambique.  The countryside was good, but Maputo was a mess.  None of us felt inclined to get out of the car for any reason.  We went to the gorgeous hotel on the bayshore very late in the afternoon.

Jan. 11 we drove to Swaziland.  We stopped for a lunch sandwich at a lovely overlook.  Swaziland is in a gigantic large green bowl.  After lunch we continued while taking in the lovely green scenery on all sides.

  Late  afternoon we arrived at a multistoried motel and checked in.  There were a lot of European tourists. Dinner was on a large central unit, where everyone could go and get what they wanted.  Desserts were nearby.

Jan. 12 The following day we went to the Mantenga Cultural Village.  We examined the huts that the people used to live in.  This was followed by cultural dancing, which was quite well done.  In the afternoon we drove around the
 valley to a place where they made glass,   We spent a second night at the motel.

Jan. 13 After an early start we drove most of the day through scenery, arriving late afternoon at the charming Granny Mouse Country House.  We had a delicious meal, and early to bed.  In the morning our new guide
arrived, and only then did the first guide prepare to leave.
 
Jan. 14  With the new driver/guide Stef we made our way up the Sani Pass.  It was the worst narrow, rock strewn,
road? I had ever encountered.  We felt very lucky to have survived.  After a sandwich, and some beautiful views,
Stef got us down, and over to Penwarn Lodge.  Our spacious room overlooked a lake where many birds were busy with nests. (Red Bishops)

Jan. 15  Today we were transferred into Lesotho. I had requested to see a dinosaur skeleton that I had read was
located in the country, but at a considerable hike.  He knew of a better one that had been unearthed and was now off a road not well traveled.  It was great to see.  We got to see most of the country as we drove from the bones   over to the place we were to stay.  You see the people, mostly women and children, that live in the country.
It seems most of the men work outside of the country. 

Jan. 16  We drove to the capital city.  A visitors center with good displays was open.  We drove around the city and up to some overlooks.  It was quite nice and really didn't seem to fit with the rest of the country.  The guide took us
to an historical museum next to a church that had pictures of Lesotho from some years back.

Jan. 17  We got an early start for the long drive north to Johannesburg.  I very much liked seeing the countryside,which is why  I requested  the long drive. It reminded us of the great plains in the U.S.A.   It was also informative to see other parts of Johannesburg. 

Thank you for arranging this trip and providing us with knowledgeable guides, which also were,excellent drivers.

Stephen & Arlene  USA Jan 2011