Amazing Drive

Hello all!! I hope you are all well. Here in South Africa, weather is nice, in the afternoon. Mornings and evenings are a bit cold but when the sun is out it is heavenly. Mr. Rhino agrees. Now, as I am trying to type this, he is having a sample taste of apple... apple computer. Silly boy, so curious.

He has had a rough few days with massive diarrhea. Black Rhinos have sensitive stomachs already, but his rare subspecies and specific diet that he is supposed to have makes it really difficult to satisfy his nit picky stomach. Because of the prolapse it is really hard to give him the right diet for is colic, and because of his colic its hard to treat the prolapse. Today he is being much better. No diarrhea yet...touch wood (which is what they say instead of our "knock on wood")

He loves attention and is spoiled rotten. Yesterday morning, after my night shift, it was time for his breakfast at about 7. It was particularly cold that morning. I called him out to come get it...he stood in the door and whined. When I came to him he sniffed the bottle and went back inside. He wouldn't take his milk until we were fully under the heat lamps. Brat. Smart brat that is. Today we sunbathed. I read while he slept with his heavy head on my lap. He is being so sweet today, giving tons of kisses. I love him to pieces.

The other day was Karen, the rhino expert's birthday. She didn't tell anyone...but Arrie knows all. We all surprised her with some leaker (nice) desserts. Cooksisters, very sugary sweets, milk pie, cinnamon custard pie, both very South African munchies, and cupcakes. All soooo good. Coffee, tea, and a nice sparkling fruit juice. She was very surprised.

Yesterday on Alana and I's day off, we went on a game drive. For 3 hours. We ran into the gorgeous White Rhino Bull, Wildebeast, Zebra, Warthog, and so many birds. Then we were looking for the Elephants. We couldn't find them...but after awhile we drove right on them. We first saw the one. Then saw the baby in the bushes, soon we say the other 8 huge elephants, ears up to give a warning headed toward us. SO we backed up a bit. haha. Keeping a close eye on us, they continued grazing. One youngster was really relaxed a rolled around. We were by a pond. Many drank and the young elephants blew a lot of bubbles. After about an hour of adoring them, they slowly started walking away. The 2 youngsters lagged behind. Playing nicely, but the play quickly turned to fighting. Amazing! They fought and fought, then the smaller one let out the famous elephant trumpet sound. They contunied fighting, but the grown-up elephants came running. The leader, the oldest female, got in between them. Keep in mind, now we a driving away. Once we saw all 8 mad females headed our way we took it as a que to get out. But we watched as the leader literally got in-between them like a mommy would between two kids fighting. Then they all stood around the bigger of the fighting youngsters and gave him the business. Truly a site to see.

We continued driving and came up on 2 huge giraffes eating from a tree, in the road. They didn't seemed bothered by us, since they didn't move. They stood there forever, but it was nice watching them. After they moved we continued on our way. We saw the "king" male lion sunbathing int the trees, more zebra, and a crocodile. I couldn't resist saying, "crocy, thats a big one. Lets go down and check him out," in my best Steve Erwin voice...which isn't very good. Alana has truly seen my crazy side, poor girl.

I have to say I miss my friends and family, but my time here has flown by. I can hardly believe it. Ok, Im off to go snuggle with my boy. I am also running out of battery. Ill post pictures later today when I get back to my room.

Cheers for now!