Memories of Holidaying in South Africa
There were always two things that were guaranteed when we went on family holidays -
1. We would have a lot of fun and laughter.
2. We would get stuck.
A holiday without getting stuck just wasn’t a holiday! As per usual we had goaded my dad into taking sand roads to explore off the beaten tracks, to get away from from the other holidayers and find a place filled just with animals and no people. This time we were well and truely stuck in mud in a private game park with the nearest help 3 hours walk away – and no the combi does not have 4×4 mode! Notice it is only the guys trying to figure out a plan! The girls, we were all laid out on the grass in the shade of the car, unpacking our well prepared picnic basket.
There is something intently awesome about being stuck out in the middle of nowhere, having to figure out how do become ‘unstuck’, having to work together and knowing that it is going to get really messy. It becomes a story of ‘that sinking feeling it has happened again’, of everyone having to chip in and do their bit, of laughter and giggles and the victory of succeeding and safely arriving back at camp.
Sounds (and looks) like fun! Good thing there weren’t any carnivores in the savanna!
Uh… the theory is if you stay within the shape of the car then you are okay… carnivores can’t recognise you! We still around, so maybe the theory is true?
What a great attitude to something that could have been annoying. I love how the women decided it was the perfect time for an impromptu picnic, why not and it looks like a lovely picnic spot.
Love this because if it hadn’t have happened it would have just been a normal car ride! it’s great to travel with positive people!
Guaranteed to get stuck, cracked me up ! Yes, a positive attidude is what it takes. I enjoy your writing as well as the photo. Thanks for sharing.
Even though I’m sure it was a pain, it’s memories like getting stuck that you remember best when traveling.
Getting stuck in the middle of nowhere in South Africa – sounds like you needed McIver. Attitude really does count for everything – and not getting fussed up means you have a clear head. Great story.
I think it is the things that go wrong on vacation that are the most memorable! Sometime we handle them with grace and other times. . .
Great story and very reminiscent of family vacations I’ve been on (just not in S. Africa).
Love these hearing about your getting stuck memories. My family took a lot of rides in the middle of nowhere, too. Those rides always seemed so adventurous and were full of surprises.
But how did you get away? Love this travel photo. I tells the story of the realities that jump up and hit you in the face.
Julia
I would not climb out of my car if I got stuck in a National Park in SA! There are way too many hungry lions…lol!
Its okay Nelieta – there weren’t actually any dangerous animals around. We were in a private game park. Okay there were snakes, but we didn’t see any. So we weren’t taking a risk. If we had been in the Kruger or one of those types of parks – we would have stayed in the vehicle till help arrived. Not just the lions I would be worried about… the leopards!
I love it how guys always stand and just stare at what’s wrong. It’s like they think if they stand there long enough a miracle will happen………….:) Great shot Kerry-Ann.
Thanks for another great week of Travel Photo Thursday.
Thanks for all the comments and positive wishes. Memories are special things – they are what knit us together with family and friends. Stories that shape us and bring laughter and colour to normal, mundane life! We did get out – we got out by pushing it through the mud, using stones and grass to try and get as much grip as possible.