the Rest of Zimbabwe

The trip down to Bullawayo was long and very cold. Got an upgrade to a double room at a quant private resident. Very nice but the weather was attrocious - just like a winter day in CHCH when it is blowing south west and raining. Next morning left for Motobos Natioanl park for a full day game drive looking for White and Black Rhino. We were there all day and returned back to our lodge about 5pm, Extremely cold but a fantastic day - we got really close to about 5 white rhino including a baby one. We did it all on foot.
Next day we left for Antelope PArk near Gweru. Weather still drizzly but a bit warmer. it is a game park where you are meant to be able to get up close to animals. Had the opportunity to take cubs - 2 of them of about 12 mths old for a walk in the park. The male attacked one of the girls in our group but it was not me or don so all good. Some blood was passed and puncture wounds along with scrathes. Fucking scary actually so it was no surprise that it was only Don and I keen to do it all again at 6.30am the next morning.. and no, I did not make Don go!!
The next morning cub walk was amazing. It was just me and don along with 2 guides walking 3 cubs of 17 mths old - really big and really cool. We continuted to do alot of other activities with lions that day. Cub viewing where we got more pictures with cubs of about 7 mths old that were tired and look dead in the photos, then onto cub feeding wehere the cubs were thrown meat into their cages and then we entered the cage to watch (safety not a big concern here compared to NZ and we had to sign indemnity forms before we did anything). WE then went to see the lions being fed which we got some awesome phtos and video and finally in the afternoon we did a carriage ride. Thought it woudl just be a leisurely stroll thru the park and it was but along with that we got really close to zebras and giraffes - absolutely amazing and our best day yet. The rhino tracking that I started this post with was our 2nd best day.
Spent last night 20 km from the Mozambique border and travelled all day today from 6am to 6.30pm to get thru all the borders wheich took hours, across Mozambique and into MAlawi. Weather still very unsettled but warmer. One of the guys saw a snake just next to the tents tonight, a bit scary since it is meant to be deadly.
don and I are both really good (still together) and well. Having a ball together!!
We are thinking of everyone back home knowing that it is 10pm here so it is the morning of Xmas eve back home. Not much Xmas spirit going on here as the countries are really poor. We are thinking of all of you and wishing everyone a Merry Xmas.
Thanks again for the replies to the blog - waiting on Sue G to get taught how to reply.
Michelle, let me know what perfume the two of you want thru both your comment and email me at my school address.
taken over 1000 photos and 2 hours of video so some long nights of reviewing wwith family and friends.