Senior Central

Tshipise, South Africa
December 3rd, 2008

Recommended by friends we decided to hit Tshipise, a haven of natural hotsprings and a hotspot for seniors. We quickly settled in popping up the tent, hitting the waters, and making friends with our neighbours. The latter were an 84 year old man and his younger wife (82) from Zimbabwe or “Rhodesia” as they fondly refer to it. He was in the air force during the second World War and relocated once the war ended to what he considered was the great country on earth (although he did say Canada was in the running for his relocation). They currently spend three months in their caravan staying in the campground, and then loaded up with supplies for their employees and neighbours return for a month before repeating the cycle. The most interesting thing about meeting them was hearing their concerns about our trip, when they are living in Africa’s current dark hot spot. Perspective is relative.

In the evening we braaied some steak and made some braai brekkies (a la Nicoline). As we were eating we noticed something in the bush coming closer to us. Assuming it was a monkey our eyes followed the movement. Soon all was revealed as the creature became increasingly confident. It was a bush baby. Obviously used to being fed and none to shy he came right up to us, climbed our tent ladder and stayed beside us for some time. He was very cute.