April 8 Meerkats

Meerkats. We decided to bit the bullet and pay the 3000R ($500) for this expedition. People explain that it is a reason to come to South Africa. We rose at 5:00 a.m. for the adventure.
Brendan: The meercats were so cute. I just wanted to reach down and pick them up. I felt like I was not just watching National Geographic on the Discovery Channel, but I was in it! Grant’s research into the subject covered every aspect of the geography.

Ryan: I found them to be cute also. It was entertaining travelling with the group of 15 as if we were part of it. The best part was watching them sun themselves after they woke up and went onto lookout duty after emerging from their burrows. Some of them were able to balance on the shrubs to get a better perch!! Then we joined them on their breakfast soujourne forraging for grubs and such.

It was remarkable that they were able to tolerate us. Grant explained that because he had been studying (and bringing tourists) to watch them for years, they were aware that we were not a danger and would tolerate us joining them. No quick movements, nor sounds, nor photos though! Otherwise they might return to their burrow.

We learned that Meerkats are not cats after all. They are related to the mongoose and have habits similar to prairie dogs back home. So cute.

Afterward, we returned to the cabin for return to sleep. Then mom got a ride to town to visit their local museum while we enjoyed the day at the pool.

Deb: I loved the meerkats!!! One of my best wildlife experiences ever (other than travelling with my three ‘monkeys’ to Africa!). Jan and Colin, if you’re reading this, you must go out with Grant while you’re in the Oudtshoorn area. A crazy amount of money for a morning tour but worth every single penny!!! I agree with Brendan – it felt that we were on a National Geographic expedition. Also, I have never seen the kids stay quiet for so long (a prerequisite for joining the group). This was worth the price of admission in itself!!

After a long, lazy afternoon’s nap, I went and visited the CP Nel Museum to learn more about ostriches as well as Karoo history. The museum was terrific and did a wonderful job depicting what life was like in Oudtshoorn during the time of the ‘ostrich boom’ when feathers were worth more than their weight in gold! I also toured Le Roux Townhouse, an example of a ‘feather palace’, or the ‘town home’ of a wealthy ostrich farmer. Families would leave their farms on the weekend to spend time in town – Saturdays for leisure and Sundays for church service.

Our poor Brendan! We’ve all gotten bitten by mosquitos as we are staying in a cabin in close to a lake. Brendan’s back, however, is covered with bites as he slept for the first night with his shirt off! Luckily we’re in a non-malaria zone! We do have nets, however, and you can bet that we’re using them now.

We lit candles tonight in our cabin and taught the boys how to play cribbage. They took to it immediately. I lasted for just one round and am going to curl up on the couch to read The White Tiger (winner of the 2008 Booker Award – it’s a great read!). The boys are still going strong!