The corona virus has been very tough for us at #Utshwayelo Lodge. For five months, we have cried many tears in our hearts, but now that we see you here to help community tourism, it gives us the energy we need to survive the hard times and rebuild our future". . . - Enoch Tembe . . . Expedition: #BeyondLockdown Timeline: Day 16 Distance: 5 997km Province: KZN Region: #Thongaland Destination: iSimangaliso Wetland Park . . We've slowed down time ever so slightly - as one does in Thongaland - by bumping our stay by an extra night to fit in the many eco- adventures on offer in this north-easternmost corner of SA. Our camp languishes beneath the spreading branches of a coastal milkwood, with a hammock high up in the canopy where you could leisurely sip on a cold #DosM 🍻 . . Our host is Enoch Tembe & his stories of suffering during the pandemic in KZN & Mozambique have touched us deeply. Yet again, the joy & optimism with which people respond to our Isuzu South Africa #BeyondLockdown Expedition all across South Africa has made the long roads so worthwhile. . . Fast-forward to Day 2, which kicked off with a world-class culture/cuisine/adventure on #kosibay estuary with @Rick and Elise Stadler-Padding: we kayaked amidst fish traps, with fish eagles, kingfishers and flamingos galore, keeping a sharp eye out for a young hippo bull which has been playing hide and seek in the tributary feeding the lake. This was followed by a top #palmwine tasting session, and trumped by a sustainably sourced meal of fresh fish, peanut sauce and mealie bread. Plus, I got to drift-snorkel the Aquarium again! Absolutely top day in nature, with Vusi easily rating as my best activity guide of the year so far 🙌🏻👌🏻🙏 . . #ISUZU #WITHYOUFORTHELONGRUN #DUNLOPTYRESSA #TAKETHEROAD #FRONTRUNNERZA #SPOTAFRICA #POLARSA #BALEIAWINES #BEYONDEXPEDITIONS #KZN #OZONEAFRICA #ANDBREATHE (at Utshwayelo Lodge and Camp in Kosi bay!) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEDk5Z-J6eW/?igshid=1y2luux4w1bej
