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| Glenn's Journal for 11-14-02 Oudtshoorn We had signed up for the 8:00 am breakfast due to the fact that all tours left the hostel at 8:30 am. Breakfast included an ostrich egg, which is equivalent to 24 hen eggs and tastes just the same, toast, jam, and coffee or tea, and juice. The breakfast was an additional 25 rand but was worth it for one day. Some of the tours included bike rides of up to 50+ kilometers (which Erin was not interested in) and then just rides to the different sites. Erin and I were not totally interested in the Cango Caves, and after determining that the wild life park and ostrich farm were within walking distance (less than 4 kilmeters away), we decided to walk today. We left the hostel around 9:00 am and made our way to the Cango Wildlife Ranch first. The tour started at 9:40 am and included checking out the alligators and crocodiles before checking out Cheetahland. Cheetahland provided a walk along a raised walkway where you could view leopards, tigers, puma, cheetah, and lions. You could even pet the 2-3 year old cheetahs if you so desired. Erin and I so desired and for 30 rand each we entered the area where the cheetahs were and kneeled next to them while we stroked their backs. They purred very loudly and even licked my hand in acceptance. We took some great photos!!! After our cheetah experience we continued to walk through the park checking out the pygmy hippos, vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, some miniature horses, wallaby, wild dogs, and bat eared foxes. We then went into an area that had goats, pigs, and chickens that you could pet and feed. They came a-running when they heard the food machine empty food into someone's hand. Erin quickly was surrounded by goats, some bold enough to jump up on her for the food. We had a good time playing in the pen. After this we stopped into the restaurant for some lunch before heading off to the Ostrich farm. Once at the ostrich farm we took a 45 minute tour which included our tour guide having a male ostrich perform his mating dance. It was quite interesting to say the least!!! After the dance we had a chance to stand on some ostrich eggs just to prove how strong they were. We also had a chance to sit on and ride an ostrich. Erin and I both took full advantage of the opportunity (as you should be able to see in the photo). What a wild ride!!! We finished up at the ostrich farm around 2:00 pm when we walked back into and through town checking out some of the local shops. We did stop into the Pic & Pay (grocery store) before returning to the hostel around 5:00 pm. We had dinner at the Swiss Bistro just across the street from the hostel before returning to the hostel for the night. We also caught another movie tonight. Tomorrow we are off to Buffels Bay to spend a few days on the beach. |
| Glenn (and his beard) with the Cango cheetahs |
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| This furry chicken thought the Vietnames pot-bellied pig was a good roosting spot |