Louise, our angel, arrives at Mala Mala after lunch to take us onward to Leopard Creek. The time FLEW by so fast here and we are very sad for it to end. This is a magnificent world on safari and I WILL go back one day! We packed a lot in a short time and certainly got our $$$ worth out of this adventure! But now...onward and upward!
As we drive thru Kruger National Park, we get to know Louise a little better and she US! And what a character she is! She has done about everything, has a great sense of adventure (and humor) and was ready for anything we could throw at her. We had lots of questions and she had all of the answers! Along the road, we spotted even more wildlife....so cool.
We arrive at the house where Wayne is our Welcoming Committee! It was good to see him again and we had lots of stories to share. But first a "looksee" at our unbelieveable surroundings! Leopard Creek is one of thetop golf courses in South Africa designed by Wayne's dad Gary Player. And we are staying in the Player family home! Can you believe it? It sits on the river and overlooks Kruger. The African decor is warm and cozy and SO African! Even has a thatched roof! How exciting....and WE drew the straw for the Master Bedroom! What a view! The best part was how comfortable Wayne and Louise made us feel. We very much enjoyed seeing all the family pictures and the stories that went along with them.
What a cutie Wayne was when he was little! Still is actually! OK enough of the digs! It was getting to be late afternoon and Louise has taken care of happy hour. She packed two golf carts with the Britten's favorite champagne and some beers and we take off for our first look at the neighborhood (Ernie Els lives 2 doors down) and the course. Pristine does not even begin to describe this world class course. You do not have to be a golfer to appreciate the design beauty of Leopard Creek. In America, we would see deer and squirrel or rabbits, but remember this is Africa! Springbuck eat the grass and monkeys roam the course. Elephants are heard nearby. Sure enough, down by the clubhouse...a herd of Elephant feed in the bushes
right off the deck! What a sight! When we return to the house, Louise has prepared a scrumptious meal of traditional local dishes. She is a GREAT cook! The wines, South African, of course, suit the meal perfectly and then a cigar on the deck for the boys. As we sit and watch the sunset over the river, we spot a croc by the waters edge, and a visitor has wandered into his path! A baby springbuck is just feet away! Nooooooo! Don't go down there or you will be dinner!
We watch for the longest time....the croc never moves.....? Our baby finally leaves the area and is spared....the old croc must have been full! Whew! It is a beautiful star-filled night as we relax out on the deck...sharing our stories...It doesn't get any better than that!
Day Two.....Golf! The guys are beside themselves. This is what they have been waiting for! Judy is going to play too. She is a really good golfer and since I am not...I will drive the cart and drink. THAT I can do well! The weather could not be more perfect and I swear, we were the only ones on the course except for lots of monkeys. And around the 16th waterhole....a Hippo! IN THE WATERHOLE on the 16th!! Scarred the crap out of us! You know that hippos kill more humans every year than any other animal! Wait...I thought that was Cape Buffalo? During our round, Wayne shows us his "trick" shot that he actually used to use on tour. As a tee, he uses the cut-off grip end of a club shaft, sticks the metal end in the ground and puts a wooden tee in the end hole. It ends up with the ball sitting
about 8-10 inches off the ground! He sets up to the ball (looks like tee-ball) and hits the **** out of it!! Damn...300 yards! How cool is that? You know, Wayne was on tour as a young man and did very well. He should, his DNA is "Legend"! But, he says he felt the pressure of living under his dad's shadow and had to do something different. I totally get that. And by the way, Gary says Wayne was a better player than he was! The best part is....they are both fabulous, real people, and very similar in a lot more ways than golf games. After a memorable round, it is back to the house for us and another evening of great food, wine and spending time with new and old friends.