By 6:30 am the delegates were on the bus and on their way to the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve.  Breakfast was a packed meal consumed with gusto during the bus ride.  Upon arrival at the Reserve the delegates were split into 2 groups for their game viewing; each group getting the opportunity to view game from an open vehicle and then from a boat.

 

The delegates thoroughly enjoyed their safari into the African bush professionally run by Loskop Dam Nature Reserve and Forever Resorts Aventura.
 

Then it was on to Loskop Reptiles, a reptile park where for some this was the first time they had ever had an hands-on encounter with reptiles. An introductory talk on reptiles was followed by a demonstration with the various reptiles.  Now the delegates got to touch tortoises, terrapins and some of the snakes on show, and even to see “real live Nile crocodiles” (whose size really impressed the visitors) and some of the dangerous snakes of Africa, such as the Black mamba and Egyptian cobra. 

 

 

 

After all this adventure and excitement it was back on the bus for the return trip to Botshabelo Museum and Game Reserve.  After hungrily consuming their packed lunches, many made use of the chance to “rest their eyelids” - not to say they were sleeping please!

This afternoon heralded in The Mud Fight which all had been waiting for with keen anticipation and eagerness.  Well what can be said?  Let a bunch of kids loose in a mud wallow and fun, fun, fun is the result.  Most had never done anything like this before but gee did they enjoy themselves.  Their delight and infectious playful, gleeful spirit was catching and irresistible and, not to be left out of the fun, soon members of the international media delegation were plunging in to join the melee.  Within minutes it was near impossible to tell who was who.

The children enjoyed an uninterrupted 30 minutes of pure pleasure cavorting and laughing in the glorious mud.  An unforgettable experience.

This was met with mixed feelings: excitement at the chance to sleep out in the bush; and some unease at the thought of a chilly night out in the open.  The delegates met the challenge head on.  Spirits were lifted in song and dance while drums beat in the background as each delegation taught the other delegates a traditional song and dance from their respective countries.  This was very entertaining and generated much laughter and hilarity amongst the children.  

A tasty meal of Bulgogi, Sticky Rice, Chap Chee and a spicy Kim Chi was served up for supper by the Korean delegates and enjoyed by all.  Friendships deepened as the delegates sat around the large fire roasting marshmallows, chatting, exchanging stories and experiences, and generally getting to know one another better and enjoying the evening in the company of new-found friends.

At day’s end several small fires were lit and each delegate took an hours’ turn to stand watch over his/her fire while their friends slept in the silence of the African night. High above in the crystal clear night the stars shone brightly and, with each shooting star that raced across the star-filled expanse, many a silent wish was made …..