Day 2 - VW Van Driving with Excellent Navigation, McDonalds again, Sanbonani Arrival


After one night's rest in Johannesburg, we eat a hearty breakfast at the local hotel and begin a 4 hour trip to Hazyview. We rent a VW passenger van that probably seats 8 comfortably, but there's only 5 of us, so we truly feel the luxury of extra space. By the way, the driver's side is on the right side of the car; this minor change of left and right fries our brains -- as we struggle to find the parking break and how to switch on the headlights. David (lovingly known to the kids as "Grandpa D")  pulls his trusty GPS Navigation system (last updated in 2015) and head toward the province? of Hazyview.  I certainly trust Grandpa D's wealth of travel experience (he's been to every country you could possibly name) BUT as a backup, I turn on my own navigation. It's a good thing I did. Since 2015, South Africa has delivered some serious infrastructure improvements, and it was obvious that Grandpa D's GPS is way behind the times. So our virtual navigators virtually fight and mine wins. A little back up saves us in timing. 
Grandma C, Landon, Grandpa D, Eve @ Outlook Lodge, Johannesburg

 I keep on saying that I'm just along for the ride, but perhaps I'm not as laid back as I think I am?

 We stop for lunch at..... McDonalds...... again. Luckily, I filled up on eggs and sausage at breakfast. I don't eat fries any longer. or buns. or practically anything else McDonalds offers (other than wads of meat and veggies), so it is extremely comical to watch me dissect my burger. 

Grandma C looks at my lonely little paper burger carton and says, "Did you not eat?" 
"It doesn't take long to eat a burger patty, pickles, and lettuce," I reply. 

 We arrive at the Sanbonani Resort around 4. While David and Cathy check-in with reception, the kids and I explore the pool area. Hippos bathe in the river behind the resort and can often be found around the hotel grounds. For now, there are no hippo sightings, but there may be some in our future. 

 Our "chalet" is a short drive from reception -- 2 beds in one room and a master bedroom across the hall. The ceiling is vaulted up to what used to be a thatched roof. We drop all of our suitcases into our rooms and head to the grocery store to stock up for the week. Cathy plans to make chicken tetrazzini and I'm putting together a taco fiesta. But tonight, we are all too travel weary to prepare our own dinner. Instead we opt for "pizza." It is lovingly placed in "quotes" for a reason. I finally give in and eat a couple slices of "pizza" tonight, which completely throws me off my health food wagon, but the snacks are back at the hotel and I am beyond desperate. 

 Tomorrow is our first safari park day. The front desk warned us that we have to be at the park gate at 5am... WAY too early. So, my hope is that tomorrow there will be better African adventures to share (as most of this so far has been the preparation and execution of getting here).  

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