Valentino Visits St. Lucia

Valentino with Daddy on the Dyna Superglide we went to St. Lucia on.

The public holiday in August 2012 gave us a four day long week-end (if you took the working Friday off), which was a perfect opportunity for Valentino to visit St. Lucia, the sleepy seaside village on the KwaZulu-Natal North coast, with Mommy Daddy and my brothers Paul & Jason. Paul & Jason had to follow the Harley in their car (which meant we had somewhere to put the luggage, laptops, .....hairdrier...........hair straightener..................snacks, etc). The ride from Durban isn't that far, only about 240km's, but it is nice to be able to stop half way for coffee and a snack. The Hearty Meals restaurant in Umtunzini provides a beautiful view, and is run by a good, decent South African family who always provide a welcoming smile with homemade, generous portioned, tasty food. Paul & Jason loved their huge burgers, but I was waiting for the fish in St. Lucia.

Paul, Mommy & Jason with a view in the St. Lucia Reserve.

Arriving at St. Lucia, one has to cross a bridge over a river to get to the village. It is very tourist visitor orientated, with the main road flanked by many restaurants, hotels, Bed & Breakfasts and self-catering holiday flats. We had booked at The Boma Lodge, which has self catering flats overlooking the hippo and crocodile filled river.

After unpacking and having lunch, we went on a boat ride to see some of the wild animals in their natural habitat. The boats captain was very knowledgeable and knew the birds and animals and where to find them.

Hippo's in St. Lucia Estuary

We also went through the St. Lucia reserve, where we saw Warthog, Zebra, Monkeys (some of which just must have been Samango Monkeys according to the sign - see pic below), Rhino, and different buck.

Samango Monkey...no...Paul - Securing foodstuff by eating it!

We were amazed at how close we got to two Rhino's - they were right next to the road, and just ignored us.

Two Rhino's

Long Horned Rhino

We don't understand how anyone would want to kill these magnificent creatures for their horns. Shame on the hunters.

We managed to have lunch one day at the St. Lucia Ocean Basket restaurant, where they have the best Fish and Chips in KwaZulu-Natal. We have tried this meal at six different branches of the franchise, and this one wins hands down. Well worth the visit.

On the return trip on Sunday (it was Mommy's birthday - we all spoilt her a bit - she deserves it), we stopped again at Hearty Meals, where they had prepared a home made bread for us.

Huge Home-made Bread -Yum!

While we enjoy our visit to the reserves of our country, where we can see the animals in their natural habitat, one can't help but wonder at the cruelty and greed of some who call themselves "people", and kill these creatures. We have wars where people commit the most unthinkable attrocities, and then we have these inhuman savage killings of Rhino, for their horns. I blame the lack of education, which surely must elevate the human consciousness to a level where one has a conscience, realising what is wrong and choosing to go the way that is right. No one can believe that they need to kill these animals for food. It is purely financial greed, driven by the demands from the uncivilised Far East. Money & buildings don't make a civilisation. Is globalisation going to be the cause of the unnecessary extinction of these magnificent creatures? Support a Rhino saving organisation!

A wonderful week-end with a lovely family, in our beautiful KwaZulu-Natal.