The Cheetah Derby

Howdy there!

Hope you're all well and that everything's going peachy for you all! This is essentially my last post from South Africa. Sad, sad times. Although i'll be doing a wrap up text on Saturday or Sunday - kind of like Jerry Springer's Final Thought. You'll love it... just like you love everything that i write - or you wouldn't come back for more! I'm like Pringles - once you pop, you can't stop. I'm either like Pringles or heroin... the latter leads to total addiction. And let's face it - i have that effect!

Anyway, enough of me bigging myself up (for a change) - i'll let you know what the final full day in South Africa has entailed. This time i haven't lied to you - i did indeed head on over to the De Wildt Cheetah Sanctuary, and it was quite literally awesome. We didn't get to see them on safari due to them being so damn illusive, but we got the chance today - we saw LOADS of the buggers. Much bigger than i expected though. Looks pretty sexy though. Not that i'm attracted to them, just that they look so sleek and slender... much like a gorgeous lady. Although most ladies aren't covered in spots and don't bite you. Well... most women anyway, let's be fair!

Unfortunately, we didn't get to race against the beasts. I personally think this is due to me being far faster than a cheetah and the carers didn't want their animals being upstaged by me. It's a natural reaction really, so i can't blame them. Apparently they were running at half speed - 75kph, which is nothing to be sniffed at! They can hit 120kph at full hunt, so that's cool. We also got to stroke one of them that's been hand-reared. How would i describe it? Like stroking a vibrating door mat. Literally. Pretty cool though, it must be said.

After that we went on a bit of a game drive to meet the other animals. Loads more cheetah - but we also saw some hyena and wild dogs. The latter kicked ass - purely because of their mental bleating and whining. The sound was really cool. The smell, however, was not. They stank. I know i've been travelling for a while and look a little worse-for-wear, but i don't smell that bad. Even on a bad day. Want an interesting fact? These dogs can run at 45kph for 12 hours non-stop. That's how they hunt their prey! How cool is that!? Didn't know it before, but now i do... and thus so too do you!

That's quite literally all we've done today, and we're now just completely shattered after getting up so early. A few drink-ski's tonight will be in order for sure. Toast my fond goodbyes to South Africa, which has been so so amazing, and taught me so much in the brief period that i've been here.

Not really looking forward to the flight back tomorrow though - 12 hours on South Africa Airways again, urgghhh!! Terrible! Luckily, this time i don't think i've contracted some virus or bacterial infection, so it shouldn't be like having my head defecated on and put through a blender.

I MAY be in touch tomorrow, but if you were a betting man or lady you'd put it on me posting at the weekend when i'm back in the UK to sum up the whole experience. Looking forward to seeing y'all when i'm back - so make time for me, or i'll sulk. Either that, or just not talk to you for a while... both are viable options.

Take care y'all,

Much love,

Aaron! x