Links to Africa Photos - and my favorite seven photos from the trip

Here is the link to my Africa photos. You might have to copy and paste it into your browser window. One album has the safari and the other has shots of Cape Town and some misc. stuff from the trip. To go to the second album, look for a link below the thumbnails on the Kodak site that says "browse all albums." Each album has about 50 photos -- a far cry from the 500+ that I took:-)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=3lzl5oj.26tfx6hf&Uy=aob69f&Ux=0&UV=894259740223_673019483603

Okay, now here are my top seven photos from the trip:

"Lunch for each of us?"

Not hardly. Luckily for these two impalas, Rhinos are herbivores.

"Sunset in the Bush"

I took this shot the evening of the first game drive. The sun was going down and we were stopped. I caught the sun sneaking through this partially dead tree. Everything around us was quiet, but still you had a sense of how alive the place was.

"Are you talkin to me?"

This one just makes me laugh. I like it because all five of the kudu are looking straight at the camera at the same time. To me they look like they are saying, "What? You need something?"

"The Kudu Lodge Staff"

This is the staff at the lodge. When you arrive in the Land Rover, they are all lined up waiting to great you. They assemble again when you depart to say goodbye. Leon (next to me) and his wife Arina (top right) manage the lodge. Leon knows EVERYTHING about the animals, birds, and plants. And his wife CAN COOK! She is one of the sweetest girls I've ever met. Everyone was so friendly.

"A Prehistoric Creature"

Terrible eyesight, but great hearing. They look like something that should had roamed the earth a million years ago. It was so cool to get so close.

"The Field Trip"

This entire trip was like a field trip for me (don't worry, I got a lot of work done too). On the top of table mountain I caught up with a school field trip. It made me realize that kids are kids no matter what part of the world you're in. This little guy was nice enough to stop and let me snap his picture -- didn't even need to ask, just point the camera at him.

"Do you see it Elder? Do ya?"

The composition of this shot won't ever win any photography awards, but it is a great memory for me. I sat across the aisle from three missionaries on the final leg of the trip - Atlanta to Salt Lake City. They were on their way home from Brasil. I'd already tried to help one of them in the customs line when he was panicked because he's misplaced his passport. Which I later found in one of his books. I took this picture as we flew over the Salt Lake valley on our final approach. All three of them were crowed around the window looking for landmarks that they recognized and pointing them out to one another. They had worked hard serving the Lord for the last two years. Their suits were worn out. They were tired and they were so excited to be home.

That's it. Quite an adventure. I hope you enjoy the photos. CTR!

August 15-20 Welgevonden and Cape Town:

BEWARE: LONG POST. READ AT OWN RISK!

Headed home somewhere over the Atlantic. From Dakar to Atlanta I heard those magic words, “Mr. Staples, your new seat assignment is 2B.” An upgrade to business class on an 8 ½ hour flight REALLY makes a difference. The seats almost lay flat. I slept for awhile.
I ended up with about 3 hours in Cape Town Tuesday morning after my press interview and before I needed to leave for the airport. So I took a trip to Table Mountain. A beautiful mountain that overlooks the city. You get to the top on a cable car. One interesting experience…(shows how jaded the world can make us). I had the same cab driver on the way back to the hotel that I had on my way to Table Mountain. All of a sudden, he is taking me the long way, stopping at multiple locations to let me take pictures. All the time while the meter is running. So now my 70 rand (about $9) cab ride is approaching 200 rand. I don’t have that much money. My thought was, “this guy is taking advantage of my running up the meter.” So I tell him that I don’t have that much money with me. His comment is, “That’s not a problem. It’s not about the money. I just wanted you to see my country. To be able to show the pictures to your family.” Wow! Made me feel bad for my initial thoughts.
So working backwards a bit, on Monday August 18th I gave my presentation at the Symposium. We had a good crowd. I would guess about 125. It was on a big stage in a large sloped auditorium at the convention center. I presented for an hour. I thought it went well. Earlier in the day we had done two other media interviews and worked the booth.
So now to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. (note that I will have a link posted by the end of this weekend to see the pictures. Not all 517 of them, so don't get alarmed). I got picked up at noon by a driver who drove me from the Monte Casino Hotel to the gate of the game reserve. It is a three hour drive. My driver’s name was Max, a big black guy with a laugh that seemed to go on forever. We talked a bunch on the way there. He “loves Jesus.” He hadn’t ever heard of the LDS church. Max then drops me off at the reserve gate as private cars can’t drive on the reserve. Leon, the lodge manager, picks me up on the Land Rover and we drive for about 20 minutes to the lodge. When I arrive all the staff is lined up in front to great me and shake my hand. A quick bite to eat, ditch my luggage, get a tour, and I talk Leon into going out on a late afternoon drive. Leon and his with Arina manage the lodge. They are young – 27 years old. She is really sweet and he knows everything about the bush, the animals, the birds – everything! On this drive we see Impala, Kudu, and a Brown Snake Eagle. On the drive with us are a local couple Dave and Gail – very nice. We stop for some snacks and water and watch the sunset over the bush.
When we get back, one other couple has checked in. Also local from South Africa. We have an incredible dinner then off to bed. You have to be escorted to your room after dark (so you don’t get eatenJ). You also are given a radio in case there is a problem during the night. The rooms are amazing. Very, very nice. Far from roughing it. Wake up call is 6 am to leave by 6:30 am.
Saturday morning and off we go. I’m up front. It’s kind of cold since it is winter. These Land Rovers are completely open, but the animals see it as a single item so they thing we are big! The first thing we find are fresh elephant tracks. We track him and the broken branches, dung, and fresh urine for about 20 minutes, but no success. Amazingly, the elephants climb the mountains and are hard to spot.
We then spot Rhinos. We are able to get very close and to get some great pictures. Rhino is what I wanted to see the most, so this was incredible. They look so prehistoric. We watch one of the baby rhinos charge a male who gets too close to the baby’s mother. The rest of the morning is filled with kudu, impala, zebra, wildebeest, wart hog, and clip springer. It was awesome. We also went looking for a lion that Leon had seen a couple days earlier, but no luck. Back to the lodge as the animals don’t move during the day.
Our lodge – Kudu Clearwater is one of 52 lodges, mostly private, on this 39000 hectare reserve. It only houses 10 guests at a time. It is owned by a woman who owns a winery. Lunch is great. We then head out about 3:45 in the afternoon. Leon is determined to find a Lion for me. Radios connect the different guides out on the reserve. Leon hears that there is a lion sighting. It is far, but we have time to get there. We hurry down the red dirt roads. It takes about an hour to get there, but we find them. Right when they are starting to move. A mom and three young lions. We follow them and watch them play with each other. Very cool. We’re with them for about 20-25 minutes.

It is getting late and so we start to head back. Then just before dusk we make a turn and in the middle of the dirt road is the big back side of a bull elephant. We stop and watch. He turns and begins watching us. We are about 25 yards from him not sure what he is going to do. They frequently charge vehicles, so Leon is ready to put it in reverse. Instead he goes off the trail and begins to climb the mountain. Amazing to watch this 5 ton animal climb. Wow. My elephant pictures aren’t very good because of the lack of light, but it was amazing to see. We then drive the rest of the way home in the dark.
Dinner Saturday night is outside around a large fire. The five guests all become pretty good friends. Then off to bed.
Sunday morning I get up. No hot water as a water line had burst, but it gets fixed by 8 am. I get ready, have some cereal and it’s time to leave. Zebra and Wildebeest graze just outside the back of the lodge. I was sad to go. What an amazing experience seeing Heavenly Father’s creations. This is something I never thought I would get to do. I quickly developed a friendship with Leon. I invited him and Arina to come to America and stay with us. We drove slowly back. He shows me the tracks of an elephant who had come into camp the night before to drink. Leon and I talk about religion, family, and just about everything else. At the gate the car doesn’t arrive. I call and they have the pickup scheduled for 11 instead of 10. Leon waits with me until the driver comes. It’s Max again. We listen to African gospel music all the way to the airport. On a plane and off to Cape Town.
Overall, this was a great trip. One of the highlights of the adventure-filled life that I’ve lived. By nature I have a STRONG curiosity gene (always want to know what's behind door number three) and this kind of stuff fits that well. I’m very appreciative to have had the opportunity. I hope to return with my family sometime in the future. All that said, I’m really excited to get home!

Good bye -- Cape Town

August 19, 2008:

I'm leaving for the airport in fifteen minutes. It is 11:45 a.m. in Cape Town and 3:45 a.m. in Utah. See you in ....I don't know lots of hours ;-) I love you all! I've very excited to be coming home.

Day seven and eight in the bush

August 16, 2008 – I can hardly believe that here I sit typing up my blog entry, sitting on a bed in a lodge in the middle of the African bush. It just seems imaginary! Today was outstanding. We started off with a Rhino citing. We sat with them for about 15 minutes. There were five – about ten yards from us. We also saw Zebra and many other animals. We then drove quite far to try and find some lions and we had success. A female and three cubs. They were great to watch as they moved and played. Then on the way back to the lodge we came around a bend and there was a 5 ton bull elephant in the road. Amazing! We then watched him climb up the side of the mountain. I’ll write more details later, but the pictures are outstanding!!! Here are a few to wet your appetite:-) Love, Dad

Day Six -- Johannesburg

I'm writing on early Friday morning. Yesterday was a great day...THE GOLF DAY. It just kind of amazed me that "I was golfing in Africa!" I played well except for the first and last couple of holes. That frustrated me a bit. I was partnered with the top sport broadcaster in the country -- think Jim Nantz. He was really nice. Robyn, I invited his family to come stay out our house. Take a look at these pics. There is such a discrepency in wealth here. These homes are on the golf course. The are beautiful. Then look at the pic of the driving range. See the guy out there. They give him a hard hat and a bucket and he goes out and picks up the balls by hand. No machine! One funny story....I rented clubs and when I returned them, the guy said, "oh no, you bought these." I said, "no I didn't." He said, "yes you bought them." Weird! Turns out the organizers did buy them and then had me use them. For a minute I thought it was some kind of South African scam:-)

Another comment...the people here are so friendly. A smile on their face seems to be the "natural" expresion.

This morning I have a marketing meeting with a partner, then an interview for an article that is being written (we've already had at least one article published from the interviews we did earlier in the week). Then I get picked up for the drive to "the bush." I'm excited! Take a look at this link to see where I'll be. As you can see...its not what you'd consider "roughing it." http://www.bushbreaks.co.za/kudu.php And don't worry. Everyone I've talked to says that these events are very very safe. Go on the internet and see if you can find out what the "big five" animals are in Africa.

I won't have cell coverage or internet until around noon on Sunday Utah time. I'll give you a call Sunday afternoon Utah time. I think that is it. I feel kind of guilty for getting to do this without you all. I'll take lot's of good pictures to share. I love you.

Day Five - Johannesburg

Today was the user conference for our partner. I presented to about 125 people. I thought it went well. The topic had some controversy to it, so that made it even more fun. Then after the conference there was a whiskey tasting event. Ughhhh. I walked around outside until it got too cold. I went inside and stood in the back. The guy running the event really wanted me to participate. Kind of awkward because you really don't get a chance to explain why -- though somehow he knew I am Mormon. Then came dinner. Had a pretty good church discussion with four other people. Talked about the details of the Word of Wisdom to one guy. It's just important to faithfully do what is right. Others will think what they want. Hopefully, some admire it and get interested. The guy sitting next to me brought up politics and religion and other personal stuff. Kind of funny.

Tomorrow is the really difficult day -- the golf tournament :-) I'm looking forward to it, exept for the drinking that will go on that evening. I have no way back to the hotel, so I'll just find someone to hang out with. There are usually one or two other non drinkers. That's it. I'm tired. Hope everyone is well. Matt, Jordan and Paige drive safe!

Day Four Johannesburg:

It's almost midnight and I've got to get up early, so not much text for today. More press interviews. We did drive to one interview (the editor was a no-show), so I did get to see a little more. Dinner with a partner tonight (I hate the whole shmooze thing). I present at a conference tomorrow. Just so you guys don't think I'm staying in some shanty town, here are a couple pictures of my hotel -- one from the front and one from the back (the one with the pool). The thing reminds me of Versailles! I also shot this pic of a guy selling skins on the side of the road. When was the last time you saw someone selling a zebra pelt. Where do you think we should hang it, Robyn? (I hope I can get it squeezed into my suitcase. Have a great rest of your day everybody. Love, Dad.

Johannesburg

Day 3 (remember to start reading this post from Day 1 below): Today was a busy day. All business. We started at 7:30 with a breakfast meeting. Then we began five, nearly back-to-back press interviews. They were all different from one another. Overall, they went well and the editors liked our story. One difference with the interviews here vs. those in the U.S. is that the editors come to us. All meetings were here at our hotel. In the U.S. you have to go to the editors, which means racing from apointment to appointment. I like the way it works here. For dinner, my two co-workers and I went to a Portuguese restaurant. Not sure I've ever been to one. I had a grilled pork fillet -- it was very good. Okay, so my day must have been very boring if I'm telling you about what I ate for dinner. I warned you in my opening message (I think I warned you) that it would be a lot of boring business stuff. Same for tomorrow, then things should get a little more interesting. So keep coming back to read. I'll try and find something whacky to write about:-) Love, Dad.

Day 2: Today is Sunday (about 10:00 p.m.). I nice quiet day. I woke up at 3 a.m., fell back asleep around 7 a.m. and slept until early afternoon (man, is my body clock messed up). I spent the day reading, preparing my lesson for Aug 24th, and catching up on email. I tried to find the church online, but couldn't pin down the location and didn't want to risk getting lost in Joburg, so just me in my hotel room. I did meet two of my coworkers for dinner, both of them are from the UK. Tomorrow start our press tour with about five one-hour meetings -- starting the day at 7:30 a.m. I've got a church DVD that I'm going to watch, then off to bed. Boring text, I know. But hey, at least I'm a consistent blogger this trip (so far).

Oh...I did give out a pass along card on the plane yesterday. I sat next to a really nice guy from Ivory Coast (western Africa). Also saw a Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe parked in front of my hotel (a VERY nice hotel). That's a $425,000 car! I would like to have seen who drove it:-)

Good night!

South Africa...

Day One…
Is it day one or day one and two? I’m still in the air with a little over an hour to go until we land in Johannesburg. Pretty uneventful travel with a couple of minor exceptions. I got to the airport in plenty of time. After taking the shuttle from the parking lot I get in the check in line. The guy in line behind me has four large boxes and a huge duffle bag. As we weave our way through the line waiting our turn I see him open the duffle bag, mess with the contents and then work to zip it closed again. The bag is filled with zip lock bags filled with some kind of powder substance (weird, but not the point of the story). As we are waiting, the guy suddenly blurts out “*@##%” and runs for the door. I’m thinking, “He must have forgotten something. But then through the window I watch him chase the tow truck that is towing his car. I don’t see him again for the next five minutes. Once I reach the check-in desk I hear someone telling the agent that the boxes and bags have been abandoned. The agent gets on the phone. I tell her they belong to a guy who went outside because his car was being towed. She replies “and now airport security is going to seize his luggage.” Not a good day for this guy.
I then get called, “next. Where are you headed?” I reply, “Johannesburg.” The agent then asks me, “Did you know South Africa is under attack? The Russians invaded this morning.” The first thing that came to my mind is, “I hope Robyn doesn’t see that news story.” The agent goes online and sees that it is South Ossetia, not South Africa. Got my heart racing for a moment there.
I slept pretty well on the lengthy flights. I arrive early evening so it will be interesting to see how well I sleep tonight. I used the world time watch that Grandpa Staples gave me. It has a stop watch on it. I started the stop watch as I locked the front door and headed to the airport. I stopped it as I unlocked my hotel room door. All total….27 hours, 42 minutes, 56 seconds.
I love you and miss you. I hope Stephanie, Jeremy, and Madison are getting settled into the land of the sun; that Robyn and MeKenzi have fun helping them get moved in; that Alyssa stays awake during any night shifts and finds an apartment; and that Matt, Jordan, and Paige all have a productive last week and travel safely home. Bye for now.

Madison and Grandpa Joe...

Maybe as the decades pass, the story will evolve -- "The year Grandpa won the Masters in a one-hole shoot out on number 18:-)" I love these pics! Thanks Steph.

Off to South Africa

Family...watch my blog for the next couple of week to see the adventures in South Africa. Most of the stuff will be boring business stuff, but on August 16th I get to do a photo safari. Low bandwidth means you might have to wait until I get home to see the pictures! I love you all!!