For the last two days and nights we’ve been traveling on South Africa’s luxury 1920’s thematic train, Rovos Rail. It’s a pleasant way to get from The Cape northwards, in our case as we prepare for a week of game viewing in the east of the country.

It was not just a journey across the country, but across some extreme climates. The first night was in the 20s as we traveled across the country’s immense Mojave desert, the Karoo. Tomorrow we’re traveling to a game park where today’s high was 104F!

This is spring time in South Africa and the rains have been more than good, so the veld was blooming with all sorts of flowers!

We made stops in Matjiesfontein for a whirlwind tour of an old town that was once so important in the country, particularly during the Boer War. And we toured the “Big Hole” where the 1868 discovery of diamonds triggered the country’s aggressive growth.

Too much food and drink, elegant service and gorgeous cabins created a forced downtime that I must admit made me kind of anxious. I’m ready for the elephant charge! Stay tuned.