Have you ever been to South Africa vol 2

Finally!!!
I arrived at Lion and Cheetah Sanctuary, the main reason for this journey 😍.

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The first encounter with the sanctuary manager (actually his daughter) was on the very dusty road when our cars met. My cousin was driving me to the sanctuary "headquarters" and they just set out on a daily routine tour of the animals. She said "are you, Tamara? Jump in, put your bag back, we have work to do". I was like " OMG, I need to change my close, put my other shoes...go to the toilet 🤣". But there was no time. I said good-bye to my cousin and jumped to the jeep and said "let's go, I'm ready". I couldn't wait to see my first assignment and which animals will I see first. The adrenaline took over me. I no longer cared about what clothes and shoes I had on, and who I need to go to the toilet 😂.

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On my first day, we visited animals in the sanctuary manager's house, Barry Kerr house. There was some cleaning, repairing, and feeding to do.

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The highlight of the first day was meeting the cheetah. Three brothers who were two years old. When we enter their enclosure, I didn't know what to expect. They didn't tell me which animals are inside. From the distance, I saw three cheetahs coming slowly toward us. I was afraid and excited at the same time. Anyhow it was love at first sight ♥️. Kristen Kerr, the manager's daughter, told me not to be afraid because they can feel it. She said, go to them, meet them. Let them meet you. I ask her "alone???" and she was just smiled and said "yes, they aren't dangerous". She knew what she was doing because she rais them, but still, it was my first day. I took her hand and told here " pleas, you do the introduction". Their voice was like growling dogs, very loud. However, they are big cats, that was their purr of happiness and enjoyment.

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Each following day was a new and amazing experience for me. I’ve done things I never thought I was capable of or that I will have a chance to do it. If you want to push your self to see what are you capable to do, this is the best way. Of course, everything is your will, no one is pushing you to do things you don't wanna do. This is the real sanctuary for wild animals. They adopt them, help them as much as they can, and then return those who can to nature. It is amazing to be part of that. Some daily routine jobs were preparing food for all animals, feeding them, playing with them, cleaning their enclosure and etc. Of course, we have had some time for ourselves. For swimming, getting together, having some drinks and fun, or just not doing anything, but things had to be done first.
There is a saying "a picture speaks more than a thousand words"

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This was my story about the sanctuary. My next and final stop is Cape Town.

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Cape Town

My first wish, when I came to Cape Town, was to go diving with white sharks. Of course in the cage 😅. Because my biggest fear are the sharks and the deep sea. Near Cape Town is the best point to dive if you want to find white sharks, Van Dyks Bay. In this bay, white sarks were very day activity, now they don't visit this bay so often because in 2011 was a big orca attack on them. From that day, it is lucky if you see them. But I give it a chance. Was I lucky? I saw sharks from the white shark family...I think I was lucky enough!

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After this adventure, my next stop was to visit one of the mountains. I decided to climb on Table mountain. Lokal people said it is not easy and I need to start early in the morning to avoid the big sun. So it was, the mountain is amazing and the view from it on Cape Town is something special...

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Now, back to the see again. Today we are going to visit Cape of the Good Hope and Boulders Penguin Colony. I think pictures can say everything.

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I think I deserve a little rest 😂. I think I deserve a little rest 😂. The next day I decided to go to Clifton beach. With friends that I met at the hostel. Just to rest and have fun. However, I have had met some local people there and I heard some of their stories. There was some poor guy that was selling sunglasses on the beach. I offered him a drink and we started talking. He shared with me his life story that isn't so nice. A life story that shares most of the poor people in Cape Town. Their earnings are only 5% of the goods sold during the day. And when they are returning home, they don't live on the beach, they need to be careful to not get robbed by gangs. This gay was stabbed many times, he shows me his scars...He has a sick younger sister and brother to be taken care of. Their parents deceased and he is the oldest one. He didn't ask me money, he just asks me for some goods for his sister. I bought sunglasses and I have had arranged some goods for him in my hostel. He was so happy and grateful.

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On the last day, I visited Robben Island. That is the island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of the 27 years he served behind bars. The prison itself is no longer in function and has been turned into a museum. There are still houses where people live. Families of prison guards used to live here and now there are mostly families of workers. There is one church where people want to get married. There is a long line to get a date. Why? Because it is believed that if you marry in that church you will get the real shackles of love.

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The city itself is very alive, safe and they have great food. People are more than polite and pleasant. I felt very safe there to walking around by myself. Definitely to recommend!!

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Can't wait to see what my new journey brings.

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Till then be safe and have fun!

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All photos were taken by @tparis


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