Cave climbing

After a chilly evening we woke to a gorgeous morning- we had coffee on the stoop and watched the ostriches parading,  Down to the main lodge we had a scrumptious breakfast prepared by my fav chef- Banzi.  Of course there was ostrich egg omelette  and oats and fruit that we don't eat in Canada.  A quick 15 minutes up the road we were at the Cango Caves. Of course we had to do the adventure route- yikes.  This was a pretty cheap adventure - around $45 for all of us.  We were all at the cave entrance and then our guide Lesley was there to take us on our caving adventure.  There were about 20 of us on this 10:30 tour.  First cavern- wow we couldn't believe how huge it was- apparently the first guy to find this cave only had a tiny candle to explore - there is no way he could have seen the size of this place- you could fit an entire football field in here.  We saw some impressive stalactites and mites- including cleopatras needle and the leaning tower of piza. After the huge caverns we found ourselves in "king soloman's mines" and the real caving began- first we climbed up a ladder which made you think you could do this- then in to the tunnel of love- so called as it hugs you real close. Next you find yourself in "the coffin", god help me- an the end of the coffin you have to climb up the letter box- literally a 27cm wide crevice that you have to climb and pull yourself up through- ouch ouch is all I can say. There was also the slide- head first down a tunnel, the leopard crawl tunnel that we had to drag our bodies through and. The lumbar walk- where we were doubled over for a ways.  Back at the king soloman's  mines - thank god this was over- but Delaney had a blast.  I could not believe how tin the air was here- breathing was a challenge! Our guide then turned to us and said-we were done- so we were able to walk back to the entrance by ourselves (that wouldn't happen in Canada!). Walking back we realized how far in we were- probably over 1km in!  Back at the entrance  we had been gone for 90 minutes- what a workout.
After the tour we saw a place called Wilgewandle and it looked like a good lunch spot, always a good place to have lunch with camels.  We had a bite and enjoyed the sunshine.
Back at the cottage we had a relax and then we met at the lodge for our 3pm ostrich farm tour.  Leon loaded us all into the van and drove us to town to see the chicks.  Apparently they keep the chicks far away from the farm so they don't get ostrich flu and all get affected (these birds seem very finicky!).  We got to see the eggs all in the incubators and then when we go to where they keep the chicks they were all gone!  Apparently the chicks were all flown somewhere this morning.  Next we headed to a farm to see the 6 month old chicks- these are pretty huge at this point.  They are still all brown at this point - the real colours don't show until they are about 1 year old- so you cannot see who is a boy and how is a girl.  On to another farm and there were 4 months old chicks when we're just a bit shorter than us- this is good, that means that they won't kick us- they only kick if they are taller than you. We  were let into the pen and then we were able to feed them- they are pretty grabby!  Pretty cool though to be that close.
After the tour and back at the farm- Frank had the fire going- as it looked like another chilly night.  At 6:30 we headed down for dinner- we had a sundowner by the fire and then Banzi served us dinner.  A green soup- as Banzi said all the greens he could find, this was followed up by Kudu steaks.  SO GOOD- even the girls ate them (although we didn't tell them it wasn't beef until they were done!). And of course Malva pudding for dessert.  So full we rolled up to the cottage and I passed out at 9:30- too much fun.