Day Ten: Durban Rickshaw Rides, Ushaka Marine World, Kwazulu-Natal Military Tattoo

After the sun of the previous day, Durban clouded over and provided some traditionally grey and dismal English weather for its English tourists.  Nonetheless despite the inclement weather, the RHS fleet were out in force, learning about Durban's diverse past, on a double-decker tour of the city.  We then swapped modes of transport, by having an extraordinary 'rickshaw' experience along the waterfront of Durban, courtesy of the local tourist board. Both student and staff were treated to a complementary rickshaw ride in some extremely colourful vehicles, pulled by some fit and strong young men wearing some extremely ornate headwear!

Matilda Bolton-Smith and Rebecca Jones were particularly thrilled with the rickshaw race, proving that some petty rain cannot dampen the RHS spirit.

And they're off!

Mr Wood and Mr Bowry find their true vocations... 

Once everyone had arrived safely, we went into  'UShaka Marine World', where there was a plethora of water-based activities and exhibits, including dolphin and sea lion shows and a water park with the highest water slide in Africa. 50 RHS students signed up for the shark dive at the aquarium and described the experience as unforgettable, but unsurprisingly, wet.

Katie Taylor and Emily Davidson-Brett bid their families and friends farewell...

A shark smells the distinct whiff of Suffolk-educated meat. JAWS eat your heart out!

Kompoon and Elizabeth Leaver were lucky enought to be picked out of the large crowd to get up close to the dolphins. The dolphins showed their appreciation by thoroughly soaking them with water.

After UShaka Marine world, it was time for the Band to perform at the annual Kwazulu-Natal Military Tattoo. Performing alongside professional bands and regiments from throughout South Africa, the band performed with exceptional aplomb, receiving a welcome round of applause from the local audience.


It was also news to everyone, when the local compere (as instructed by Mr Mann) introduced the RHS Band, as being on  a "world tour celebrating the school's tercentenary" - apparently South Africa and the RHS Parade ground constitutes a world tour... Or nearly!

Mr Snoddon looks forward to incorporating Holbrook's equestrian display team

 into next year's Divisions Parade.

The RHS Band perform in front of an appreciative Durban crowd

RHS band perform in the finale with all the other regiments

For both the performers and audience, it was an extremely memorable experience and Mr Jones and all the Band members should be congratulated for an excellent performance.

Day Nine: Shakaland Tour, Durban Beachfront, Barnyard 1980s show

Having stayed in the traditional Zulu settlement, 'Shakaland', the morning started with a tour of the village, during which students and staff learnt about the heroic life of King Shaka, the chief who united the Zulu kingdom.  Furthermore, there were demonstrations of traditional Zulu life, ranging from  spear making and bread-making to pot balancing and witch doctoring . The tour culminated in a hotly contested spear throwing contest between Barny Horsfield, Sam Engelmann, Oliver Lovejoy and Jessie Vogel; after some enthusiastic attempts at javelin throwing, it became patently clear that none of the RHS students could throw a spear to save their life!

Despite various rumours, the skull was not that of the former

RHS Headmaster, Howard Blackett.

 

As the group met a number of the local villagers,  there was the opportunity for some cultural interactions. Indeed, RHS' Ukranian ambassador, Jane Siryk, is now in discussions to officially twin Shakaland with Kiev...

Three Zulu children learn some Ukranian.

 

The Zulus show RHS traditional methods for making food and drink.

After the wonders of 'Shakaland', there was a swift bus journey to the land of sun, sea and surf -the city of Durban. After dipping our toes in the Indian Ocean and walking along the sandy beach, we took in the sights of the city, strolling along the 'Golden Mile', Durban's beautiful beach front.

A sunny and vibrant Durban beachfront - apart from the sun, sea and beautiful weather, a spitting image of Holbrook's seawall.  

 

The evening was then spent at 'The Gateway' theatre of shopping where all were treated to a traditional South African cultural experience, visiting the indigenous 'Apple' and 'McDonalds' stores. It was rounded off by a visit to the Barnyard Theatre where an enthralling 80s spectacular was performed live on stage. Despite many pupils not being born in such a memorable and iconic era, they threw themselves wholeheartedly into the performances and danced the night away. Performances by Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bon Jovi and some off-key singing from Mr Wood were much appreciated by the RHS students, despite all being born a decade too late.

Cyndi Lauper, Bryan Adams,  Boy George and Adam Ant encapsulate the 80s by performing to an enthusiastic RHS crowd.

Day Eight: Battle of Blood River, Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift, Shakaland

After another early rise, RHS' cultural and musical bandwagons journeyed South to visit the site of the 'Battle of Blood River' on the Ncome River. Taking place on the 16th December 1838, between the travelling Boers (led by Andries Pretorius) and Zulu tribe, the site now commemorates the former's victory, with a visitor's museum and 64 iron-cast Boer wagons. 

Thomas Craggs-Ward and Seb Starling, performing 'sunset ceremony with drum-beatings and bugle' at the entrance to the museum.

The Iron-Cast Wagons... Said to be more spacious and comfortable than Cornwallis.

The students take in the ambience of the battle site, after a marginally biased lecture from a local guide.  Apparently, the Boers victory had little to do with them firing guns and the Zulus being armed with spears. 

 We then moved swiftly to Isandlwana, the site of one of the worst British military defeats on 22nd January 1879.  After journeying from Rorke's Drift, the ill-prepared regiment from the British army (looking rather conspicuous in the African savannah, wearing redcoats and white helmets) were set upon by the Zulu army. Despite the latter being a part-time, indigenous army with less-advanced weaponry, the British army, was swiftly annihilated and a number of white cairns show the resting place of those British soldiers.

 

  

The last resting place of an unamed British soldier.

We then travelled a short distance to the site of Rorke's Drift, the battle the British prefer to remember between British and Zulu forces, enshrined in the historically inaccurate film 'Zulu'. After a number of myths were dispelled, (the battle actually took place at night), students had the opportunity to visit the museum, standing on the site of the besieged hospital, where a historic 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded.

 

Thomas Craggs-Ward and Seb Starling don their No1s at Rorke's Drift.

The RHS Drummer, Bugler and cultural followers in front of Rorke's Drift.

After visiting these fascinating battlesites, we then journeyed to 'Shakaland' - a recreation of a traditional Zulu village - built in 1985 for the movie, ShakaZulu, a biopic of the Zulu King, King Shaka.

In the evening, the RHS troop were entertained by some traditional Zulu dancing, in a 'boma'.  Dominic Torrington had a particularly eventful evening, as he was called on stage to perform a dance. His mother should never have mentioned that it was his birthday...

Dominic Torrington enjoying his unique birthday experience.

Apparently, he just wanted an ipod...

The day was then rounded off by some banter round the camp fire and a virtuoso xylophone solo performed by Mrs Wilby, using wooden spoons!

Day Seven: Elephant Whispers and Natal Spa

After the excitement of Kruger, the RHS thirst for wildlife remained unabated, as a total of 23 staff and students headed off to the wonderful 'Elephant Whispers', a sanctuary for rescued African elephants.  Not only were there the opportunities to learn about the anatomy and history of the elephant, but also to feed, pet and ride these extraordinary pachyderms.

One of the most astonishing facts that we learnt was that a fully grown elephant consumes roughly 350kg of grass and bamboo... Only marginally more than Mr Mann consumes at breakfast.

The elephants at Elephant Whispers,

excited about meeting the students from Holbrook's premier independent school.  

Colleen Clark, the Collingwood Matron, once again providing the motherly touch, this time to an elephant...

Worried at his lack of fibre, Sister Thompson prescribes a strepsil to an elephant!

Miss Smith, Emily Davidson-Brett, Sam Eminson and Katie Taylor

 hitch a lift back to Suffolk.

After the excitement of meeting the elephants, the whole group headed back to Natal Spa, either for some much-needed pampering or adrenaline fuelled water rides.

There was a hotly-contested Staff V Student Volleyball game; although there was some enthusiastic attempts at athleticism by the students, the red-hot favourites of the Staff inevitably won 11-4. 

Mr Thompson practising his daily yoga on the Natal Spa water flume.

Day Six: Kruger National Park

And so, the day had finally arrived.  It was time for RHS' merry band of budding David Attenbroughs to put away their instruments and cultural itineraries, don some binoculars, stow away their cameras and go on 'safari' in the Kruger National Park.

After an extremely early start, accompanied by much student grumbling, 10 safari trucks left 'Hippo Hollow' at 6am to see the sun rise over Kruger.  Bets were made as to which student would see the 'big five' first, with some mistakenly believing that Mr Mann had been officially recognised as the 'big six'. 

Sun rises over Kruger National Park

The entrance to Kruger. 

Over the course of the day, African wildlife was both plentiful and abundant. Having been transfixed by impalas at the start of the day, the excitement of the 'big five' ensured that impalas became rather passe by the end of the 'safari'. However, here is a list of sightings spotted by students and staff: 

Hippopotamus

Impala

Yellow billed Hornbill

White Rhino 

Elephant

Wildebeest

White-backed vulture

Zebra

Steenbok

Tawny Eagle 

Kudu 

Bushbuck

Vervet Monkey

Lion

Buffalo

Waterbuck

Nile Crocodile

Warthog 

Kori Bustard

Martial Eagle

Baboon

Monitor Lizard

Leopard

Southern Giraffe 

All in all, it was a hugely memorable day, made unforgettable by many a flashing camera. Courtesy of Mr Nutton's photographic expertise, here are a few examples:

Mrs Godfrey has now recommended to Mr Godfrey the benefits of black and white uniform for all future CCF Field Days. 

An African menage a trois

The McDonalds of the Savannah  - The Impala

The Water Buffalo - staring out all RHS Students 

And an extremely rare sighting of the Lesser Spotted Lovejoy - asleep in his natural habitat. 

Day Five: Super Adventure Park, Lake Swadini, Endangerered Species Sanctuary

Ladies and Gentlemen.... Fear not, the blog is back.

As some of you may have know, as we travelled through the Mpumulanga and Kwazulu-Natal regions, we experienced some insurmountable technical issues; put simply, no internet connection, no blog!

However, can I take this opportunity to quash a few rumours fizzing round the electronic ether that have been cited as reasons for RHS's 'blogging silence':

1) Mr Mann did not get eaten by a hippo, causing us to be hounded out of Kruger National Park; furthermore, the rumour that Mr Mann devoured a hippo, when he realised he'd forgotten his lunch, is similarly untrue.

2) We did not re-enact the famous battle of Rourke's Drift of 1879, as seen in the film 'Zulu'; indeed, the heavily outnumbered staff were not forced to retreat onto a coach, defend themselves with only red pens, as a marauding horde of rampaging students, armed with only Jack Wills sweaters, swarmed round outside, seeking retribution against the school rules.

3) Miss Smith did not hop over the border into Swaziland in an attempt to become King Mswati's fifteenth wife, as a small herd of goats were shipped back to Warrington...

4) Mr Jones did not dress up as Elton John, bring a grand piano into Kruger Park and ask a baboon to hold up a lion cub on a rocky promontory, in an attempt to recreate the opening number of the 'Lion King'....

5) I have not been indulging in any traditional Zulu remedies that could have hindered my faculties, or indeed, my perception of reality.

And so, we start where we left off - the adventure continues

Having enjoyed similar activities to date, the group split off into two: the adrenaline junkies bounded off for some white-water rafting and and a 100km p/h zip-wire, while those of a slightly more serene disposition, went to visit  a number of wildlife sanctuaries.

This started with a boat-trip across Lake Swadini to visit an impressive waterfall, over 200m high. While on the boat, much of the local African wildlife was spotted, including a bathing bloat of hippos and a rather large crocodile sun-bathing at the water's edge, much to the group's excitement.

                                    

RHS' intrepid sailors journey deep into the heart of Lake Swadini

A panaormic shot of Lake Swadini.

Shortly after the group disembarked onto dry land, we visited the 'Moholoholo Endangered Species' centre, where we were treated to a very informative and interactive introduction into the plight of some of Africa's beautiful mammals and birds. The vast majority of the animals at the centre, were uable to return to the wild as they had either been injured, suffered at the hands of human cruelty, or lost their natural habitat to urbanisation. Students had the opportunity to encounter eagles up close, have vultures fly to their outstreched arms and stroke a very friendly cheetah, as well as seeing leopards leap for meat and lions bathe in the mid-day sun. 

To cap this off, students strolled through a baby rhino enclosure, as the little monster charged around, narrowly missing Mr Mann; no-one was completly sure who would have come off worst...

Sophie Rennison takes some shade under the wingspan of a whiteheaded vulture

Sam Eminson and Harriet Pope practise their arithmetic counting cheetah spots.

Finally the cheetah experience continued with a visit to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species centre which hosts the largest cheetah breeding programme in South Africa. A convoy of four ten-seater safari vehicles toured the establishment, viewing many of the seventy-plus cheetahs, lions and wild dogs. 

That evening, we ate together at Kuka Restaurant with both rafters and wildlife fanatics exchaging stories in the African twilight. Despite initial concerns, the white-water adventure had been an astonishing success, parallelled by the natural world experience.

Tomorrow, we will all encounter the real thing, with an early start at Kruger National Park!

Roaarrrr...

Day Four: Mpumulanga, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Wonderview and Hippo Hollow

Having enjoyed the wonders of Gauteng and Johannesburg, it was time to move east to the province of Mpumalanga. After a long coach journey, interspersed with a fascinating quiz, won by the collective intellectual might of Connor Steeds and Jack Weaver, we arrived at Blyde River Canyon, via the spectacular Panorama route. As they say, "every day's a school day" and during the quiz, some members of staff learnt that tigers are not indigenous to Africa and that termites are not the size of cars.

Two students, finding the third largest canyon in the world, at over 800m deep, not only an awesome sight but a romantic spot.

Bourke's Luck Potholes

The large cylindrical potholes, created by erosion over millions of years were appreciated by everyone, none more so than Miss Smith. Apparently, she's booked the site for her wedding reception. The upper reaches of the rapids above the potholes, provided an ideal opportunity for paddling and 'messing about on the river'; just ask Ben Moore, who, thought they were 'cool' and gave the thumbs up!

The positive RHS spirit shines through

After a final stop at 'God's Window', gazing across the lowveld, towards the Kruger National Park and the Mozambique border, we made our way to Hazyview and Hippo Hollow, our home for three nights. The accommodation included many thatched chalets; some overlooking the Sabi river below, with its hippo pools. Indeed, after a sumptuous meal, Gloria and the rest of the hippo mob emerged onto the banks to wallow in the mud and perform for the awaiting RHS paparazzi, ever keen to catch an image of wildlife in their natural habitat.

A little rough and tumble captured through the lens.

There was some concern about the lack of precipitation, and its impact on the water levels in the Sabi river, the chosen destination for our white water rafting adventure. But as ever, RHS is sure to show great spirit, kayaking in a valley with no water...!  Indeed, Conrad Pattenden, Errol Drummond and Tom Simkins all confirmed that they would ensure that everyone would have fun, whatever the conditions. The rest of the party will be on elephant safari and interacting with a range of endangered species.

Watch this space!