The Love of Travel – Best Trip Ever

For as long as I remember, I have loved traveling. The first international trip I remember making was at the age of 15. It was a flight from Nigeria to the United States with my sister who was a year older. I did not think much of it at the time. Several years later, I am blessed to count five continents that I have been to, either for work (corporate and academic) or vacation. One of my best travel or trip buddies was my former manager. He was always open to adventure and always knew how to combine work with play most appropriately. I learned how to carve out time for touring and adventure after work. I have always been adventurous on my own anyway, but I learned a different way through him. When I took a weekend off to relax on the Eastern Cape of South Africa after completing work a few years ago, I did not know I would carry that trip in a special place in my heart. It was my absolute favorite trip and it was with my lovely mum. We stayed at the Hlosi Game Lodge. It was a dream come true.

On the weekend of our trip to Hlosi Game Lodge, potential guests had traveled to Port Elizabeth for an event, leaving the lodge completely empty except for my mum and I. We would get royal treatment. As we drove to the lodge, the driver pointed to another lodge off the road that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie apparently frequented. They shared the lodge was no better than theirs. It only had much better publicity and marketing than they did. Mum and I were excited. We traveled on a dirt road in a Jeep to check in. The attendants took our bags, gave us great tasting cookies and tea, which I requested, and ushered us outside. There was an expanse of land with a cool pool. It was serene. We were told we could catch giraffes or elephants in the distance if we were lucky. We enjoyed the breeze while waiting for our suite to be prepared. Our dinner was being prepared.

Lodge Lobby from Hlosilodge.com

We headed over to our suite when it was ready. What did we see on the way there? Bold warthogs. I am laughing just thinking about it. The sun was going down. I had never seen one so I was a bit scared at first. I thought of Pumbaa from the Lion King! They were cute.

Timon and Pumbaa from syfy.com

Our room was divine. The floors were heated, which was perfect given it was chilly in South Africa at this time. The best part of the suite was not the indoor bathtub, where I hoped to relax later, but the outdoor shower with just enough covering so that I could still try to see wild animals in the distance while taking a shower. I had always dreamed of getting a place with an outdoor shower “when I grew up.” This place reminded me of my dreams and made me smile. They were achievable! After some downtime, we went for dinner. It was set up as a candlelight dinner with a fireplace. The food was delicious. We washed it down with red wine and freshly squeezed juice.

King Suite Bath from Hlosilodge.com

The next day was the safari. This was my first safari. I was a bit nervous. We were to go in an open Jeep and would have to pee in the wild. Whoa! Our driver came prepared with blankets, hot water, tea cups and biscuits. We saw a good number of animals: some cute, some powerful. Later, we went on a boatride, where I saw the most lovely Malachite kingfisher. It was cold but again serene.

Malachite Kingfisher from the Flacks Photography Library

By the time we got back to our room, I felt like we could live there. It was the most amazing weekend. We were so lucky to have gone to the lodge at the time we did. We got a great discount and the best time. I hope to go there again someday.

Traveling opens up the mind. If you get the chance to travel, I hope you do. Life is short. Take a trip!