15-Sept: South Africa - Maputaland (Sodwana Bay Lodge)

Woke up to a beautiful sunrise happening directly in front of me. Stayed lazily in the bed for a bit but then made my way outside to watch it from beyond the netting. Ah yes, this I could get used to. The air was filled with sounds of birds chattering away. Rustling in the bushes below suggested creatures were rousing, but I could not spot the offenders.

Decided to check out the outside cobbled shower. Sun was streaming into the shower block - making it tantalizingly inviting. The wall seemed just about high enough. Okay let's do this. Sun beating down on your body, incredible sense of freedom, plus feels just a little bit naughty, kinda like skinny dipping. You’re outside, the sun’s shining, water’s involved, you’re naked, and someone somewhere probably disapproves. Still, it is a refreshingly exhilarating experience, with incredible views of a nature reserve everywhere you looked, you can but smile (manically!) and thank your lucky stars for agreeing to join the trip.

Turns out everyone was delighted with the outdoor showers and quite a few of the couples 'fessed up to taking selfies with their waterproof cameras! At breakfast I even learned that Karen shared her shower with a cheeky voyeur, Nandi, the resident spotted eagle owl. Interesting!! Plus Tony and Lu also had creature activity. A little mouse had raided their M&M's, gorging himself on the chocs, I believe there's even a pic floating about, but haven't seen it yet. Note to self, don't keep food in rooms!

Next venue on our hit-list was Sodwana Bay, another mecca for the divers. We are staying in the Sodwana Bay Lodge and have another gorgeous house with six bedrooms. While I have my own room, I'm sharing an interconnecting bathroom with Geoff and Francois. That would be all fine and dandy, however their room opens onto a partial view of the toilet, which is nestled in an alcove that seemed to be missing a door!!! Hmmm, interesting. We are definitely going to have to employ a knocking system or some such, otherwise I could be easily caught sitting not-so-pretty, hehehe!!

After lunch in the house a group of us decided to check out one of the two pools here. Opting for (hopefully) the quieter of the two. Sure enough we had it all to ourselves - result! Quick dip in, oooh that's quite a nice temperature actually, perfect! Lu demonstrates her fitness skills by doing a few push-ups and a plank. Geoff also attempts to plank, looking a lot less unsteady.

Divers reported yet another great dive, seeing dolphins and a baby calf, turtles, rays , and a potato cod. Francois had taken his GoPro so we all checked out the very cool videos. Tony's pics were also fantastic. Looked beautiful.

On returning to the lodge Geoff went to dump the melted ice-water from the esky, when Karen decided to not let it go to waste and make good on her ice-bucket nomination. Hubbie Steve took great pleasure in insisting on filling up the esky with ice that had been generated by the ice-maker, much to Karen's horror!! Both guys then proceeded to tip the esky contents over poor Karen. Birrr!!