DOLPHIN TAILS

Soul Safari
Essence of Africa
2 – 12 October 2008
Facilitated by Chris Stormer and Courtney Ward.

We are about to embark on a wonderful adventure, ten days to savour and experience Africa, we will move from the ordinary, into the extraordinary.

I am pleased to have met my companions of travel a few days before departure,
Chris is having them pampered with massage at the good Vibrations sanctuary
They are entrepreneurs and have taken themselves to some enlightening African experiences before even beginning their Soul Safari.
We are an exquisite blend, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, distance melting into one.

The cottages, a retreat of thatch and stone nestled in central Johannesburg holds space for our first circle gathering.
Our intentions for our soul safari as well as all practical to do`s are shared.
Our bus awaits, our driver Gift, winds his way through city streets to Soweto.
Many surprises await our visitors, the world hears so many stories, and these so often stray far from the truth about our beloved South Africa.
Soweto is alive, vibrantly we make our way to the home of Tokko, respected and renowned, grandmother Tokko will share with us the passion and knowledge of the African Traditional healers, the Sangomas.
We hold circle in her beautiful home, the ancient ways find a path in our modern hearts.
To acknowledge that spirit is immersed in this physical world comes naturally to my new and curious family. The bones and shells display an array of paths all meeting in this present moment to grow and flow, to flow and grow.

New Town, Moyos delights the senses with a long awaited vegetable curry.
A little too much chilli for our two young mermaids Bronty and Holly who are quietly observing the adults around them.
We move off the beaten track and wander through a huge Traditional Healers market in City Centre. Animal, plant, stone, seed, feather and bone. The mystery is intriguing.
Gift returns our family to the cottages, we will leave Johannesburg at 5.30am and head into the homelands of the Tonga people, Kwa Zulu Natal.

Sunrise seeps through the eyelids of a new day.
Suitcases are wheeled down the hill to our silver bus, awaiting adventure.
Packed breakfasts and open hearts greet the long road ahead.

Encouraged to stay in the present moment our well fairing tribe take the bus trip, few stops, side-mirror bumping, awaiting replacement, potholes… in grace
The elephants lure us closer to our destination, we are very happy to arrive.
Tembe Elephant Lodge, here dung beetles have the right of way and the love of animals is a way of life.
We climb off the bus and onto our 4x4 game vehicle for transfer to the lodge.
The voices of Africa sing from the home of a brilliant smile, the women are singing. They are welcoming us to Tembe!

Our first game drive gently sways our sleepy tribe into a beautiful sunset, a happy tummy befriending a delicious dinner and a star kissed sleep.

The sounds of the bush awakening to the sun.
A light breakfast sends us on our way to meet the animal kingdom of Tembe.
Nyala, Impala, kudu, elephant and lion entice and play with our curiosity.
Rodney enticed perhaps just a little too much tea and now here with the lions, needs to wee
The sandy forest is alive, teeming with presence and wonder.
Elephants bath in the waters at the hide, wart-hog tease the water monitor as some vulture scan the overview.

Brunch and lunch, pens and pastels, creative projects unfold under the guidance of Chris and her vast wisdom, concerning.. Just about anything!
Animals and feet just what do they have in common?

Sunset calls the bush folk once again to explore her plenitude and splendour.
Black Rhino give us, the curious eye.
A shy, almost extinct Suni dashes from sight.

Fire ablaze. A drumbeat calls for dinner. Exotic meats entice the pallet and star- lit skies invite the soul.
A choir of men appear in suit and sash, they sing songs sung in the days of the mine, songs sung in hostels away from home, songs sung to call the lover, the mother, the sister, songs sung now here in the flicker light of this fire.
In closing we all dance around the flames as one body, as one heart.

Golden fingers embrace the trees, the sweetness of a new morning.
Eager eyes, surrendered smiles, snappy cameras and peaceful travellers meet again the world of beasts.
Elephants so large- they come so close- the flutter of an eyelash, the swish of a tail, the wisdom of wrinkles, and an ancient story being shared.

We see now how connected all things are, animals speak of the worlds within, without our feet gladly reflect this.
Colours and patterns adorn the pages of our journey. Chris assists us to interpret and share that which we see.

Afternoon snoozes in tented luxury, swimming pool lounges in sun-baked goodness. Sand traced hearts and the stretch of yoga on a wooden deck. This is possible even when wearing a pair of denim jeans?
The game drive lures the tribe to the standing tall of giraffe and a golden pink African sunset.
Dinner and didgeridoo, butter dish debates, silly sounds, song, sung and singing, a circle of hands in gratitude true.
Our last night at Tembe is filled with a magic that will forever paint our dreams in peace.

The day of change is here and with the choice of yoga or a game drive, breakfasts and fond sung farewells we are back in the bus and driving the 50 km to the Mozambique border. We stop over to buy some snacks, a few spirits and an abundance of soccer balls, books and stationary for the local Malongane school. What a special family this is.
Visas all round and up onto our next 4x4 transfer across the sandy dunes to destination Paradise
Tartaruga; the home of the turtle. Luxury tents hidden in a thicket of coastal forest, a near deserted beach our doorstep to the dolphins.

Wooden pathways weave their way through trees and eager feet weave their way to explore. We will gather for a basic snorling course in the very chilly pool.
Joan is a master at keeping the breath calm under such duress
A gentle walk to the dive centre in the nook of the bay gets us acquainted with the boat and our hired gear. Sunset colours the sky and paints the sea a dusty pink, a smokey orange and velvety purple.
Taryn and her darling husband (a skipper for a waiter is a rare treat ) have prepared the perfect meal for the perfect hunger.
Glasses clink in the joy of togetherness and personal bliss.
Laughter cascading and abundant opens the space for…
Dolphin sharing to awaken curiosity and early morning eagerness, dolphin sharing to inspire sweet sweet dreams.

Our yoga deck is on the beach, our salute to the sun invigorating.
Warm and flexible bodies walk to the dive centre in anticipation and perhaps even trepidation.
Many emotions are moving through our beloved family this morning, it is quite extraordinary how we begin to mirror and reflect parts of self for one another.
Brave Holly holds the hand of direct experience and looks into the eyes of teary confidence.
With voices raised to the sky we move through the surf, Shawn is clear and confident.
We travel north, the ocean is reasonably calm today a gentle North East wind reminds us of her presence.
In Mid Frederico Bay we spot a mother and calf Humpback Whale. Mum is joyfully waving her pectoral fins as we safely and respectfully approach. She then does a complete somersault in the water, her glowing white under belly beautifully visible.
In wonder we quietly observe before gently moving further north.
Again we find a mother and calf whale, whilst observing we are approached by 6 dolphins. They peer at us as they come up; the eye contact is direct and humbling.
There are 2 calves; one is very young having been born this year.
We realize we are suspended in time and place between whale and dolphin, love and light J
In gratitude we take the boat to a shallow reef, here we will polish our snorkel skills and appreciate some colourful fish, a turtle just swam by or was that James and his amazing free diving skills!
Happily we take the salty ride home.

A day of rest and village exploration is open to the tribe; sunset will call the beating pulse of togetherness. Sunset will gather the drums. Sunset will set the music free.
A circle of rhythm shakes the last inhibition. For now openhearted expression is language we speak.

The wind has swept through our forest dreams, all night she has licked the ocean in the fast flick of her tongue, we will not take our boat to sea today.

As breakfast settles we prepare to drive to the local village school.
Taking with us the stationary gifts we had brought along.
Our open back vehicle sails over the dunes, myriads of friendly smiles peer through the reed doorways and sandy paths of the Malongane Village.
The children are vibrant and excited, curious eyes and sub-sonic giggles gift the air with a treasured moment. The Mozambique anthem is sung in eager talent.
A silly dance brings joy as we are invited to walk through the school and be witness to the worlds of difference that make this planet we all share such a mystery,
The gifts were happily accepted.

It is a day for outing, what a joy to see how this family completely embrace their experience. They are opening themselves to Mozambique, her people and her energy.
We drive through to Ponta D Oura, the next bay south of Malongane. 10 km of snaking sand paths. The wind in our hair.
Curios and silken scarves, Magenta Moon secrets to unfold
The power of the drum resonates. Our presence is felt and appreciated.
A flight of steps guide us to lunch at Café Del Mar. Sangria tips the day once again into realms of laughter, Wendy teaches us some new tricks, the salt cellar precariously balanced at her chest
Our transfer awaits and homeward bound we bounce.

Dinner and dancing, it has been decided by our young mermaids that a disco is just what we need; we bop and wiggle and twist and turn. Spirals of love weave pleasure with no measure as we settle to have our feet and soul soothed. Chris guides our touch through this wonderful treatment. We drift into the realms of bliss, floating in an ocean of trust.

Morning’s gift awakens us to a new day in paradise.
A brisk walk to Dive centre and a choppy launch out to sea ensures we are enlivened.
We travel north; in Mid Fredrico Bay we spot 7 or 8 dolphins. It is a nursery pod; there are 2 older calves and a very young calf in the water.
They are curious and restful, we gently observe as I slip into the water and am circled a few times by mum and older calf.
Folk are put into water but do not encounter dolphin, we make the call to let them be.
A snorkel is enjoyed on Mamolie reef and on our route home a flying fish delights the senses.

Holly and Bronty will have their hair braided in the village after brunch.
The day will open to rest and more of Chris’s footed universal wisdom J
As the sunset again paints the sky our tribe settles into the snug hold of blankets and sacred sounds. A sound Journey transports our spirits to lightness.

Prawns for dinner, great smiles for desert
Tonight will be our last sleep beside the oceans lulling song.

A few of us vist the sea on our boat one last time before making the sandy journey to the border.
We are given a gracious farewell by our beloved dolphins. We do not swim but observe in peace.
Today is my birthday, a crown adorns my head and a bell resounds my joy.

Our bus awaits our long adventure back to the highveld of South Africa.
Story’s, photos and subtle snores accompany our travel.
The night has drawn her mantle and we approach our unknown destination Kiasoma.
I have a map and an eager tired bus of angels.
We leave the highway for a rattling dirt road; a laughing crowd of surrender is greeted by a giant wild boar as we enter the sacred grounds of our new home.
A late night dinner greatly pleases the grumbling tummy monster. This place is beautiful and a bed in a stable welcomes us J

Held in the basin of a rocky mountain, Kiasoma sweeps the soul to dance.
Morning yoga and potbelly pigs precede a breakfast spread that tickles every wish.
Gowns, slippers and chocolate oil. Shady trees become the sanctuary for body massages. African Goddesses touch feet, hands and faces in such delightful care.
We waft around, afloat on air and the presence of well-being.

The power of letting go has become very apparent. A few of our tribe have a runny tummy. Yet their positive outlook still stands tall.

The waterfall anoints the place where heaven meets earth,
Our bodies reflecting the sacred source.

A fire is lit in the boma; a circle of chairs invites our closing.
We gather with gift and candle. We gather, heart to heart.
The drum calls forth a story, a memory so sweet to recall.
A circle gently spirals to the centre of it all.
May the love we found here spread its wings….
Laughter and tears mingle.

After dinner hears the haunting song of Joan’s harmonica, so soothing in its call.
Inspiring the road ahead in courage.

Daybreak assists the packing of the bus.
Last and lasting songs are sung in trances of orange skirts, our goddesses have blessed our way, our path is now open.

We drive along a road that seems so short, only two nights ago we experienced the time warp and shifting reality of arriving here.
Only 10 nights ago we met and fell in love, forever to cast in the gold of our hearts the circle-ring of family found and remembered, of soul rekindled and spirit awakened.
The airport was where I said goodbye to those that have touched my life in such a truly special way.

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