December holiday in Kosi Bay

The start of our official Christmas holiday was 24 December 2014. The car was packed and stacked to the brim. Kids and dog in the back. New battery to run the inverter and fridge from - check. We were ready for a nine hour drive to Kosi Bay.

We passed some towns that I have never had the pleasure to visit like: Piet Retief, Pongola, Jozini, eManguzi and we drove on the Pongolapoort Dam wall. While driving to Kosi Bay as well as during our stay, temperature was a scorcher. The highest measuring 45°C. Thank heavens for an air con in the Range Rover. At times it felt more like a weight loss program than a holiday. Except for the last two days. That was rainy and messy.

We stopped at Utshwayelo Lodge at around 18:00 and Enock went to show us where the bush camp was. We picked a lovely tree to camp under that would shield us from the burning rays of the sun during day time. There is only one toilet and one separate shower that supply the camp. Did I mention it was in the open air. Only a couple of reeds (for privacy) and a strip of corrugated roof sheeting is used to build amazing outdoor shower experience. Complete with a spider above the think tank. There's obviously no door, so you have to "halloooo, is there anybody in there?" to know if it is safe to enter.

Back to our tree - there is no electricity. Hurray! That meant I couldn't blow dry my hair, which in turn makes me really happy. I could relax and tie my locks with an elastic. Make up was only reserved for the days that we travelled. It was just such a waste with the heat. You sweat it off faster than you can put it on. Loosing weight and saving time because of not having to do my hair and saving my face from harsh chemicals - I could hear angels sing in unison - HALLELUJA!

We had a laid back Christmas day. We went to the beach and the kids had a blast. They loved every minute of it. Armani called it the best day ever! We tried to minimize time in the sun to avoid getting bad sunburn on our first day. Did I mention the heat?! Later that day went I made some gourmet canned sardine sandwiches and Armani said I was the best chef and my food is so good. She is so cute. Both of my kids are.

The next day we lounged around camp and the day after we went to St Lucia and I did use some make up. Had to. We saw some crocs on the riverbed and some hippo's in the water. The kids were amazed that wild animals were that close. We want to give them experiences they remember. A day in the zoo is not the same as seeing an animal in their natural habitat. Best parents ever - check! We went for some much needed pizza at Reef and Dune. Hands down best pizza I've ever had. No seriously. There's so much toppings on you can't see the base. Alonzo (son), was happy. He asked for pizza ever since we left Centurion. Marius' dad and his wife decided to join us for a day or two. We had to gulp down the pizzas and meet them on the road. Happiness. I love my parents in law. They are super relaxed and easy to chat to and you don't have to pretend.

The next day we took them to the beach and we enjoyed some family time around a fire. Unfortunately they had to leave the next day and we saw the opportunity to explore. We did a day excursion to 9 Mile beach, Lala Nek and Black rock beach. Unspoilt beaches like you have never seen. I have a question - why go to Moz and get trampled by Valies if you can experience this. I mean during night time and when the wind was right we could hear music coming from Ponto du Ouro. That is not my definition of a nice relaxing holiday with family. I want space and freedom and I want my children to experience it as well. I don't want to take them to over expensive commercialised holiday spots; I want to give them the best that this world has to offer.

Hope your holiday was as amazing as ours.