Happy Birthday To Me!

It's my 24th birthday TODAY!!!

Wooo!

I'm not sure how I am ever going to top the birthday weekend I am having.

It's been about as incredible as you would imagine spending your birthday in South Africa would be.

Here's what I've been up to:

Yesterday, everything was kicked off with Dids and I taking a trip out to Lanseria Lion Park. 

This one is different than the previous one I visited in that it's smaller and more focussed on lions. There was a self-game drive section that had wildebeest , blesbuck, springbok, zebra, giraffe, and oryx. 

From there, we drove into four separate pens that housed three different prides of lions and one cheetah family. 

We were lucky enough to see both a fully grown male AND three little two week old cubs in the first pen. It was incredible to get so close to these large animals. Our car window was literally only a meter or two from their jaws! 

The second lion pen housed a beautiful group of white lions, whereas in the last lion area we were treated to a viewing of one of the staff members brushing out the male's large fluffy mane. As his pride of females looked on from the side, this big daddy rolled on his back and squirmed around while the keeper did his best to spray the mane and untangle it.

Once he was finished, the keeper moved towards the females to brush them also, but they were having it. It was pretty funny to see a 400lb cat run away scared from a small human man wielding a hair brush!

This park also housed some pretty cool animals outside of buck and lions. We saw aardwolf (no -- I am not making that name up lol), black backed jackals, and two types of hyena: both spotted and brown. 

When we first approached the spotted hyena pen, I thought I saw something small moving at the feet of the female. What I saw was a baby! It had just been born. 

Now, hyena's aren't exactly the prettiest of creatures. I mean, let's be honest: they are straight-up ugly. Not to mention terrifying! But this little baby was too cute. It was about the size of a kitten and completely helpless. It could barely crawl. The mama carried the little tyke around in its mouth and took care to let everyone watching know that she meant business. Any sudden movements got you a hair raising, solid yellow-eyed stare that turned your blood cold.  I wouldn't mess with her! 

In the game park I visited back in November, time with baby cubs set you back about 40rand a pop. Here, it was free! Dids and I pet and played with two three month old white lion cubs and two three week old cubs. They were so docile. I tried to convince Dids to help me smuggle one out in my purse but sadly he refused.

The two week old cubs

Me with the two month old snoozer

Wandering around the grounds were a little springbok and blesbuck. They had both been rescued and hand-fed by the staff, so they acted like domesticated dogs :) They would wander up to you for cuddles and a pet, and then hop off to chase kids around. They even knew which staff members to hit up for treats! Clever buggers.

For 20rand we got to feed a couple giraffes. The female was very polite, using her soft hairy lips to take the food gently from your palms. The male... well... wasn't so pleasant. His gloopy, slobbery purple tongue was about 6 inches long (no joke!!) and he used it to slurp up the pellets. Your hand was left feeling totally molested. It was so gross!lol They were just as smart as the little bucks though, as the second your bag of food was empty, they'd swing their long necks around to the next person with an ample supply of treats.

There were also ostrich, but as you already know, ostrich and I aren't exactly friends. I left Dids to feed them on his own as I focussed on side-stepping wayward giraffe tongue swipes. 

From there, Dids and I went home to get ready for part two of the day: Moyo!!!

I had been hearing about this restaurant for months. Basically since I first arrived, people have been telling me how I had to visit this place. 

It's known as a truly 'African' restaurant, offering traditional food and decor. The serving staff dress in beautiful feathered hats and African art surrounds the tables. The best part: they paint your face!! Count me in :)

When we arrived, I knew it was going to be a special night. The Moyo in Zoo Lake is known for its beauty. It's set directly next to the water and surrounded by beautiful foliage and flowering plants. I can only imagine how nice it would be to visit in the summer -- if only to have a drink out on its fairy-lit patios. Curly cast-iron couches and large, pillowy chairs line the wide planked floor. It looked like the best place in the world to chill and relax with friends. 

Unfortunately, it is winter now and the nippy temperature required us to sit indoors. Not that it was a bad thing! The inside of the restaurant was equally as stunning. The walls and white pillars showcased local African art, while the ceilings soared with thick beams overhead. Everything was decorated "African-style" in prints and natural fibers. We had live music all night in the form of a local gentleman with his guitar and trio of black ladies singing relaxing harmonies. I couldn't have asked for a more special place to have my birthday dinner. 

We were a full table of 12 Dids and I, Mike and Jen, Jill and Chris, Jonno and Sharon, Andrew and Gunter (our fabulous neighbors), Ian, and Tiffany. Such a good group of people :) The air was full of laughter, jokes, and stories all night long. I was honored to have them all there with me. It's always a bit scary to celebrate birthdays abroad, away from family and familiar friends, but I felt so loved.

Not to mention the food was divine. I had a chicken tajine (tah-jeen), which is a curry dish from Northern Africa that is slow cooked in a special earthenware pot. De-lish!

Sharon and I spotted a display with beautiful handmade belts and decided to check them out. Before you knew it, half of our table was clustered around it, ooohing and aaaahing at the intricate designs. Turns out they are created by a South African celebrity: Gerry Elsdon! And amazingly enough -- she was there! We got to meet her and she was a pleasure to speak with. Turns out her husband is a Canadian!

Beautiful belts and neck pieces abound!... oh yes, and pretty ladies :) 

Her belts are hand stitched by Ndebele women, who are culturally renowned for their beading skills. Her pieces truly are works of art. Sharon bought a black one encrusted with stones and silver beads. I had my eye on one made of cream satin and positively covered in tiny blue, pink, and purple beads. I was told it took 2 women 4 days to stitch it. I wanted it so bad, but it expensive and I knew I couldn't really afford it.

That's when Didier offered to help pay for it as an early birthday gift :) :) So it got to come home with me. I have visions of buying a vintage dressmaker bust and using it to display the belt in my living room. Maybe I should also get a feathered hat like the Moyo ladies wore and put that on the mannequin as well... hmmm??

It was so fun for everyone to have their face painted. The boys had warrior designs while the girls wore dotted swirls and flowers. Everyone looked fantastic! ... Even Jonno, who initially refused to be painted but then gave in to my birthday girl demands :) 

Getting face painted!

So pretty! Jill is in the background getting hers done :) 

Lovely Tiffany 

Warrior Mike

My mostest favoritest part of the night came when the Moyo staff sang me "happy birthday" African-style. There was about 8 of them with traditional drums and everything! A lady danced around our table and fed me ice cream while the group belted out notes in Zulu. The entire room was filled with their voices, dancing, drums, and smiles.

The staff sing and play!

My table was beaming and a few of my friends sang along. I wished I could have as well, but to be honest, I was just trying to soak it all in. My waitress came over and lovingly placed her pink feather hat on my head and I started tearing up. It was all just so wonderful. Such an incredible way to celebrate the start of my 24th year!

Once the night (sadly) came to an end, we split off and some ended up at Chris's flat for a few more drinks and some sokkie music ;)

As if these folks thought I'd let them get away without the requisite "group shot" 

Today, my birthday day began bright and early when my mother called at 5am. Her and my grandma were well into the wine with our neighbors back home and I got an earful of slurred 'HAPPY BIRTHDAYS'! haha. Good to know they are celebrating big, even if I'm not there to join in the festivities! 

After a quick snooze back in bed, Dids and I took a quick(ish) trip to Sandton City because... Inglot opened there this weekend!! For those who don't know, Inglot is Polish makeup brand that is notoriously difficult to find in North America. I've been anticipating their grand opening here in Joburg for weeks now. Makeup is a hobby of mine and I was anxious to get my hands on some products from this amazing line!

After that we took off to visit a local crocodile farm. Not a bad way to celebrate a birthday, I'd say!

We enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch packed lovingly for me by Jonno and Sharon (isn't that a nice idea for a birthday gift?) and then set off to see loads of crocs -- big and small. I even got to hold a baby only two weeks old!! Its skin was soft and squishy underneath. But man, was that little guy still strong!

Baby croc!

Mama and Daddy crocs

Outside of the croc pools there was also a large reptile enclosure. We made friends with one of the staff members and he took the time to personally explain a lot of the reptiles to us. 

Then he offered to take some animals out of their cages so we could hold them.

Dids was all for it. I was... err... NOT.

This is what resulted due to that brilliant idea of his:

I may or may not have shouted "F&*K!" when the handler put him on my shoulders. The parents of the small children standing next to me were not impressed. 

haha!

These little bearded dragons and I fared muchhhhh better together:

Now, as I type this, Dids and I are off for a birthday date night to Parker's Comedy Club. There's a line up of South African standup comedians and I cannot wait to spend the night laughing and kicking back with a few drinks. I think it's the perfect way to end an amazingly "South African" birthday weekend. 

Cheers and thank again for all of your birthday wishes from across the pond!! xo