We're on a schedule too, as usual, but I managed to convince my tour manager to let me check out the supermarket. The campers must've raided it earlier in the day, because they were completely out of fresh food, and I was dying for a tomato. It was microwaved pies or nothing. The filling station here has a fantastic view - the same one we're paying to enjoy tonight.
We're being accomodated in rectangular tents that overlook the veld and mountains. While it's far less luxurious than Boulders, at least we are able to plug in and charge the cameras, video, and cellphone. We planned our battery life quite well over the weekend, only just running out as we arrived in sesreim. Apparently this place is self-catering, but we couldn't find a kitchen. Our room has two beds, a bathroom in the back, and a stoep with a braai. The only place to prep food would be the counter in the bathroom, which is just gross. Maybe there is a communal kitchen somewhere.
Not that it matters because we made a reservation for two at the Lodge's restaurant. The setting was very romantic, with a candlelit table under the African night sky. Dinner was an extraordinary buffet, serving anything you could think of, including the zebra steak Kevin chose. I hit the salad bar, walking off with almost all their olives to fill the canyon in my belly. Never give me a bowl of olives and a big spoon - not if you're trying to make a profit. As it is, though, I doubt we had our money's worth. When the bill arrived, we were shocked to find that we'd been charged R190 each. I think it's on account of the fact that they offer such a big variety of expensive game meat, which was completely wasted on me. We've decided not to return for breakfast. Firstly, we want to get to the dunes as early as possible. Secondly, if they charge us only half of what we paid for dinner, it will be the most expensive bowl of fruit I've ever had!
All the rich food we've been enjoying since arriving at Wolwedans has finally caught up with me. Besides sporting a bloated stomach and being unable to breathe through my nose, I got heartburn (at least that's what I guess it was) for the first time in my life. It was awful. I don't know how regular sufferers cope. It was so painful. I took a handful of digestive enzymes and chorella to try and alkalinise my stomach contents. It's definitely back to fruit and veg for me from now on!
Lying in bed looking at the Wolwedans photos, of which there are some truly stunning ones, I am feeling a bit better. Gonna try to sleep now and hope that the pain is gone by the the time my predawn alarm sounds.
