As I sit on my balcony in St Lucia with a sign 5 metres away that says 'Beware of Hippos and Crocodiles After Dark' I wonder if I am any safer than sitting in the middle of a game reserve. The whole group has come to St Lucia for the weekend to let off a bit of steam and also so that we are half way to the airport for those that are leaving on Sunday and need to get to the airport in Durban.

I am sad that Francien, who also arrived when I did will be staying in St Lucia to work on another project for the coming 2 months and so won't be returning to Thanda. I have enjoyed her company for the past month and will miss her smiling reserach group related updates. I am also sad that Steph has decided to cut her time at Thanda short (due to a lot of issues that were reported this week) and head to Mozambique to do some more diving and continue her travels. But with a four day trip to the Drakensburg to look forward to, I am sure that the next 2 weeks will fly by. I certainly have mixed feelings when I think that I will be leaving my amazing African life in just 2 weeks and will be on Australian soil in just 2.5 weeks! Having said that I am very much ready to see everyone again in the flesh.

St Lucia is an interesting place that has numerous crocodiles and hippos all around. So much so that is not uncommon to see a hippo walking down the main street! Considering these are very dangerous and aggressive animals, my prayers are split into wanting to see one for the cool factor and not wanting to see one cause it is a rather scary prospect.

Today and tomorrow will be spent wandering the numerous surf stores and sovenior stores making final African purchases and reconfirming that I really should not not buy x, y or z that I have managed to resist so far on my travels. I am also taking full advantage of being able to eat in restaurants and have a powerful hot shower. Again it is the little things in life that are keeping me more than happy. I am also enjoying having a little bit of internet access so that I can let you all know that I am at least alive!