Next stop...

SOUTH AFRICA!!!

I am so excited about visiting South Africa. Its the only country in the world to hold two noble prize winners on the same street and is where the worlds largest diamond was found! What an amazing country. While i'm there I plan to do many extraordinary things! I will be spending two weeks in the Kruger, go scuba diving in the exotic tropical reefs, and more, but I don't want to give too much away.   I have a mammoth journey ahead of me though as I wont be going by plane. Unfortunately we will be going by boat for some of the journey so wish me luck because lets just say me and boats don't get on too well. I've had some bad experiences. It will be quite tiring as well.I'll tell you how it goes once I arrive in South Africa. My team have just told me we are ready to set off .Will be back soon!

Adrenaline took over my body. I couldn't believe I had got the chance to come to this magnificent country. We we're in Norway! As soon as stepped off the plane, I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the landscape that lay before me. Sheets of freezing soft snow spread out around me as far as the eye could see. Slowly, the prickly trees swayed side to side saying hello; inviting us into their world. Behind the large expanse of forest stood the mountains tall and proud. They were watching over all of us. Creepy? Yeah but strangely comforting.Of course by now I knew we were going to have to travel to our accommodation but there was nothing coming towards us out of the misty horizon to pick us up. Uh oh. Before I could even see them I knew they were coming. Ferocious barks echoed through the forest. The once calm trees were shaking vigorously. Snow was whirling up off the ground. I closed my eyes shut as tight as I could. Clenched my fists and dug my nails into my hand so deep there will probably be little moon marks there tomorrow. Then it all... stopped. Was I still on the plane? Was I dreaming? Had I fallen over bashed my head and got concussion? Everything couldn't have changed so abruptly, could it?Cautiously, I opened my eyes a fraction. Staring straight back at me were a pair of piercing ice blue eyes. Later I found out this was my 'ride'. A husky. I was nose to nose with a husky. Great. Well at least I wasn't unconscious like I had initially thought. Always look on the bright side of life.Inside my head I could hear myself screaming to turn and run through my feet wouldn't move. What was wrong with me? It was almost as if my head and body had become too different things. I was standing in front of a killer and all I could do was stare.However, once I had managed to slow my breathing to a steady pace and finally take a few steps back something hit me on the head and said "hey my name's common sense!" This creature, this 'killer' was one of the most incredible things I had ever seen. His fur was like a cloud, soft and smooth. His eyes were like diamonds, dazzling and bright. His paws were like a baby's hand, small and delicate. His teeth were a bit scary though. Surprise, surprise it wasn't long till I found myself loving the husky.
                                        

Unfortunately I have to admit it took a long time for me to learn how to mush. Though once I had got the hang of it was amazing. We rode off to our destination in the sunset. The huskies were like lightning bolts dashing through the snow. Something began to land on my face and send little tingles through me. Quickly I tilted my head up to look into the blazing red sky and saw hundreds of glistening, white snowflakes spinning out of the sky. Gradually layers of silky snow built up on the ground and the tree tops became dusted with white. It was as if I had just stepped into a movie scene. It was more beautiful than ever. A perfect end to a perfect but slightly nerve racking day!

Honestly, I thought it would be a bit bigger. Of course I had seen an aeroplane before, and yes of course I knew the aeroplane we were taking would be different as it would be landing on the slippery sly ice. However to say this was small for an planner would be the understatement of the century. Though, I supposed I would have to get used it. It was “home” for the next 2 hours. Quite unhelpfully, I don’t remember much of what happened next. Probably because it only really involved sleeping!!!
Calmly the trees waved at me. All around glistening white, soft as a cushion snow fell slowly to the ground. Soaring above me, the daunting yet shy mountains stood; such a warm welcome to such a freezing desolate place.“It’s beautiful” I whispered to my dad, not wanting to break the fragile but powerful silence.My cheek was pressed up against the aeroplane window. We were so close. Suddenly the innocent snowflakes where whizzing around in all directions. The once calm trees were blowing ferociously, nearly being ripped out the ground. Me, being dopey me, it took a moment to realize the plane was landing! Finally we had arrived in Norway!!! Quickly, we collected bags -which were so full they were bursting open- and rushed to the aeroplane door.WOW! I had never seen anything like it. Slowly I walked down the steps taking in the overwhelming beauty of what lay before me. Sheets of untouched snow spread as far as the eye could see. In my amazement I nearly fell down the last few steps. Cautiously, I stretched out my leg and placed it on the ground (which I couldn't actually find due to the knee high snow). My first step in Norway! Adrenaline rushed round my little delicate body in every direction. Even through my leather boots, I felt the cold. Strangely comforting. Then we began!!!!!