Living My Dream
Dear Family, Forum Members and Friends
In a few hours I will be on a plane to South Africa to start My Trip!!
I cannot believe a thought that started just over 2 years ago, and was planned to happen in 7 years time, then reduced to 4 and then to 2 years, has now become a reality!
Before I embark on this mission, I would like to thank a few people who have helped to make this dream a reality.
First of all to my husband, who have been very supportive and understands the “need” for me to go and “Live My Dream”. I will always remember your love, support and help (oh, and the monthly allowance!) and know that by being apart for this long, for the first time in our lives, is going to make us stronger and our love will carry on forever! Just know I will dream of you every night!! (Just leave a can of Blue Stratos behind!)
Our Girls (Megan and Carmen) I thank you both for your understanding and although you live hectic and full lives, I look forward to seeing you both in Kruger!
The Family (especially Ants, Jen, Susan, Nico and Yula), Forum members (too many to mention, but Stomstom who gave me the inverter) and Friends (anyone who knows me or have heard of me) who have given me so much advice and support. I truly hope to bring Kruger closer to you all and look forward to all your comments and questions.
Sanparks for giving me the opportunity to blog on this site, thank you! Di and Gwen who really “pushed” me to make this happen sooner, I miss all the communication we had before, but also hope that you will both continue to read my posts and know that you had a part to play in this! Nedret and Mel for helping me through the tutorial of the blog and answering so many questions, sometimes silly, but you never said that! I will try my best to make this blog the best there is and always remember your support as well.
Todd at Wildlife campus for offering me the courses on offer so that I can hopefully give you some useful information learned from doing these courses.
ELS Language Center, Helen and Dominic…thank you for the opportunity to teach at the center and make this dream a reality..I will never forget your support and my students ! Im glad I had the opportunity to bring English to those who really wanted to learn! It was an experience I will never forget!
Last, but certainly not least, my employer QIPCO Holdings, Said, Kareem, Fatima, Nick (and wife Bernie) and everyone else, thank you for understanding!! At least now you got “rid” of the animal woman!! A special note to Mr. Said, your understanding will never be forgotten, I hope that one day I can show you and your family the “magic” that Kruger offers……Kareem, maybe you will never experience it as there are no “stock markets” to watch!!! Fathima I look forward to seeing you in Kruger soon!!
Finally, I certainly hope you will all be part of this trip and I look forward to bringing all my news, photos and videos from Kruger! Please feel free to ask any questions you may have and I will try my best to answer them all!
Until the next post from South Africa!!
Regards,
Mgoddard (Martie)
Like
April 28th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Martie,
Finally the day has arrived to live your dream. You’ll also be living ours! Have a BLAST!
xx
Gwen
April 29th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Hey Martie,
We miss you at work! You enjoy your year at the park and live your dream!!
We will put up your picture at work when Said gets back!!
April 29th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Hi Martie
What a wonderful dream u have – hope u are enjoying the park – just returned home yesterday from the park – although we did not see may animals on this visit it was still great to be there – the wonder of this wonderful place for us as SA’s is that we can also re-visit at the drop of a hat – lying in bed this morning I said to hubby lets go back this weekend – it was so nice – the park being only a short journey from our home in Gauteng – it would be lovely to go again
Enjoy our lovely heritage!!
April 29th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Hi Martie
I will be looking at the blog every day for your news. Have a safe trip. A year will go by so fast so enjoy and treasure every minute – remember you are not just living your dream but we are living our dreams through you!
Kind regards
Allison
XOXO
April 29th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Hi Martie,
I will definately keep track on the blog! My husband and I have always wandered how could we stay longer in the park, but with living expenses that has risen sky high we knew that we would not be able to afford it. Altough maybe someday…….. like you, our dreams will come true. We would give up everything right now to do what you are about to do. We are up in the Northern Part in July, maybe we could get together and share your trips and make you feel less home sick!
Good Luck and may God show you all the magical wonders which he created in this World and keep you safe!
From one KNP lover to another!
April 29th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Hi Martie
All our love and best wishes from Australia
We look forward to following your journey and meeting you in Berg en Dal
Lorraine and David Pring and family
April 29th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Martie, be safe, you are brave indeed & we applaud you.
Scipio, Scorpion & kids.
April 29th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Hi Martie
I can not believe your year in the park has finally begin. Best wishes for you from me and my hubby Jack. Enjoy your stay and keep us updated with all your sightings and everything else that happen. ENJOY EVERY DAY!! We are looking forward to your TR’s.
We are on our way for our yearly visit in two weeks time and I must be honest with you we are counting the days.
April 29th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Hi Martie
Geniet jou gate uit. (enjoy) We will see you in Punda Maria on the 19th of July. Will be flying our Yellow Ribbon, so look out for us. We’ll be having our first braai in kruger that night, so your more than welcome to join usl Have fun fun fun
Marijke, Philip and the kids
April 30th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Martie – the time has arrived to live your dream. I am sure in the beginning you may be a bit nervous about it all, but in no time you will be having the time of your life.
Will be following your experiences faithfully, and a bit enviously.
Billyf
April 30th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Hi Martie,
Fantastic to see you start the adventure and dream of your life, go for it!
Will come and visit you wherever you’ll in August, we’ll be travelling through the whole Kruger NP and will keep myself informed on where you’ll be.
Hugs from us all (Andy, Silvia and Franci)
May 1st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Hi Martie, we miss you already! Enjoy your time. Hope everything gets sorted. Love to Nan. Speak to you soon!!
Love from Ken & Urs in Qatar
May 3rd, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Hi Martie,
You are probably in Letaba now and hopefully beginning to destress! I wrote you an e mail a while ago expressing my envy of you having the courage to get out there and live your dream! You go girl. I would pack my stuff tomorrow without any hesitation and do exactly the same thing if circumstances permitted! My son is in Botswana ranging at the moment and is adament that one day we will own our own little piece of heaven in Africa. Til then I can but dream – and ready your blogs. I admire you and wish you only good fortune. Keep the dream alive. All the very best, Barbara Wilson
May 8th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Hi Hope all is going well and setteled in well.Is all paper work sorted out.Currently making arrangements for first beer delivery in September. Photo’s looking great.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
[...] on this link to read Martie’s post/letter before her arrival at KNP wherein her excitement is [...]
November 19th, 2009 at 2:12 am
[...] on this link to read Martie’s post/letter before her arrival at KNP wherein her excitement is [...]
January 14th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Hi Martie I am enjoying reading your daily blogs. I find them interesting and also enjoy viewing your lovely photos. I love the kruger and have also spent a large portion of my life in the kruger where I have been rewarded with spectacular sightings. I am in the process of acquiring a canon 100-400mm zoom lens for my 450d. Please advise me if you keep your camera on auto, program, aperture or shutter speed priority. If you use the latter what ISO speed do you use in low light and bright light to get the best performance from this lens . Also please advise what speed you travel at when game viewing in the different types of bush. I picked up a certain amount of criticism because I travel at 50 if the bush is not too dense. I find that the more distance I travel the better my chances are of seeing more game. The data that I have built up over the years proves this. Thanks. Regards garrow