What an eventful year it has been at Vuyani Safari Lodge. When I look back and read through all the blogs I have written I get this reminiscing feeling about all the events, the excitement and laughter shared by both guest and staff member. The wonderful people we have met, the new additions to the lodge and the one’s that left us behind for a different route taken. The animals that we have seen (and the one’s that kept getting away), it really has been an action-packed and amusing year.
There have been so many high five’s dished out through the year. Every single time Jesse set out find a Leopard (and succeeded in couple of drives) it was an ant’s nest of excitement once he returned. High five’s all around and massive smiles on every single persons face. Jess I think deserves an award for being the most persistent at finding the elusive one. Also having the most luck in spotting the rare but magnificent Aardvark.
Pierre gets the award for being the most successful with his guides through the Kruger National Park, his very infectious laugh (which can make me laugh till I cry) and for most definitely doing the most maintenance around the lodge. Pierre has an incredibly outgoing personality and can get almost anyone chatting. He is also always making conversation and friends wherever he goes.
Rina is being singled out for her incredible organizational skills and for keeping all the administrative work in order and up to date. I am sure before your stay (or after) you have spoken to Rina at some point. If you visited the lodge she most definitely would have booked an excursion for you at some point during your stay at Vuyani.
Gerard is absolutely the life of the lodge; he has an answer to everything and is always up for a bit of banter and a little chat. His meals are top notch and he always cooks enough food to feed an army. He has created the famous saying that I am sure all who have visited and all who are to visit will hear at least once during your stay: “Great Success”
Shane is one of the most recent additions to the Vuyani Team but has settled in so quickly that it seems he has been here forever. His personality is incredibly diverse and he fits in with the rest of the team so well. His organizational skills and food knowledge are so much more than anyone of us could have ever expected. He has the Midas touch when it comes to presentation and his meals are not only delicious they also look incredible. He is always up for a laugh and willing to help out wherever and whenever he can.
Rose is known as the “Baker” her baked goods are out of this world! She makes the most delectable and inconceivable cakes, tarts and cookies. I am normally the first to do “quality control” whenever she has baked anything. She makes a mean omelette and I have never seen her without a smile on her face. She was so shy when she first arrived at the lodge, but now she has gained confidence and presents her Breakfast and High Tea menu’s with style.
Phillamone bakes the freshest and most delicious bread in the Lowveld. Every morning he dutifully comes in, washes the dishes, and cleans out the kitchen, and starts baking the bread for dinner. He ensures that the store room is stocked and neatly packed and that the trash is taken out. Every now and then he helps out wherever he can with general maintenance and cleanliness of the lodge. He also does most of the cooking when we have a Braai (Barbeque)
Swenkie is the newest addition to the team. He is most certainly the handiest person I have ever met. He is incredibly strong for such a little person, he builds, cleans, washes dishes, waiters, washes cars and now and then he will go on drive to help spot animals. Always friendly and does not recognize the word No. He is always keen and eager to help and is exceptionally proud of his job. He has transformed the lodge in more ways than one. And I am always very amused when he goes on his “monkey patrol”. He patrols the trash cans and thatched roofs to make sure the Monkey’s do not create havoc.
Patricia, Yvonne, Portia and Jacqui what will we do without these ladies? They are the ones that keep the lodge so clean, make the beds and do the laundry. They the most beautiful smiles and can sometimes crack the funniest jokes. A huge thank you goes out to them.
Christopher is also fairly new to Vuyani; he was almost as shy as Rose when he arrived, very reserved and quiet. But now he makes conversation with the guests and ensures that they never have an empty glass in the hand. He helps out with everything and carries the entire lodge’s luggage to and from the rooms. He is also incredibly proud of his job and is extremely punctual. The rest of the staff often giggles at his very sharp comments and he is probably the only one who can silence Gerard with his quirkiness.
Andre and Mike are the guys who do the most travelling by far. They are the first smiling faces that one sees before starting the journey to Vuyani Safari Lodge. They are always willing to share their knowledge. Andre has the sweetest demeanour and I am sure all of our guests and staff will agree. Mike is the organizer; he can organize anything and everything at the drop of a hat.
Craig: I have read that a team is only as good as its leader. Well in the case of Mr. Craig Carnaby we are extremely fortunate. We at Vuyani Safari Lodge could not have asked for a better leader. Always ready to give advice (even if it’s not about work) he can crack a hilarious joke and also be incredibly stern at the same time. He has extensive and incredible knowledge of the bush and animals and takes awe-inspiring photographs.
The lodge has really undergone a metamorphosis in 2012. We have had so many laughs and worked incredibly hard. To each and every staff member I would like to extend an enormous Thank you. Thank you for all your hard work and your smiles. The laughs and the moments where you just keep quiet and walk away, as it can be very challenging in this industry to live and work together, but we have ended up as one big family.
We have met guests and parted as friends. Thank you to all the guests that visited Vuyani Safari Lodge during the year of 2012 – I can only hope that your stay was amazing and that you sit back and look through your pictures reminiscing about your stay at Vuyani (and maybe your next trip)
To all a very prosperous 2013, may you have an incredible year filled with laughter.