Now that most of us are back from ROAR2 and (more or less) over jet lag, I thought that I'd start a thread devoted to LCTers' special memories of this wonderful adventure.

We played this little game on our jeep (Rover, whatever) and at dinner the last couple of nights at Madikwe Hills: "What was your most memorable experience of the trip?"

Of course, we all have many, many "greatest hit" memories from this superb time in South Africa. Nonetheless, my dear fellow LCTers, the challenge I lay before you is to isolate one or two memories that are "Primus inter pares". It is my fond hope that these passionate reminiscences will not only remind the ROAR2ers of their experiences, but will also serve to excite (only in a good way, of course) those GAMEers, SAMBAers, and other potential visitors to the wonders of South Africa regarding the remarkable opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime memories there.

One of our jeep buddies who does not post here considered the fabulous leopard-in-the-gym at Leopard Hills as his favorite memory.

Here are our two contributions to Greatest Hits:

1. Fred - At Madikwe Hills, we were parked watching at very close range a large herd of cape buffalo. Suddenly, there was total chaos, with the buffalo bellowing and crashing into one another. We feared a stampede (yikes, not good for our little Rover). On the contrary, in an astonishingly short time (four to five seconds!!!), they'd formed into a perfect defensive ring, with the bulls on the outer ring, fully alert with their magnificent horns lowered against potential predators, the cows on the next ring, also facing out, and the calves in the center. After a while (when the two threatening hyenas wandered away), the ring broke and the herd went back to grazing. But the total thrill and chill of watching that societal organization remained. Even now, nearly two weeks later, I marvel at the magnificent experience.

2. Pat - At Leopard Hills, we watched the breeding lion pair spend about 40 minutes being emphatically non-breeding. Then, the beautiful lioness stretched and stood, making every sign of being ready to engage the clearly-interested male. However, as soon as he approached her amorously, she turned on him viciously, roared at him, and smacked him roundly across the face, before settling back down to doze. He, in turn, appeared to roll his eyes, then simply plopped down on his side, with his huge eyes (surrounded by his magnificent mane) trained on us, as if to signal his frustrated message, "Curses, foiled again!!"

More Greatest Hits, friends??

Cheers, Fred