South Africa - St. Lucia Estuary and Indian Ocean

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img_1340 Our first wild hippo sighting.
Our first wild hippo sighting.
img_1358 A large family group of hippos was our next destination. Unfortunately this is as much as you could usually see of the 20 or so hippos in the area. They mostly...
A large family group of hippos was our next destination. Unfortunately this is as much as you could usually see of the 20 or so hippos in the area. They…
img_1376 One extra bit of excitement - a mama crocodile (Or is it an alligator? I can never remember!) guarding her nest of eggs.
One extra bit of excitement - a mama crocodile (Or is it an alligator? I can never remember!) guarding her nest of eggs.
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img_1381 This is about as exciting as it gets when it comes to hippo viewing.
This is about as exciting as it gets when it comes to hippo viewing.
img_1382 Oh wait! This is even MORE exciting!
Oh wait! This is even MORE exciting!
img_1387 That's a big wall of hippo flesh.
That's a big wall of hippo flesh.
img_1389 A close-up of how their noses help keep them underwater. Hippos are not the most beautiful creatures in the world are they?
A close-up of how their noses help keep them underwater. Hippos are not the most beautiful creatures in the world are they?
img_1396 Here's what the St. Lucia estuary looks like once the sun comes out.
Here's what the St. Lucia estuary looks like once the sun comes out.
img_1400 Yaaaaawwwnnnnn!
Yaaaaawwwnnnnn!
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img_1403 Weaver bird nests in the grass alongside the estuary.
Weaver bird nests in the grass alongside the estuary.
img_1406 And now it's time to hit the beach on the Indian Ocean.
And now it's time to hit the beach on the Indian Ocean.
img_1408 This was definitely a beach for the locals with only a few touristy types, like us for instance, around.
This was definitely a beach for the locals with only a few touristy types, like us for instance, around.
img_1413 Martin scouting out the waves with Zoe and Gavin.
Martin scouting out the waves with Zoe and Gavin.
img_1414 Zoe getting a little taste of the Indian Ocean.
Zoe getting a little taste of the Indian Ocean.
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img_1419 Uhoh Zoe!
Uhoh Zoe!