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Hippo Herald Volume Six - 2011

July 2011

Catch all the action with Hippo Hideaway

Ok, so we have passed the half-way mark people. I suppose you think it’s all downhill from here. Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s not. The first half of the year was a blast and the second half is set to be even more explosive. I am sure that all those dads who were lucky enough to spend some quality time with the fan-dam-ily at Hippo Hideaway this Father’s Day agree that 2011 was the best June ever. They may even be questioning how the year could get any better but, with the sardine run, whale migration, Rugby World Cup, National Marine Week and Christmas all around the corner, how could it not?

One, two, three, four, five, once I caught a fish alive - Abbot Van Rooyen Memorial Snoek Derby

The St Lucia Ski-Boat Club will be holding the annual Abbot Van Rooyen Memorial Snoek Derby on the weekend of the 23rd and 24th of July. This family event sees anglers from across KwaZulu-Natal competing for cash prizes to the value of R25 000 smackaroos and, as it is a Snoek Derby, only Snoek will do. Make a weekend of it - spend the day in the waves and the evening relaxing by the Hippo Hideaway pool. If you are interested in joining in on the fun, entries close on the 22nd and feel free to contact Ralph Teasdale (Chairman) on 083 628 5650 or Brad McLaren (Competition Co-ordinator) on 083 459 8276 or Piet Cilliers (Launch Control) on 072 333 1377 for further information.

Run sardine, run

DDubbed 'the greatest shoal on Earth’, the sardine run sees thousands upon thousands of silvery fish making their way up the South African coastline every winter. This annual migration has its starting block in the cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean, off the country’s west coast. Once the starting gun has gone off, sardines race along a cool-water highway to the finish line, located somewhere off the east coast in a much warmer Indian Ocean.

Most consider the shoal’s sheer volume of to be extraordinary. I, on the other hand, think it highly practical, what with Jaws swimming around out there and everything (queue music). You humans are not the only ones keeping a close eye on these little marathon swimmers. The shoals are closely followed by predators great and small. Great Whites and Raggies, Cormorants and Penguins, Dolphins and Orcas – they all grab a bite off the east coast.

I see you – Bird watching at iSimangaliso Wetland Park

A recognised World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a remarkable destination that offers an amazing journey through 8 complex and intertwining ecosystems. This area is especially enchanting to avid bird watchers, with 420 of South Africa’s 841 recorded bird species nesting within its borders. Not only are there wetland birds like the Purple Gallinule and Goliath Herald to be seen, but also grassland and forest species including the Narina Trogon and the Black Crested Snake Egale. It is a true cornucopia of avian delights.

And if you aren’t so keen on feathered folk there are still plenty of plants, reptiles and mammals to entertain and amaze you. I, myself, am particularly dazzling, quite like this rhino which was recently seen crossing a nearby road.

If you didn’t before, well now you know – Enviro fact of the month

The date to remember this month is the 11th, which may or may not be your birthday or wedding anniversary, but is definitely World Population Day. The 11th of July 1987 was recognised as the Day of Five Billion, i.e. the day the planet’s human population exceeded the five billion mark. Since then the number of people has expanded to well over six and a half million people and is expected to reach 7 billion on the 31st of October 2011. To celebrate and increase public awareness of this milestone the United Nations Population Fund has launched the 7 Billion Actions movement. They are calling people to join together, to share their actions and innovations and change the world.

If you’re interested in joining the movement, and why wouldn’t you be, check them out on http://www.7billionactions.org/, find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter

Enough about that, let’s talk about me – Hippo fact of the month

Once upon a time hippos ruled the world. Ok, so we didn’t quite rule the whole world, but we were quite widely distributed. We were found throughout Africa and had even crossed over into Europe, where we were quite happy to endure the winter months provided our lakes didn’t freeze. And as far as ruling the world goes, what else has a God to do?

In the ancient kingdoms of Egypt hippos were feared and revered. The hippo male was, in fact, considered to be an animal of Set’s, the Egyptian God of deserts, storms, foreigners, darkness and chaos. This was because the Egyptians believed the hippo to be a highly aggressive and dangerous animal, which isn’t far off, even today hippos are considered to be amongst the most dangerous animals in Africa.

The Egyptians, however, recognised that there are two sides to every story and that for all our ferocity, we hippos are excellent mothers.Taweret, the Goddess of childbirth and fertility, was often depicted with a hippo’s head and body. A household deity, she was the ‘mistress of the horizon’, keeping the darkness at bay and her consort, the great God Set, on a tight leash.

Interested in seeing what those clever Egyptians were on about? Then come on over to Hippo Hideaway, my little piece of heaven along the Elephant Coast. To make a reservation give us a call on 031 764 4553 or e-mail us at reservations@hippohideaway.co.za. Don’t forget to also visit our awesome website at www.hippohideaway.co.za and tell all your friends.