2013…A retrospective.

Some of my highlights from 2013.



As I look back over 2013, the breaking story had to be Madiba.
First his “extended” illness and then his death, memorial service and funeral.
I had been lucky to work with him on six separate occasions
and I will never forget his smile and cheerful “Hello”
I was in a coffee shop in Coogee Beach, Australia when I heard the news of his death.
Thanks to James Kinloch at Radio Today, I was able to do a link to the studio to share my thoughts.

http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/12/rip-nelson-mandela-hamba-kahle-tata.html

An unexpected Christmas Day road trip.
I do enjoy driving, especially when you come across this type of road sign.
Only in Africa!

http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/12/nelspruit-bound-unexpected-road-trip.html

The highlight of my year.
Our trip on the Voyager of the Seas.

http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/12/a-collage-of-our-voyager-of-seas-trip.html

10 leopards in 4 days!
I got to spend time with Guy Ellis and his Leopard ID Project in Botswana.

http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/11/a-first-for-methe-leoprad-id-project.html

My first trails camp.
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/06/in-and-around-jock-explorer-camp-kruger.html

Travel & Things retains Runner Up in the 2013 SA Blog Awards.
The only top three 2012 Blog to still be in the top three.
Hard work but well worth it.
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/12/sa-blog-awards-will-be-announced.html

Heia Safari Ranch…
I have been visiting since 1976 and I never tire of going there.
My thanks to Gaby, Bianca, Ivan and all the staff for making Caro and I part of the family
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/12/pre-christmas-at-heia-safari-ranch.html

It took me 47 years to get to see a kill.
This is that experience.
WARNING: Graphic images.
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/02/dogs-1.html

Another highlight…
My 60th!
Many thanks to my wonderful wife, Carolyn, for a splendid party
It has been remiss of me NOT to mention my daughter Jayne,
who compiled the most WONDERFUL book for me.
It was and will always be a fitting reminder of a very special occasion.
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/06/my-60thcelebrated-at-heia-safari-ranch.html

It was been several years since my last visit to the Monte Casino Bird Garden.
It is well worth a visit.
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/07/monte-casino-bird-gardens.html

My favourite 2013 African country…Rwanda.
This was a chilling memorial to what happened in a very short time frame.
It was humbling to realize that I was standing next to the graves of 250000 souls.
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/06/kigali-genocide-memorial-rwanda.html

Lion v Leopard.
One of the most interesting encounters I have ever witnessed.
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/09/just-another-day-in-africa-certainly-not.html

A tall tale…camp fire fun.
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/09/synergy.html

Thanks to Radio Today and Heia Safari Ranch, Travel & Things has a voice.
The first show was broadcast in February.
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/02/travel-things-first-broadcast.html

I got to cover a lot of acoustic music during the year.
This is Bruce Dennill singing his heart out at Andy’s Acoustic Forum
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/06/andys-acoustic-forum-june-event.html

Thanks to Grant Atkinson, I was able to get a different perspective on elephants.
Very special being at ground level while they walk past.
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/09/a-new-angle-on-elephants-from-bunker.html

I have been supporting this market for almost two decades.
When I heard that it had closed,
I was upset that one of my favourite “people-watching” venues would be no more.
But then it re-opened at the Norwood Mall
and I hope that it be there for the next twenty years.
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/09/same-rooftopdifferent-mall.html

A fabulous new food market opened in 2013.
I wish it all the success for 2014…as long as the parking gets sorted out.
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/08/a-new-market-opensfourways-farmers.html

Somewhere interesting to stay over.
A visit to the Cradle of Humankind should be a MUST for every Gauteng resident.
The hotel make it easier.
http://www.davidbatzofin.com/2013/08/maropeng-hotel-cradle-of-humankind.html