[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″ custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” locked=”off” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”20px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=””][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_line_height_tablet=”” header_2_line_height_phone=”” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n
Life is unpredictable. That\u2019s a given. But if anyone predicted the chaos that Covid-19 would cause during the past year, no one would have believed it. Still, the year 2020 threw a curveball to all of us, not only in tourism but worldwide, in every possible industry. Covid-19 arrived swiftly and unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. I still remember December 2019, when I first read of its impact in Wuhan. It seems like a lifetime ago and never in my wildest dreams, while I read the article to Etienne, did I imagine that we would also be impacted by it. \u00a0Still, a few months later, we closed our doors on the 26th of March and only opened up again on the 1st of October. A whole six months later! The thing I found spectacular about our opening date, was that Etienne initially opened Elephant Plains\u2019 doors on the 1st of October 1998. So 22 years later, to the day, we had the opportunity to once again open our doors to the public, much like a phoenix rising from the ashes.<\/p>\n
My mother instilled in us a love of poetry and when we opened in October, the poem of C. Louis Leipoldt came to mind. It is an Afrikaans poem called \u201cOktobermaand\u201d. For our international readers, I will attempt a translation, although the impact may not be as emotionally intense as the Afrikaans version. The bottom line of the poem is that October is the most beautiful month of the year. For us, it\u2019s been true twice, since Elephant Plains\u2019 existence.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.elephantplains.co.za\/big-5-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Main-Swimming-pool.jpg” alt=”Elephant Plains Main Swimming Pool” title_text=”Elephant Plains Main Swimming Pool” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset3″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n
Main swimming pool<\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_line_height_tablet=”” header_2_line_height_phone=”” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n
Violets in the foyer –<\/em> This is the month October,<\/em> This is the month October!<\/em> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.elephantplains.co.za\/big-5-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Ringbarking-trees.jpg” alt=”Ringbarking trees” title_text=”Ringbarking trees” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset3″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||”]<\/p>\n Discouraging elephants from ringbarking the trees<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_line_height_tablet=”” header_2_line_height_phone=”” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n This epitomizes how we felt when opening after six months of lockdown. Everything felt fresh and green, the days were beautiful!<\/p>\n During the lockdown, we obviously did not sit around twiddling our thumbs. We kept a small staff compliment and everyone helped with maintenance. We redid all of the main building decks, refurbed reception, the curio shop, library, main bar and dining area. We redid the old camp swimming pool deck, as well as all the Rondavel decks. The Rondavels also had a fresh paint job inside and out. We worked on the roads and also tried to save as many of our big trees, as possible. We secured the bottom parts of the trees with chicken mesh. This discourages elephants from ringbarking the trees. When they ringbark a tree and too much of the cambium layer gets damaged, the tree ultimately dies, as the cambium carries all the nutrients the tree needs to survive and thrive. Covid-19 luckily did not damage our own cambium layer and we were able to not only survive but to also thrive! I will share a sneak peek of some of the work we did during the lockdown. The rest you will have to come and see for yourselves.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.elephantplains.co.za\/big-5-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Reception.jpg” alt=”Elephant Plains Reception” title_text=”Elephant Plains Reception” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset3″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||”]<\/p>\n Reception area<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.elephantplains.co.za\/big-5-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Main-Lodge.jpg” alt=”Main Lodge at Elephant Plains” title_text=”Main Lodge at Elephant Plains” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset3″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||”]<\/p>\n Main lodge<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ header_2_line_height=”1.2em” hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_line_height_tablet=”” header_2_line_height_phone=”” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Violets blue and red!<\/em>
Violets everywhere in the fields,<\/em>
And everywhere, alas, so beautiful!<\/em><\/p>\n
the most beautiful, most beautiful month!<\/em>
The day is then so bright,<\/em>
so green is every night,<\/em>
So blue and without clouds<\/em>
the heavens all above,<\/em>
So flower garden – full of colours<\/em>
Even the pale Karoo.<\/em><\/p>\n
The lily is in bloom;<\/em>
Over all the hippo holes<\/em>
Waterlilies are full grown.<\/em>
The rocky outcrops, recently<\/em>
still like a stone so bare,<\/em>
Have now for welcome greetings<\/em>
their most beautiful to share.<\/em><\/p>\n