After training this afternoon we visited the Chipingali wildlife sanctuary here in Bulawayo. What a fantastic experience being up close and personal with rhinos, lions, cheetahs, leopards, snakes, baboons and hyena. In Australia it is rare to have such an opportunity to see these magnificent species of animals in relatively natural surroundings. The awesome power and presence of the rhinos was mind blowing as they paraded around their dusty caged stable while looking over the baby rhino, which weighed more than all of us put together.

The lions and lionesses with their fierce eyes and razor sharp teeth roared their disapproval at being show-pieces for visitors from around the world. From behind bars they seem safe enough, yet when they roar or leap and bound around their territories the feeling of vulnerability if the barriers were terminated is frightening. Almost as a sign of his dominance and frustration one of the lions turned his back upon a group of us and without warning shot a torrent of urine like a powerful garden hose. While we all fell to the ground in fits of laughter, Steve Waugh wasn't as impressed as he left the park drenched in lion's urine. As is his way though Tugga just shrugged it off as a good luck omen for this trip to Zimbabwe. "It's not every day you get leaked upon by one of the big five animals of the world," he laughed. "That might just be a sign of good things to come I reckon."

Travelling to these parts of the world we get many opportunities that may never have been granted if it wasn't for our profession. Although scheduling these days is very hectic, every chance we get to see parts of the world that we may never have seen before is a bonus. Without enough time to enjoy the traditional safaris or game parks while we are here in Africa, an afternoon like this is a good break from the cricket grounds or hotel rooms. With another game starting tomorrow, this short tour is sure to be over before it even starts. Ten days in this interesting country will hardly be enough to fill our memory scrapbooks with everything Zimbabwe could offer. It will leave me though with enough desire to come back in the future with my family to enjoy all the treats that this short experience threatens to tease me with.

From Bulawayo, JL