3 December 2005    to      4 December 2005

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Kuthaba is situated about 15km outside Nylstroom. Dont ask me the new name for Nylstroom..nobody can pronounce it! Its an absolutely beautiful game lodge in the bushveld. Once a year our hiking club holds its Christmas party, and this years theme was the "Taj Mahal" which we held at Kuthaba the second year in a row. That meant dressing up in something Indian. Of course some people did not read the full instructions and only saw "Indian" which produced the funny scenario that they ended up arriving as "Red Indians"!

After arriving just after 5 on Friday evening and settling into our Chalet it was braai and socializing time. Some of the people we only seem to see once a year so there was plenty of catching up to do.

Here a shot of one of the tented Chalets that we stayed in. One has to hand it to Jason, he has been extremely creative in setting up the Lodge and I am sure that we will be back there for our next Christmas party!

Next morning the more energetic went on a 12km hike while the rest of us lazed around the pool.

Even the dog decided he was going to take the day off and lay in the pool....

except of course if there is something to eat!

At about 4:30 the fire was lit and once the coals were fine Alan, Joan and Isabel started making the curry potjies, of which we had four different types.

At 6:30 the first of us arrived. As usual that was Silvia and myself (the bold .....and the beautiful!) followed by Markus, as nobody wanted to be the first due to a strange "shyness syndrome"! Silvia as a Indian princes and me the Maharaja (with scimitar). Markus' s colleagues at work borrowed him a genuine Indian outfit for the occasion.

Petro and Wendy in their stunning outfits.

Jean and daughter.

Verna in her stunning outfit.

Jorge setting up the funeral pyre...I wonder who is the lucky winner???

Serious discussions taking place here....yes its hard work to rule a kingdom!!

Tim handing out the annual awards. Petro certainly managed to corner her fair share!

And the party goes into full swing!

Tell me about it!!

Next morning having that first black coffee or tea after the night before...oooohhhh!!!

Breakfast.

After breakfast we took a little walk. Kuthaba is realy a great place for such an event as ours and having a day hike in general.

Here are the remains of the last hiker that did not make it....well such is life, but for those that did make it, we really did have a great time again!