A Garden Safari with Marco Tonoli
Posted by Marco Tonoli
in Of Interest
Hello everyone, and greetings from Cape Town, South Africa. I hope this finds everyone in good health and good spirits as we all in some way endure this period of isolation and social distancing. We are now halfway through our nationwide lockdown in South Africa, with very strict terms keeping us all in our homes at all costs. Naturally, for a person who spends so much time traveling and in wide open spaces around the world, this certainly has been a time of making some grand adjustments to my life.
While the conditions that have placed us all in isolation are not ideal, this forced time has become an experience I am, strangely enough, grateful for. All those “to do” items on my many lists are slowly being crossed off. All those books I have been wanting to read have finally been pulled off the shelf and are filling up the quiet evenings. And my garden has never looked better.
But the biggest reward of this situation is time with my family. My wife, Tarryn, fortunate to be able to work from home, is here alongside me with our two girls, Asha and Amelie, who are both a little over two and a half years old. So, after these past few years of leaving my wife to man the fort while I explore the globe, it is time for me to put on my battle gear and head into the trenches.
It’s full-time dad right now, with two very busy, curious and strong-willed little children. And I am loving it. Every morning we head out through our garden on our “safari walk” searching for wild creatures hidden amongst the vegetation. Granted these creatures are only about two inches long, but my little “safarians” are now super keen spotters and can rattle off an impressive list of creatures, with the odd dinosaur thrown in.
Next, we are on to animal sounds, and it amazes me each day just how those little minds absorb more and more. Their repertoire is getting impressive. Then it’s on to our daily “itinerary”. (That’s the guide in me, unfortunately.) A daily schedule of fun games and skills to keep those little minds learning and those little bodies busy. As busy as possible please, and by the end of the day it’s two exhausted bodies and minds.
While my days aren’t spent searching for wild and exotic creatures, or discussing the evolutionary history of Felids, to see two curious minds grow and learn and smile while they do so is truly a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Happy days and still loving life. I hope you all are too.
How SPECIAL to meet your delightful treasures Marco. They are beautiful. Thank you for sharing your garden safari !
Hope to adventure with you again in the not too distant future.
Love from us both x
Great kids! Thanks for sharing. We are more fortunate with the lock down. Able to walk the neighbourhood. Looking forward to our next expedition with you.
Marco you have two absolutely wonderful girls. That was the best safari ever, right from my armchair!! Thank you and please thank the girls for their expertise on African and Asian mammals. I can’t believe how fortunate you all are to be in lockdown with such adorable people. Can’t wait to begin travels again. April has lasted about 90 days already and it’s not over yet.
Greetings Marco from Sylvia and Jim Franklin
We really enjoyed the video and seeing your beautiful girls. Very clever video,
Hope you and your wife are well, we are and rescheduled Botswanna for April 2021,
Stay well and our very best, Jim and Sylvia
Thank you for putting a huge smile on our faces and for sharing your beautiful family. Take care and stay safe
❤️RandJ
Hi Marco,
Beautiful video and lovely daughters. I certainly enjoyed the safari and smiled the entire time.
Best to you and your family, stay safe and see you in Ethiopia next year!
Hey Marco, Kathryn and I loved your arm chair safari with those two adorable precocious daughters. However we think Liam has the best of this bad covid-19 situation with his boardwalk in the game reserve and real African wildlife in his backyard. Lucky Liam….We are glad you all are doing well. We shelter in place here in New Hampshire and fortunately can get outside and walk in our rural Neighborhood every day. Also spring is here and I am able to work in our gardens and lawns. However we are getting somewhat restless.Two of our overseas trips have already been canceled this year and unfortunately more to come in the fall. We hope 2021 Is a better year. However foreign countries probably won’t let Americans in as we seem to be the hotbed of infection on the planet at present!…Stay well and we hope to meet again.