MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, South Africa It was an African safari Saturday for Michelle Obama and her family.

The first lady, joined by daughters Malia, 12, and Sasha, 10, along with her mother, Marian Robinson, and a niece and nephew, climbed into an open-air Toyota Land Cruiser in search of lions, giraffes, elephants and other animals on the sprawling Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa.

"Let's go see some stuff," Mrs. Obama said before she and her family returned to the vehicle after listening to a park guide's explanation about the mountains off in the distance. "Let's go."

They had seen at least one elephant by early afternoon.

The group, including Mrs. Obama's niece and nephew, Leslie and Avery Robinson, age 15 and 19, were spending the night at a lodge on the reserve.

Mrs. Obama has been in Africa all week, promoting youth leadership, education, and health and wellness in South Africa and Botswana. She returns home to Washington on Monday.
I wish I could afford a trip for my family with accompanying niece and nephew.

somehow i don't think Mom, niece and nephew flew commercial to get there either.

So yes, out tax dollars probablydid pay for the trip. We pay his salary and fund the other perks that go with landing the highest office in the world. Perks come with the job, just like any other high level position that many have in this country. Nesides, she was actually doing a great service promoting various activities. Your resentment is way out of place. You are free to aspire to what ever you want in this country. You are most likely the one who spout off all the time talking about freedom and capitialism. Well, she is enjoying what both offer anyone in this country. I suppose those running business should not take vacations either, eh? And don't give me that tax payer crap. CEO's of corporatios get paid a lot of money that in essence is from the hard work of those that they employ. The President is really the CEO of the largest corporation on the planet.

hahahahahahahahahhahahahhahahahah

ohh
hahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahah

LOL ROTFLMAO

you are so OUT OF TOUCH

but what about "along with her mother, Marian Robinson, and a niece and nephew,"?

You really have no idea of how basic economics work do you? It doesn't surprise me though. Anyone that defends the O' admin. or works for them has no idea of what they are doing anyway. Enjoy life on the plantation; it seems to fit you well.

My lament was her taking niece, nephew and mommy dearest along for the ride on my tax dollars. My hubby was in sales but I never got a free vacation on his companies dime even if I accompanied him on a convention trip I had to pay my way, airline ticket and all food costs. So if pres. o stayed home why should mrs. o get all of this for free?

MO is the first lady. The first lady travels on goodwill missions all the time. Taking kids and maybe some freinds has always been the case. It is part of the life of a presidential family. Get over it.

no way. troll.

Oh, and your company sucked if they made you pay for your wife to attend a company outing.

loser

her mother, niece and nephew are not.

For them it WAS a vacation.

If this was mrs. Bush would you also be okay?

Libby will never reply because she is incapable of logic.

Besides she was promoting some important things while there. Much like a business person does when on the road for his company. You want those perks go into sales, if not stay behind a desk and whine about how unfair that is.

The point is your "CEO's" company is broke. We have record debt and no feasable way out of it; while michelle and her followers are trampsing around africa on the taxpayers dime. Yes, there is plenty wrong with that. Why should my kids and grandkids have to pay for her vacation?

The first lady is an ambassador of goodwill for this country. It is part of what the first lady does and has been doing since we've had presidents. Are you a Christian or someone of faith?

I've been on the road. My company did not pay for my spouse, children, extended family or friends to go along. They did not fund a vacation for my family while I stayed home and worked.

Maybe you should try that again. This time with some logical reasoning. This should be good...

of a salesman. Your wife is not an ambassador of goodwill. That is what the first lady can and should be doing. Your hatred is obvious and it is eating you up in side. SAD.

involved in many charities. In fact, she's in Alabama now helping out the victims of the Tornado. Then, she's headed to Mississippi to see what she can do there. She, however, is covering her own costs.

there is no hope for you.

How can they justify that outing costing thousands which could have been redistributed toward something here in the States?

Why should we the tax payers pay for niece, nephew and mommy dearest to go along? The extra security needed to protect them cost?

Why did we pay for a Safari if she was there doing goodwill? Why not just visit the needy areas and show her face?

Why spend all that money there when the cost could have gone to a devastated area on our own shores. Surely Louisianna could have used the income from her visit.

Wait because she wanted to go to Africa??

Let them eat cake while those in power eat steak. The pres and family should show some compassion for the economic crisis he faces. Instead they spend spend spend. I wish I had that luxury, but alas my job was omitted when the housing market crashed,oh yea he passed the stimulus bill for that debachel as well.

let them eat cake.

Air Force 2 and likely a transport to take the limo's over and back.


"First Lady Michelle Obamas trip to South Africa and Botswana last week cost taxpayers well over half a million dollars, possibly in the range of $700,000 or $800,000"

The trip ended at a five-star hotel in the middle of a game preserve where rooms exceed $10,000 dollars per night. Michelle was accompanied by her daughters, brother Craig's kids and granny who all enjoyed the "luxurious suites" and "one of the world's finest art collections" at the Mateya.


Seems a tad excessive, don't you think?

I wonder where the secret service stayed?


Mateya is designed for the discerning traveler, offering a graceful fusion of relaxed comfort in a beautiful setting. The lodge caters for a maximum of ten guests. As such, you are assured exclusivity, privacy and the very highest standards of personal care and attention at all times.

Nestled in the rocky outcrop of the Gabbro hills, the lodge, comprising dining, lounge, and relaxation areas, provides a high elevation and an uninterrupted view of the reserve. The suites are arranged in a radial configuration around one of the hills, each with a private, rim-flow pool deck and natural window sala overlooking the waterhole or surrounding plains.

The scene is breathtakingly beautiful, the game is plentiful, and the comfort is unsurpassed. The artwork and literature capture the essence of an untamed spirit. Savoured with either a glass of chilled Chardonnay or well-matured Merlot, the Mateya Gallery and Library offer the delight of sharing in the many breath-taking adventures of those to whose cannon of experience your Mateya safari will be the latest addition.


Whether soaking up the afternoon rays whilst walking through the reserve on a guided tracking safari, or sitting down to an evening of fine dining, each and every feature of your visit will leave you with the pleasure of having indulged in an unforgettable experience. Gazing out through the glass walls of the main dining room, or watching the cinders leap into the starry night from the bonfire in the open air Fire Core, you will feel that Mateya offers a sublime fusion of luxury carved into the edge of an untamed African wilderness. It is this balance which makes Mateya a truly remarkable destination.