Sat., June 16
Another early start. We're getting this down to a science. Lay out the clothes the night before, set the alarm so we can have a Starbuck's Via before clamoring down to the vehicles and our trip to the park. Eliot was still peeking out from the back of the mirror as we dress. This morning we again see our baby hippo, but it seems weak and James feels it's sick--that consequently the mother's abandoned it and it'll soon be dinner for lions.
New animals are the side-striped jackal and squirrel, but alas, no leopard yet. Great view of giraffes and vultures still munching on the elephant carcass. Tea, coffee, biscuits on the beach, a stretch break. We're back at the lodge by 9, have a nice breakfast of croissants, juice, eggs, bacon--actually anything one's heart may desire.
Good news! So the internet may be operational! We buy an hour's worth for $10 and see if it's really going to work. Botswana's internet seems a bit trickier. Tomorrow it's on to Zambia via a charter plane.
Jane and I walk into town, have a Coke, and try to remember to look right first, not left, when crossing the street, since the traffic drives on the left. This gal was happy to have her photo taken as long as we paid her.
Various photos--internet's too slow here to load with the text, so you can figure out what's what. Amazing stuff!
Giraffe on Saturday morning
Our Eliot the first night--the game changer. He's since moved to the wall behind the mirror. This perhaps doesn't show how big this sucker is, but believe me...he's a bit intimidating.
His majesty... We were actually so very close to him. Beautiful.
Vultures awaiting their turn...
A hyena. She has two pups (black for now) that will hunt with her when they're older
Jane and I opted out of another afternoon river cruise and relaxed, got the blog up to date and then had a drink and figured out our bill before dinner. Earlier as I was sitting in a lounger by the river, suddenly a family of baboons waltzed by--the little ones scamper, the youngest riding on mom's back, sliding to ride underneath. Papa baboon took the lounger two down from me and just sat for a bit, but before I could get my camera out, he lept up into the tree and rustled around there. We have to get used to these guys roaming about. Then as Jane and I were having a local beer at the bar (Black Label--quite good, actually), we heard a sudden splat and we saw what appeared to be an artfully carved half of a grapefruit, or guava or something, facedown on the tile. A monkey must've grabbed it from a fruit arrangement, climbed a tree, lost hold of it and thwat!splat! there it landed 10 feet from us. We were sort of glad we were the 10 feet away. But within a minute, one of the critters had swiped it away and all was good.
After dinner we packed, readying ourselves for the 6 am wakeup call, 7 breakfast and 8 departure that would take us to our third country, Zambia. This second part of the tour was all about the Chobe, the animals in the park, so plentiful--the birds so abundant.
New animals are the side-striped jackal and squirrel, but alas, no leopard yet. Great view of giraffes and vultures still munching on the elephant carcass. Tea, coffee, biscuits on the beach, a stretch break. We're back at the lodge by 9, have a nice breakfast of croissants, juice, eggs, bacon--actually anything one's heart may desire.
Good news! So the internet may be operational! We buy an hour's worth for $10 and see if it's really going to work. Botswana's internet seems a bit trickier. Tomorrow it's on to Zambia via a charter plane.
Various photos--internet's too slow here to load with the text, so you can figure out what's what. Amazing stuff!
Above is Mishak, our guide; below is a monkey on our balcony here in Botswana
Giraffe on Saturday morning
Vultures awaiting their turn...
A hyena. She has two pups (black for now) that will hunt with her when they're older
Later:
Jane and I opted out of another afternoon river cruise and relaxed, got the blog up to date and then had a drink and figured out our bill before dinner. Earlier as I was sitting in a lounger by the river, suddenly a family of baboons waltzed by--the little ones scamper, the youngest riding on mom's back, sliding to ride underneath. Papa baboon took the lounger two down from me and just sat for a bit, but before I could get my camera out, he lept up into the tree and rustled around there. We have to get used to these guys roaming about. Then as Jane and I were having a local beer at the bar (Black Label--quite good, actually), we heard a sudden splat and we saw what appeared to be an artfully carved half of a grapefruit, or guava or something, facedown on the tile. A monkey must've grabbed it from a fruit arrangement, climbed a tree, lost hold of it and thwat!splat! there it landed 10 feet from us. We were sort of glad we were the 10 feet away. But within a minute, one of the critters had swiped it away and all was good.
After dinner we packed, readying ourselves for the 6 am wakeup call, 7 breakfast and 8 departure that would take us to our third country, Zambia. This second part of the tour was all about the Chobe, the animals in the park, so plentiful--the birds so abundant.